Where do I write?


Pat Davids here to answer the question, where do I write?


I write at the intersection of romance and adventure.

Okay, I write in my own little office, a third bedroom in my home that gets the morning sun through two big windows. Not that I see the morning sun very often. I’m a night person.
I have a cluttered desk, a cherry wood two-door filing cabinet and a closet full of bookshelves and books. Above the filing cabinet is a three-foot by three-foot mirror.

My mirror frame is a collection of postcards and photos of my grandkids. When my grandson was little, I often took him to places like the Kansas Aviation Museum, Oklahoma’s Aquarium, the Cosmosphere in Hutch and the Sedgwick County Museum here in Wichita. We loved to explore new places and learn new things and each time we went somewhere, we got a postcard for him to put on my mirror. Over the years, that collection has grown.

Sitting at my desk I see the sharks cursing underwater and the spires of the Cathedral of the Plains in Victoria touching a cloudless blue sky. I see the dark and glittering world 800 feet below the surface of the earth in the Underground Salt Museum. I remember the weight of the earth pressing down overhead and tang of salt on my lips in the cool darkness. I remember how good ice cream tasted when I was standing in the August sunlight afterwards.

On my mirror are pictures of graduation, first communion, and baptisms. I can see my granddaughter’s first pony ride, my daughter hugging her kids at the fair, me standing beside my elderly parents at my daughter’s wedding. I’ve kept a school play brochure and a drawing of a stick figure that is Jesus on the Cross: all highlights of my life as a grandmother.

My mirror is a refection of the joy, sadness, pride, and adventures that are gifts for my soul and inspiration for my work. I wouldn’t trade a single one of them for a million dollars. One funny thing about my mirror, as it gets more crowded, I can see less of myself in it, and isn’t that the way it should be?

If you’re wondering why a romance author hasn’t mentioned her husband’s picture on the mirror, I’ll tell you why. Dave doesn’t like to travel. He’d rather be a home, but he likes that I go and do things without him. He’s always waiting for me when I come home and he’ll always ask the same thing. “Well, did you have a good time?” Not only do I get to enjoy my adventures, I get to recount them and they do get better in the retelling. As I sit at my desk, all I need do is turn my head slightly to see him sitting at his desk across the hall. Usually, our eyes will meet and we will both smile. Because that’s what you do when you spot the one you love.

My office sits at the intersection of romance and adventure—on a quiet street in Wichita, Kansas—and that’s the way I like it.

35 comments:

Unknown said...

The main. Thing is you keep. Writing love yyour books. Hope I am lucky enogh to win

Pat Davids said...

Linda,
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you win, too, and thanks for liking my stories.

Brenda said...

Blogging from Wichita...brrrrr
Cold and snowy. Wish I had your book to snuggle up with to pass the day. I'm in Wellington, so experiencing the same weather. Glad we missed the bulls eye iof the storm Stay warm and happy blogging!! I look forward to reading your new book!!

Jessica Matthews said...

Pat, your office sounds a little like mine! I have a window that faces the east, so I get the morning sun. While I have a few family photos on my message board (including one of our dog as he eyes a neighborhood fox) most of it is covered with notes, as is my desk! Some might call it "clutter" but I prefer to say that it's "busy" with all those new thoughts and ideas relating to my characters!

Anonymous said...

HI Pat. My office is anywhere my laptop can go. Dining room table, coffee table, outside on the porch on nice days, at a coffee shop when kidlets are at a party or something, my daughter's ballet class--you get the picture. So my scenery is always changing. :)

Karielle Stephanie said...

Loved your story. You put lots of thought into the environment you write in, and that helps the writing! Great post :)

Stephanie
thestephanieloves[at]gmail[dot]com

Rita said...

Your books are just awesome. cant wait till the next one comes out

Jutzie said...

I loved your post. The corner of Romance and Adventure but mostly I love the ending of you and Dave looking at each other. I have been married almost 31 years now our marriage truly gets better each year.

Joan Vincent said...

Writing at the intersection of romance and adventure--what a great tag line, Pat! Being grounded in love whether of family or friends provides wings upon which to sail and write. My office too is filled with photos and memories of my kids and grandkids. They make love grand. Your blog is a great example of your writing--wonderful.

Cindy said...

Pat, is that a Mac keyboard I see? If so, awesome! Truly enjoy your books. I'm always for a happy ending. Just spent 2 1/2 hrs. shoveling out from a major snow storm here in Iowa. Where's one of your wonderful, male characters when you need one? :) God's Blessings and thank you for all the delightful, inspiring stories. Cindy

Pat Davids said...

Hi Brenda,
Glad we missed the worst of the storm, too. Stay warm and thanks for dropping in.

Hi Jessica,
I'll be calling my office, "busy" from now on. It sounds so much better than cluttered.

Kim,
I envy your ability to write anywhere. I seem to need the comfort of my space to let my mind wander.

Stephanie,
I'm so glad you stopped by.

Rita,
Thanks for the praise. It was good of you to drop in. We have a great blog here.

Jutzie,
I couldn't agree with you more. My honey and I are going on 37 years and these are the best yet.

Reese Mobley said...

Great blog, Pat. Your office is cozy and fits you perfectly. I love the part about you looking across the hall and seeing your hubby. Too cute!

Pat Davids said...

Joan,
I've seen your office and it's an impressive place. You're right, being grounded in family and friends is what makes it easy to soar.


Cindy,
Yes, it is indeed a Mac keyboard. I didn't think anyone would notice. Kudos.

Deborah said...

Pat, What a very touching blog.You have surrounded yourself with emotional triggers. From your writing, it's easy to see that emotion carried over into your characters and plot lines. That's why your books are so good. Not only do you have a sense of adventure, but you have a lifetime of love to pull from. You make me want to be a writer!

