Author vs cat

The door to my office has my hand drawn maps on it. This is where I created the town of Coorah Creek – and the post it notes help me keep track of who lives where. — The coloured post it notes help me keep track of who lives where.

This started out as a blog about my writing space, but soon became a record of my never ending struggle to claim my space from an interloper…

And there are, after all, not enough cute cat photos available on the web.

I am fortunate to have an office in my house – it’s terribly cluttered but it is all about writing. Apart from the bits that are all about the cat.

Here’s a quick tour…

The door to my office has maps on it. This is where I created the town of Coorah Creek.

The printed google map shows the town in relation to the rest of Queensland – while the hand-drawn map is the town itself.

There are three big bookcases crammed with books.

Those packets on the top are research notes and early drafts of my published novels.

And there is a futon, which is supposedly there for me to sit on while researching or proof reading – or just to get away from the computer for a while. This is the first place where I lose my battle for ownership of the office.

The cat loves to leave muddy paw prints all over the futon, so I keep a cover on it.

My desk was a present from webmaster John when I sold my first piece of fiction. It’s my favourite place to write. The framed covers on the wall above the desk inspire me.

It's a messy desk - and usually has a fine layer of cat hair over the computer keyboard — It’s a messy desk – and usually has a fine layer of cat hair over the computer keyboard

The other totally ‘me’ part of the room is the shelf with copies of my books.

I tell myself this is to keep a proper record of my work – but really it’s for me to look at and go Wow…

And just so I don’t get too Wow about myself – I keep tripping over the second chair in my office. This was my old chair, but it’s got a broken base. I was supposed to throw it out when I got my new chair – but a certain cat had other ideas.

At least he stays away from my chair - most of the time... well, some of the time. — At least he stays away from my chair – most of the time… well, some of the time.

I love my office. I write in other places – airports, planes, hotels when I am travelling – but the best writing I do is always here, to the sound of a snoring cat sleeping on the futon.