Workspace Wednesday welcomes Caroline Fyffe
January 8th, 2013 | 
Author:
I am so happy to have with me today RWA Golden Heart® winner Caroline Fyffe. I first met Caroline on a indie author loop, where I was impressed by how pleasant, professional and talented she was. I was not a bit surprised when Montlake Romance acquired her wonderful historical western romances, making her a Montlake sister. Take it away, Caroline!
Hi! Happy Workspace Wednesday! Thanks, Norah, for having me here. I’m excited to share my world with you and your followers.
First, my desk, where I begin around 7 am, break for lunch and run on the treadmill, then resuming until 5 pm Don’t let the photo fool you! Usually, it’s pretty darn messy, but I did take some time today to straighten it up. What is cool, but I failed to get into the picture, is a big window in front of the desk. I have an awe-inspiring view of a forested area across the street.
Here you have Caroline’s Corner—as my husband likes to call it—where I go to read, meditate or plot. Sometimes my hubby sits here when I have something troubling me with my WIP and we brainstorm. I call him my ‘plotmeister’. He comes up with some unbelievably creative stuff and has given me several of my secondary storylines! It may look neat now, but I wished I’d opened the armoire to take a photo of the insides. It’s crammed full of writing books, craft manuals, signed novels from my author friends, whatnots and gizmos t’ boot. I love it and couldn’t live without it! It holds the mess that used to live on the floor, desktop, etc.
Some awards that keep me motivated. Whenever I’m in doubt, sure my story is the lamest thing going, I glance over at the wall to bolster my confidence.
When I need a mega dose of inspiration I try to get out and do something fun, different, challenging. Here I am with my 22-year-old son, spending the day at Natural Bridge. If you haven’t been there yet, be sure to visit sometime. It’s beautiful and looks just like the scenery in The Last of the Mohicans! (I love that movie!)
Thanks for letting me visit with you and your readers today, Norah! Love the idea of seeing authors in their workspace, as they create. Before I go, I’d like to ask a quick question. If money were no object, what is the one thing you’d most like to incorporate into your office? I’ll offer a $10 Starbucks Gift Card to one lucky commenter as a ‘Thank you’ for stopping by! For me, I’d love to have a floor to ceiling book shelf, the kind that needs a ladder to reach the top shelf!
Montana Dawn – Book One in The McCutcheon Family Series
Montana Territory, August 1883 – When Luke McCutcheon finds Faith Brown about to give birth in her rickety wagon, his first instincts are to ride for help. Instead, he stays and delivers a beautiful baby girl. Unable to leave the pretty young widow and her little son and newborn unprotected in the Montana wilderness, he brings them along on his family’s cattle drive, to the absolute delight of the other friendly cowboys.
Where the Wind Blows – A Prairie Hearts Novel
In the free and untamed Wild West, love might blossom in the most unexpected place…
When the man from the orphanage mistakes Chase Logan for Jessie Strong’s husband, the least Chase can do is help Jessie adopt the child she so desperately wants, the little girl who will be Jessie’s only family in the Wyoming wilderness. Three days are all she asks. Three days pretending to love a woman who is unlike any he has ever known…
Jessie knows it’s chivalry, plain and simple, that spurs Chase Logan to come to her rescue the day little Sarah arrives at her door. A man like him isn’t made for settling down; he is as wild as the land he roams. She should know better than to let down her guard, to allow herself to long for a family and a life with someone she hardly knows. And yet she dares to hope that maybe, just maybe, Chase Logan is the man destined to make all of her dreams come true.
Caroline can be found on the web here:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caroline.fyffe
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarolineFyffe
- Website: www.carolinefyffe.com
Thank you, Caroline! I loved the tour of your office, but I especially love the shot of you at your desk. Gorgeous! You could use that as a publicity photo!
As for your question, I’ll play – What I’d love to see in my office is an assistant. LOL!
Okay, folks, let’s hear your answer to Caroline’s question. From you comments, we will randomly choose a winner for the covered $10 Starbucks Gift Certificate.
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Thanks for showing us your office, Caroline. It’s lovely. I especially love your reading corner. That chest is gorgeous!
Let’s see, if money were no object I’d have an office overseeing the beautiful Bay of Fundy in the shape of a massive cottage with a wrap around porch. 🙂
What an awesome dream, Lina. That would be gorgeous! And so inspiring. And I love the cottage feel—that is my favorite, too. Yes, I believe I could get a lot of writing done in the Bay of Fundy…
A+ for your dream!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
~C
I’m jealous! Your office is lovely. I finally put together an office for myself, and then lost it when my daughter came home to live with me for a while. I have it back now, and I’m very excited. No desk for me, though. I work with my feet up and my laptop on my lap.
Yay, Barbara, glad you have it back. For some reason I don’t work as well on my laptop so I need a desk—but I envy those who do work well on their Laptop because you can make your office wherever you want! Restaurants, friend’s houses, Parks, Planes, it’s all good…. 🙂
Love your workspace, Caroline 🙂
Money no object? Hmmm… I think some doors would be good. Shut out the noise when everyone is home 🙂
Yes, Toni, doors are a great thing! Especially if they have a lock! Thanks for stopping by!