Anonymous said...

Pat, you are an inspiration to all who know you or read your books. Your down-to-earth, yet gentle, uplifting stories are a joy to read. The LORD definitely speaks through the pages of your books. Keep writing.... I'm hoping that someday, I, too, will be fortunate enough to get published...maybe after I've raised my grandkids and have more than a nano-second to my name. And, especially I like the "at the corner of romance and adventure", and the way you ended, with you and your husband looking at each other with a smile on your faces. Way to go.... :o) Mary

Anonymous said...

Pat, this is Mary Gessner, couldn't figure out how to post except as annonymous. As you can guess, I'm not very computer literate. :o( Wishing you the best, though.

Pam Wolf said...

Pat I am so proud of all that you have accomplished!!! You put your heart & soul into everything you do. I hope I win because I would really like to read your new book. I have been meaning to tell you that when we moved my Dad from independent living to assisted living I found a huge article he had cut out of JC's paper about you.As I read it I realized how proud we all should be of you and how much you have accomplished over the years. Great work!!!

Pat Davids said...

Resse and Deborah,
You ladies are the ones who make sure my emotion gets on the pages of my ms. Thanks for every bit of help and support you've given me over the years.

Pat Davids said...

Mary, thanks for taking the time to come visit. Hope to see you soon.

Pat Davids said...

Pam,
How touching that your father kept a newspaper article about me. Makes me proud.

I was so sorry to hear of Fred's passing. Thanks for letting me know. His family is in my thoughts.

Pat

Prairie Creations said...

Hi Pat!
Darlene from CHS c/70! Enjoyed your post - my office/craft room is my favorite place in the house. I keep a corner full of toys and craft supplies for when the grandkids visit - walls are covered with their art work!
So happy for you - living your dream life. You are a great writer! (Loved the "corner of romance and adventure) ! :)

My Recent Favorite Books said...

I love your post and the intersection story. =)
I also live in Wichita, and I agree..we do have some very pretty streets.
I enjoy your books. =)
~Melissa

susansbooks said...

I am trying to picture the sharks "cursing" by on your postcard! That lightened up my day! You are one of my heavy-duty authors, one that I always read! I would be so thrilled to win your next release; I already have all the others! Thank you for answering the call to write wonderful books that honor God!

Susan Manchester
susansbooks at bellsouth dot net

Andrea Strong said...

Pat~

I got on the Internet with the express purpose of finding you and telling you of the review I posted on my blog. Imagine my surprise when I find a comment from you already there!

I certainly did enjoy An Amish Christmas. I've liked all of the Brides of Amish country stories so far, and I can't wait to read more of them.

I also love your description of your workspace and how you see less of yourself in that mirror all the time.

My own workspace is usually my kitchen table, though my laptop can go anywhere I do, and often does.

I missed where it said what the prize is, but if it's your next Brides of Amish Country book, count me in...

andeemarie95 at gmail dot com

Pat Davids said...

Hi Darlene!!
It's great that you could visit. Our CHS c/70 had some glory days to be sure. I not sure I'll ever get over losing the building to the tornado. I've been back to see the new school, but it isn't the same.
Thanks for stopping by. No matter how good highschool was, it doesn't hold a candle to being a grandmother.

Pat Davids said...

Andrea,
I got a Google alert this morning that my name appeared on your blog. The review was awesome. I love how you disected what worked in the story. You have a fine understanding of the writing craft. I'm impressed.

I announced the book giveaway in a mass e-mail I sent letting people know I was writing here today. I usually don't do that, but I thought my readers would enjoy a peek into my office and my creative process.

Thanks for stopping by.

Pat Davids said...

Susan, thanks posting. I know you enjoy my stories. You've been kind enough to write to me in the past. I'll be sure and enter your name in the giveaway.

Right this minute, I'm looking past the sharks to the white sand beachs of the postcard from Tulum Mexico. The sun and surf is calling my name but the winter wind howling outside brings me back to reality.

Linda Henderson said...

Your mirror sounds like my message board, it's full of pictures and cards my grandkids have made me. They are all so precious to me I hate to take any of them down. It's very cold in Joplin Missouri this morning -7, I can't wait until spring.

seriousreader at live dot com

Pat Davids said...

Linda,
Thanks for stopping by. Yikes, -7! I'm shivering just thinking about a number like that. Stay warm.
I know exactly what you mean about the things the kids make for you. My mother has a box filled with things I made over 50 years ago. Her house is lined with gift and treasures of all kinds from her grandkids and great grandkids. They aren't valuable, except in the eyes of the beholder.

Pat Davids said...

Okay, we have a winner.
Melissa, you are the lucky poster.
You can contact me at pat@patriciadavids.com to leave your mailing address and tell me which book you would like a copy of.
Bless everyone for taking the time to visit our blog.

My Recent Favorite Books said...

Thank you so much Pat! =)
I enjoy your books, and Im thrilled that I have won a choice of your books. I would like "The Doctor's Blessing."
I will email my mailing address to you.
Thanks again,
Melissa =)

Starla Kaye said...

Oh my gosh! I sooo loved "I write at the intersection of romance and adventure." No wonder you're a beloved writer by many.

Nina Sipes said...

Pat, Good Grief. What turns of phrase--your article was all poetry.
Thanks.

My Recent Favorite Books said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
My Recent Favorite Books said...

Pat, I received "The Doctors Blessing" in the mail on Friday. =)
Thanks so much! I cant wait to read it..
just a note..I mis-spelled a word on my first comment today and deleted it..so that I could correct the spelling of the word ~
Have a Wonderful Day!
Melissa