Today’s question: Other than the obvious holiday traditions, have you ever included any personal or family traditions/customs in your stories?
With the exception of the book I’m working on now, my fiction books were written so long ago, I really don’t remember. I probably had characters opening gifts on Christmas Eve instead of all on Christmas Day, which is what my family always did. (My husband thought that was so weird! So, we compromised, and we open one gift each on Christmas Eve now.)
The one “custom” I remember is thanks to one of our foster daughters. She read my first book and then commented on the scene where a character rinses off the top of a soda can before opening it. She said she’d never seen anyone but us do that. But we always rinse can tops before opening after reading a story where a woman was poisoned and died after drinking a soda that a rat had peed on. (Yes, disgusting! But now you know why we wash off the tops of ALL cans.)
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Jo Ann Mathews, whom I met at the Hampton Roads Writer’s Conference last fall, offered to interview me on her website and that went live last week: Women and Adversity: L. Diane Wolfe - Author, Publisher
Now, encouraged by Chrys Fey, I’m going to share some images from my office.
Most of you know the Minion wall:
I also have them on my window.
And this is where I spend most of my day:
I absolutely love my giant desk and hutch! Two computers, plus there’s a laptop, and yes, I sometimes have all three up and running at the same time. I know how to multi-task.
What do you love about where you work?
That is an awesome desk! And very organized. :)
ReplyDeleteI work in our den, but I love looking out at our bird feeders and seeing the different birds come and go.
Wonderful desk there Diane. mines not so good I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Wish I had a desk like that...
ReplyDeleteI don't wash the tops of cans BUT I don't drink out of them either. I pour the contents into a glass for the exact same reason :)
Love your minions! And your work/fun space. I had no idea of mice or rats on soda cans until someone who worked in a supermarket warehouse shared how these rodents crawl over everything. So yup...I wipe off soda can tops.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to hear someone else does it, too.
DeleteThat's a super office space, I'm pretty jealous. Making do with the kitchen table for now, I don't think it'd be worth sharing a picture!
ReplyDeleteNice office!
ReplyDeleteI'm a clean freak, so I wash everything.
Love the office! Multi-tasking is fun :)
ReplyDeleteNow I'm going to be washing the tops of cans as well - ick!!!
It wasn't until I reached your post that I remembered I did use traditional stuff in my Vietnam story about Christmas morning and church and dinner etc. I love your office. I an see you sitting there, absorbed by the work you're doing. You are amazing, Diane. And appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joylene
DeleteMInions! How awesome. Love that.
ReplyDeleteI like that my writing desk is in the sunroom which is full of plants and lots of glass so I can see outside and have plenty of natural light.
Rat pee can be deadly? Interesting...
Holy Moly -- rat pee! GGGGGRRRRROOOOSSS. I wash my cans off too, mostly to get the dust and stuff off. I will never look at a soda can the same way now. Thank you. LOL
ReplyDeleteLOL - You're welcome.
DeleteI'd feel watched in that office!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a lot of eyes staring at you. I don't drink sodas, particularly out of cans, so rinsing them off isn't an issue.
ReplyDeleteNice office! I'm sure the minions keep you on task.
ReplyDeleteWe don't drink out of cans, but yes, definitely rinse them off! yuck!
ReplyDeleteLove the office, mine faces the ocean. Great for daydreaming and inspiration. And no I don't find it too distracting for writing. Even when I move to the patio to enjoy it, I take my notebook.
I have been waiting for this!!!!
ReplyDeleteYour Minion Wall is...no words can describe it, but maybe to say...very yellow. lol
I love your desk. That is the kind of desk a publisher needs.
Now, on to other topics...I rinse off all of my soda cans, too. And my family always opened our gifts on Christmas Eve. I still do this. :)
I knew you were!
DeleteIt's really hard not to tear into the gifts that night, but we wait now.
Can I borrow your desk? I'm sure I would write lots in such a neat desk.
ReplyDeleteWow, I love your office. I like the minions too. My indulgence is Star Wars. You office looks like an inspiring place to work. I have a PC and a lap top, but a little desk. I want to get a 2nd monitor for dual screen. Thank you for sharing. Juneta
ReplyDeleteI want an office just like yours. Replace the minions with tons of bobble-heads though. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Loved the pictures of your office. I just have a laptop but could use at least one more as a backup.
ReplyDeleteI always like seeing where other writers work. I love my window and my doors!
ReplyDeleteI don't think any of my family's "traditions" have made it into one of my books. But then I've been writing mostly fantasy lately.
ReplyDeleteThat's an impressive desk. So neat and organized!
The only way I can describe myself is "scary-organized." I have to know where everything is at all times.
