Sunday, September 26, 2010

My Office and a NEW Contest



Boy, at the time, it seemed like a good idea for each of us to write about our offices. I mean, people often ask, "Do you have a special space where you write?" And golly, I do. I'm very fortunate. David picked this house for us--I didn't see it before I moved here--and one of his biggest reasons for choosing it was the beautiful office space.

But all my good intentions did not translation into getting this place picked up for a photo. See, I've been knee-deep working on some new ideas, so I've let almost everything slide. Then, last week David and I dug through more of the boxes in the basement, and those boxes wound up here in my office. And this morning, well, I have some manuscripts to read for a contest. The pile was growing. I dug in.

So, in order to take the photo above, I had to shovel out my desk. Sigh. Now I'm really motivated to get back to straightening stuff out on Monday...after tai chi and my dentist appointment.

You see, two days a week I get up at 6:15 to be at the community center by 7 for tai chi. I just love it. Three days a week I do zumba. Otherwise, I'm here at the desk, writing. Or I'm out on my sunporch with my laptop, writing. The dogs love for me to go out on the sunporch. They curl up on each side of me as I work.

You'll notice a new addition to my office space. A raven. I found him at a Home Goods store in Florida and had him shipped to me. Isn't he gorgeous? Very inspiring, too. Just the sort of accessory every mystery writer needs, don't you think?

LAST WEEK'S CONTEST


Last's week's winner was Jackie W. I'll be sending her a copy of Joan Rivers' book Bouncing Back.

NEW CONTEST

This week I'm challenging you to name my raven. I'll choose the best name from those submitted and send the winner this cute notepad, which is perfect for remembering all the Halloween treats you need to buy!

17 comments:

Colleen said...

Not very original, but all I could think of was "Nevermore"

DebbieRae said...

I would think the only choice is "Nevermore"!

Booklady said...

Why you should name him Edgar, of course!

Bettyann said...

Waldron - powerful raven or Brainard - courageous raven

Camille Minichino said...

Love the notepad, Joanna, and the raven! Maybe its name is Eop, Poe backwards!

Thanks for keeping the contests going.

Unknown said...

Well of course, Nevermore comes to mind!!

LeighAnn Rebillard
snipsoftime@yahoo.com

Raquel said...

Cuervo -- Spanish for raven (doubles meaning w/ the tequila reference)
Corbeau -- French

But I like King Jack as in the Pumpkin King Nightmare before Christmas..

Miss Merry said...

I do love the raven! And I am so impressed at your workspace. I would be afraid to move my many, many piles. I would never find that one important piece of paper that I am always looking for!

Betty Hechtman said...

Your workspace is so orderly! I'm at the end of rewriting my sixth book and there are papers everywhere.


I don't have a raven, but I have a pink quartz skull next to my computer.

Camille Minichino said...

I hope we get to see the skull, Betty!

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Wow, we have: Nevermore (3 votes), Edgar, Waldren or Brainard (which is something I could use more of),Eop,Cuervo (and now I know what the tequila name means), and King Jack. My niece has a Chihauhau named "Jack" as in Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean.

Kate H. said...

I have read some of the Kendra books and and am working on getting them all read. I'm a petsitter/dog walker, and sometimes I can read while I'm walking one of my more sedate clients. The Pet Rescue series is highly interesting to me, too, as someone who's volunteered in greyhound rescue for 15 years. As Gorey said, "So many books, so little time."

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Miss Merry, it's really a mess. I just showed you the cleanest area. Sigh.

Kate H. said...

Oops, that comment was supposed to go on Linda's blogpost! Sorry!!

Unknown said...

I love the raven! Right now, I have a stuffed moose on my desk (long story, hehehe). I think doing something different to your desk every now and again or putting something like a raven up there can be inspiring.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Angela, I think you are right. A change of scenery is good for our creativity.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

The winner is....(drumroll)...Bookwoman. I love the idea of a raven named Edgar! I think I'll call him Eddie for short. Contact me at joannaslan@aol.com and I'll get the notepad to you.