Office Tour with Christy Barritt

Greetings!

I’m Christy Barritt, and my newest book is The Good Girl. I’m also the author of the Squeaky Clean mystery series and five books from Love Inspired Suspense.

I’d love to give you a “tour” of my writing space. I wanted to straighten up some since I had company coming, but I didn’t have a chance. Instead, you’ll see my place as it really is!

Last year my husband and I went through a major renovation project (that had

me pulling my hair out—that’s another post for a different blog, though!). In the process, we added a room and rearranged everything else. So, now I have a nice little office nestled in the corner of the house, a space that used to be our dining room.

My office mate is my beta fish Sushi. He’s quiet company, so I kind of like him.

Above my desk I have two awards that I’ve won for my published work. I like to keep them where I can see them, not to boost my ego, but to remind myself when I get caught in a slump while writing a book—a slump where I’m convinced I’ve got no talent, usually—that I can do it.

A bulletin board on the side of my desk contains pictures of my kids, my goals for 2013 (I love setting goals!), some deadlines, a list of projects, and handmade art by my six-year-old.

On top of the cabinet behind my desk is a glass head I picked up at a flea market in college. That noggin has gone everywhere with me and been used in more practical jokes than I can count. Today, an FBI hat sits atop it. I got that hat when I went through the FBI’s Citizens Academy. I’m not much of a baseball cap girl, but I love seeing it displayed in my office!

Oh, and I also have a “Caution: Crime Scene” rug I keep under my desk. My friend gave me the rug, and it’s fun to look at—especially as I’m diving into writing a suspense novel.

Despite my lovely workstation, I can only work here about 50 percent of the time. Why? You ask. Simple. I have a 2-year-old and a first grader who, even when their dad is watching them, manage to find me in my office. If I lock the doors, they bang on them. My little guy presses his teary-eyed faced against the glass of the French doors as he looks at me. My dogs get anxious and start trying to scratch their way through the wood. Yeah, really. Talk about not being able to concentrate.

Really—I promise—I spend time with my family. It’s not like I keep myself locked up in my office all

the time. But my family just likes being together. Despite that, there does come a time when I *must* work, like it or not.

This means, I escape to my minivan. Yep, really. Sometimes my minivan is parked in the driveway. My neighbors probably think I’m crazy, but really it’s a great place to work. On nice days, I put down the windows and let the breeze waft through. It’s quiet, it’s got a view, and I’ve got a drink holder for my Coca-cola.

I don’t only work in my minivan when I need to escape from my crazy family. I pretty much keep my netbook with me at all times. This works out great when I’m in between places. So, if I have to swing by my son’s school to pick him up but have 30 extra minutes, I know exactly how I can spend that time (hint: it’s not going to Starbucks!). It’s amazing what can get done in that half an hour! I find I actually meet a lot of my word count by using moments like those.

My husband likes to make fun of me, saying that we spent how much money on this renovation and I go to the van to work? My theory is—whatever works! That’s what I’ll do to get the job done.

So that’s me. The world is my office.

You can find out more about me by visiting my website at: www.christybarritt.com or finding me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/christybarritt. 

Come back tomorrow and enter to win a free copy of Christy's newest release, The Good Girl!

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Campaigning for Your Books by Author Christy Barritt

As I watched the presidential campaign last year, I was struck by how much I could identify with the candidates. Oftentimes, I feel like I have to campaign for my books.

I watched their different strategies, trying to pick up some tips. Here’s what I discovered they did:

Be confident that you have what people need. If you’ve written your best book and been faithful to the call God has on your life, then be bold in spreading the word about your books. This is often hard for me. I’d much rather other people promote me. Then I realized that my books aren’t about me. My books are evidence of the calling and message God has sent me share. So now I’m trying to take more risks and trust that God has me in this place for a reason.

Go to the people… find your niche. There’s a sign by my desk that reads: Go to the mystery readers. Too often I surround myself with other writers and try to sell my books. Now, I’m looking for niche publications and websites and book clubs that like humorous mystery novels.

Surround yourself with people who believe in you. I truly believe this is important. Writing is a lonely business. We need people in our lives to hold us up and support us. When I looked at all the people who were on the campaign trail with the candidates, I realized that each of those people were needed. Some positions were paid, others were volunteers. Similarly, as authors we need people to pray for us, critique for us, help us to spread the word about our books, to hand out flyers at book signings. Sometimes, these people will be the ones you least expect.

Work like election day is coming—the election being whether or not your publisher will “vote” yes for your next book. If you don’t yet have a deadline, set one for yourself. Work hard with the goal in sight.

Accept each media opportunity. I didn’t see the candidates turning down very many media opportunities, even when the venue meant certain scrutiny. Prepare yourself to answer the tough questions that may be thrown at you by interviewers. Turn your answers into your talking points.

Present yourself with your best foot forward. What would you have thought if one of the candidates appeared before a crowd of people wearing sweats and with bed head? They wouldn’t make a good impression. The other day as I was getting my hair done, I told my hair stylist about some issues I was having with my curls. She said, “Girl, you’re a famous author. You can’t go around with bad hair.” And she’s right. While appearance isn’t everything, do make an effort to look professional, especially when you’re making an appearance of some sort.

I hope these tips can help you as well and that you’ll get lots of votes—um, I mean readers and editors—flocking to your books!

Come back Friday for a chance to win Christy's newest book, The Good Girl.

Christy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She's married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she's hilarious--but only when she's not trying to be. 

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