Today we get to peek into the writing lair of Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, author of We’re not Blended We’re Pureed, A Survivor’s Guide (I love that title!) and several inspirational romances. Diana writes “fiction about women choosing to challenge their fears even though they want to run from them. By the end of their journey they have become the strong women God intends.” Powerful stuff! She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency.
I asked Diana to share her writing space with us, and she has generously obliged!
Karla: Tell me a little bit about your writing space, Diana.
Diana: When I knew I would be a real writer it was obvious to me I’d need my own space. Sharing a room and computer with 3 teenage boys and a husband was too distractive.
Karla: Boy can I relate to that! I have three adult sons living with me right now. Distraction is an understatement I’d say.
Diana: Yes! So my first real office was born. Not having yet made much money from writing I made do with what I had.
Karla: Cabinets! I need cabinets! I love cabinets in an office.
Diana: Later, I sold a book and the first thing I did was –write it of course! Then redid my office. I do share the space with my husband but he’s on the other side and is on his computer at night.
Karla: I love everything about this — the colors, the cozy space you share with your husband. You guys are very tidy. I’m afraid my husband and I would — well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty like this. When do you write?
Diana: I write during the day. I’m fortunate to be able to do that. We are empty nesters—who came up with that term? We aren’t birds! Anyway once a week I get to have my grandson and so the house isn’t completely empty and I love that!
Karla: Awww, what a cutie! As I type this my granddaughters are here with me. I know what you mean about never having a truly empty house. Love hearing their little voices!
Diana: This is what the office looked like after we did it. No more carpet, the chairs will roll across the wood floor so nice!
Karla: Love it! Where’d you get the furniture?
Diana: The desktops and drawer units are from IKEA. When we were doing the office we forgot 1 piece and had to drive back to Chicago and get it. That’s an 8 hour road trip!
Karla: Yikes!
Diana: I love that the printer separates my workspace from my husbands as we both like to spread out. Having the cabinet rollout from under the printer is awesome because it gives me extra flat space to spread research books.
Karla: I love that! I will not covet, I will not covet, I will not covet, I will not covet…
Diana: My desk gets cleaned off between books.
Karla: We’re supposed to clean off our desk between books? Who knew?
Diana: My husband built this amazing file box that works as a window seat:
Karla: That is soooo cool! I love window seats. I had an old craftsman house when we lived in Iowa and I miss my window seat with the storage inside. Your husband’s very handy!
Diana: Yes he is! The bookcases are from IKEA. They have lights installed on top. When it’s a gray day outside I flip them on because we don’t have an overhead light, just task lighting.
Diana: I have a lot of help while writing:
Karla: Awww, how cute! I have furry editors, too. Can’t do it without them!
Diana: Oliver gets his own rolling chair next to mine!
Diana: I use this wire photo holder to hold the layers I need to put in a book (the layers come from the book Inside Out by Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauwk. That is one book every writer should have.
Karla: I agree. I have that book. Excellent resource. And what a clever way to visualize your story. I may have to steal this idea. Love it! :::goes to Amazon to look up wire picture thingies:::
Diana: My current new release is Mind of Her Own. Tyndale first released it as an ebook and this year brought it out in paperback. I’m excited to hold it in my hands.
Karla: Squeee! I love having my books in print. And I must say, that book has an amazing cover. Makes you want to dig right in! How long do you stay at your desk?
Diana: I spend most of my day in the office. If I didn’t have cats that wanted out I think I would forget to get out of my chair!
Karla: With a lovely office such as yours, I can see why! Still, no matter how pretty and user-friendly an office is, writing has to get done in it, and you do it very well. Readers, be sure to check out Diana’s books: A Mind of Her Own, A Bride’s Dilemma in Friendship, Tennessee and We’re Not Blended We’re Pureed, a Survivor’s Guide to Blended Families.
And Sign up for her newsletter to read the first chapter of Mind of Her Own FREE!
More ways to stay in touch with Diana:
Website/blog: http://www.dianabrandmeyer.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dianalesirebrandmeyerauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianaBrandmeyer/status/587625355088793602
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pencildancer/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dianabrandmeyer/
Tweet this: Check out Diana Brandmeyer’s IKEA office makeover!
So tell me, readers. what do like best about Diana’s office? I can’t decide between the cabinets, the window seats or the under-the-printer pull-out file! Of course, the kitties are a given. Meow!
Would you like to share your writing space with my readers? If so, you can find out how here: What’s on your writing desk?
Comments 9
I wish I had a separate room for an office! Very nice. Oh, and “A Bride’s Dilemma in Friendship, Tennessee” sounds intriguing (for my wife), since Friendship is just a couple of miles up the road from us!
Hi Tom, Thanks for visiting my office. 🙂 I do love it. I wish I had known you were so close to Friendship we could have stopped for a visit when we were on our research trip.
Author
Thanks for stopping by, Tom. You definitely need your own space. Make a man cave! 🙂
Loved this interview on one of my most wonderful friends!
Awe, Elaine you always brighten my day!
Author
Waving at Elaine!
Enjoyed reading about the writing space. I love the window box storage area and the pull out cabinet. And of course, the cats. I love the books that come from that writing place.
Ann, the window box has been amazing. With two businesses in one room, there are so many files. Ah, yes, the cats. 🙂 I’m grateful for you comment about the books.
Author
Ann, you’re such a great reader! We are blessed to have you!