I have flame-haired, feisty Audrina Lane on the blog today, sharing her writer’s cave and her writing journey. Audrina lights up any room she enters. One day, I think she’ll light up the world with her books! Over to you, Audrina:

I was thrilled to become a friend of Georgia’s through the Harper Collins Romance Festival in February this year. When she asked if I wanted to send in a little write up about my writing cave I jumped at the chance.

Being a self-published author means that I have to hold down a full time job as well as finding time to write. I can’t complain as my job is working for the Herefordshire Library Service so books tend to surround me on a daily basis. My writing began in earnest  back in February 2013 when with my 40^th Birthday looming in just over 6 months I started to decide what I wanted to achieve in life – call in my landmark/panic/big birthday bucket list!! I had no writing space set up in a house that has been a DIY project since moving in six years ago.

My first space was literally the large round chair in the lounge and my laptop balancing on my knee, which was great in the cold weather with the log burner. I then progressed to using the end of the dining room table. It certainly afforded me more room to spread out my research materials of  80’s pop hits, fashion magazines, old photograph albums and my original type written manuscript from 1992 (so long ago). It had languished in a box file for years and as more rooms were overhauled in the house things needed to be moved or removed to make space.

With fond, bittersweet memories I read my original story and realised that with a bit of tweaking I could turn it from an 80’s teen novel to something I hoped would appeal to readers of all ages whilst still indulging my favourite music and films from the best decade!! I love sitting at the table with my book cases before me, such inspiration in the shelves full of Stephen King, Anita Shreve, Jilly Cooper, Margaret Mitchell and many others. I wanted my book to one day join them there – perhaps a dream too far but still you have to aim high to achieve!

When spring becomes summer I move my writing space to the end of the garden table. What better that the sun shining, a glass of something cold (water, juice or wine!) and the sound of the music from the outside stereo system to inspire me. Also great for getting a nice tan and playing ball with my two dogs between sentences.

Since publishing my first book and writing and publishing the second my other half has realised that me tapping away each evening is something I am passionate about (a bit like his guitar playing)! He has bought me an iPad and I have to say that any available surface and free time I find I get this out. I am no longer tied to a cable and desk but I have the freedom to write anywhere and believe me I do – Doctor’s surgery waiting room, on the bus to work, at a gig. Perhaps you could say I am rarely out of my cave!!

Here are the linky things:

http://www.audrinalane.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/audrina.lane

https://twitter.com/AudrinaLane

And, to find out more about Audrina’s books, go here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Where-your-heart-Heart-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00E0KDRQU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431010807&sr=8-1&keywords=audrina+lane

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Un-Break-Heart-Book-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00QEERNN8/ref=la_B00E263F96_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1431010858&sr=1-2

Thanks so much for coming on, Audrina. Your positive attitude  is awe-inspiring. Best of luck with your future projects!