Lea Wait, here! Over the years lots of people have asked me what was in my study. (A crystal ball? A rabbit’s foot?)
Actually, in addition to books and papers I’m actually using on a day-to-day basis, I do have a lot of memories tucked into various corners of my study. There’s the picture of my husband and I dancing in a Paris Street. An antique print of a Great Blue Heron. A button that reads, “STET, DAMMIT!” on my bulletin board. And a lot more. So, today, come with me on a tour … welcome to where I spend most of my days – and some of my nights~!
19th C medical book, books on poisons, costumes
Ceramic Pencil Holder made by my daughter Liz
Noted for future books
Books on Needlepoint
My daughters, Xmas, 1987
Agatha Award Nomination
My hero!
Reference Books & Etcs …
Gift from Reader
Winslow Homer wood engraving – “Digging Out”
My writing assistant, making a few edits
Smocked pillow made by my sister Nancy’ Seaward Born pillow quilted by young fan
Teddy Bear I gave the guy I loved when he had heart surgery in 1982. He returned it to me when we moved in together in 2003.
19th C wardrobe re-purposed for office supplies (Blankets for cat on top!)
19th C brass stencils
Mary Queen of Scots paperweight from Edinburgh
Kait Carson
Charlene D’Avanzo 
Fascinating place, your study! I’d love to hear more about the “Lea Wait’s Wiscasset” map. Did an artist prepare that using your books as a reference? Such a cool idea.
Kate– Yes! Brenda Erickson was the artist who did the map. And it includes all the places in Wiscasset I include in my five historical novels set there. (I have smaller versions I give to teachers, librarians, anyone particularly interested.) I love it! It was originally done so people in Maine could give themselves a tour of the places mentioned in my book … and so young readers in the mid-west could better visualize wharves, piers — etc. My latest book, UNCERTAIN GLORY, includes a version of the map on it’s end-papers, which I love! Lea
Wonderful visual, and you used it so well to promote your book and to enhance the reading experience! Thanks.
I loved the tour of your office! Thanks for sharing your stuff with us! And the map is, indeed, very cool.
Lea,
Thank you for the tour of your office – it looks like you filled it with a lot of love, particularly the teddy that Bob kept for 20 years! Carole
You have a very interesting collection of items in your study. Thanks for sharing your mementos with us.
That was fun!
Lea: what a wonderful cornucopia of loved items that have made you the great writer and wonderful friend that you have always been! My office is pretty boring compared to yours. Can’t wait to see what in this varied stew will turn up in your next book. Write on!
What a wonderful column, Lea. I really enjoyed the trip!
Insanely jealous that it looks so neat. I’d have to clean for a week before I could take any photographs of my office. But I am inspired to do a photo tour of it one of these days. We certainly do collect a whole lot of stuff. I have a bullet-proof vest, a model of a Miramichi, NB police car, and a whole lot of book marks and postcards from all the books over the years!
You have such a wonderful way of inviting us into your life!
Kate
I will admit .. if my study isn’t pretty neat … I get involved with cleaning/straightening and not with writing. So although at the end of a writing session my desk may be covered with pieces of paper .. they call get put away for the night. It helps keep me moderately sane! (And productive.)
Lea
Thanks for the office tour. I’m envious of the neatness, too. I’m a packrat, and not a very organized one, at that. I especially like your writing assistant. Does he/she take on extra work during down times?
It was simply delightful to see glimpses of your “world” and the ways it grounds you for the work (and joy) of writing. Create on!