Where I Work
September 11, 2007 by Deb
Filed under Freelance Writing
Last week, ProBlogger Darren Rowse showed off his work space and encouraged us to do the same. I considered it, but got caught up in the first week of school and catching up on my work and forgot. Then today I saw this post from Ryan at Performancing, also encouraging us to show our workspaces. So I got out my digital camera. Welcome to blog central.
This is where I work.
A few weeks ago it was nothing more than a room filled with old toys and other storage. I alternated working between a corner of my kitchen table and a spot in the dining room. Now that business is booming, we decided an office is in order. My husband painted and set up a place for me to work. It’s nothing fancy – as you can see, there’s a folding table holding our coputers and the book shelf is actually my grandmother’s old microwave cart and holds books I’m to review. That overflowing basket is promotional material -people like to send me stuff in hopes of my writing about it. That’s my “to do” basket. Oh and those flowers were a Mother’s Day gift from my son.
My computer is an HP Pavillion – a Christmas gift from my husband two years ago. The smaller Pavillion is also shared by my husband and son.
That’s it. It’s nothing fancy but considering my last spot in a corner of the dining room, I’ll take it! It’s heavenly having my own space to work. Now, I just need a desk.
So where do you work?
Mariella says:
“Well…I was going to list them here, but it seems like I want to sign up for everything!”
That’s my problem, too.
I didn’t find anything on a contest entry fee, either…
I did NaNoWriMo last year. I reached 50,000 with just a few hours to spare, as I remember.
Since then, I’m afraid, my novel has sat on my hard drive, untouched. I printed it out, meaning to start revising, but then I never got to it.
This year I am going to use a novel idea that I care a little more about, in the hopes that it will actually make it to print.
Well, at least you already got the writing part done. As for me, it’s still all here in my brain. LOL. Sometimes it gets a little disconcerting that I’m too busy to actually write for myself. But that’s life, and I’ll do it when the time is right, I guess…LOL. So on the next NaNoWriMo, I hope it IS time.
Mariella –
I know. I also would like to write more fiction, but find it hard to make time. Sometimes I think how ironic it is that I’m a freelance writer, and my “day job” still interferes with my writing. Ha!
Of course, then I think about the fact that I am actually making a living as a writer, and not having time for fiction suddenly doesn’t sound like such a big deal after all. I’m just grateful that my day job is something I genuinely love doing!
You’re definitely right. Just the fact that we make a living on something we love is a privilege. ♥
Mariella, are you already signed up for NaNoWriMo? My page is still up from last year (I guess they don’t take them down). You can find it here.
ohmigosh, my favorite authors are the Bronte Sisters and Anne Rice too!!! ♥ ♥ ♥
And congratulations for winning last year’s contest!!!
I don’t think I can sign up yet, I don’t see a registration option. Perhaps it’ll be open sometime around October. Is that bar graph right, btw? You finished 5,000 words on the last day of the contest? O_O
Yeah, I got really behind, so I put off all other work and just wrote for the last day or two of November. It was a frantic pace, I’ll tell you that!
Realistically, though, I can pound out about 1,000 words an hour when I really get going.
Yes, I think you’re right — registration is in October. Let me know your screen name when you register, and I’ll add you as a buddy!
It’s fantastic to meet another Bronte fan, by the way. Most people say, “Who?”
Which sister is your favorite? I like Anne, who isn’t as well known, but is (I think) the best of the three.
I know! Everybody’s a Jane Austen fan. Actually, my preference shifts around the three sisters depending on my mood. Right now, it’s Charlotte (because I’ve just reread Jane Eyre…LOL). I reckon next month, it would be another sister. haha~ Emily’s the one I’ve least liked, I think. Perhaps it’s because she only published one novel so I don’t get to read her work as much as the other sisters.
Emily was my favorite when I was a teen, but probably my least favorite now. I think it’s all for the same reason: Wuthering Heights is so soap opera-ish! When you’re a teen, that’s great, but not as exciting when you’re all grown up.
Have you read Anne’s Wildfell Hall? I’ve read it twice. Haven’t read Agnes Grey yet though.
I personally am not as fond of Austen. Wit and ridicule was big back then, but I personally prefer how directly Charlotte and Anne address the societal issues of the day.
LOL! I think Wuthering Heights works its magic the first time ’round, or perhaps, as you said, when you’re a teenager. But it wears off after a while. Still, it’s a good read every now and then, though the last time I’ve read it was 3 years ago, I think. I just can’t get myself to pick it up again. LOL.
I love Wildfell Hall *sniffs*. Oh no…now I want to reread it. I can’t…I have deadlines! LOL. Yes! I’ve read Agnes Gray. Actually, I lost the copy my uncle has given me when I was 16. Last time I tried finding one, there’s none available, so now I’m making do with an ebook. Still, it’s better than nothing.
As for Jane Austen, I think I’d like to quote Charlotte:
“Jane Austen was a complete and most sensible lady but a very incomplete and rather insensible — not senseless — woman. If this is heresy — I cannot help it.”
