Book Chick City: Where Stories Are Made: Carrie Vaughn

Where Stories Are Made: Carrie Vaughn

Thursday, February 11, 2010 | Posted by Book Chick City |

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Where Stories Are Made is a new feature here at Book Chick City. It's where the author takes us on a tour of their writing place, be it an office, coffee shop or park and tells us about their writing day and rituals. My guest today is the fab Carrie Vaughn...

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My writing process sometimes feels really slipshod and haphazard. But I've been doing it full time for a few years now, and it seems to be working, so I can't really argue. My problem is I focus on the "to do" list more than I do on the "have done" list. And there's always so much more to do!

I work at home. I love being at home with my music, my reference library, my kitchen, my dog, my sofa, my cuddly blanket. I nest, and I can work in my nest. I listen to music because I need to have some kind of distraction for the list-making part of my brain. This is the part of my brain that wonders if I left the stove on, worries about the laundry, thinks maybe it's time to take the car in, and so on. If I'm dwelling on niggling details like that, I don't write. So I put music on, and I can focus on the creative side of my brain. It's pretty cool.

It takes me a while to get started in the mornings, so that's when I try to take care of business -- answering e-mails, book keeping, blogging and essay writing, and so on. Little jobs I can cross off the list to feel like I've accomplished something.

My dog, Lily, who is a miniature American Eskimo dog

At noon, Lily (my dog) and I go for a walk, then I eat lunch. Sometimes I'll go have lunch with friends who work near me, which is good because it gets me out and socializing. Afternoons are for writing.

I write every day, even weekends. But I have a pretty low bar -- at least 500 words when working on new fiction, but I usually get to 800-1200. When I'm traveling, I tend to journal rather than working on fiction. Heavy revision counts as writing, or I'd never do it. Significant brainstorming and outlining count as writing, or again I'd never do it. Sometimes writing is a lot more than putting down new words. It's also putting thought, planning and daydreaming into a story. I think all that's necessary for making it deeper, richer, for taking it beyond the ordinary. So I try to put in the time on all the steps.

And I try to get it all done before dinner so I can relax for the rest of the evening. It doesn't always work, especially if I'm close to a deadline.

My desk (which is very, very messy. I hope there's nothing embarrassing there)

I used to spend as much time writing on the sofa with the laptop as I did at the desk, because the sofa was more comfortable. Then a year or so ago I bought a GOOD office chair, and it's made a world of difference. I can sit at the desk all day now, at the right height and in the correct posture, and actually get work done.

My desk, by the way, is a huge mess. Pay no attention. I make lists -- lists of deadlines, daily to do lists, annual goal lists, lists of books and stories I'd like to write. I also have lots of pages and notebooks with brainstorming. The desk is kind of my brain made physical, so I can look at it and figure out what to do next. Scary thought, huh? I also have a bulletin board with all kinds of stuff posted on it -- a list of deadlines, as well as anything that makes me smile. Items to note: my Wild Cards team jacket on the back of my chair, my Monty Python attack rabbit, the picture of two wolves from a World Wildlife Fund calendar that makes me think of Kitty and Ben, the postcard of Tim Roth, the Dendarii Free Mercenaries Official Staff Vehicle bumper sticker, the "What Would Machiavelli Do?" bumper sticker, and so on…

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Website | Blog | Facebook

Kitty's House of Horrors: out now

Voices of Dragons: YA due out in March

Kitty Goes to War: out June 26 from Tor Books

Discord's Apple: stand-alone fantasy out in August

To find out more about this feature go HERE

If you're an author who would like to be featured on Where Stories Are Made then email me: HERE

**Next week on 'Where Stories Are Made': Ilona Andrews**

View Shedule Page for full author listing

Labels: Carrie Vaughn, Where Stories Are Made

16 comments:

Blodeuedd said...: Great new feature, very interesting :D; 11 February 2010 08:27
Ladybug said...: Great feature! I don't mind a messy desk, you should see mine *blush* at the moment it's being used as a place to store things.

It sounds like you're such a structured person with a schedule like that, I wish I had that ability.; 11 February 2010 09:53
Michelle @ The True Book Addict said...: As an aspiring writer myself, I love to read about other writers' work ethic and where they work. Thanks for a great feature!; 11 February 2010 10:05
Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com said...: I <3 your dog!; 11 February 2010 13:49
Serena said...: That dog is adorable. Messy desks...isn't that a given for a writer? I know mine is a sty!; 11 February 2010 14:23
Becky said...: So good to hear that daydreaming counts as writing. I can't wait for Voices of Dragons.; 11 February 2010 15:20
Rich said...: wow... how do you keep you desk so clean /jelouse =[; 11 February 2010 15:52
Lori said...: Love this feature! I look forward to more.

Carrie, I adore your dog!; 11 February 2010 16:46
Book Chick City said...: Hi guys - thanks for stopping by, I'm glad you are enjoying my new feature. Isn't Carrie's dog the cutest! I'm not sure I could be so organised as Carrie. My desk is just as messy, but it' definitely not organised mess! ;); 11 February 2010 17:37
Carrie said...: Thanks for dropping by, everyone! I suppose mess is relative... It sure feels messy when I'm sitting next to it!

Carrie; 11 February 2010 18:15
Book Chick City said...: Hi Carrie - thanks so much for being a guest for Where Stories Are Made. I really enjoyed reading your post.; 11 February 2010 18:17
Melissa said...: Never fear a messy desk. Always fear the empty one. ;)

Great post/feature!; 11 February 2010 20:05
Emma Newman said...: I love this series! Nice to find so many other messy writers, my husband sometimes sees my desk and wonders aloud how I can work here, but I simply don't notice. My brain is far away in imaginary worlds. As long as there is room for my cup of tea, all is well.

I know what you mean about the list thing too...; 11 February 2010 21:41
FICTION STATE OF MIND said...: Great feature I love carrie looking forward to her YA debut :); 11 February 2010 21:56
Debbie said...: So THIS is where Kitty's realm moves into the real world! Love it!!! And the Killer Rabbit is truly an inspirational muse. No desk should be without one!

Thanks for sharing your controlled chaos with us, Carrie. Keep doing whatever it takes to allow those creative juices to flow & we'll keep buying your works.; 11 February 2010 22:31
Sarah said...: Great post - it was really interesting to hear more about Carrie's writing routine & her dog is adorable!!; 11 February 2010 23:24