Writer

Where the Magic Happens

The books I write take the reader all over the world. It’s a cheap way to travel and you never have to pack a bag. My desire to bring new locations to my books means I travel a lot. A lot! 

I’ve written books in Italy, Scotland, England, while flying to Bali, on a train headed to Mexico and various parking lots and waiting areas all over the world. Thankfully my job gives me the flexibility to work absolutely anywhere that I want to. And you know where my favorite place to craft novels is? 

Home. 

The place where I’ve drafted the majority of the Beaufont series and the other books I’ve written is a sacred place that I’ve created as thoughtfully as one of my novels. Let me share a little peek inside the writer’s den with you. 

When I was a young professional, a neighbor gave me an old beat up retro desk. It was an awful shade of coffee brown and looked like something that grandma would throw out. I spent an entire weekend, covering it in paint. I’m eccentric. Most who meet me know that within the first five minutes. The desk reflects that eccentric nature. I just knew that one day I’d write a book…or 98 as it currently stands. 

(Actually, I never thought I’d write three books or more than one series, not to mention, something like 15 different series. I’ve lost track…)

And apparently, I lost track of my train of thought. 

Anyway, I didn’t want a stuffy old desk where people keep their income tax forms. I didn’t want a modern one that hipsters sit at and contemplate how they are going to be a pain in the ass. I wanted something that reflected my creative style. 

So I painted the old desk so that it looked like it belonged on a beach. 

Then I stuck it in the middle of my office and sat down to write the next great American novel. 

I wrote a book, alright. And it was the ultimate monkey poop. My first books aren’t all that bad, but thankfully, I’ve improved. 

I really thought when I started this writer thing that I’d write the best novel ever. I thought that I needed a security system to protect all my documents from crazed fans who would hack into my computer to get a quick sneak peak of my next best seller. I thought I needed to start picking out drapes for my beachside mansion in Malibu. 

Then reality hit. 

Stephen King said, “It starts with this: put your desk in the corner, and every time you sit down there to write, remind yourself why it isn’t in the middle of the room. Life isn’t a support system for art. It’s the other way around.” 

Well, put Steve! 

So I moved my desk to the corner of my office. I put my back to the window so I wasn’t tempted to watch squirrels play. I stuck vision boards above my desk and gave myself the freedom to stick whatever up there that suited my eyes. Sometimes that was pictures or quotes. More often, it was reminders. Things to spark ideas. And it always has something to remind me of what I’m trying to do—craft a story readers will love. 

Here’s a picture of what it looks like currently:

I’ve been on this author journey for a decade. I’ve written 98 books and counting. I’ve made a lot of mistakes on my trek up the author mountain. 

But every day I return to my desk and continue on. I love what I do. I love that it takes me all over the world. And I love where I do it. My office and desk bring me a sense of peace and a creative spark. 

My space seems to whisper, “Where are we going today, Sarah?” 

Check out all of my books here.

Nov 11, 2022 | Posted by in Blog, Writer | Comments Off on Where the Magic Happens

Tuesday Takeover: It’s All About Connections by Derek Borne

Have you ever wondered how you were going to get from your comfortable point A to the seemingly impossible point B? I’m not talking in an automotive kind of way of course, but in the ‘author world’ where you need to have a book cover artist, editor, formatter, personal pizza delivery guy from the Amalfi coast… hey, the Italian in me can dream, right?

 Well, there’s a simple trick to all of that.

 You ready?

 Make some friends. It’s as easy as that. With social media being as vast as it is, with the number of authors there are on social media, chances are pretty big that you could end up befriending quite a few and gaining some great connections in the process.

Personally, being a ‘newbie’ in this author world, for the most part I had no idea of what I was doing. Everything felt immensely overwhelming.

 Taking a full on plunge, I joined some groups. BOD (Band of Dystopian Authors) was the first of a few, and for the first while it kinda felt like I was floating around in there. Eventually, another step had to be taken. New people?? Gah, as social as one can be, it’s still a bit nerve wracking to press that ‘friend request’ button, and hope that they don’t creep your Facebook page first to see how weird you really are.

 But getting to know people is one of the best things you can do. Once you start making connections, you’ll find that in a way, you’re building a super-team of people that have different abilities or connections of their own that can help you out.

 Some have the power to help you generate a following, others could harness the ability to have a great eye and catch things in your work that you never even thought of. Then there are those who have the invaluable talent of moral support, which gives you what feels like super strength to get through whatever the ‘author world’ can throw at you.

 Whether you’re trying to save a bridge from collapsing in Sydney, Australia, or an aspiring author trying to get your name out there, don’t be afraid to make some friends. Build yourself a super-team of connections.

 Plus, who doesn’t love a good team-up?

 


Derek

Derek Borne is the author of the “Ultimate Agent” series, due to be released later this year. Discover his world of superheroes and espionage at www.derekborne.weebly.com

 

Aug 16, 2016 | Posted by in Author, sci-fi, Writer | Comments Off on Tuesday Takeover: It’s All About Connections by Derek Borne