Author’s Holiday Office Style: MEGAN SLAYER

Christmas in My Writing Space

I tend to be a crazy writing fool during the months of October and November. I tackle National Novel Writing Month, in November, with zeal. This year, it’s been a little tougher. I should look forward to Christmas and in some ways I am. But in others, I’m not. A year ago, right before Christmas, we had to put my cat down. Not the family pet, but my cat. Christmas was rough. Then this year in October, we had to put my dog down. Again, not the family dog. The dog that chose me, who followed me, rode in the car with me, went for walkies whenever I did. I miss her and having her around for Christmas.

So this year when I started writing my Christmas stories, my pets weren’t too far from my mine. I decorated part of my office with Sister’s stocking (although I call it her Christmas sock and that name drives my husband nuts) and one of my race medals. I used to dress Sister in her Wonder Woman dress, so that race, the Wonder Woman race, was for her. I make ornaments for each of my pets and yes, that’s hers. I have the cat’s Christmas sock and ornament not far away and in my office. His sock is to the left of Sister’s. I miss them and wish they hadn’t gotten sick.

When I see their Christmas socks and the Christmas tree, made by my grandmother-in-law, I think about time passing and experience. I think about the good times with these individuals. My grandmother-in-law lived in a nursing home. I liked to bring her artwork and take the dogs to visit because it made her smile. Sister visited her and she loved it. So when I see her sock and the tree, I think of them.

I like to keep my writing area cozy, but I also like to be reminded of my experiences. I like to write characters who are deeper than just two people falling love. By having those items, the tree, the socks…oh and that snowman without a face, to remind me of what I’ve gone through, too.

Were you wondering about that snowman? I keep him around, even though he’s a candle and his face is missing, because I bought him back when my tot was a totlet. He thought the snowman was a toy and he wanted to play with him. When he played, the snowman inevitably fell. You guessed it, his nose fell off. I tried to melt it back on, but it didn’t work. After two years, it was gone. But the snowman still looked like a snowman. Just without a face. The snowman reminds me that little things, in the hands of little people, can bring the most wonder.

So while I’m writing this year, I have these reminders. I don’t know how much of my work you’ve read, but I try to work dogs into the stories. I have a series involving parents. Why? Parents fall in love, too. Grin.

This is how I decorate my writing cave. How do you decorate at your house? I’d love to know. Share!

Check out Wendi’s latest release Pick Me Up (Christmas Spirits, book 1)