Blog Carnival: 2013 "Where I Write"

It's the place where you create. Maybe it's a lumpy couch with giant, overstuffed pillows. Maybe it's an old table pushed against the dining room wall. Or perhaps it's a grand room with wall-to-wall windows overlooking a lake.

It's where we write.

Staking out a place in which to compose our poetry and prose that is all ours can be difficult. I set up my first office when I was in the sixth grade. I had an old wooden school desk, a plastic yellow table, and my mom's manual typewriter. Some of my fondest writing memories come from the time I spent there.

In high school, my parents gave me a student desk as a gift. I set it up in my room and spent hours writing longhand, foregoing high school sports activities and partying for making up stories.

As an adult, I've had a variety of offices. I had a room of my own for a short time in our first house, but it didn't last long when we found out we were expecting our daughter, and we had to change it into a baby's room.

Often, I've had to cram my desk into a bedroom. But that was always okay - just as long as I had a space that I could claim.

Now, I have a gorgeous room all to myself. It's the top floor of our Cape Cod house.  Since I'm a World War II historian and I also write historical fiction set during this time period, my decorating style naturally gravitated to vintage 1940s.

I have curtains from the 1940s in one window...

...and an authentic 1940s Royal Typewriter next to an old fan on this 1920s radio stand. Beside it are, of course, two iconic posters representing World War II.

I also have a cozy reading spot next to my retro-looking stereo...

...and then, of course, the desk.

I bought the flag from a World War II veteran at an estate sale. He served in the Pacific and the Atlantic.

When I go to this room, put on my vinyl big band records, and look around at all the posters and relics from the 1940s, I feel completely immersed in the time period. It offers inspiration everywhere I turn.

Sadly, we are renting this house and I won't be able to have this room for long. Hubby is about ready to graduate from college and we will turn our eyes toward a new place within the next year. But I am excited for the possibilities!

Now, without further ado, let's check out some of your writing spots!

American storyteller Paul W. Papa loves to tell true tales about America, especially Las Vegas. He's a fellow history lover and we can always use more of those! Check out where he spins his tales here.

Memoir writer Jeanne Lombardo loves her writing space so much that she uses a photo of it to illustrate her blog. And I have to say that it is, indeed, a lovely spot! See it here.

Martin Lake currently pens his historical novels from the South of France, and instead of just one spot, he has several! That'll keep the creative juices flowing. You can see all of his spots here.

Prolific author Mandy Eve-Barnett has a well-lit area to call her own - and a letter from Stephen King to encourage her when those words just refuse to flow. Take a look at her cozy corner here.

Eclectic and inspiring describes where Jillian writes. She has truly carved out the perfect corner for herself to create, and there's lots of terrific photos of her most excellent writing space here.

Jenn, a.k.a. The Engineer's Wife, could use our help! She and her husband recently moved to tropical Brunei in Southwest Asia, and her writing space needs some inspiration. Check it out here and let Jenn know your suggestions!

My dear friend and fellow vintage-lover, Valerie, writes wonderful short vignettes and stories on her blog that never fail to make me smile. Now I know why - she has the perfect writing spot to pen her tales! Check it out here.

Can I just thank each and every one of you who participated in this Blog Carnival? I've loved checking out where everyone writes. I hope you have, too!

Keep on writing...