Where Children’s Book Authors Work

Not long ago I saw a blog that featured where fantasy writers write. Not to be outdone, I decided I should do a blog about where children’s book authors write. As you can see, I frequently work with children draped around my neck. It helps with the dialogue and all that.

Shannon Hale (Princess Academy) employs the same technique. When people ask her how she manages to write with children, she says she doesn’t–children are too unwieldy. She writes with a computer. Although here you can see she is clearly trying to print block letters using her baby’s footprints. I love the laundry in the background. You are my hero, Shannon!

Next we have James Dashner’s (The Maze Runner–which everybody loves and which I still do not have an ARC of–not that I’m hinting or anything) work space. He isn’t around because he is obviously out on tour, rubbing shoulders with celebrities. What do you suppose he keeps in that backpack and why does he only have half a lamp?

This is Aprilynne Pike’s (Wings) workspace–she is absent too, probably out on tour with James having mocktails with JK Rowling or something. Love the wooden floor! A lot of my house is done in tile that we picked because it matched the color of dirt. But that’s just my family.

Here is James Owen’s (Here, There Be Dragons) workspace. Although you can’t see it very well, he is holding a sword. Personally, I think all authors should be issued swords. It would help out when dealing with editors. (Just kidding, Tim!) His wall is the coolest!

This is the lovely Lisa McMann, author of Wake. I love the fact that she has cover art from her books framed. How very authorish. I should do that. Except for then I’d have to find a place for the 300 pictures of my kids that cover the walls of my house.

Next we have P.J. Haarssma’s (The Softwire ) workspace. He wins the prize for most computers. (Okay, there wasn’t a contest, but there should have been.) I love the fact that he has the galaxy nearby for inspiration. Since I write teen romances perhaps I should put up a picture of Robert Pattinson or something.

Chris Gall (Dinotrux) claims that this is where he writes. I don’t believe him though. I’m sure he writes down all of his award winning ideas on napkins and then sends them to his editor. Truly great minds work that way.

This is Chris Crowe (Mississippi Trial, 1955) proving that he is Super Dad. I mean, that’s real dedication. Bonus points to anyone who can recognize what sort of computer he’s working on.

Here is Sydney Salter Husseman.(My Big Nose And Other Natural Disasters) You can tell she’s a writer because her bookcase is big enough that it would kill someone if it toppled over. I have several like this at my house.

And here’s another one of my author friends, Janni Simner. (Bones of Faerie–which I always end up spelling wrong because I can never remember the cool way to spell Faerie. If you pick up my book, My Fair Godmother, you might surmise that I don’t know how to spell the uncool way either.) If you look closely on Janni’s wall you’ll see she has a certificate that proclaims she is a “Real Writer”. I’m still waiting for my certificate to show up.

This lovely woman is Dotti Enderle. (Man in the Moon) You die-hard Rallison fans will realize right off that I named the hairdresser in Revenge of the Cheerleaders after Dotti. Is that a Ben and Jerry’s ice cream carton on the top of her desk? If it’s not, it should be. That’s the sort of thing muses like to eat. I generally leave out some Almond Joys for mine.

Next we have Melissa Walker (Violet on the Runway)who is obviously trying to promote the idea that you can write in style and comfort. How cool is that chair? I want to write in that chair!

And last but not least is Heather Tomlinson (The Swan Maiden) whose cats like to help her write. I have one that does the same thing. Sometimes it’s dang hard to get to the keyboard without getting cat fur in my mouth.

Note to my author friends: If you sent me a picture and I didn’t put it here, drop me an email as your picture is probably lost somewhere in my computer files.

29 comments

  1. Sara
    August 27, 2009 at 7:18 am

    Wow, what a fun post! How cute is Shannon’s baby??? And I love how your daughter is draped over your shoulders. So true, so true.

  2. Piglet de' Erin
    August 27, 2009 at 7:25 am

    Wow that is so cool. I loved Chris Crowe and the baby shot. so cute.

  3. LucindaF
    August 27, 2009 at 7:26 am

    Wait a minute… where are all the maids and butlers, and the mansions?

    I didn’t see any baskets of fruit or chocolate fountains.

    Where were the poolside pictures where you hold fancy drinks with little umbrella’s?

    I know, you didn’t want to discourage the little people. πŸ˜‰

    BTW, Chris Crowe’s drapes are fabulous.

  4. Don
    August 27, 2009 at 7:36 am

    Why, that looks like a good ol’ Apple IIe on Chris’ desk.

    I can’t tell from the screen if he’s using Apple Works or Magic Window.

    Ah, Magic Window. We had some good times back in the day…

  5. Sarah M Eden
    August 27, 2009 at 8:13 am

    Love the post!! Despite such indisputable evidence, I am still clinging to the belief that writing is inherently glamorous. Way to keep that under wraps, Janette!

  6. Melanie J
    August 27, 2009 at 8:46 am

    Chris Crowe was my supervisor during my student teaching. Love him! I should probably let him know I’m getting published but I doubt he’ll remember me.