Since one of my loves is interior design, I enjoyed seeing your office. What a nice space to work in, and I agree with Lina, that chest is gorgeous. I’ll have to spruce up my office some.
I’d like to update my copier/printer into the state-of-the art.
Debra Andrews
Dangerous Paradise
The chest holds so much. Before I moved I didn’t have it in my office, but a bedroom. Once I confiscated it for my office, my hubby build fortified shelves for books (you know how heavy they are) and other officey type stuff. It’s truly a lifesaver!!
A state-of-the-art printer sounds super!!
If money were no object, I’d have a bigger office. Room for a nice reading corner like you have. And more books, of course.
Good morning, Roxy, thanks for stopping by! Yes, one never has enough room for books! I get such a good feeling just gazing at my favorites…
Hugs! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your office, Caroline. It’s beautiful, and so elegant. You’re blessed to have a husband who helps you with plots. Mine does as well, but usually the things he comes up with are…entertaining rather than useful.
The one thing I’d like to have is a huge window with a view of either the ocean or a wooded area. I think that would bolster my creativity and energy wonderfully. Also, a larger office would be nice.
L. j.
Hey, L.J.! First let me say I love your covers! They’re so eye-catching!
Yep, hubby helps a lot! And that keeps it fun too!
Thanks for stopping by…
Oh, good morning, Norah! Thank you for sharing your blog with me today! Super happy to be here!!!
I clicked open the blog and groaned when I saw the first photo. Then I read that it’s not always that neat. Honestly, I think I’d like to see it all as it normally is, even the wardrobe open becuase such tidiness seems unattainable to me.
If anyone ever does a pictorial tour of my office, they won’t see the actual desk for the papers, bills, envelopes, books, and bottle of love potion (not kidding) that reside atop it, but they will see my nick-nacks all over and my cereal bowl or cup of tea on top of the paper stacks. They’ll see my dog under the desk with his assorted toys and chewed up balls and bones. They’ll see the bag from the last Booklover’s convention with swag still in it. They’ll see photos of my kids, a cat on a cat bed also on top of the desk, handcream that I use every few hours, and a lovely pen that looks like a flower that my sweet son gave me one year.
I swear I don’t even notice most of it except the smell of the dog’s breath when he really gets chewing something. Congrats to you on having a grown-up work space. I hope to achieve that some day. And your book covers are lovely, by the way.
Best wishes,
Sydney
Sydney, is that you sneaking into my office when I’m not there?
LOL!! Mine is messy a lot of times (MOST times)too!!!! Really!!!
Ha, E. Ayers, you’re funny. Maybe it is me!
Mine typically sounds A LOT like yours, minus the pooch!! Nevertheless, I do go through and straighten up every so often, like when I can’t find the sketch of the western town for my WIP. At those times, I break out in a sweat thinking it’s gotten thrown out! That’s usually my motivation to stash, clean and dust!
Good luck with the Starbucks $$! 🙂
The pooch, Perry, is rather new for me. Always had cats. Enjoying him, but yesterday, he was like a naughty toddler. Chewed holes in the two area rugs (Marshalls’ special and a Home Depot one) in my office and stole cat poop out of the litter box (’nuff said). Meanwhile, I’ve barely been able to work this week because I’ve lost my passport, which I’ll need in February. My cluttered office has come back to bite me. Today, for peace of mind, I’m giving up and going to the passport office to pay the cost of a new one. That’s another reason why your office images made me groan. Your desk has the perfect cubbies for placing a passport and knowing where it is on the rare occasion that you need it.
Best,
Sydney
Floor to ceiling bookshelves on 3 walls!! I NEED THEM! lol
Betsy, that’s a dream come true! 🙂
Nice post — beautiful workspace and gorgeous cover. I LOVE the huge computer screen. I need one! For some reason print is getting smaller as I age. lol
Rose
Rose, the BIG screen is key! My son made me buy it, and once I did, my word count went up considerably. Seriously!! Just something about it makes me write faster. And I enjoy it more. And yes, with my ageing eyes it’s a joy! I couldn’t do without it now….
If money were no object, I’d have a new computer. I’ve been saving for one, but my heater broke right before Christmas so there goes my computer money. What I’m using is about 14 years old and has had numerous upgrades along the way. It’s doing strange things and making odd noises. So I’m backing up religiously.
Like you, I’m more comfortable at a desktop. I want a super-sized monitor, and oh, to have a working printer. That hasn’t worked in two years. How did we live before printers?
A handful of flash drives, and my little Netbook will keep me writing, but I want that new computer! Beyond my computer woes? I’d love someone to take over all the social media for me so I was free to write more.
🙂
Good luck with getting that new computer, E. I know how stressful that can be when they start to act up and make a fuss. And I think we all would LOVE to have an assistant–for social media and everything else under the sun! All we really want to do is write!
Hugs!
Caroline,
You have a beautiful office space and a great work ethic! If money were no object, I’d have a personal assistant in the form of a futuristic robot, so it could stand in a closet, then when I’m done writing, would sort the papers, put stuff away, and clean the house!
Thanks, Debra! I like your idea of a hi-tech robot assistant–so you could put him away when not needed!
