animals of The Write Spot 2

The Write Spot began in July of 2015 with a simple question: Where do writers write? Since then, I've had the pleasure of meeting two dozen talented authors who've generously invited us into their personal writing spaces and shared their stories. It's been great fun getting to know the women behind the books.

Beyond our mutual love of reading and writing, I've discovered we also share a deep love and respect for animals. Some of us share our homes with companion pets, others bring animals to life as story characters, while still others take inspiration from animal encounters in the wild. I've invited all twenty-four authors back to celebrate this common thread in our lives with a three-part anniversary series called Animals of The Write Spot. Part one featured a splendid batch of dogs, cats, and even a few pelicans! Click through if you missed it. But first, please enjoy Animals of The Write Spot, Part Two:

Meet Trooper and George, handsome grand-dogs of Canadian mystery author Brenda Chapman. (If there's an award for cutest ears ever, my vote goes to Trooper!)

Brenda says, "While I do not have a dog myself, I’m lucky to have two daughters who do. I’ve become the puppy-sitter, happily helping out now and then in my daughters’ busy lives. Lisa’s pup Trooper is a four-month old Corgi and I currently mind him two days a week. Julia’s dog George is mainly Maltese but I don’t see him as often since they both moved to Toronto last year. The two dogs have not had a chance to meet yet and I’m looking forward to the day!" Check out Brenda's lovely Write Spot.

Mystery author Sandra Carey Cody gets a bit misty-eyed when remembering the many pets her family has loved over the years. "They’re all special in their own way," she says, "and they’ve all added something special to our lives." Now that Sandy and her husband are empty nesters, this fierce beauty is the love of their lives. Missy is a rescued road-drop cat, who obviously considers herself a mighty hunter. (She's really a sweetie, not fierce at all!) Visit Sandra's Write Spot.

This gorgeous boy with the heart-melting eyes is Monty, who makes his home with author Louisa Treger. She says, "Monty lies on the floor of my study while I write, or under my desk; he is the sweetest and most undemanding of companions. Through his constant presence, he has become almost part of my creative process." See Monty in glorious colour and check out the awesome South African view from Louisa's Write Spot.

Meet Nixon, a sweet girl who's very lucky indeed to have mystery author Anne Cleeland as her grandma. Just look at that doggy birthday treat! Anne tells me Nixon was a very small puppy in a Mexican pet shop when her daughter Aidan rescued her, many years ago. Since Aidan was living in a dorm at the time, the doggie-grandma had to step up and take her in, and now that Aidan has her own family, they share custody. "Nixon is named after the surf wear company, not the former president," says Anne. "It’s a generational thing." Apparently Nixon never takes a good picture, because she always views the camera with extreme misgiving. (I know how you feel, Nixon.) Visit Anne's Write Spot.

Romance author Sheila Seabrook shares her spacious backyard in Alberta, Canada with an assortment of ducks, bunnies, moose, deer, and a cute wee chipmunk that races around the yard. Moose have been known to wander right up to her veranda and several deer show up (mostly at night) to munch on the cedars. This mama duck came to visit in the spring and stayed to build her nest. She seemed to enjoy peeking through the family room window – keeping an eye on her humans, I guess… or maybe wondering where writers write! Once mama's eight ducklings hatched, the little family paddled around Sheila's pond for a few days before moving on. "We have another duck that we think is sitting on a batch of eggs," says Sheila, "so hopefully we'll see more ducklings soon." Sheila was my first guest at The Write Spot.

Mystery author Vicki Delany travels a lot and doesn't have a pet right now – her beloved dog, Shenzi, passed away a few years ago. But Vicki's love for animals shines through in her writing. Whether it's Charles the opinionated library cat in the Lighthouse Library series (written as Eva Gates); Norman the hard-working RCMP tracker dog in the Constable Molly Smith mysteries; or Matty, the loveable St. Bernard puppy in the new Year-Round Christmas cozy series, Vicki writes about dogs with humor and compassion – and readers fall in love. That's Mattie, up to his puppy-style mischief under the Christmas tree on the cover of We Wish You a Murderous Christmas. Visit Vicki's Write Spot.

Kathye Quick sent me this photo of a handsome trio, named Webster, Duffy, and Peggy. The only trouble? Kathye is not an animal person. Don't worry, though, Webster is on the job.

