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Aug102011
‘Where Stories Are Made’ with urban fantasy author, Jennifer Estep (plus giveaway!)
by Carolyn • Posted in Where Stories Are Made
‘Where Stories Are Made‘ is a regular 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 urban fantasy author, Jennifer Estep…
Greetings and salutations! First of all, I want to thank Carolyn for having me on the blog today. Thanks so much, Carolyn!
So when Carolyn asked me to take part in her “Where Stories Are Made” feature, I wrote back and told her that I’d be happy to – as long as she gave me time to clean up my office first. Lucky for me, she agreed. LOL. Otherwise, you guys would have to avert your eyes from the mess.
I have to say that my office is nothing special – there’s no great view or anything like that. It’s just a room in my house where my computer is. All I really need to write is my computer and some quiet time to myself – and pens. I’m always on the lookout for a good marker/highlighter that I can use to edit manuscripts. I still prefer to edit on paper, rather than on the computer screen.
Let’s move on to the fun stuff – the toys. Okay, okay, so they’re not really toys per se but just little knickknacks that I’ve picked up over the years on various trips and more. These sit on top of my desk above my monitor. As you can see, I like everything from Hello Kitty to Wonder Woman to James Bond.
One of the cool things about being an author and going to various conferences is that you get to meet so many other folks who love books just as much as you do – everyone from readers to bloggers to other authors. A very nice reader gave me the fan and the strawberry that you see in this photo. The strawberry is cloth and actually opens up into a really cool bag.
Also, I have a dry erase board and a calendar on the wall next to my desk. Every month, I mark down the deadlines for various projects that I need to finish on the board, while the calendar is there to help me see what’s coming up. A woman who runs a bookstore in Australia sent me the calendar as gift, which was very nice of her.
And one other interesting thing in my office is my bookcase (something else that needs to be cleaned out). Here are some of my books. Some of these are recent reads, while others are stacked up here because I’ve run out of room to put them in the bookcase itself.
So there you have it – some things in my office. What about you guys? What does your writing or reading space look like?
GIVEAWAY
Jennifer is kindly giving away a copy of ‘Touch of Frost‘ to one commenter (US/Canada only).
This giveaway ends Tue 16th Aug 2011.
All you have to do to enter is the following:
1. Leave a comment for Jennifer and answer her question above
2. Read Book Chick City’s giveaway policy
3. Fill out this form
4. One entry per person (duplicate entries will be disqualified)
GOOD LUCK!
You can find out more about this feature HERE
46 Comments
i love the stuff in your office! i am also a big fan of highlighters and i have a whole bunch of them with different colours. also that strawberry bad looks really adorable. ^^ not to mention the books on your shelves of course. i had a similar problem awhile ago, i had only two shelves and they were fully stuffed. so i started puting my books on the floor or basically on every empty place in my room. then i went to furniture store and bought two amazing bookcases. they still serve me very well. (: anyways, good luck with your writing in the future and say hello to your wonder women figure for me. ^^
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My space is all over the place. I did however, when i had to clean my room to make way for a bigger bed, found time to clear off a shelf and make it for all the books I've current read, plan to read, and have read in the past. It's my own little sanctuary. I do have boxes of books from over the years spread across my room. I do have one special box, different colors pink stripes, that opens to all my Buffy the Vampire Slayer books, magazines, comics, etc… it's my one pieces from my childhood growing up that I still love and hope to never loose.
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Your office sounds a lot like mine, Jennifer! My totems include a ukelele-playing Gumby (he even sways) a Sgt. Pepper's music box and a tiny Chinese dragon for luck. Oh and my bookshelves definitely need to be cleaned out too.
I prefer to edit on paper too, but rarely do these days except for my critique group.
Thanks for the giveaway!
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One of the things that I love about making the jump to an ereader a few years ago is that I was able to donate a ton of books. I have a couple of bookshelves with my favorite books or series but no longer have piles of books taking up space when they could be better served being loved in someone else's home. However, as teacher, I am trying to create a reading space. I have been collecting YA books and would one day love to have a classroom with two or three large bookcases full of books and a comfy seating area for my students to read in during their free time.
