Sunday, November 3, 2019

Writing Spaces and the Writing Journey by @Karen Whiddon

I first started trying to write a book when I was pregnant with my daughter, nearly 40 years ago.  Handwritten in a lined spiral notebook, I had about 70 pages in a romance story when my now ex-husband found it and set it on fire, burning it into ash. That's another story for another time and I won't go into it here, but suffice to stay I didn't try again for years.  8 or 9 years, to be exact.

I'd always wanted to try writing a novel again so when I had six-eight weeks off work due to a hysterectomy, I knew that would be my time.  By then I had an electric typewriter (no computers yet,) and I sat at my kitchen table and typed.  I completed that book, single spaced (not knowing any better,) and roughly 140 pages.  So proud, I sent it in to Harlequin Books and went back to my insurance job.

That book didn't sell, in fact it would be five more books and another 8-9 years before I finally sold a book.  By now it was 1996 and Kensington Books (Precious Gems) purchased a book.  My first sale!  By now I had a computer and I used the advance to purchase a laptop.  My own laptop, an open box IBM clunky thing that I was so happy to have!

I'd graduated from the kitchen table to a desk in our guest bedroom.  I shared the space with a bed and dresser, but that was ok.  When my daughter graduated high school in 1998 and went on to college, I turned her bedroom into a real office and I use that room today still.  I collect stuffed dogs and books (obviously,) though I have really thinned out my paperback collection (and I still have more bookshelves full of books in another room!)




Many computers (and books) later, I now have both a desktop and a laptop.  I do my writing business in the office (email, blogs, proofreading, line edits, etc.) but all my actual writing is done in my recliner in the den on my laptop.  I usually share the seat with one of my dogs.  If it's winter, I have a fire in the fireplace and a mug of hot tea or cocoa.

Sometimes if the weather is nice, I'll sit outside on a swing in the backyard and write, but more often than not, allergies and insects drive me inside.  Writing makes me happy, and so do my writing spaces.

Recently, I put several more of my backlist books up on Amazon.  Free in you're in Kindle Unlimited, and $3.99 otherwise.

Check out The Wolf Whisperer.  I love the cover.  Buy Here on Amazon



November is the month for Gratitude, Appreciation, and counting your Blessings if you are religious and/or philosophical. Grateful, Thankful, Blessed—that's what we Romance Gems Authors feel. Join us this month in celebrating the Life Lessons we all learn. Enter our November Rafflecopter now for a chance to win 1 of 5 Amazon Gift Cards.   


You can also enter by going to the Monthly Giveaway Page (https://romancegems.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_28.html )

12 comments:

  1. Thanks, Karen for sharing your story. No one can say you're a quitter. Determnation and talent won your day. May you have many more.

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  2. After all my kids moved out, I turned one of the spare bedrooms into a beautiful office for me. Only a few years later we sold the house and completely downsized into a very tiny space. So now I use my laptop on the couch. I do miss having a room of my own to work in, but I do like not having a big place to clean or pay for.

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  3. My home office is the darkest room and has a view of a retaining wall. No distractions, but I still play too many games on my computer. I started with a notebook too. But no one burned it. Then I rented a typewriter and finally got a pc in 1989. It’s been a long road...

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  4. Hugs for the burned notebook. Such an invasion. I have a similar story. We won, despite them.

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  5. You must be a very strong and brave person to keep writing and trying after your first book was burned. That's very inspiring. Gosh, I can't even imagine having to go through something like that. Thank you for sharing!

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  6. When we were in the RV traveling, I wrote on the bed with my laptop. Now that we're back in a real home, I turned one of the bedrooms into my office and Karl uses the other bedroom for his. I love all the space.

    I'm so sorry that happened with your first book. Sad how people can destroy dreams. I'm glad you found your strength.

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  7. Karen, so sorry you experienced the trauma of having your dreams trashed. I'm glad you persevered. I have a similar story. Thank goodness, I now have a supportive husband. I wish my desk was as neat as yours. I love my desk and computer station. I use a TV as my monitor after Jacquie Rogers pointed out the benefits. I do have a laptop but prefer writing at my PC in my office.

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  8. I'm sorry for that story, too. It was a cruel thing. When we retired, my husband and sons built me an office/sewing room in the garage. It's a cluttered space, but every inch my own, and I do everything here. I love your desk, too!

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  9. I'm so sorry you had someone who didn't have faith in you. I'm happy you believed in yourself to try writing again. Look where you are today. Be proud and happy writing! <3

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  10. Hugs on your notebook experience, Karen! Glad he's your "ex." We had a 4 bedroom house and two children, so I always had an office in the house. Now we've downsized to a two bedroom condo and my office is the "guest room" more or less. And none of my spaces have ever looked as tidy as yours!

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  11. wow you are an inspiration for perseverance! I think I might have given up after the first book. Thanks for sharing

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  12. Inspiring, Karen. I had a friend whose husband divorced her after she published her first book. He told her he hadn't married her for her to have a career. Some men are _____ (fill in the adjective of your choice). Btw, I love the book cover.

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