
While the rest of my home is orderly, my main writing space here is my primary computer and desk, sitting in my bedroom. My bedroom is usually cluttered. But, I write first drafts often by hand. So, I wouldn't say my computer desk is the most important place for my writing. Even while editing, I often print chapters and take them with me elsewhere to initially work on them.

Further, I regularly think through plot points while exercising and then jot down short notes to expand on later. So, I wouldn't confine the notion of my "writing space" to places of sedentary activity. Some of my debut novel's plot twists formed while running on a treadmill, only to be written longhand after a needed shower.

That doesn't convey the most important part of what my conceptual idea of my "writing space" is though. I don't do as well creatively within situations that are too chaotic and loud, nor too quiet and staid. I typically need a little something.
The most important component of my "writing space" is the soundtrack, the songs or, sometimes, music videos playing. I thrive, or falter, to the common beat. That's not to say that auditory "writing space" is confined to my personal playlist. It's piped in when I'm running on the gym treadmill, it's on the radio station playing at the local coffee shop, it's in the passing car on the street, and it's on the store's sound system when at the grocery store. The soundtrack is nearly everywhere.

About the Author:

Tangled Ties to a Manatee is his debut novel.
He has had poetry published and several plays, both one act and full-length, produced locally. Two short stories have been published as well. "Feral" is a short story published in Off the Rocks, v. 14, ed Allison Fradkin, NewTown Writers Chicago, 2010, pp. 119-126. "Transforming Oracle" is a self-published short story available at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/29507
Kalen’s website is http://www.kalencap.com
He can be readily connected with through the following social media profiles –
Twitter: @kalencap
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KalenCap
Google+ : http://gplus.to/Kalencap

A pregnant manatee is rare at any zoo, and a first for the Grove City Zoo in Ohio. Ankh is a delight to zoo patrons, a concern to its staff, and the unintentional victim of two con men. She has no idea how many human relationships, problems, and dreams tangle around her.
Jerry is a young developmentally disabled man who happily follows Ankh's pregnancy on the zoo's webcam. He has a shy crush on Janelle, a pretty college student who volunteers for his group home’s outings to the zoo.
Jerry's Aunt Vera also loves nature and runs an environmental retreat center. But all is not well, with Vera or the center. The center needs money and is under investigation as a cult.
Amid their college studies, Janelle and her friend Cecily try to help. Instead, Janelle re-awakens an old obsession in Vera when an innocent tarot reading hints at how the center might be saved.
Two bumbling con men are attempting to sabotage the region’s electrical grid as part of a lucrative scheme. But Jerry accidentally gets in their way and becomes their captive.
When the con men surprisingly succeed in bringing the grid down, it spells danger for Ankh, her unborn pup, and the many people tied to them both. With investigations of their own, Cecily and Janelle try to untangle it all to find Jerry, save a manatee’s life, and rescue Vera from herself.
Tangled Ties to a Manatee is a humorous crime thriller with environmental themes that is revealed through multiple points of view. The novel emphasizes college-aged characters, though not all, such as the developmentally disabled ones, are in college.
Comments
(I'm fairly certain that comment is from the one who snapped the bookcase photo in this day's post.)
In Tangled Ties to a Manatee, Kalen has set out a web of interlaced and randomly encountered events and people. Getting to a place where it all untangles is a total blast. Who would think that contemplating such weighty issues could be so much fun.
Kit3247@aol.com
Writing the "Acknowledgements" section in "Tangled Ties to a Manatee" was one of my favorite parts of the publishing process. And Joe, you figure prominently there, thanks.
eai(at)stanfordalumni(dot)org
Becky01x(at)gmail(dot)com
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com