I moved home three years ago. I do love our new place, but my office is a lot smaller.
Having said that, I live in a bungalow now and there is a larger spare bedroom that I could move into, but I don’t. So I guess I like this one.
The downside is the tiny window so I can’t see the view.
The upside is the tiny window so I can’t see the view.
In other words, I get more done in this room.
I have lots of personal things around so I thought I'd share five of those with you.
The first one is the 'Dream' that you can see in my window. It was bought by my niece when she was fifteen.
She's nineteen now, and it always makes me smile when I look at it and think of her. It was one of the first things that she picked for me herself and bought me for Christmas. My niece reminds me of myself so much when I was that age and, as I don't have children, she's the nearest I'll get to a mini-me.
The second one is the photo of the wall, next to the window. I won it in 2017. My local newspaper, The Sentinel, runs an annual 'Our Heroes' awards ceremony. I've been lucky enough to be involved with it for the past few years. It's where we celebrate the people in our city that you might not hear of, nominated by the people of the city for things such as hero on duty, good neighbour, children of courage, best charity etc.
That year was the first that I'd been a judge too and was due to give out an award, the final one, the editor's award.
As I went on to the stage to give the award out, the tables were turned and I was actually the winner! I have never been so touched, and so honoured. It was truly humbling. So that definitely takes pride of place.
The third thing is rather morbid but extremely poignant to me. It's an image I framed from a newspaper shortly after 911.
My birthday is on September 11th, and for a long time, it upset me every time the tragedy came round again each year.
I look at this now to remind me that I am alive and that life is much better than I think it is, no matter what is going on in my world. It will pass - 911 took so many lives that never get to see the sun again.
The fourth thing is the mug with my name on it. This is an Emma Bridgewater mug. Emma is a talented worldwide name in the pottery industry, but she also runs a literary festival here in Stoke every year - The Festival in The Factory.
Last year I did a panel there, in conversation with Martin Tideswell, chief editor of The Sentinel and SoTLive.
We did a Q&A and it was fabulous to think, I took part in the first festival and had sold 300,000 (and was staggered) and now I've sold 1.5 million (and I'm even more staggered.)
After the talk, Emma presented me with the cup, among other things. What a lovely thought.
After the talk, Emma presented me with the cup, among other things. What a lovely thought.
Finally, I have a lot of motivational quotes around my walls and on my desk (as was pointed out when I was interviewed on The Bestseller Podcast). This is my favourite, above my door. It says 'persistence - never never ever give up - hence my hashtag #keeponkeepingon.
So, there you have it. My office isn't as pretty as my last one, nor as big but it’s a nice space.
Equally, I would love to put bookshelves in it. Having said that, the room would still never be big enough as I’m always buying books…
Mel, I love it when well known people share meaningful things from their personal lives as you have done here. Just a small article, yet you let us in on things that I think really reflect who you are. I have recently veered off from my crime and thriller books to try out other genres, especially historical fiction, but seeing this post reminds me of you and how much joy I have gotten out of reading your wonderful novels. I’m coming back to you, Mel!
Your fan of many years,
Christine
Hello, Christine! What a lovely thing to say, thank you! 🙂
A nice read thanks for sharing, oh how I wish I could be as tidy as you.
Chosen at its tidiest, Ken! It usually has post-it notes stuck all over the desks…
Mel,
Between myself and everyone who adore your books, you are more like family than author.
You are a beautiful person inside and out.
We all wait with baited breathe for your next novel.
Never let fame change you because you are perfect as you are.
Plus amazing talent .
Hi Lynne, gawd, you’re making me blush! Thanks a million – that’s so nice of you to say. I write because I have such great readers too 🙂