"I certainly don't wish any ill will," says Kathye. "I'm just not willing to take care of any animals. Selfish, I know, but you have to give me points for honesty. As the gods would have it, all of my sons love animals and have several. I would politely pat each one on the head and go into another room when visiting. Then came Webster. He's the biggest dog in the picture. He followed me everywhere and slobbered on everything I owned, but for some reason I didn't mind. For some reason l could not resist his tongue-hanging-out greeting, folded ear, and doofy walk. Don't know why, but I like him. Maybe there is hope for me yet. Now, as the sign on my car proudly proclaims – I Love My Grand Dogs!  Visit Kathye's Write Spot.

Meet Sugar the Bichon Frise and her sidekick Vanilla the Cockapoo. Heidi Ashworth tells me these two sweeties are an integral part of her family. "Sugar keeps all of us on schedule, waking us up each morning with a shake of her collar. She comes to me when I am writing at my computer and nudges me in the thigh when it is time to pick up kids from school. She seems to know how everyone is feeling and is always on hand to lick tears from your face or to crawl into your lap. Vanilla's human is Sugar, which irritates Sugar to no end. Vanilla's job is to sleep by the side of my disabled son each night and to accompany me when I bring him his medicine each morning. She is a drama queen with big, floppy ears which she comically flings from side to side when she is nervous or excited. The two of them are much more fun than the sum of their parts and we are so lucky to be their humans."

Readers, did you spot the violin in that photo of Sugar? Talk about a talented dog! True, it only has one string, but Heidi says we ought to cut Sugar some slack because she's just a beginner. ;-) Visit Heidi's Regency-romantic Write Spot.

Oh, and my own dear Sam the Cat says you should be sure to come back for Animals of The Write Spot, Part Three… Watch for it here on August 17th.

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About The Write Spot:
I've always been fascinated by what goes on behind the scenes. Whether it's backstage photos from my favourite play, a peek into the kitchen where a chef is working her culinary magic, or simply a glimpse through an uncurtained window into a stranger's private world, there's an undeniable thrill of discovery, a sense of secrets shared. It's no surprise, then, that I'm immensely curious about where other writers do their work. I've blogged about it before in this post about my own 'write spot' and so enjoyed the comments, I was inspired to launch a regular feature here at stillpoint. Watch for The Write Spot every other Wednesday and join me as I discover the many and varied places where writers write.

stillpoint is the blog of Canadian author Cheryl Cooke Harrington

A Write Spot Recap

Have you ever walked down a street just after dark, in that twilight time when indoor lights are coming on but curtains aren't yet drawn? 

I asked that question back in September of 2013 and it started me on the road to a project launched this spring called The Write Spot, a bi-weekly author series spotlighting the many and varied places where writers write.

Since June of this year, I've been truly fortunate to host eleven talented women writers who've shared their interests, their work, and their write spots with us. As the year comes to an end, I thought it would be fun to gather them all together for another visit. Click on any text link below to jump to the author's Write Spot. And if you're still looking for that perfect stocking stuffer, why not give a book? You'll find something for every taste from these wonderful ladies. (I've included a link to my original Write Spot post, too, so you can see where I work and/or get up to mischief with Sam the Cat... mostly the latter!)

Sheila Seabrook        Fran McNabb        Heidi Ashworth 

Joanne Guidoccio   Karen McCullough    Sydell Voeller   

   Kathye Quick     Sandra Carey Cody      Jillian Dagg    

         Susan McNicoll        Rebecca Kertz        Cheryl Cooke        
                                                                   Harrington

Thanks again to all my guests for taking the time to share their writing worlds with us, and to everyone who stopped by to read and comment - you're the best!

Speaking of stocking stuffers, if you're in the Toronto area and looking for ideas, check out the charming gift shop at The Victorian Garden Tea Room in Etobicoke. You'll find autographed hard cover copies of my books Sparks Fly, Rock Solid, and Fast Focus - clean romances for the book lovers on your list - along with a huge assortment of teas, teapots, cups, British treats, and gift items. And do stay for one of shop owner Michelle's traditional high teas. Delicious! The tea room is located at 313 Burnhamthorpe Road (at Martin Grove) in Etobicoke.

Cheers!

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stillpoint is the blog of Canadian author Cheryl Cooke Harrington

  

The Write Spot: Heidi Ashworth

Welcome to the third edition of The Write Spot, a bi-weekly author series spotlighting the many and varied places where writers write.

