I'll Show You Mine if You Show Me Yours Part II: The Garage Getaway...

Several weeks ago Trigger Happy Halliday and Leslie 'The Assassin' Lantry posted pictures of their home offices--the quasi-factory where all those 'killer' stories are manufactured and committed to manuscript form on the computer. So, I thought I'd share a picture of what I call my 'summer office'.

You see, I bought a house with a garage that housed a television and VCR repair service on one side of the structure. It hadn't been used for anything except storage for a number of years, however, and needed some TLC. Still, I immediately saw the possibilities for a home office that would actually take me out of the home. Well, fifty steps, at least. So, as time and money permitted, I worked on converting the TV shop into a writer's escape. I yanked off the tattered, old, green carpet that covered the length of the work bench and replaced it with a nice, serviceable wood top. I did it all by myself, folks. Uh, with a little help from a brand new drill and a miter box. Later I added a nice, big room sized-rug, a loveseat, plus a TV for some background sound. When I work in the garage office, I take my laptop with me. The shop was outfitted already with surge strips so that was a nice added feature. My horse bridles hang from a hook on the wall. What you can't see to the left are shelves that house two western saddles. Hey, I could have horses again someday. I'm not that old...

Since I've had summers off, I generally get up each morning as if going to work and grab my cup of coffee and head out to the garage office. I write until noon--or whenever I need to use the restroom--and often will stay out there writing until the wee hours. In one 24 hour period alone in the garage office, I wrote 57 new pages on a contracted project--a personal best for me. My kids know I'm working when I'm in the garage office--and know not to interrupt unless absolutely necessary. I'm still close at hand if needed so a win-win for everyone.

Now that winter has set in, I've moved my office back into the house so I don't have the added expense of heating the detached garage. Since my oldest son is in college and rarely home, I have taken over his room and it serves as my office at present. It's next door to my bedroom and is on the other end of the house from the triplets so if I'm up late writing or get up at my usual 5 a.m. to work, I won't disturb them. And no. I won't be posting a picture of this office. Not today. Not until I have time to sort, shred, file and toss. (I could swear there was a bed in here when I moved my writing stuff in, but at present I can't find it. It's a mystery!)

Still the in-house office is not the same as the 'seasonal office', I'm finding. Too many distractions. (I have my very own Kid Nation) Too many temptations. (Food and puzzles come to mind) As a result, I'm behind on my next Calamity Caper. Big time. I'm really gonna need a couple of 57 page weekends to make this deadline, that's for sure. And with the holidays smack dab in the middle of what time I do have left...? Well, let's just hope Old St. Nick has an Energizer Muse in his bag for Ol' Bullet Hole here.

She's been a real good girl.

And she's so gonna need it.

Catch you next time!

~Bullet Hole Bacus~