    Love your post, too. Although, wouldn’t Aprilynne Pike be having mocktails with ole JK?

  7. Carolyn V.
    August 27, 2009 at 8:56 am

    This was an AWESOME post! I’ve always wondered where they write. =) Now I know.

  8. kersten campbell
    August 27, 2009 at 9:12 am

    You are so funny! Loved this post. Shannon Hale is my hero too!

  9. Valerie Ipson
    August 27, 2009 at 12:07 pm

    I love it!

  10. Heather B. Moore
    August 27, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    Awesome πŸ™‚ I love the laundry on the bed too.

  11. Meredith
    August 27, 2009 at 1:45 pm

    It may not be glamorous, but it still looks more pleasant than my office at work! I’m just sayin’. Very nice post.

  12. Stacey
    August 27, 2009 at 8:46 pm

    What a fabulous post Janette! Oh and I have Maze runner and will be reading and reviewing soon (and giving away my signed copy of the ARC!!!!) I love that Shannon Hale cuddled and nursed her baby while writing!

  13. Maureen
    August 28, 2009 at 12:09 am

    Fan-flipping-tastic! As an author of children’s fiction it’s very reassuring so see such well known names writing in such mundane curcumstances. I really loved Heather Tomlinson and her cats, switch the cats for sweet bunnies and I’ll aspire to that.
    Maureen Hume http://www.thepizzagang.com

  14. Melony
    August 28, 2009 at 7:34 am

    Great pics! Fun to see we are all the same at least in the way we work! Oh and BTW- His Gaze is now employable….last night it swept! I think we should put it to work!

  15. Alana, Author of Domestically Challenged
    August 30, 2009 at 9:17 am

    OMG – this was such a cool post!! I always like seeing other writer’s workspaces.
    Alana

  16. Joanne Levy
    August 30, 2009 at 9:25 am

    I love these! Wow, how fun.

  17. Sydney Salter
    August 31, 2009 at 7:58 am

    So fun to see everyone’s writing space. Thanks for including me : )

  18. ~V
    August 31, 2009 at 10:44 am

    Really enjoyed this. Made me feel better about the toy-cluttered child-chaos within which I write.

    Valya Dudycz Lupescu

  19. Jessica Capelle
    August 31, 2009 at 5:22 pm

    very cool post- it’s neat to see where other writers work.

  20. Cheryl Renee Herbsman
    September 1, 2009 at 2:26 pm

    Love this post! πŸ˜€

  21. Melissa Walker
    September 1, 2009 at 3:03 pm

    I love peeking into people’s private spaces. Thanks, Janette!

  22. JS Huntlands
    September 2, 2009 at 4:10 am

    Set in today’s day and time, Me and My Best Friend is about a young boy, his faithful companion and their exciting adventures.

    Henry and Liam are the best of friends and they do everything together. They can run and play all day long. But when Henry the puppy gets tired and tries to take a nap, three-year-old Liam keeps waking him, wanting him to play some more. Will Henry get any rest?

    Get your children involved with this beautifully illustrated book. Your child will love to match up words and pictures, and find Liam, who keeps hiding in his bedroom. Perfect for the young reader!

    About the Author

    J.S. Huntlands is the author of Nick Twisted Minds and is currently working on more books in this series, as well as 23 more books in the Me and My Best Friend series. Huntlands is a full-time writer, as well as a mom to a wonderful four-year-old boy. This book is dedicated to her son in hopes that he never forgets his best friend.

  23. Tina Lynn
    September 2, 2009 at 8:46 am

    Anyone else thinking, “Perhaps if I stare at these pictures long enough the genius will enter my body through the windows of my eyes.” ? No, okay. Just checking.

  24. Rachelle
    September 5, 2009 at 9:54 pm

    Cool! What a great idea. Thanks for sharing. πŸ™‚

  25. Lisa McMann
    September 7, 2009 at 6:12 pm

    Wow, you know you’ve made it as an author/blogger when somebody comes along and tries to sell their book in the comments. Congrats, Janette!

    Also, I absolutely loved seeing where all these people work. Very cool idea!!

    xox
    Lisa

    PS I’ll see you at the ASU thingy…I relented. πŸ™‚

  26. James Dashner
    September 8, 2009 at 3:42 pm

    Sorry I saw this so late! What a great post! I finally talked my wife into getting me a couch for my office so I can take naps without them knowing. mwa hahaha.

  27. Erin Edwards
    September 14, 2009 at 10:37 am

    I picked my tile to match the color of dark too! It really works. πŸ™‚

  28. Julie Wright
    September 15, 2009 at 9:59 am

    that was totally fun! I enjoyed the tour

  29. Heather Zundel
    October 12, 2009 at 6:59 pm

    I just found your blog and am so glad I did. This has to be one of the coolest posts in the history of blogging. How long did it take to get all these photos?

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