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Hi Jennifer! We're just in the process of redecorating our office as it was chaos before. I'm hoping for a more relaxing place. I don't have a thing for highlighters, but I do love pretty pens!
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Love that strawberry bag! I wonder if there's a pattern for it online somewhere so that I can make one of my own, because it's really cute!
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My husband just moved my "office" He said I was taking over his so he set me up in a spare room about two weeks ago. So right now it's pretty neat.
Usually I am in the middle of 4 or 5 different things so there are piles left so I can pick up where I left off. The one constant is my bookshelves. They all sag in the middle and he says they are going to wind up in the basement one of these days…right through the floor!
Thanks for the post.
Patti P
musicalfrog at comcast.net
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I love the knicknacks. It shows your eclectic personality!
My reading area? It's a corner of the couch as we watch tv/movies
Usually with a cat perched on my chest…..
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THanks for sharing what your space looks like.
My reading space is my oversized chair in the living room which usually has a clean clothes piled on it also.
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I read anywhere I can find a spare moment. Whether its in my bedroom, livingroom, office, bathtub, or while cooking. So it varies with the surroundings.
As far writing space usually sitting on my living room sofa while my husband plays video game on the TV.
kcrochet002@gmail.com
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I like your workspace
Mine jut has pens and my calender (and all the junk I hid under it)
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Hi Jennifer ~ Thanks for sharing your writing space! Love all the colored Sharpies and markers ~ a girl can never have enough of them!
I just had my office remodeled, and it's all beauitful and bold grays and whites (and my desk finally faces a window so I can stare outside and daydream!) My reading space is snuggled up next to my husband in bed!
Would love to win a copy of your book!
Amy Lichtenhan
Romance Author, Pulled and Take This Regret
http://www.amylichtenhan.com
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I don't have a office but have 4 bookshelves all filled with books! tWarner419@aol.com
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My desk and bookshelf are crammed into my bedroom. I don't write, but I love to read. And I do that lying on my bed. The desk is for blogging.
Unfortunately, my current bookcase has run out of room. I'm either going to have to get a bigger one, or find another room… >.<
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Is that Princess Leia in Lego form on your shelf? I live with a ten year old boy who loves Legos and Star Wars. I just have a book shelf and as I read, I pack some of my books away. I would love to have piles of books laying around my house, but my husband would give me the stink eye. Thanks for the giveaway!
jnmt3@hotmail.com
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My writing space is a semi-organized area of piles of paper, books, scratch pads, pens, and the computer. I also write-on-the-go with my netbook, so the "space" is wherever I need it to be.
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My reading space is really…anywhere. Most commonly it is a crowded rush-hour subway train, but I always carry a book with me so when the mood strikes and I have a free moment, I can read no matter where I am!
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Okay. I don't write anything besides reviews, so this will be about my reading space. (since that's where I take notes for my reviews)
Well, I read in one of three places.
1) This big comfy chair that fits like five people in my living room. It's nice and bright and uber comfy.
2) In the basement on the couch. But sometimes it's dark down there or my brothers are being noisy down there.
3) In my bed. My room is nice and quiet, plus I always read before bed. Also, that is where my overflowing bookcase is.
- Amanda
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Oh no worries about the messes! My desk and reading space is becoming over taken with all sorts of papers and such.
So it's nice to hear others are too.
It's where I do the bills to so not only book and blogging stuff but then I find those pesky bills mixed in.
Thank you for sharing!!!
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Love colored sharpies! Also, trust me… your shelves look so much better than mine. Mine is more like, if there is room there is a book put there. LOL
I really enjoy this feature!
My reading space is covered in fur.
Lots of big puppies lounge around while I read.
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My reading space is very messy actually. I have books everywhere because I've been on a book buying binge the past month. I have some older books stored in cardboard boxes and stuffed behind the sofa LOL.
