‘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 paranormal romance author Anya Bast…
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Once upon a time, I had an office of my very own. It had a big, beautiful corner desk with bookshelves all around. It had a tilted keyboard and a comfy office chair. It was in the back of my house, far away from the hustle and bustle. I spent so much time there I nearly forget we had a living room.
However, that was back in the time before we were parents. A little more than three years ago we brought our beautiful daughter home from China and so much about our lives changed, the least of which was the loss of my office. Since that day I have been writing on a laptop at our dining room table, a place that is roughly in the center of our house.
This allows me to be a mother first, writer second. I can see and hear what my darling girl is doing at all times and, of course, I can be bothered to do the all-important tasks of changing Barbie clothing, fetching crayons, and opening/shutting toy palaces, doll houses, toy farms, ect and ect.
My daughter is in pre-kindergarten now and I could return to my office during the day, but apparently I’ve formed a new habit. I like seeing the rest of my house and my laptop is nicely portable. Sometimes I take it out onto the porch, sometimes I curl up in an easy chair in the living room. If it’s Saturday or Sunday and the house is too loud for me to concentrate, I take my laptop to a Starbucks.
Of course, we have a few cats (*cough* We have seven through no fault of our own). So I usually have at least one, (if not two or three) somewhere around me while I’m writing.
My laptop is…well, let’s say “well loved”.
I’m probably due a new one soon even though it’s really not that old; It’s just that I use it a lot. This one has had wine spilled on the screen (cat knocked it over) and an entire mug of hot tea spilled on its keyboard (a different cat knocked that one over). I now only drink liquids in sippy cups, thank you very much. It has endured playdoh melted onto its bottom and a fairly serious virus, yet it’s still going strong.
When my daughter was younger I used to only be able to write in snatches of stolen time, early in the morning before she woke, during her naptimes, and after she went to sleep at night. These days I have a long stretch of time during the day to write and I take advantage of it. I set myself a goal of so many words, usually 3 thousand. I write until I reach my goal. Then I take care of the other minutia of a writer’s life—dealing with promotion, advertising, sending out books, answering emails. Generally I take the weekends off, but that’s a recent thing and I have to force myself. I think it’s healthy, though, to take a break every week. Good for my creativity.
I live in my head a lot and don’t tend to pay a lot of attention to anything but my plot and characters while I’m writing, yet I’m lucky to have nice views from my spot at the dining room table. To my left is my aquarium, always a relaxing sight to me.
To my right, I have this view out the window.
My husband is very proud of me. He’s more proud of me than I’m proud of me…by far. He made this corner of all my print published books, the few books I’ve blurbed, and a couple of other mementos.
I never would have done this myself. Left to my own devices, I probably wouldn’t even have all my printed books collected and in my possession, so I guess I’m lucky to have him.
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Wicked Enchantment: Out Now
Cruel Enchantment: Out Now
You can find out more about this feature HERE
17 Comments
What a great post! Anya sounds really cool and the pictures are adorable! They really made me want to read her books!
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Great post! 7 Cats! I can hardly handle my 2 dogs! This is a new to me author that I'm adding to my wishlist!
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That was fun! I'm glad I'm not the only one who has a well used laptop, and for the same reasons. Cats! LOL
All the photos were a special touch and gave us a real snippet into the life of Anya Bast. Thanks so much for sharing, Anya xxx
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These posts are so fun to read! Anya's books look amazing! I'm going to have to add them to my reading list.
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The trophy corner that your husband made for you is gorgeous! He must be very proud of your accomplishments.
Lovely feature. Thanks for sharing!
xx,
E.J
From the Shadows
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Anya this was a great post. And your husband absolutely ROCKS! His trophy corner was the best.
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I think this has to be one of my favourite 'where stories are made' features. It's so warm and gives you real insight.
Seven cats must keep you busy, my two are no end of trouble!
And I absolutely love the fact that your husband has made a corner of all your published books – it's lovely
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Love this post. Glad to see I'm not the only one who loves my dining room table for writing. Same reasons, the view is to die for outside my window. Not to mention the 6ft farmhouse table allow for cats, candles, and incence to make the mood. (Hugs)Indigo
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Thanks, Anya! I love your special shelves! It's awesome that your husband's such a support!
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7 cats! Wow! I had 5 at one time, but now I'm down to one. I'm always wanting to add to my cat family though. I adore cats!
I love the shelving that displays your work. Your husband is a gem for doing that!
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Wow – with 7 cats, one preschooler and a husband I'm suprised you can find any time to write at all – let alone write such great books!
Thanks for the insight.
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THANKS EVERYONE FOR STOPPING BY AND MAKING ANYA SO WELCOME!
ANYA, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR POST – LOVED IT! AND YOUR CATS ARE SO CUTE!
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Hi Anya! I lost my office, too…it is now filled with Legos and American Girl Doll paraphernalia. That's so cool you adopted your daughter from China! My daughter (and son) are both adopted from the Philippines.
Great post, Book Chick City!
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Kitties are cute and I love the smile on the kidlet!
Thanks for sharing your space even if it is filled with kitty hair (mine is filled with dog hair!) lol
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I thought I was the only one who moved the computer to be by the kids. I started writing again when they were toddlers and kept it up for all these years. LOL
I love the cats– we have three. LOL Husbands can be nice like that:)
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I loved the fish aquarium and of course with 7 cotton picking cats you are lucky you have the fish or the laptop in working order…
Very nice inside look at the Anya Bast special spot to display all the goods, very well deserved kudos to your husband!
Jackie ^_^
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Thank you for this awesome post. Ms. Bast is one of my favorite authors and it's fun to see where her "stories are made." The photos are priceless. Thanks!
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