I’m going through a branding lesson in a writing workshop I’m doing right now, and I’m finding some interesting things this week.
One assignment asks us to look at our writing area – whether that’s a desk, corner in the dining room (my first writing area), or where ever. The instructions were to list what’s ours. Mine included a weird assortment of things, along with ordinary stuff like my computer monitor, cell phone on charger, and a box of tissues. Among them were:
- The Road Ahead by Philip Tarnoff, a nonfiction book about America’s highway infrastructure
- The Writer’s Guide to Psychology by Carolyn Kaufman, Psy. D
- Headphones
- A Pokemon action figure of Psyduck
- A brass star paperweight – prize for a writing contest!
- A vinyl record in its sleeve – 2112 by Rush
- My Camaro mouse, which I don’t use, because it’s not comfortable, but so cute I had to have it!
- Stuff on my bulletin board, which includes a “What Would Ozzy Do?” bumper sticker and a Far Side cartoon showing “The untold ending of D.B. Cooper”
- A binder for my “How to Revise your Novel” materials when I’m working through a revision
- Several candles and a Scentsy burner, for those evening when my husband had Taco Bell for dinner – or the dog seems to have had
- Three, new-in-package Camaro convertible Hotwheels I got at a Camaro event where they had tons of ’em
So what does this stuff say about me and my interests?
Obviously, my writing and my day job are my passions – my computer is my primary tool for both of these. Both are creative pursuits; while the day job is less so than the writing, it pays the bills (neatly stashed in my letter sorter beside the computer). Camaros are obviously a passion; not only do I have my Camaro mouse, but also my two framed pictures and the Hotwheels. I also like Rottweilers – evidenced by a Rottweiler pen, pictures on my bulletin board, and figurines on the hutch. My family photos around my desk remind me what’s most important!
Some passions aren’t so much anymore. I used to spend more time playing video games, particularly long, role-playing games, especially Pokemon. I still enjoy them, but I just don’t have time to play them any more. I still like my Psyduck action figure, because it still holds true that if I were a Pokemon, I’d be Psyduck, because like me, he has chronic headaches.
What’s on your desk, or in your work area? What do you think it says about you?
And what would Ozzy do?