This week, I'm delighted to welcome best-selling and award-winning Regency romance author, Heidi Ashworth to The Write Spot.

Heidi lives in the San Francisco bay area, but says she lost her heart across the pond when she was very young. She read her first Regency romance when she was four years old (just a few words, but it was enough) and wrote her first at age ten. Since then she has sharpened her skills and garnered a few accolades. Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind hit the number one spot on several of Amazon's Regency romance lists in both the U.S. and England, while its sequel earned a finalist position in the Whitney Awards. Both books are now available from Montlake Romance. When she's not writing or busy with her young family, Heidi dabbles in the antiques and collectibles market and works in her flower garden.

Heidi Ashworth's Write Spot

What a pretty desk, Heidi! Now that you've shared your photo, tell us what makes it the "Write Spot" for you.

This is my "write spot".  My computer sits on the desk I bought for myself when I was 19 in anticipation of penning the great American novel.  All of my books, novellas, short stories, journal entries, love letters to my husband and musings on dream interpretations have happened at this desk.  It is currently three feet away from the family T.V. (a whopping 40 incher) and I often write surrounded by the mayhem of a husband, three kids and two dogs, but I console myself with the fact that Jane Austen wrote in similar circumstances (minus the T.V.) (and the husband) (and the dogs) (probably).

Other than your computer or laptop, what's the one thing you couldn't be without in your "Write Spot"?

One thing that I cannot be without when I am writing here is chocolate. I have tried to be creative without it but, alas, it is my muse.

Mmm. What are you and your chocolate muse working on now?

Currently I am working on a novella that comes out in an all-Regency anthology, A Midwinter Ball, via Mirror Press in December, along with a supersize British-made Cadbury chocolate bar that I went all the way to England to purchase.  It was kind of pricey but I have no regrets.

Never regret the chocolate! That's my motto, too. ;-) 
Where can readers find out more about you and your books? 

You can read more (as well as view copious photos) about me and my books, as well as my adventures in decorating my romantic home, my travels overseas with my incredible daughter, my musings on life with my disabled son, my roses (I'm obsessed) and lots of other things which I cannot seem to stop talking about on my blog, Dunhaven Place and my website heidiashworth.com. You can also find me on social media at the following sites:

Facebook: facebook.com/authorheidiashworth

Pinterest: pinterest.com/ashworth0763/

Instagram: instagram.com/heidi.ashworth

Twitter: @AshworthHeidi

Heidi's current release, Miss Armistead Makes Her Choice, is a RONE Award Finalist for Historical: Post Medieval and the recipient of InD'tale Magazine's 4.5 star review and coveted Crowned Heart for excellence! Get it now.

Miss Elizabeth Armistead, India born and raised, is happily betrothed to British soldier, Duncan Cruikshank. When she arrives in London a month prior to the wedding she meets Mr. Lloyd-Jones and soon finds that he has invaded even her dreams. Besides Duncan, Mr. Lloyd-Jones is the only man who makes her feel as if he sees past her exceptional beauty to the person within. Her mother would prefer Elizabeth marry the rich and well-connected Mr. Lloyd-Jones while his sister is ecstatic that he is now free to woo Miss Armistead since he has broken off his engagement to the disgraceful Cecily Ponsonby. However, Elizabeth's commitment to the man she promised to marry is at odds with the likes of Mr. Lloyd-Jones who has cried off from one engagement already. How can she betray the man she believes to love her for her virtues so as to indulge her love for a man she fears she cannot trust? 

Thank you for visiting with us at The Write Spot, Heidi!

About The Write Spot:

I've always been fascinated by what goes on behind the scenes. Whether it's backstage photos from my favourite play, a peek into the kitchen where a chef is working her culinary magic, or simply a glimpse through an uncurtained window into a stranger's private world, there's an undeniable thrill of discovery, a sense of secrets shared. It's no surprise, then, that I'm immensely curious about where other writers do their work. I've blogged about it before in this post about my own 'write spot' and so enjoyed the comments, I was inspired to launch a regular feature here at Stillpoint. Watch for The Write Spot every other Wednesday and join me as I discover the many and varied places where writers write. Check the sidebar for links to previous Write Spot author features.

Stillpoint is the blog of Canadian author Cheryl Cooke Harrington.