Photos of my inspiration wall

Ever wonder what writers stare at when they aren't being good little writers and staring at their manuscript? In other words, what DO we look at 90% of the time when we sit at our desks?

My desk sits against a big white wall that has corkboard bits nailed to it. On top of the corkboard are photos that help me to connect to the characters in my current project (actors and actresses, plus some news photos). I won't tell them all to you because I don't want to prejudice future readers of this book but I'll share one... Jesse James. Yes, the motorcycle shop/Apprentice contestant/married-to-Sandra Bullock dude! 

There are also funny cards that friends have sent to me, and a beautiful photo/haiga from my talented author friend Marnie Brooks. Below all of that, right at eye level, hang my monthly and yearly goals (inspired by a talk I heard at Kindling Words East). As I reach each goal, I color the box green with a highlighter. I loovvvvvvve coloring the boxes, more than anyone should. I think I'll start making goals for easy stuff, like eating chocolate for the first food of the day.

Then, above the corkboard, there's my story wire that I hang index cards from when I'm outlining. Finally, at the very top, I've just added some printouts of teens holding CANDOR. I got the  pics from a library bookclub, The Big House Book Club, run by Ms. Koval. They eat pizza (smart readers) and talk about books, and they're discussing CANDOR this month. I just loved these pictures. They remind me of my audience, and how diverse and cool they are. The next time I start to feel my energy flag, I'll take a gander at the top of my wall and remember why I write.