This Friday we take a moment to survey the landscape of our desks and offices (ignoring the piles of paper and books that live everywhere) as Katie asks “What or who is your writing companion? Your cat? A cup of tea? Music?”

Linda is sooooo happy that “My seven-year-old yellow Labradors are never far away.

“Leia sleeps under the desk next to me, and Luke in the chair facing me. They are very spoiled. When I get up in the morning, I feed them, of course, and let them outside. Then we have After Breakfast Snuggle Time, which means I sit on the couch and read while they snuggle up next to me. When they’re both asleep, I can escape to my computer to write. When Luke decides I’ve written enough, he will sit in the middle of the floor and stare at me. If I ignore him, he vocalizes his displeasure, “talking” to me until I get up to take him for a walk. Then it’s After Walk Snuggle Time–see why I get so much reading done? Sometimes we have a spontaneous snuggle time in the middle of the day, and sometimes, when Leia is beside me, Luke will lay on the floor behind my chair. They’re great companions! I wouldn’t trade them for anything.“

Ana is also owned by a dog. And a cat.

“Traveller, my 12-year old Belgian Sheepdog, is at my side regardless of where I write (office, bed, living room, backyard). Sometimes Cappy the cat joins Traveller for a nap.

“BEVERAGES: I’m all over the place with coffee, tea, diet Dr. Pepper, and water.

“MUSIC: When I was writing FANNY NEWCOMB & THE IRISH CHANNEL RIPPER, I listened to the soundtrack of Ken Burns’ The Civil War. It was music from 25 years before Fanny’s story took place in 1889, but since the war influenced the south for decades afterward, I felt confident that Civil War music still resonated in 1889. For A BRILLIANT ENGAGEMENT, my 1919 murder mystery WIP that takes place on the San Francisco vaudeville stage, I’ve been listening to a lot of recordings from Nora Bayes, Jack Norworth, and the incomparable Elsie Clark. More about Elsie next week!”

C.V. can answer this question in two words. “Diet Coke!

“Always, Diet Coke. No matter how many times I try to give it up, or switch it up, I always return to my standby. I’m not fussy how it’s served. Give me a can, a bottle or a $1 McDonald’s soda fountain drink and I’m happy.”

Kathryn also likes her beverages: “Ice water, Diet Coke or “Get Relaxed” tea, a rooibos mix featuring lavender and rose petals. That plus the hummingbirds that frequent the garden just outside my office door keep me company at my desk.

I tend to compose in silence and revise to showtunes. If I really need to concentrate, I’ll put on a Rainy Café mix—more rain than café.”

And finally, Katie shares her own preference: “Cup of Tea! Always.

I have a tea warmer that my husband made for me, which keeps my mug warm even when I get into my writing zone and forget the real world exists. He loves woodworking, and made it using a Japanese style of joinery, wherein there are no fasteners of any kind (so no nails). He scrounged all materials, so it is also a “found” piece in that way.