Carly at work

I have often been asked, what’s the best part about being a writer? Answer: Writers are blessed with the ability to work from home. The follow up, what’s the worst part about being a writer? Answer: Writers are blessed with the ability to work from home.

The reasons for each are obvious: The good: I can set my own schedule, wear what I want and be home for my kids. The bad: I work from home. People think I’m available all the time; the kids forget something from school, I’m on the run. It’s easy to forget my priorities have to be writing sometimes, but all in all, I’m pretty good at organization. I love what I do and I love being able to stay at home while I do it!

How did I get started as a writer? I remember my early days of writing so well. How did I begin? Sometimes I wonder myself! I never planned on becoming a writer, let alone a romance writer. I was a lawyer who loved law school but hated practicing law. Not a great combination, let me tell you! My parents always said I could be a perpetual student and they are probably right. But I loved reading romance when my first daughter was small. I began to notice that many of the hardcover authors got their start at Harlequin or Silhouette. Eventually I got an idea that wouldn't go away—I wanted to write for them too! Seven years and ten completed manuscripts later, I sold my first book, Brazen to Harlequin Temptation. You'll see that many of my older works are being reissued with new covers. Because I value you, the reader, I will always let you know if what you see on the shelves is a book you may have read before or if it's something brand new!

Where do I work? I have an office right off my bedroom. A separate room from my room that isn't on top of the kids and yet is right in the center of things. I'm always around when they need me and they come in here to do homework. I recently bought a recliner, an idea given to me by Vicki Lewis Thompson, who suggested I use it as my place to write with my Alphasmart on my lap. Unfortunately I use it to nap, instead. I’ve also learned that if I write too often on the laptop, I end up with back pain, arm pain, and in physical therapy.  The coolest thing about my office? I used to have my favorite photos and posters up, but I've redone my office and gone more adult. Let's see how long THAT lasts. Based on the stuffed animals I still haven't parted with, I'm betting not for long!

So you want to be a writer? ... I remember my early days of writing so well. How did I begin? Sometimes I wonder myself! I never planned on becoming a writer, let alone a romance writer. I was a lawyer who loved law school but hated practicing law. Not a great combination, let me tell you! My parents always said I could be a perpetual student and they are probably right. But I loved reading romance when my first daughter was small. I began to notice that many of the hardcover authors got their start at Harlequin or Silhouette. Eventually I got an idea that wouldn't go away—I wanted to write for them too! Seven years and ten completed manuscripts later, I sold my first book, Brazen to Harlequin Temptation. You'll see that many of my older works are being reissued with new covers. Because I value you, the reader, I will always let you know if what you see on the shelves is a book you may have read before or if it's something brand new!

The inner sanctum ... Where do I work? I have an office right off my bedroom. A separate room from my room that isn't on top of the kids and yet is right in the center of things. I'm always around when they need me and they come in here to do homework. I recently bought a recliner, an idea given to me by Vicki Lewis Thompson, who suggested I use it as my place to write with my Alphasmart on my lap. Unfortunately I use it to nap, instead. The coolest thing about my office? I used to have my favorite photos and posters up, but I've redone my office and gone more adult. Let's see how long THAT lasts. Based on the stuffed animals I still haven't parted with, I'm betting not for long!