I am happy to host Author, Mark Bierman, the November Spotlight Author at the RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB!
He is the author of Vanished, a compelling and gritty story about human trafficking.
Today, he has some advice about an author’s writing environment.
How to set up your writing space
Where you write can almost be as critical as how you write. Here are a few tips on setting up your writing space.
Be Choosy.
It’s all about environment. That’s a different animal for everyone. No one knows your comfort level better than you. Maybe you can complete your masterpiece while standing at the island in the kitchen, as your pre-schooler plays the soup pan drum. Perhaps you require a sensory deprivation chamber just to type the date. Most of us fit somewhere in between.
An unused spare room, away from the general traffic areas, could make an ideal crafter’s cave. If space is at a premium, investing in multi-purpose furniture and/or an adjustment of writing schedule, may be wise.
Multiply those screens.
If you find switching into a different tab or window annoying, try adding another screen. I find this particularly useful when conducting research. One screen is dedicated to searching Google, while the other remains on the manuscript. This can also be applied to social media and emails.
Smell your way to success.
There has been some research indicating that aromatherapy may increase brain function. Peppermint and lavender scents may enhance focus, while lemon may decrease those nasty typos.
Be Neat.
If you don’t use it, lose it. Clutter begets confusion and distraction, so toss the trash and store the items that you aren’t currently using.
Light up your life.
Want to improve productivity and avoid headaches? Proper lighting is the key. While natural light is best, if you write in a windowless room, LED lights are a suitable replacement. Avoid bright light directly on your computer screen. This can be accomplished by repositioning the workstation, or using shades and light diffusers.
This list is not exhaustive, there are many other wonderful ideas for building your writing nest.
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VANISHED, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E4CZHIO/
Blurb:
Tragedy . . . heartache . . . how much more can Tyler Montgomery and John Webster take? This missions trip, the “healing” one, has only added fresh layers of pain. Construction of an orphanage in Haiti’s northwest . . . yes. But a doomed rescue operation, human traffickers, human anomalies, extreme personal danger . . . risk of death? They hadn’t signed up for those.
* * *
Author Bio:
Born and raised on a farm near Brockville, Ontario, Mark’s childhood consisted of chores, horseback riding, snowmobile races, fishing trips to local lakes, and many other outdoor adventures. He was, and remains, an avid reader of many genres.
Transitioning into adulthood also meant moving from the farm into large urban areas that introduced this ‘country boy’ to ‘big city’ life.
Drawing on his many experiences as a private investigator, and later, a correctional officer, Mark combines his unique experiences and imagination to create stories and characters.
Follow Mark online!
Twitter: @mbiermanauthor
Facebook: Facebook
Website: markbierman.com
Hi, Billy Ray. Better late than never! Great comment.
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Hi, Mark,
So sorry I’m late to the party – wrapped up in my writing is and can be my only excuse! There would be no other reason…
I believe you are offering some worthy advice for the environment in which we writers write. My environment I would not recommend to any ‘young writer’ – my LAZYBOY in the den. It is rare when I go elsewhere to write…years ago, when I started writing seriously, I had a library/office set-up at our 80-acre ranch in Arizona – that was a lovely environment. Looking south out my big office window I could see the Sierra Madre Mountains in old Mexico to the south, the Chiricahua Mountains and Dos Cabezas Mountains to the east, and the Dragoon Mountains to the west.
The non-working ranch was called ‘The Lazy Rabbit Ranch’ – that felt appropriate enough… Hell, I’ve always been ‘lazy’! Most of my ‘Bailey Crane Mysteries’ (1-6) were written at TLRR – the movers lost the original ‘book 2’ manuscript of the series in one of our moves (and no back-up copy!)… To this day, I still don’t know how it was the movers lost just one box of the many manuscript boxes available for them to lose. Wrote a new book 2 and the lost manuscript was re-written as the ‘stand-alone’ STRANGER ABDUCTION.