DeleteI appreciate your minion wall very much. ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't drink soda but if I did I think I would start washing my cans now, lol.
ReplyDeleteThat's the coolest office I've ever seen
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteGreat desk. A wonderful place to work. I don't drink sodas, but now I'm wondering about the water bottles. Guess I should wash the lids off.
ReplyDeleteThat rat pee story is gross, I don't blame you for cleaning the cans. I took up the tradition of opening presents on Christmas Eve when I met my husband, as his father is Swedish and that's what they do. It worked a treat when our kids were smaller! ;)
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a lot of minions! My desk is usually not that tidy, but I do have a window nearby so that I can look out onto my backyard and beyond and daydream. ;)
Great reminder on why we need to rinse more of our grocery items. Great blog!
ReplyDelete3 on the go. Wow, sure can multitask.
ReplyDeleteBlah to rat pee. Never knew that. So nasty.
I love your office and your minion wall. I never drink out of a can but now you convinced me to never try it. Ugh! I saw something on your office space I need to get for mine. Heading to Amazon to search.
ReplyDeleteI used to not clean the tops off on my soda cans but now I do after hearing about that Coronavirus.
ReplyDeleteYou have a good clean organized desk. I'm not that clean or orderly when it comes to my desk. My desk is chaos!
I'm one of those scary-organized people.
DeleteWhat a wise tradition - washing the soda cans. Everyone should adopt it.
ReplyDeleteLove your Minions, Diane!
I did not realize you were a minion fan. Fun wall.
ReplyDeleteUh, I thought everyone knew to wash off the tops of cans, for the very reason stated. Love your Minions! My writing space is full of Day of the Dead people. And my desk is an old organ cabinet, which *might* house the ghost of the Phantom of the Opera.
ReplyDeleteLOL
DeleteWow, such a clean desk! Mine is ordered, but has way more stuff on it. That’s my day job. For writing, just my laptop and a few writing books.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, LOVE all your minions, but especially the ones on the window. We've got a lot of them, but none quite like that. It's funny. Our grandchildren have "outgrown" minions, but WE haven't!
ReplyDeleteNever outgrow Minions!
DeleteWe opened presents on Christmas Eve when I was growing up, but now we wait until Christmas Day.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the soda company or market needs better pest control to prevent rats peeing on food.
I love your minions!
ReplyDeleteHi, Diane! Thanks for sharing pictures of your office. I love your minions. I have a wonderful office downstairs, but I love working at my kitchen counter. It's close to the coffee pot. I guess I've spent too many years in a busy classroom to handle working in a quiet office, even if it's awesome. I need to scan a large space ~ LOL
ReplyDeleteI can see why you love your desk, it's awesome. I think your office would be a happy place to work with all the Minions.
ReplyDeleteHow cute that the minions peek in on you :) I'd never thought about washing off tops of soda cans first. Not that we drink many, but it's not a bad idea.
ReplyDeleteI have two laptops too Diane! I mean isn't it the best thing ever geeking out with these sci-fi babies? I call one the Enterprise and the other much less powerful cousin (Core i7, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, 2GB) is the Hal 9000. I really need to get out more... :)
ReplyDeleteLOL! I've never thought about naming them. I guess I should.
DeleteI love your minions and will now head over to read your interview. Also, I will never be lazy about rinsing off the top off soda cans. Rat pee, corona virus - euuuww.
ReplyDeleteI don't rinse the can, but I do wipe it. After reading about the mouse pee, I might start rinsing!
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous that you have an office. I have a corner. LOL
Ok, now I will have to start cleaning my soda cans. Yuck. I do love your office! I'm getting a She Shed soon and can't wait to set it up as my "office." But as a traveling vendor, the view from my windshield is always changing.
ReplyDeleteYou and Jacqui Murray have the desks and computers! Love them!
ReplyDeleteAww !!! cool you are a multitalented personality, I loved your desk, so well organized. The minion wall looks crazy I am in love with it. I love my desk near the window side with lots of sunlight and surrounded by plants. I prefer a laptop more than desktop, yes its everyone’s choice of work!!! Much blessings!!! To know more about visit https://www.chinmayaias.com/ to get the best learning resources.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane - well my eyes have been opened ... but I loathe drinking out of cans - though now I have another reason to steer clear. Love the minions in your office - though personally I'm glad they're with you - and not here. My 'office' is combined into my sitting room - being on my own .. makes sense for me! Cheers Hilary (PS apologies for lateness ... trying to catch my tail!)
ReplyDeleteYour desk is amazing. I wish I had something that nice. I do actually have a desk but hardly write at it. It's in a loft area that's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Love your Minion wall.
ReplyDelete