Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Redecorating and The Call

In a previous post, I gave you a peek at the writing side of my office.

Now I’m going to tell you about the other side, and how selling my first book changed the space.

BEFORE, this is where I napped between bouts of writing and dreamed of one day becoming a published author.



Comfy, isn’t it?


Then came the big call. Weeks later, it was followed by the even bigger revision letter – four single spaced pages itemizing over fifty changes.

Suddenly, the days of napping in my office were over. I also needed a bigger screen (I only have laptops) for editing and more desk space.

Here’s an AFTER photo of what it’s looked like since I sold. I’ve dubbed it the “editing side”, where I do revisions, print and prepare to give my manuscripts a final send off.



Now tell me how your life (or surroundings) have changed since you sold your first book????

www.phyllisbourne.com

5 comments:

Jewel Amethyst said...

Well I now write from a desktop in a dedicated space instead of the bed. But that had more to do with a virus ridden laptop than selling my book.

The real big change came in the process of writing. I once wrote freely without inhibition, now I'm constantly thinking of readers response to my first novel and editing to reflect what I think would work best.

Don said...

I must say - it looks like some serious business is taking place at that desk. Love the size of the monitor. I too have a nice-sized screen. It helps. Also, what if any writing program do you enjoy?

PB - What would you say the difference of the two spots has been, as far as your creativity goes?

Phyllis Bourne said...

@Jewel - I know what you mean about writing freely vs. writing when you know someone is going to read it. I froze up after my first book. Too busy worried about if my editor would like it.

@Don - My Macbook is fine for most writing, but when I'm editing hooking it up to the big screen REALLY helps.

I usually write on an AlphaSmart Neo - www.alphasmart.com and upload first drafts of finished scenes into Word. I like the AlphaSmart because I can't get on the internet. Also, it only shows 4-6 lines of text, so I can't really go back and edit.

Right now, I'm experimenting with Mac only writing program called Scrivener - http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.html. I'm drawn to it, because I needed a better system of organizing.

The difference between the old/new spots is with two desks I can only work in the room. No more kicking back. So I have to FORCE myself to go in there.

LOL! Sometimes my dh has to play Supernanny - toss me in there and won't let me come out until the timer goes off.

Thanks for stopping by y'all.

Don said...

Thanks - I checked out both links. So, THAT is what you took a picture of, on an older blog post!

I like the Corkboard on the Full Screen Evolved on Scrivener. Just an overall awesome writing program. I don't have a Mac though. *sad face*

Too funny @ force yourself. You are a born writer. This much is obvious.


Enjoy.

Liane Spicer said...

Phyllis, with you on the freezing up thing, and with Jewel on second guessing myself instead of just writing freely as before. :(

I no longer write in bed or at the dining table with the TV blaring a few feet away. I've got a proper desk and a dedicated nook in my bedroom, as well as a nifty little laptop to replace the dinosaur PC I used to bang away at. As a matter of fact, when I first started writing seriously (circa 1997) I didn't have a computer. I had a word processing typewriter that's gathering dust in a closet somewhere now.