Author Life

What’s on Tracy’s Desk? (2025 Edition)

Fourteen years ago, I shared a snapshot of my writing desk—and a surprising number of you still remember it! That desk is still with me, but the world around it has changed: the landline is gone, the monitors have multiplied, and only Strider remains of the original furry trio. This year, I revisited that 2011 post with a photo tour of my current workspace, the oddball trinkets that inspire me, and a glimpse into how I really write now—recliner and all. Spoiler: dusty fantasy author chaos is alive and well.

Juggling Chainsaws (and Books)

Mark’s desk is overflowing with thrillers, Jacobine adventures, anthology deadlines, and even a dash of erotica. Add in a Kickstarter campaign, real-world book selling, and you’ve got the “good kind of busy.” Coffee recommended.

Dictation vs. Typing: The Pros, the Cons, and Why I’m Sticking With My Keyboard (For Now)

After my fourth serious trial, I’m calling it: for me, dictation is dead—at least for now. The modest bump in words per hour just doesn’t outweigh the tech friction, location lock-in, and editing overhead. If dictation plus clean-up time gets you more net words than typing, go for it. But if you’re already a clean, fast typist, the numbers might tell you to stick with your keyboard.

Ancient History vs. Medieval History: Why I’ll Take a Toga Over a Tabard Any Day

Why do I prefer ancient history over medieval? Because when it comes to science, culture—and especially women’s rights—the ancients had it going on. Celtic women owned property, led armies (hi, Boudicca), and could even shame their husbands for underperforming in bed. Compare that to medieval Europe, where married women basically vanished from the legal record. This post dives into why I’ll always pick a toga over a tabard, and why history, like fiction, is better when women get to speak.

Shopping Basket
Scroll to Top