Must come from writing your futuristic books…! LOL
Hugs!
Love your book covers, Caroline. I enjoyed seeing all the pictures. All I have to say is that you are much more organized than me. Thanks for sharing.
As you well know, Sandy, I’m not ALWAYS organized! LOL You’ve seen me at my worst! Hugs!
What, Caroline? No picture of you ON your treadmill, walking across America??? 😉 My son stole my treadmill and I am disgruntled. Of course, being a writer, that word always makes me wonder what ‘gruntled’ is…
LOVE your books!
What I would love in my office? I am all about that assistant!!! I detest filing, and administrative tasks are not my forte. I have a wonderful workspace, but somehow the guest bed ended up in there. That needs to change, because even though it’s infrequently used for that purpose, it infringes on ‘my’ space AND gives me a place to pile all that stuff I don’t want to file! Which ends up cluttering my mind.
Keep your books coming, Caroline!
Smiles,
Leslie
Exactly, Leslie! A bed is a catchall–at least it is in my house. It would be cool to have the whole room to yourself! A sanctuary to retreat to.
Thanks for the flowers about my books. I so appreciate it!
And thanks for stopping by!
Your office is just too neat and clean! 😉 But very lovely!!
If money were no object, I’d had an offie disconnected to the house (with a a little walkway so I don’t get wet on rainy days.) It would be four times the size of my office now (at least), with loads of shelves, a white-board wall and another that might be corkboard. And then I’d have a bathroom with a giant tub in there for days I need to unwind with a glass of wine and just plot. I’d also have a little porch with a terrific view and comfy seat to take naps on as I continue to plot.
Thanks for sharing your space with us, Caroline!
Kim, I LOVE your vision!! You have it all laid out in your mind. Visualization will make it come true! 🙂
You have a lovely office and it’s so neat. How do you get any writing done?! LOL
That’s a good question!! LOL
Yikes! That’s way too tidy, Caroline. My reason for being messy is that I think better with clutter all around me. 😉
Then by all means, Barbara, keep it cluttered!! Anything for word count!!
Hey!
Such a great space you have! Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Wow, if money was no object, I think I would make sure that I had one HUGE room filled with books and a reading nook that’s most comfortable with a million dollar view!
Happy New Year y’all!
Mel
Happy New Year to you, Melanie! Thanks so much for stopping by!
That would be a fablous dream come true for me.
I love to read and I am a home school mom.
A room of bookshelves that go from floor to ceiling
all the way around with a sliding ladder to go
with it would be fablous!
It most likely won’t happen for me though(
CherylB1987@hotmail.com
I love my huge monitor too!
If money was no object, I’d have your desk. It’s lovely and has lots of places to hide things. My desk is about the same size but flat so all my stuff is always all around me.
Love your corner too. I had a weight bench in my room until my dh moved his office back into the room with me.
Thanks, Lynn! Oh, weight benches are wonderful!! 🙂 The blood flow gets the ideas moving. Tell your dh you want it back. (I hope I don’t cause a fight.) And Yay on the jumbo monitor. Every day it makes me happy!!
Love your office Caroline… Looks like a lovely room to work in…
If money was not an object I would have to say a Nice Comfy Chair… Something I have found so hard to find of late… One where you have room to move and put your legs up if you want to etc…
HI Leeanne!!!
Thanks for joining us! You need ‘that’ comfy chair, with an ottoman too!! I can see you there now enjoying all your books!
Cheers! 🙂
Lovely workspace! I will NOT show mine! Maybe I’ll grab some photos of someone else’s space!
Hi Mary, thanks for coming by! I’d love to see your office! The flowers on your website are beautiful! 🙂
Hey roomie! (Caroline and I shared at the last RWA Nationals and what a terrific lady she is!) Love your work space. Sort of makes me want to throw rocks at my little “writing chair” in the corner of our bedroom. However, condos do not lend themselves to spreading out. Oh, well. Imagination will fit anywhere. 😉
Hey back roomie!! Your imagination soars wherever you are—even in a hotel at National! (I could never do that!) Plus, I can’t believe your daily word count! Keep it up!!! 🙂
Thanks so much for coming by and saying hello!
If money were no object, I would have a very good copy of ‘Nighthawks’ by Edward Hopper hanging on the wall of my tiny writing room. There is something about that painting that reaches deep inside of me. I guess that’s what a good piece of art is supposed to do, like a good book. Have a great year!
Joan
Thank you, Joan, for enlightening me! I had to go Google Nighthawks. It’s awesome! I see what you are talking about….
Wow, Caroline, what a perfect office! I’m sooo jealous. I would love to have an office that wasn’t a tiny desk squished into the corner of my bedroom. Some day I will have the office of my dreams with a view. I love your chair in the corner of the room for reading and plotting. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by, Theresa!! 🙂
Winner of the $10 Starbuck’s Gift Card is…Cheryl Baranski!!! Congratulations, Cheryl! Send me your address at carolinefyffe@gmail.com and I will get that off to you pronto!
And thanks to all for stopping by!!
Hugs!
And thank you, Norah, for having me! It was a blast! 🙂