What’s this nonsense about the end of summer? Here in Tacoma, Washington, we’re expecting 80 degrees today. As far as I’m concerned, if I can wear shorts, it’s summer. In any case—welcome, September! Now that I’m no longer marching to the rhythm of the school year, I can relax and enjoy this month’s blessings, such as another blog hop from the Insecure Writers Support Group! IWSG is a wonderful place to find writerly resources and to connect with other writers, folks who understand the pain, struggles, and joys of this profession. The awesome co-hosts for the September 4 posting of the IWSG are Gwen Gardner, Doreen McGettigan, Tyrean Martinson, Chemist Ken, and Cathrina Constantiner! Join the conversation here: https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
September 4 question – If you could pick one place in the world to sit and write your next story, where would it be and why?
I’m no good at these “pick a favorite” questions, so I’ll be as generic as possible: My writing gets extra juice when I’m able to write outdoors. For about half the year, the gazebo in our backyard becomes my office. Lately, the squirrels race by, pausing to curse at me. Very entertaining, and these little interruptions bother my concentration less than the plot squirrels running through my brain.
There are a number of places nearby where I intend to write someday. Lazy? No internet? For whatever reason, I haven’t yet got around to writing beside the Puget Sound or in our neighborhood park, both of which provide benches with lovely views. Must get around to this.
Of course, being the Pacific Northwest, the rains will keep me indoors for a good portion of the year. But hey, we live near the University of Puget Sound, a small campus with a lovely library. Sort of a Hogwarts vibe, dontcha think? I wonder if they’d let me occupy a seat. At 57, I’m a little old to pass for a student. Perhaps if I wear a blazer, they’ll think I’m faculty.
When I finally hit the bestseller lists and rake in the big bucks (A girl can dream, right?), I’ll arrange an office space with a view—of the Sound, a river, of even the ocean. Until then, these local beauty spots provide inspiration. And bugs.
Image by Steve Buissine from Pixabay
Title image by Lerkrat Tangsri via Pixabay
Speaking of time and flies: Time is flying! This is your last week to get an ebook copy of Runaway Love Story for just 99 cents on Amazon Barnes & Noble or Apple Books. Sale ends September 6th.
Big-city bound, aspiring artist Laurel detours to Eugene, Oregon to help her great aunt move into assisted living. When on a run, she meets a perfectly ordinary guy who feels—well, perfect. Down to earth, sweet and sexy, and a runner like her, he’s so perfect she’s tempted to stay, until her artwork and their budding romance get swept up in a Twitter storm.
Their fierce chemistry burns up the sheets—and the couch, the shower, the woods…but falling in love could cost Laurel more than she’s willing to sacrifice. She can’t stay in Eugene, and he can’t leave. His only hope is to convince her those big-city lights have nothing on her inner sparkle.
Readers say:
“This is such a lovely, believable story with the characters masterfully drawn, dealing with their real-world problems and doubts instead of the ‘fluff’ that often permeates romance. In fact, the characterization is so excellent, and the scene-setting so vivid, I’d say this veers to being Women’s Fiction. Okay so, really HOT women’s fiction, because-those sex scenes!! *fans self*” –Australian Romance Author Laney Kaye
“Told in her typical smexy and descriptive style, Stone weaves a story of two people with burning-up-the-sheets chemistry who need to figure out if they can compromise what they each want in order to find their HEA. Their road is rocky, emotional, and ultimately thought provoking, because each of them brings a lifetime of emotional baggage along for the ride. How they learn to deal with that – and if they learn to deal with it – is the crux of Stone’s story.
And it’s a goodie!” –reviewer Mary-Margaret J
My writing place is fluid. I have a small library / office my DH built. It’s perfect for cold rainy days. We bought an RV with extra space for an office so I can take it on the road. My favorite spots though are my deck or patio under the maple tree.
I love the idea of writing outdoors. Sun glare is a pain though so it has to be a shady spot. I usually end up doing more reading that writing outside though.
Hi, Jean. Yeah, I haven’t yet found an answer to the glare problem. Maybe those yellow glasses target shooters wear?
Hi, D.V. A portable she-shed! How marvelous!
Love this post and loved the pics!!! I write outdoors all summer on the deck of a small trailer at Sara’s campground on Presque Isle State Park in Pennsylvania. But my fav place in the entire world to write is Manhattan Beach, CA. LOVE it there. I’ll be there a few months this winter.
Hi, Cyndie. I’ve never been to Manhattan Beach. I’ll have to check it out next time I’m in SoCal.
Hi,
I applaud you. Writing outside would never work for me. I would be distracted from the least little things because I am too curious about what’s going on around me.
I just took advantage of your 99 cent sale. I didn’t think it would be on Amazon Germany, but it was there. So, I will read Runaway.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
I also love to write outside overlooking my flower gardens. Those pictures are gorgeous! A great place to write.
Being in Wisconsin, I loved writing when we were at a campground in the woods. I loved being outside.
All lovely places to get the words down. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
My outdoor writing space is a screened in porch. Hemi can watch the backyard wildlife (squirrels and bunnies) while I take advantage of the house wifi. And those squirrels do curse, don’t they!!
Cursing squirrels sound perfect, to be honest. And the Pacific Northwest is gorgeous, I like your bestseller plans. Hogwarts vibes and an office? Yes, please!
Hello neighbor (waving across the Narrows from the other side of those bridges)! Like you, I need natural light to write and concentrate. Squirrels (even if they are angry and yelling at me) are definitely less distracting than plot bunnies. I have written by the Puget Sound, but usually just descriptions and story starts.
I think UPS definitely has a Hogwarts vibe. If you ever have a hankering to write there, or in the nearby Anthem coffee shop, just give me a holler via my e-mail (tyreantigger at gmail dot com). Maybe we could arrange a meetup to just sit and write.
Your writing nook looks great. I tend to prefer cloudy, rainy days to hot, sunny ones, so I think I’d enjoy the Pacific Northwest.
Your outdoor office looks like an ideal place to daydream and sip a cup of tea or glass of wine. I’m not sure I’m disciplined enough to get any writing done there, though.
It hit 100 here today, so summer isn’t ready to say goodbye yet. (But I’m ready for it to go!)
I also love to write outdoors. Maybe it’s something about the way your senses are more engaged when you’re out in nature–even the subdued nature of a backyard. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act (Thanks for visiting my blog today, too!)
You have a lovely outdoor writing spot! I daydream about writing outdoors but find that the reality rarely lives up to the fantasy. It’s too hot, too cold, too windy, or too buggy, or (more likely) I’m too easily distracted. Glad it works for you.
The $.99 sale was too tempting – just bought a copy and looking forward to reading it.
Yes, a girl can dream! Me, I’d purchase the chair JK Rowling sat in to write the Harry Potter books. And create my own personal mom/writing den with a lock to keep out the kids and hubby. Love the picture of your backyard. If I could, I’d do my writing outdoors in my backyard but mosquitoes tend to love me.