Love the quote.
I collect old books, so I have a couple of really nice old sets. One has Charlotte’s four books, and the other is a set of all of their work, including a selection of their poetry.
I’ll try to post pictures on my blog (and a link on this thread) this weekend. You’ll love ‘em!
Okay! I’ll wait for them. Hope by that time, I’ll be able to post in your blog. I tried twice since earlier, btw. Did you receive comments from me?
Katharine, just got the conference schedules. Will look it up later and tell you which lessons I’m signing up for
Mariella, I haven’t gotten any of your comments.
If it’s not working by tomorrow I’m going to switch to unmoderated comments.
I look forward to seeing what you’re interested in signing up for. I’m particularly interested in all the marketing stuff, since I intend to go the self-publishing route.
I have recieved my list and will be going over it this weekend and deciding too. I had to send the e-mail to my friend to open it and resend it to me because microsoft works does not open pdf’s.
Oh, Micah, you seriously need to have a copy of MS Word if you are going to be in this business!!! Don’t forget, it’s a business expense…
(By the way, wasn’t your schedule a Word doc, rather than a PDF? That’s what mine was.)
I can’t open doc’s either. It’s a pain. I’ll get Word when I can afford it but can’t do it right now.
I just opened a pdf with adobe acrobat so it must have been a memory problem at the time.
Check at a used or discount computer store. You might be able to get a slightly older copy for a good price. I use Word 2000, and I’ve never had any problems due to using an older version.
When you buy it, save the receipt — you can deduct the cost on 1040 Schedule C as a business expense.
I received a doc file too. MIcah, you can also send me doc files to convert to PDF when you need it in case you ever you need help in the future
Katharine>> I can’t decide which ones to sign up for! I’m very interested in the writing conferences, but I NEED to learn more about marketing. So I guess I just have to create a balanced schedule…Not to mention, I have a book due on the end of October, so I guess I just have to put my nose to the grindstone before and after the conference week to get things done.
Thanks Mariella.
That’s so great that you are working on a book. I don’t have half the jobs that you do yet. I’m still working on content for an ebook.
Well, it’s not as great as it sounds like since the book is not mine — ghostwriting it for a client
But, as I said, I’m signing up for NaNoWriMo so hopefully by the end of November, I can say that I’ve written my own book.
What’s the link for NaNoWriMo? I’d like to take a look at it. It’s for writing a book? BTW…I have not ghostwritten yet either so I think it’s a big deal. :}
Yes, basically, it’s setting a goal for you to be able to finish a 50,000-word book in 30 days. It’s right here. Katharine also posted her NaNoWriMo profile. It’ll help a lot if you have an idea churning but have no drive to finish a manuscript.
Mariella –
I agree, marketing is important. I am focusing primarily on marketing, and just throwing in a few of the writing workshops I am most interested in.
I think I’m becoming pretty good at the marketing aspect, but it’s one of those things I think you can always learn more about.
Micah –
It would be awesome if you did NaNoWriMo too!
I agree. I need to learn more about marketing because I’m not quite as adept at “selling myself” yet.
I wish I could go over the list now but I have a deadline in a couple of hours and I’m having indigestion…………
So I’ll pop in again later. LOL~
I work everywhere
It honestly depends on my mood and personal preference at the time. Sometimes I work on my laptop at the kitchen table, other times in the living room, in the basement, on my bed, or at the coffee shop. Every once in a while I feel like writing in my family’s office, but that’s a rarity.
Mariella –
How did meeting the deadline go?
Do you get the Writing for Dollars newsletter? There was an article in this issue that made me think of you. The article is about ways to market yourself (well, your book, but some of the tips can be used for marketing other aspects of yourself too).
It was a close shave. LOL. The indigestion made it all the harder to concentrate. I downed two cans of energy drink just to be able to cope. Haha~
Thanks a lot for the link, Katharine! This is great ♥ I’ll sign up for their newsletter then.
I’ve been getting the newsletter for about six months now, I think. The articles are usually helpful, and the market listings are pretty good, too!
Glad you made the deadline, by the way. Speaking of which, I should get to work here, too………………………
It’s great to discover something new every day
Actually, me too. Haha~ More deadlines on the way so I better get back to work. I ended up reading the whole newsletter. LOL.
Katharine, do you remember when we talked about being contacted months later by jobs we’ve applied for? I just got one earlier for a trade mag. And this is a gig I really wanted so I’m very happy right now
*PS: I tried to post this on your blog, but as usually, it wouldn’t let me.
Congrats, Micah! I had a similar thing happen to me just this morning: A client contacted me several weeks after I applied. It sounds like a good gig, so I’m pleased.
I just changed my blog settings. No more comment moderation. Try again and let’s see what happens!
Congrats Mariella. Not me. Anyways I will check your blog Katharine.
Thanks Katharine
Haha~ I’ll drop by your blog later today. ♥