Workspace Wednesday welcomes Barbara Phinney

 

It’s a special pleasure to have Barbara Phinney here today. Barbara is one of my very first writing friends. She and I, along with a handful of other aspiring romance writers from the area, were long time critique partners and basically taught each other to write. And we’re still sharing, but these days it’s more industry news, indie wisdom and promotional tips.

Welcome, Barbara!

 

BARBARA PHINNEY: Thank you, Norah!

There’s something dangerous in my office. Take a look at this picture. Yes, it’s cluttered. Yes, it looks like a very normal writer’s office. But in actuality there’s something very dangerous in it. No, I’m not talking about the fact that I write suspense, or the fact I like to murder a few characters every once in a while.

No I’m talking about that chair. The brown one, with the blue seat and the owl cushion. The one that just invites you to sit down on it, stretch your legs out and start talking to me.

That’s where the murder comes in. So many times I have been deep in a story, running with an idea and surfing on the wave of momentum, only to have my dear husband wander in, plunk himself down in that chair, and say, “I want you to  Google something for me.”

Slowly, I turn and look at him, lethally. “I’m busy.”

“It’ll only take a minute.”

That’s when the murder starts.

 

 

Now in reality, this man who so brazenly enters my office has his own computer as seen below.

 

 

Take a look at that. Isn’t that nice? A clean desk, a little water fountain and a brand-new notepad, even some fun little balloons I’ve received over the years. (Ignore the wire. I have a son who runs his Xbox from it.) What more could a husband, who doesn’t go on the computer very much, want? (We all know it’s my incredible generosity that allows him to have his own little corner of my office.)

So, no jury in the country would convict me of anything nasty when he has this nice little corner.

Moving on, I believe offices should reflect their users. They should be places filled with inspiring pictures, maps to dream over, knickknacks and collectibles that are precious only to that person, such as you see in this picture below.

 

 

You’ll find gift bells, empty and full bottles I’ve collected over the years, even the gourdhead birdhouse and childhood teddies. Under that Bolivian blanket is an ugly filing cabinet, frequented by my husband, hence his computer desk being so close to it.

There are very few things I would toss. Come to think of it, I would only dispose of that very dangerous chair but I won’t. After all, suspense writers need little incentive now and then, don’t they?

 

Barbara Phinney writes suspense, Christian (despite her murderous plots) romance and historicals, one of which is coming out in March, entitled Bound to the Warrior. She writes sci-fi and paranormal under the pen name of Georgina Lee, including a new Sherlock Holmes tale, Dead on her Feet.

You can find all of Barbara Phinney’s books here:  Amazon | B&N

Georgina Lee’s books are here:  Amazon | B&N

Her latest book is a fun and lively twist on the Sherlock Holmes novellas, found here.

 

Thank you, Barbara! That was such fun! I got such a kick out of you DH asking you to stop what you’re doing to Google something, instead of going to his own work station. Because, you know, it would take TIME to fire up that other computer. HIS time. LOL! I think you’re right — no jury would convict! Not if there were any authors on it.

Okay, it’s comment time. And as an incentive, Barbara will give away a copy of her awesomely atmospheric romantic suspense, Hard Target, to one lucky winner, in the electronic format of their choice. So bring it with the comments!

 

Hard Target

Sgt. Dawna Atkinson has worked hard for her South American embassy posting. She’d also taken the blame for a shared indiscretion with her instructor, Tay Hastings. But when her embassy is bombed, she comes under the microscope all the more. Worse still, her unit sends Tay to search for any mistakes she’s making.

Things go from bad to worse when a sniper tries to eliminate both Dawna and Tay within hours of Tay’s arrival. As the investigation heats up, and danger lurks around every crowded corner, Dawna and Tay find their relationship is also heating up. And with a killer who can create bombs, use a sniper rifle, and poison the embassy staff, Dawna must set aside her hurt or risk many lives. And Tay must set aside the distrust deep within him.

What Dawna and Tay can’t set aside is their growing attraction. And that may just get them both killed.

 

12 Responses to “Workspace Wednesday welcomes Barbara Phinney”

  • Thank you so much, Norah! I’m thrilled to be a part of WW, and to be rubbing workspaces with such great authors!

  • What a lovely office, Barbara! Now I know where you spend your days. I really liked your table of knickknacks collected on your travels.

  • Love your workspace, Barb. Can’t blame your husband for enjoying the comfy looking chair. And good luck with your future endeavors. If they’re all as great as “Deadly Trust” you’re headed for lots of success.

    Gail

  • Jill Hughey:

    Fun post, Barbara. My husband, a computer guru, once told me that when he is working it is like he has a hundred post-it notes organized around him, and that when I interrupt him, it is like a wind blew the notes all over the room. Yet, he has no compunction about talking to me while I’m writing, which, by the way, I do on the corner of our dining room table since all the other spaces in the house are dedicated to male pursuits like lifting weights and shooting stuff on a video game. Do you think if I took over the guest room, people would stop coming to stay for the weekend?

    Anyway, I am rambling…. Happy reading and writing!

  • Roxy Boroughs:

    My husband used to use my computer all the time…until I bought him his very own laptop and set him up with WiFi. Now, he doesn’t have to leave his perch on the couch.

    Sounds like you’ve got a much bigger problem, Barbara. Good thing you’re hard at work preparing a sympathetic defense. LOL.

    I’ve got two of your titles on my TBR list. Looking forward to them and your continued success.

  • Thank you all for the comments. Roxy, yes, I’m already preparing a defense!! LOL! Gail, thank you so much for your kind words, and yes, I love my office. Just not that chair!

  • Looks great, Barbara.

    In my office space, I don’t call this ‘clutter’, but rather ‘an organized mess’, as I know where everything is… even if no one else does. And they don’t need to because it’s MY space, MY writing area and everything in it belongs to me. 🙂

    Blessings,

    Renee-Ann

  • Jill, you poor girl! All that male stuff and just think of the testosterone! Shudder!
    Renee-Ann, I’ve seen a pic of your workspace and love it! You are so very organized!
    Thank you all for dropping by!

  • Love your work space!! I have a table off to the side similar to yours… I like the idea of covering it with a pretty cloth and having my “stuff” on it 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

  • Hehe, my husband does the same thing. Beautiful office. I wish I actually had one. One of these days.

  • Lori Gallagher:

    I love having a look at your office, including the spot where you plot your murders. Is your husband aware of what an inspiration he’s providing?

  • Lori, LOL, no, Allan has no idea what he’s creating! Christina, aren’t husbands infuriating? And they can’t seem to realize it. Rhonda, that filing cabinet is one discarded by the military, so he definitely needed covering.

Leave a Reply for Barbara Phinney