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Essence — Thanks! Glad you liked the post. I have a few books on the floor too because I've pretty much run out of room in my bookcase.
Blogging to Blog — That's cool that you have a sort of keepsake box.
Cate — Yep, I still prefer paper edits. I'll probably always be that way.
Phoenix Witch — That sounds like a really cool plan. Good luck with it!
Laura — I like pens too, especially if they have some sort of cool pattern/print/character on them.
Bibliotropic — I don't know about the pattern, but it's a really cool bag.
Patti — It always seems like I'm in the middle of several different projects too.
Natasha — Thanks! Glad you liked the post.
Anne — Thanks! Glad you liked the post.
Kayla — I read anywhere and anytime I can too.
Blodeuedd — Thanks! I managed to clean all the junk off my desk … for a few days anyway.
Amy — Thanks! Thank you enjoyed the post. Your office sounds really cool.
Tetewa — Books are always good. LOL.
Lucia — I'm out of room on my bookcase too.
Rain Maiden — Yep, that's Princess lego. I went to a Lego store and they had her and lots of other cool Star War character keychains.
Stephanie — It sounds like you are far more organized than I am. LOL.
Violette — I usually always have a book with me too.
Amanda — The big comfy chair sounds really cool.
Melissa — Oh, yes. I usually have papers all over my desk. Every time I clean it up, I just have more papers there the next day. Sigh.
Melissa — Me too. I can't even tell you how many different colored highlighters I have.
Amy — My bookshelf is kind of messy as you can see. LOL. I need to go through and organize everything.
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Geez your so organized! How is that possible!? My desk is filled with random papers, books, and the occasional empty snack wrapper lol! I DO clean it, i'm not a total slob but for some odd reason it always gets dirty! UGH! But I don't mind too much, it's my little sanctuary! My black little desk in the corner with tons of books surrounding it! I love it! Thanks so much for the giveaway!!!
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What does my reading space look like? Well I read everywhere. I have books stored everywhere. I even have found books in the couches. I just start reading one, put it down somewhere and go to another room and pick up another book. So I guess I would say my space is a mess. But it sometimes is an organized mess.
truebloodfan AT rock.com
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My reading space is a bit cluttered atm since there isn't actually any dedicated space just an all purpose space
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My reading space is my bed. I have to have a pillow behind my back and a pillow beneath the book I'm reading. The door has to be closed because I car FEEL the air currents coming in and I have to have a blanket over my legs. I guess I'm really particular about where I read. I read in a lot of places too but when I do, I like to be comfortable.
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My reading space is anywhere. I usually read wherever I can. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
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Shae — It's only looks organized because I hid all the clutter. LOL.
Amy — I usually have books everywhere too.
Sniffly Kitty — Sometimes, I feel like the clutter on my desk is taking over. LOL.
Urgirlconnie — I like to be comfortable when I read too.
Tore — I read whenever and wherever I can too.
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My reading space is out on my deck under my pergola. It's filled with fragrant roses and I love it!
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I love how organized your writing space is. My writing space is usually on my bed because I get the best inspiration when I'm comfy, but occasionally I write wherever I'm working at the time.
I also loved that you cherish things your readers have given you, that made me smile.
All The Best,
Michelle (@OBoyledBooks)
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I always like to see where the "magic" happens. Great post!!
My writing space (writing meaning papers and writing assignments for my classes) is my desk in my room. It is also full of pens and papers and magazines (for when i take breaks, which turns out to be every 5 minutes
). When it gets too messy, I clean and organize only to find it messy again the next couple of days.. lol. 
My reading space, is usually my couch or bed. And its pretty clean of messes with a lot of pillows.
