Tools of the Trade

We may be living in the age of technology but for me, nothing beats a pencil and a piece of paper. Sure, I have the toys; laptop, tablet, chromebook, smartphone, and desktop. Yet, I still think best with a pen or pencil between my fingers. Even when I am typing away, you may well find me twirling one of them between my fingers while deep in thought. A kind of writing fidget spinner, I suppose.

Not everything fits in one frame, of course. Beyond this picture is my table and on it are thesaurus, dictionaries, research material. Yes, books to write books! My notepad is covered in scratchings and short hands that wouldn't possibly make sense to anyone else, and crumpled pieces of paper, torn out of notebooks and tossed aside, often litter my work space (though the cat helps clear those away). It generally is home to a cup of tea that is often long gone cold. The mug changes sometimes, but right now it is a Ravenclaw cauldron full of Earl Grey, cold! Tonight there is also a glass filled with melting ice water and decorated with Disney's favorite little deer and stating "Bambi was taught that "twitterpated" meant falling in love.

That chubby ginger tabby is my best boy Napoleon. My precious boy and constant companion, Nappy or poley baby as He is called for short, has been with me for 10 years. He chose me when I visited the shelter. I think He has a great name! The teenage volunteers called Him Napoleon after Napoleon Dynamite because of his orange fur. I worked for a history organization at the time and thought a cat named after a little dictator seemed apropos. He can be a very vocal taskmaster when I need it, mostly to lodge complaints about empty food bowls or my being in the wrong room. He is on a nap break at the moment, and is easily distracted with chicken or kitty treats. He keeps me on my toes, though, catnip can earn me a day off at times.

Han Solo is here watching, too, in his Mickey Mouse ears. He was a gift from a friend of mine and generally goes where ever the laptop goes. My pencil case is a rather poor stand in for the Millennium Falcon. I am not certain whether He is a spy reporting on my movements. Still, I love Him. He knows.

Support groups on discord and instagram, fellow writers on speed dial, writin-in groups, friends and family who support and encourage, beta readers, a stellar editor, a great publisher... all the personnel in my toolbox.. there are never enough words of thanks for all you do.

Just a few Tools of the Trade.....