Here in ‘Twilight’, the words come well enough here, comfortable, in my Lazyboy…it’s also used for napping!
You’re a good writer, Mark, and I wish you all the very best in your career. Again, sorry to be tardy for your ‘Spotlight’! Keep writing! Good things will happen for you… ♥♥♥
Billy Ray
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i love the idea of two screens! Definitely one I’ll pursue. Congrats, Mark!
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Thanks, Marcha, for stopping by and leaving a comment!
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Yes, they have worked wonders for me, Marcha, and I think you’ll find them indispensable. Thank you for stopping by!
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Marvelous post, Jan and Mark. Here’s to peace and quiet (she said amid thunderous noise from neighbors on the other side of the wall). Happy weekend hugs.
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Well crap! I’m sorry, Teagan. But, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment for Mark! Hugs!
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It’s just encouragement to keep my courage up to make the big leap and move, Jan. 🙂 Now if I can get that real estate agent off her butt…
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Sorry to hear about those noisy neighbors, Teagan. I hope they quiet down. Thanks for visiting my post!
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Thanks, Beem!
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Congratulations, Mark! This is a well-deserved honor!
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I’ve never heard of that, Wendy. I learned something today. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
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Thanks Mark, As a kid I used lemon juice for invisible ink – one way to hide the typos I suppose!
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I did too! Great idea for those typos . . . I think you may be onto something.
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Multiply those screens? I know this suggestion seems like a no-brainer but could you elaborate a little? I’m not sure how to create a screen but it sounds like something I need to look into. Hi Jan!
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Hi Shirley, sorry, I should have explained it better (the multiple screen). We purchased an additional monitor and set up our laptop in a way that enabled us to view a different web page on each screen.
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Hi, Shirley. I am glad you dropped by and left a comment. It looks like Mark cleared up the screen issue.
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Useful tips, Mark. I agree with Vashti, I often use my iPhone and iPad, along with my MacBook, to work simultaneously. I love scents and, as yet, I’ve not tried aromatherapy! I’m giving that a try. Thanks for hosting, Jan!
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Essential oils are wonderful, Linda. Lavender is very relaxing, peppermint picks me up and lemon makes me happy. And there are so many oils to try. Once you try them you won’t want to write without a diffuser nearby. 😉 xo
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Clary sage is a great soother.
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I’m hooked on aromatherapy, I’m glad you’re going to try it. Thank you, Linda, for stopping by today!
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My pleasure, Linda. I am so happy you stopped by!
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Great tips, Mark. Enjoyed the excerpt, have Vanished on my kindle and looking forward to the read! 🙂 Have a great tour and shine on…
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Thank you, Bette!
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Thanks for stopping by, Bette!!
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Hello Mark! Great tips on setting up your writing space. I enjoy putting on my aroma therapy diffuser with either lavender, peppermint or lemon essential oils depending on my mood. You’re so right about needing multiple screens when doing research. I have often used my laptop, iPad and iPhone simultaneously while doing research for my books. I have gotten headaches in the past for not using proper lighting, so having sufficient lighting in your space is key. Thank you for the great tips and reminders, Mark. Thank you, Jan for hosting! ❤ xo
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The multiple screens are definitely a must. As for the writing space, I only recently moved mine from the kitchen table, to a spare room that we made into an office. Thank you for visiting today, Vashti!
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You’re welcome, Mark. It’s a pleasure.
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Thank you for your lovely comment, Vashti. It’s always great to hear other suggestions and what works for someone else. I admit I use my phone quite a bit as well. And I love diffusing the essential oils. All of the fragrances you listed are my faves!
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You’re welcome, Jan. I’m always happy to put in my two cents. 😉 xo
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Congratulations, Mark. This was a great post. I am a big fan of aromatherapy. Lavender is one of my favorites.
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I agree, Laura. I love Lavender too and diffuse it every night to help wind down to sleep. I appreciate you stopping by and reading Mark’s tips.
