TA Beasley Shares Her Writing Haven

Author TA Beasley shares 4 things she needs to have in her writing haven.

When I sit down to write I like to be in a place of zen. A place to call my writing haven where I write and create. My haven is also where I research, explore my characters and become one with my book idea. I believe many writers create an office in their home, but for now I just have a space is in the corner of my living room by a window. It’s a quiet area that gets me motivated.

Before I start writing I need specific items in my writing haven. There are four items I always have with me and those are reference books, beverage and snacks, research materials and my laptop. Let’s discuss these below:

Item #1 Reference Books

Reference books are ones that help me with my craft. It may be with structure, plotting, character development or writing voice. The main ones I keep with me are Story Trumps Structure by Steven James, The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass, Creating Character Arcs by K. M. Weiland, The Emotion Thesaurus and The Negative Trait Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi.

Item #2 Beverage and Snack

According to how many hours I’m in my writing haven, I always have a beverage and snack just in case I get hungry. I usually have some tea, coffee or water along with a plate of strawberries, grapes and cube cheese. It is important to feed the mind and body when trying to create.

Item #3 Research Materials

Research is a big part of putting my books together. It is making sure the body of my work is as authentic as it can be. If describing locations, professions or an illness a character may have in the story etc. I will interview individuals and keep all information in a folder whether physical or online. I also keep information I’ve found from books and google in that folder as well.

Item #4 Laptop

My laptop is the most important item in my writing haven. I usually write my first draft with pencil and in a journal or notebook. I can go back through it, make changes before transforming it to my computer. I found this was delaying my process and me getting my first draft completed for beta reading. I now outline only in my notebook but write my first draft directly on my laptop.

And these are the four items I keep in my writing haven. Each one helps me in different ways, but all are needed for me to complete a book. What reference books do you use when writing? What items would you have in your writing haven? I would love to know.

Until next time.

About TA Beasley

T.A. Beasley has been a lover of books, reading and writing since she was ten years old, when she encountered the teen department librarian at Central Library in her hometown of Evansville, In.

She became a book reviewer and blogger in 2010 as well as a tour host, helping authors, publishers and publicists share books with readers through her blog, Authors & Readers Book Corner. She resides in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband. It Happened To Me is her debut novel and she is working on her next title.

Connect with TA on her website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

About the Book

It Happened To Me by T. A. Beasley
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Mystery

Synopsis

In one weekend, seventeen- year-old Delilah Murphy loses the one person she could count on. She tries to deal with the loss but the one she blames makes it hard. Delilah leans on her best friend for comfort but only for a short period of time. She must face her enemy and try to adjust to not having a support system.

Delilah’s behavior and attitude are out of control as is her non-existing relationship with whom she believes is the cause of her pain. Will Delilah finally come to her senses and learn to forgive? Or will her childish antics lead her down a path she may not be ready to travel?

**Trigger warning: of sexual assault, alcoholism, domestic violence **

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