Beth Hoffman‘s debut novel Saving CeeCee Honeycutt is a New York Times bestseller that is set in late 1960s Ohio and Georgia. The young protagonist Cecelia (CeeCee) Honeycutt has a hard life with a mother who has lost touch with reality and a father who is hardly at home.
Stay tuned for my review of this novel on Friday, May 21.
Today, we’re going to get a peek into Beth Hoffman‘s writing space. Please give her a warm welcome.
When I made the decision to leave my career in interior design and pursue my dream of writing a novel, I had the idealistic thought that I’d take my laptop to the local park and sit at a picnic table overlooking the Ohio River. I imagined my fingers would blaze over the keyboard for hours, and now and then I’d stop to watch a coal barge lumber its way toward West Virginia. Oh, the serenity of that image was burned into my mind and I couldn’t wait to make it a reality. But, I soon discovered that I was the kind of writer who needed to be at a desk working on a big screen.
I live in a restored Queen Anne (circa 1902), and on the second floor I created what I call the writing library. The room isn’t very large, but it’s cozy, filled with bookshelves and artwork that I love, and, it’s the perfect size for my needs. Three large windows are set in an ashlar-cut stone bay that overlooks the front gardens. Morning light floods into the room, and it has a fireplace that I keep burning throughout the winter.
This is the room where I imagine, create, and dream. I’m happiest when I’m sitting at my desk in a totally quiet house, writing, researching, and developing characters and scenes with my cats sleeping at my feet.
Though I don’t strive for a specific word count for each day, I’m quite disciplined and will spend a minimum of six hours working on my writing. When the muse is with me, I’ll often write well into the late night hours, or, until my hands grow numb! And, on those days when the muse is maddeningly silent, I’ll spend time researching and editing.
Do I have a special totem? Yes, I do. My great aunt Mildred had a powerful impact upon when I was a child. She was a true Southern lady who possessed great charm and wit. She lived in a big old Greek revival home that I fell in love with, and, it was she who lit the fire I carry to this day. My great aunt introduced me to historical homes, antiques, and the power of the written word. In fact, the character of Tootie Caldwell in my novel, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, is based upon my great aunt Mildred. One summer’s day I plucked a stone from her walkway and brought it home with me, and it has since become my totem. I keep it on the fireplace mantle and will oftentimes pick it up and hold it for a moment.
The other thing that I look at to help me stay grounded is an antique carousel horse and teddy bear. From my desk I can peek around my computer screen and look into the den. By the fireplace sits these two happy creatures, and they remind me to smile easily and often, nurture a childlike spirit, and not take anything too seriously—the good or the bad.
Thanks, Beth, for sharing your writing space with us. Wouldn’t you just love to get a sneak peek into those shelves?
Global Giveaway Details — three copies for US/Canada readers and one copy of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman for international readers:
1. Leave a comment about what book you think is on those shelves.
2. Blog, Tweet, Facebook, or spread the word about the giveaway and leave a link here.
3. Become a Facebook Fan of Savvy Verse & Wit and leave a comment.
Deadline June 2, 2010, at 11:59 PM EST
Also, stay tuned Friday for another chance to enter the giveaway.
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Love the writing space…so beautiful
I don’t have an interest in antiques or historical homes but I do love reading stories revolving around them.
There is probably a copy of CeeCee Honeycutt on the shelf. There could also books on historical homes or antiques.
What a cozy writing space! And I love those “happy creatures.”
No need to enter me. I added the giveaway to my sidebar.
.-= Anna´s last blog ..Review: Rumor Has It by Jill Mansell =-.
What a beautiful space, but I imagine Beth’s whole house is gorgeous! I can’t wait to read your review of CeeCee. No need to enter me.
Beautiful home, and a book I’ve been reading great things about. Surely on her shelves she has some southern fiction like Gone With the Wind, and maybe books by Dorothea Benton Frank. Thanks for this giveaway. A good friend says CeeCee Honeycutt is her favorite book.
I love that space and would love to have a fire burning though most of the winter months. Ahhhh. No need to enter me (I’ve read and reviewed and loved the book!). Can’t wait to see your review.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday 79 =-.
I really loved this post and though it was real nice of Beth Hoffman to give readers a peek into her writing space. The room does look very cozy and comfy
I am guessing Beth would have some classics and some books about antiques on her shelf.
I would love to enter this giveaway and win this book. The story sounds quite poignant and touching and I really liked Beth Fish’s review of this book in her blog. But more so, I want to win this book for my mom who is an avid book reader herself and is in India. She is not yet savvy with the book blogging world and hence I am entering this giveaway on her behalf. Not many book giveaways are open to international readers and am happy this one is.
archanaskorner(at)gmail(dot)com
-arch
I absolutely love this writing space! It’s so cozy I just want to grab a cup of tea and cuddle up with a book in there! No need to enter me as I already read and loved this book…but I will post about your giveaway.
.-= Jo-Jo´s last blog ..Audiobook Giveaway: The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker =-.
What a beautiful space! Well, given that she has a lot of artwork and had a career in interior design I think she may have some reference books on design and architecture.
.-= iliana´s last blog ..It’s A Mystery =-.
What a beautiful room! I’m betting there’s some Eudora Welty on those shelves.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..The Queen of Palmyra by Minrose Gwyn =-.
I love antiques and carousels. I bet those shelves have some classics on them, like Jane Eyre.
Beth’s writing space sounds so cozy and warm. What a wonderful place to spend the evenings. I would imagine she has many of the classical novels on her bookshelves.
Please enter me in this lovely giveaway. Jo-Jo has recommended this book to me and I am anxious to read it. As a backup plan I have it requested at our local library.