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Me too, on the aromatherapy! I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Laura. Thank you for visiting.
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What an excellent idea, Annika! I love both of those teas, and they are truly fragrant. I appreciate you stopping by today and leaving a comment! Hugs!
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Great tips from Mark here, Jan! I often drink either peppermint or lemon & ginger tea whilst working so hopefully these scents should aid creativity! Best of luck to Mark with his book.
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Herbal teas are a great alternative to coffee, Annika. Thanks for visiting today!
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These are helpful tips, Mark. I also think it is important to be committed to writing no matter what! Enjoy your tour! Thanks for hosting, Jan!
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That is a commitment we all have to take to heart if we are to ever finish what we are working on, Eric. I totally agree. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.
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I agree with you Eric, though it may, at times, be difficult, it’s vital to carve out time for writing in our busy lives. Having a proper and stress-free writing environment helps tremendously. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and respond.
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Peace and quiet are definitely preferable! And, yes, carving out time is essential. Life has a way of convincing us that everything else is more important. We should chat sometime about the conditions under which I wrote the first draft of my book. I think you would find it interesting.
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Great tips, Mark. I love your suggestion to “smell your way to success.” 🙂 Thank you, Jan, for hosting. This has been delightful. ♥
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I loved that too, Gwen, and immediately lit a stick of incense. 🙂 Thank so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.
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Thanks, Gwen! We bought an infuser a few months ago and use it all the time.
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Fantastic tips to share, Mark. Thank you.
Many thanks for hosting and sharing, Jan, as always.
Cheers to you both. 🙂
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Thank you, Natalie. I’m happy you stopped by and left a comment.
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Thank you, Natalie. Cheers to you, as well!
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Great tips, Mark! Thanks for sharing. Jan, thanks for the host, as always!
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Thanks for dropping by, Nonnie!
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Thank you, Nonnie!
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Wonderful tips. I really like the idea of adding another screen and keeping that one open for research. I’m constantly opening new tabs and windows when I write for that reason. Of course, then there’s the matter of desk top space, LOL.
Wishing Mark all the best!
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So true, Mae. I too, am always flipping back and forth between screens, but I find that I can also set my laptop up next to me and use it. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment! Have a great day!
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I would love to lay claim to that one, Mae, but that idea came from my wife . . . she calls it the “ninja screen”. Thank you for visiting today.
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I have a bad habit of using the computer in the dark. Good tips.
Best wishes, Mark. Thanks for the spotlight on him, Jan.
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Oh my goodness, Staci, that sounds like it would be hard on the eyes. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
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It is a little. But so is glaring light (to me) and I can’t find a happy balance. Once I get busy, I hardly notice, anyway.
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I would try that, Staci, but sadly my typing skills are but one notch above the “hunt and peck” style . . . if I couldn’t see the keys, I’d be constantly having to retype. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by today!
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My husband hunts and pecks. I don’t know how you guys do it. It would drive me crazy if I couldn’t watch the words as they appeared on my screen.
Wishing you fast typing, Mark. 🙂
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Congratulations to Mark. Thanks, Jan for hosting.
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Thank you, John!
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Thank you, John.
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🙂
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Good tips, thanks. What do you do with a lap full of pets? Asking for a friend.
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Lol! I’ll let Mark answer that one, Craig. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
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I’m not sure. My only pets, these days, are fish, and they’re not that affectionate 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
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Ha ha!
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Wow, this sounds like a great book. If you recommend it, then it has to be awesome. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Have an awesome week! Love & hugs.
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Thanks, Tonya. I haven’t read Mark’s book yet, but it is on my Kindle and I am anxious to move it my huge TBR list. 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by! Hugs!
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Thank you so much, Jan, for hosting my blog! RRBC is a great support group and that’s because of people like you.
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Thank you, Tonya, for your kind words and for taking the time to read my blog!
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