Adri
adri_love@sbcglobal.net
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I love your blog & would like to read this book.
gardnerad@juno.com
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Your writing space is much more interesting than my reading space!! I have a love seat that reclines, and I sit on one seat with my lamp next to me, and on the other seat I have all of the books I am currently reading (usually 3 or 4) and my Kindle, plus a notebook to take notes for reviews, and any other misc. stuff I accumulate! It doesn't sound like much, but it is very comfortable, and my kids know that if I'm in my seat reading, don't interrupt unless the house is on fire:)
jwitt33 at live dot com
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I usually read and write on my bed, on the couch, or sometimes (and this one's rare) I'll write stuff at my desk. My desk is pretty cluttered right now, and it doesn't get very good wi-fi for some reason, so I'll usually move the 3 feet to my bed, which for some reason makes all the difference when it comes to wi-fi.
haha
I like to read wherever I'm comfortable, so if it's nice out, I'll read outside too. I love reading outside when the sun's shining down, it's so relaxing.
Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Touch of Frost!
Ambur
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Honestly… it is a Mess. Nah.. nevrmind it's not that bad. I just have books stacked all over because I've run out of room and I have, like, a Billion pens, pencils, and other stuff.
ruby95660[at]yahoo[dot]com
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My reading space is a screened covered deck with comfy wicker seating and ceiling fan=)
Thanks for the peek into your space!
Luvdaylilies
Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net
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All I can say is thank God for eReaders! I have books everywhere now I don't have to worry where to store my recent purchases. My reading space is a chaise lounge next to a bookcase (yes I still keep paper books) because I am most relaxed when I am around books.
BTW I love your office space.
kamwh1207(at)att(dot)net
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I have 2 bookshelves and another small shelf. I also have books stacked on the floor going up way too high. Now I also have a nook which has around 200 books on it. My books at home amount to around 175 books at last count. I have read around 1/2 of them. I have quite a large TBR pile. I love to read. A lot I have read a few times. The bookshelves are very organized. Most of the shelves are filled with the same author and in book reading order also.
Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win this book. I have never read anything by this author and have seen a few reviews for this book and would love to read it, so please choose me for the giveaway.
christinebails@yahoo.com
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i like to have my book alphabeticaly organised and by ganre too. they are all on book cases, and i know where each book is. some of my books are in plastic containers because i do not have any space for them. i have book case in a living room where i keep some of my books, but than i have few more bookcases in room where most of my books are. i like to keep them close and handy. sometimes i write short stories and i never writte at home, i can not concentrate. i usually go outside or a library or coffee shop. (sorry for the spelling mistakes)
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My reading space is pretty much everywhere! I read in the car, at work, at home (anywhere – kitchen table, couch, loft, bedroom, even bathroom!), when I'm waiting in line at the grocery store, at the library, outside.. everywhere. I always have my nook or the nook/kindle apps on my phone. There's always something to read anywhere I am!
)
Thanks for the great post and giveaway!!
Mickey @ imabookshark
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My reading space is in my room. I have a bookcase in there so I can just grab another book when I am finished with one.
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Unfortunately, my space is a big mess, an organized mess, but a mess just the same.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
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Well my office space is my bedroom so everything is very tight yeah so let's not get started on what my grandmother has to say about it everythime she comes over : )
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Jessy — That sounds really nice.
Michelle — Thanks! Although it's not usually this organized. LOL.
Adri — Thanks! I don't know that it's magic, but it's what works for me. LOL.
Anonymous — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Julie — Being comfortable is what matters. I like to be able to just relax and get lost in a book.
Ambur — It is nice to read outside when the weather is good.
Ruby — I have pens everywhere too.
Luvdaylilies — That sounds like a cool place to read.
Tina — Thanks! Glad you liked the post.
Chrisbails — I love to read too.
What … More Books — That's cool that you have so many bookcases.
Mickey — Cool. I know a lot of folks like the e-readers because they can take them everywhere and have all these books available in one device.
Anonymous — That's cool that you always have another book handy.
Mbreakfield — Mine is a mess most days too.
Amanda — That's funny.
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At this moment my office is total chaos–tubs of books sitting everywhere. I'm reorganizing and it looks like an explosion took place here.
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My writing area is a complete mess and I am actually not sure where one of my journals is at the moment.
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