Debi
Oh my, what a great place to write! And, I love the idea that when the muse is “maddeningly silent” I can still research and edit. What a concept (I thought a silent muse meant send out the search party)!
I have read Beth’s amazing novel, and loved it! So, no need to enter me into the contest, but know I’ll pass on the info.
Thanks, Beth, for giving us a peek into your writing sanctuary.
I think from now on, I’ll imagine I’m writing in Beth’s room! It’s so beautiful. I would imagine she has a copy of To Kill A Mockingbird on her shelves.
Beth’s book is on my “to buy” list (I’m #37 on the library request list) but if I could win a copy, so much the better.
Thanks for the chance.
.-= Linda Cassidy Lewis´s last blog ..Sometimes the borrowed things return! =-.
what a beautiful space…i’ll bet that ‘saving cee cee honeycutt’ is somewhere on the shelf
I’d love to read or write in that beautiful room! I’m guessing that there’s some Lee Smith novels on those shelves!
Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt – It’s on my wish list!
.-= gwendolyn b.´s last blog ..Waiting on Wednesday: RUSSIAN WINTER by Daphne Kalotay =-.
Would love to be entered for this giveaway. Thank you for hosting this – it has got such good reviews all over that I would really want to win this. I am overseas so thanks for offering something for us as well.
.-= Mystica´s last blog ..Followers ! New Books! Op shops! =-.
Oh I love that room. It looks so cozy & inviting. On her book shelf I imagine a first edition of Gone With The Wind.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
I like Savvy Verse on FB.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
No need to enter me, babe. I’m dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I’ve got this posted at Win a Book for you.
.-= Susan Helene Gottfried´s last blog ..Guest Author: Beth Hoffman =-.
wow – what a space! I would imagine she would have books like North and South, Gone with the Wind, etc. I am so looking forward to reading this book! thanks for the chance!
I ‘like” you on facebook!
Great writing space! I think there might be a copy of The Secret Life of Bees on those shelves.
I have been a Facebook fan for a while. Thanks for this giveaway!
I’d be betting The Confederacy of Dunces is on the shelf.
Please enter me
.-= Tina´s last blog ..Real Crab =-.
What a lovely space! I am thinking that there is a copy of Gone with the Wind there! There certainly is on my bookshelf.
Thanks so much for including international readers in this giveaway!
Beth Hoffman’s writing library is a beautiful room and I understnd why it is where she finds the discipline to write. I always wonder about how authors started writing, what their writing discipline is and what inspires them so I loved this post of Beth Hoffman’s. After reading about Aunt Mildred, the antique carousel horse and teddy bear and seeing where the “magic” for Ms. Hoffman, it makes sense for me that she wrote such a beautiful, touching book.
Thank you Beth Hoffman and Serena!
~ Amy
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Book Review, Orange is the New Black =-.
I bet Little Women is on those shelves
I’m a facebook fan
Blogged about this giveaway here: http://aseaofbooks.blogspot.com/2010/05/not-my-giveaways.html
Well the first 3 books I thought might be on the shelves have already been said by others. Being a southern lover Gone With the Wind has to be there, along with The Secret Life of Bees, and Little Women. I also think Fried Green Tomatoes and Driving Miss Daisy will be on the shelves.
I love the writing library. So cozy and peaceful looking.
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I am really interested in reading this book, it sounds so wonderful. For some reason this year i have become obsessed with antiques
I believe that those shelves would be filled with books on making preserves or crafting, along with more classical fiction like Jane Austen’s novels.
I will be posting this giveaway on the sidebar of my blog :
bookslovejessicamarie.blogspot.com
Thanks for the opportunity!
I think there are some southern fiction on those shelves – Like The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder – or one of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood books – or something by Karen White like The Lost Hours.
kherbrand at comcast dot net
.-= Kristi´s last blog ..Waiting on Wednesday: 5-26-2010 =-.
I am a FB fan.
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.-= Kristi´s last blog ..Waiting on Wednesday: 5-26-2010 =-.
Hmm, I have no idea, how about Steel Magnolias?
Beautiful room! I’ll bet you can find some Jane Austen on those shelves!
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
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I would think that she would have a copy of Gone With The Wind on her shelves.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I bet there are some Jane Austen’s books there.
I’m a Facebook fan (Aik Chien)
.-= Aik´s last blog ..{Book Review} Havah: The Story of Eve by Tosca Lee =-.
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/14877806472
What a beautiful home…and I LOVE the carousel horse! I collect small ones. I imagine that the shelves hold some classics as well as books on writing. At least mine do. I would love to win this book. Thank you for the opportunity.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
That carousel horse got my attention, but I love the view of the room and I bet Beth’s whole house is wonderful.
Book on her bookshelves? Hmmm… I’m sure there’s a copy of her book, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, and most probably classics, poetry, books on writing, dictionaries and thesauruses.
Just tweeted and shared the link to this giveaway on FB
.-= Estrella Azul´s last blog ..All planned? =-.
I’ll guess that Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg is on one of those shelves.
Please enter me in this giveaway!
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/saemmerson/status/15128524759
I’m a Facebook fan (Sarah Emmerson).
My comment on the guest post:
I especially enjoyed reading about the author’s Great Aunt Mildred, on whom one of the book’s characters is based, and how the author’s ancestor still influences her to this day.
I’m going to guess that ‘The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie’ is on one of those shelves, because it is a wonderful novel with an extraordinary 11 y.o. protagonist.
I love the idea of a carousel horse as decor!
mayamissani AT yahoo DOT ca
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