There is a room in our home we call "the nook." It is cozy with my grandma Elzinga's writing desk, a love seat, two bookshelves (one is grandma's), a large window, a cat condo, and my great grandma's rocking chair. Although I've tried writing in different rooms, it seems to work best in the nook. Every day I bring steaming coffee and my imagination to this little spot, and take a trip to Cherish.
I'm never in the nook alone. The felines who live in To Love and To Cherish and To Have and To Hold (plus a couple who haven't been introduced yet), always join me. These rescue kitties, like Marmalade above, settle in for the day. Besides the occasional break to drink out of the toilet (yummy), they curl up and dream their way through the hours. Except when...
They don't. I am also caring for a small rescue bird named Smitty. So before six-hour cat naps commence, the kitties often take time to gaze longingly into the bird cage, which sits on grandma's desk. Smitty is usually surrounded by a minimum of three cats. Smitty is less afraid of the cats than he is of me. Which is annoying, because I feed him, buy him toys, clean his cage, and give him three Rice Chex a day (mixed in his birdseed) for a fun little snack. And because he needs salt.
Back to the point, I enjoy reading about other writers. I like to know where they write, how they write, and what inspires them. It's so different for every one. Some can write in any space and in small chunks of time. Others need a block of several hours. Some have a specific number of words they want to complete per day. Some don't. I admire writers who do intense research and create a story from another time or place. I write from experience, which sometimes feels like the easy way out.
Writing is so personal. It's difficult to tell someone how to write without the possibility stifling them.
The freedom to create stories and characters has no boundaries. We all see life from different angles. That's what I love about writing.
Pastor Maggie, the protagonist of my book series, listens for, and hears whispers from God. I do too. I know where my inspiration comes from.
No matter what I write, I know where I write best. In a nook full of furniture belonging to strong and intelligent female relatives-my good heritage. I'm surrounded by cats who were each on their ninth life when they were rescued. There's a little bird who had been trapped in a suet cage, and now lives in a bird mansion. Lots of Coffee.
And you the reader. There would be no point in writing, if there weren't people interested in reading.
So, thank you! You are all crammed in the nook with me every day. Please don't step on the cats :)
Thanks for sharing your life as a writer. I enjoy finding out how writers manage to put words on a page. I suggest you check out the Calvin College Festival of Faith and Writing which I find so inspiring and informative. You would be a great presenter!
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