Shannon here: Contemporary Romance author, Candee Fick gives us an office tour plus a chance to win a copy of her latest release, Dance Over Me. Comment or answer the question at the end of any post dated Sept 5 – 8 to enter the drawing. Choice of print or e-book for U.S. E-book international. Deadline: Sept 17th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Candee:
Welcome to my office. When we moved my twelve-year-old to a basement bedroom, I immediately claimed a corner of his old room for my writing (while the rest went toward a craft space in hopes I might someday catch up on the family photo album). The desk is a Craig’s List bargain that we fixed up with a little superglue on the countertop and a new set of screws for the keyboard tray door. The only downside to my new desk was that I quickly learned that it is too tall for me to spend any significant time typing on the laptop keyboard. My new wireless keyboard allows my shoulders and wrists to relax so the words can flow without pain.
Of course, my office has the regular stuff you’d expect to find like a lamp for extra light, a calendar on the wall, and tons of files or folders filled with project ideas, conference notes, or business receipts. I’ve got a timer on the shelf above the computer to remind me to stop writing (or browsing social media when I’m, ahem, marketing) in order to go pick up the kids from school or fix supper. And lots of sticky notes or index cards as visual reminders.
A tissue box is handy when writing emotional scenes and I’ve got a few pictures of my current main characters pinned to the wall above my laptop screen. Looking at one photo while in the head of a different character helps me “see” them through fresh eyes and make the developing romance feel real. What you don’t see is my stash of dark chocolate chips hidden behind the laptop screen. Out of sight keeps them from being stolen by my youngest…and keeps me from eating them by the handful, even if chocolate melting in my mouth helps me get into the mood to write those yummy kissing or almost-kissing scenes.
The other key things that inspire the romance are actually out of sight behind me. Number one is the stereo with a stack of CDs to help put me in the mood with a romantic classical waltz although I also have a playlist on my iPad filled with power ballads like “I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You” from The Mask of Zorro. In addition to the music, I’m a flower kind of girl and have a bouquet of scented wooden roses in my office as well as dried corsages from my oldest son’s homecoming and prom dances. Last, I’ve got a few trinkets from my paternal grandparents, including the lighthouse, that remind me of their romance and long life together.
About Candee: Candee Fick is the wife of a high school football coach and the mother of three children, including a daughter with a rare genetic syndrome. When not busy with her day job or writing, she can be found cheering on the home team at football, basketball, baseball, and Special Olympics games. In what little free time remains, she enjoys exploring the great Colorado outdoors, indulging in dark chocolate, and savoring happily-ever-after endings through a good book. Learn more and connect:
Candee’s Website Candee’s Twitter Candee’s Facebook
About the book – Dance Over Me: Danielle Lefontaine, a fledgling actress raised to the lullaby of Broadway, searches for her long-lost brother and her place on the stage, but a jealous cast member and numerous fruitless leads threaten to drop the curtain on her dreams and shine a spotlight on her longing for a place to belong. Meanwhile, Alex Sheridan is living his dream except for someone to share it with. When Dani dances into his life, he hopes he’s found the missing piece to his heart but fears the bright lights of a bigger stage could steal her away.
Will the rhythm of dancing feet usher in their deepest desires or leave them stranded in the wings?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Purchase now: Dance Over Me – print Dance Over Me – digital
Chance to win Candee’s debut, Catch of a Lifetime: If you pre-order Dance Over Me and email Candee@CandeeFick.com an order confirmation, you’ll be entered to win a signed copy of last year’s debut Catch of a Lifetime.
Question for Readers: Are you a scrapbooker? If not, where do you keep your family photos?
Come back Sept 8th for Candee’s character interview & romantic excerpt!
no. in boxes
I don’t do scrapbooking, so my photos are in a photo album.
I tried to keep mine in a photo album, but I couldn’t keep up, especially after our son was born. They ended up in boxes. But now, I have those pretty memory boxes. An excuse to keep them in boxes – I love it.
No I’m not a scrapbooker I used to put them in albums but now they are mostly digital on SD cards and/or computers. Thanks for the chance to win a copy My email is iamabho (at) gmail (dot) com
I am not a scrapbooker. I have photo albums filled with my beloved pictures. Pictures and the hand written word are beautiful treasures.
I was doing a decent job of keeping semi-caught up on the family scrapbook until I had the *brilliant* idea to do an additional scrapbook of my athletic son’s newspaper articles and high school highlights like Prom and Homecoming. I actually finished that one complete with graduation pictures in time for his party…but the family album is now about two years behind. I’ll catch up eventually. I hope.