http://www.katherinescorner.com
One of my Favorite things to do on my blog is to introduce and congratulate debut authors. Please welcome author Christi Corbett…
First, I’d like to give a big thank you to Doreen for allowing me to host her blog! I truly appreciate her sharing her readers with me as I celebrate the release of my debut novel, Along the Way Home.
Doreen suggested I write about how I stay focused on writing during the summer months. While my husband is amazingly supportive of my writing, we also have young twins and a new puppy, and they are very demanding of my time. I usually write at night, and here’s why…
A Writer’s Space…Ideal vs. Reality
When I was young, I pictured the location where authors/writers did their work. It was always some variation of the following:
The recently showered and fully dressed author/writer pads down a long hallway and opens a door to their own private writing space. Clutching a mug of tea/coffee, the writer sits down at a comfortable chair located behind a highly polished, very organized mahogany desk. There is a wall of books on one wall and a window with a completely astounding view of a lake, a mountain, or a field of wildflowers.
Selecting a full pen from a drawer, the author/writer thinks for a long moment and at the precise moment inspiration hits, leans over a clean piece of paper and the words begin to flow.
Then I became a writer. Here is the reality.
On a typical day, when I’ve begged and pleaded for time to write, I can count on a minimum of five interruptions per hour. Last time I reserved a block of time to write I kept track of said interruptions for my own amusement.
6:30 AM Hubby wants to know where the flea powder is—dog is scratching
6:41 AM Hubby comes in room for some clothes
7:01 AM Hubby brings me breakfast (OK—this one is great! Love him!)
7:09 AM Powdered, yet still scratching, dog is let into the room
7:25 AM Kids come in to see if I have any bacon left and can they have it
7:36 AM Boy twin comes in for a hug
7:42 AM Hubby needs toilet paper, where are extra rolls kept?
8:08 AM Girl twin needs me to fix her hair
8:25 AM Knock at window reveals family showing ripened tomatoes
8:26 AM Boy twin can’t find toy army men… do I know where they are?
8:50 AM Girl twin wants to weigh herself
9:01 AM Hubby needs jersey to watch upcoming football game
9:17 AM Hubby wants to know if he can pull bread from freezer
And so on.
So, that is a typical block of “writing time” for me. Now, let’s move on to the instruments for said writing.
My computer is located in a peeling wood veneer cabinet that is shoved in the corner of my bedroom. My twins find everything in the cabinet fascinating and things disappear at will. (8-year-olds find calculators, screen cleaners, coasters, my drafts, and note cards to be much fun to play with).
Sometimes I don’t use the computer. When inspiration strikes I use anything that is at hand. Some examples:
• Sticky notes (they paste so nicely to the computer monitor, don’t they?)
• Backs of envelopes
• Any kind of paper with a blank space on it anywhere
• You get the drift
As for writing utensils… our pens never have ink in them (my fault since I leave them clicked open all the time), so I’ve had to improvise at times:
• Crayons
• Lipstick
• Dry erase markers
• And my personal favorite—using the tip of an empty pen to gouge the words into the paper. Trust me, if you’ve got a great flow of words coming to you this will work!
It is during these times that I try to remember it all comes down to this: How you write doesn’t matter, as long as you’re writing!
Along the Way Home
Life on the Oregon Trail is a battle of wills between Kate, a pampered society woman, and Jake, her rugged trail guide. Then tragedy strikes, stranding them a thousand miles from home and in the midst of a treacherous land the United States doesn’t yet own or govern. Kate is left dependent upon the very man she despises and facing a choice–go back to everything she’s ever known or toward everything she’s ever wanted?
Along the Way Home is a Sweet Historical Romance available in ebook formats on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookstrand, Astraea Press (my publisher),ibookstore, and OmniLit. Print releases in July 2013.
About Christi
I’m addicted to coffee, sticky notes, and the Oxford Comma. I live in a small town in Oregon with my husband and our twins. Our home’s location is especially inspiring because the view from the back door is a hill travelers looked upon years ago as they explored the Oregon Territory and beyond.
When I’m not writing I love chatting with readers and writers alike. You can find me in one of the following locations:
Email: christicorbett@gmail.com
Blog: http://christicorbett.wordpress.com
Twitter: @ChristiCorbett
Facebook: Christi Corbett—Author
