Do It Write: Where Lyndell Williams Writes

Original Post: Romance Lives Forever by Kayelle Allen

Lyndell Williams, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author, and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here!

How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing in varying capacities since I started writing for my college newsletter. Once I got bit with the writing bug, I expanded into writing for online publications as well as writing essays for a literary journal, books, and peer-reviewed articles.
This year, I had several short stories published in collections and published my first novel.
What was your first published book?
My Way to You is my first novel. It is an interracial romance about an Asian American lawyer who falls in love with an African American pro-Black blogger. They have to learn to comfort each other as each encounters levels of racial microaggressions from society. They also have to worry about her big brother finds out, who would not appreciate his best friend and little sister dating.

Tell us about your writing space or home office.
My writing space is in a corner of my bedroom in our family’s cozy cape. I bought one of those affordable big box store tables and a swivel chair to stake my claim. The table hosts my laptop (pc of course) with an attached keyboard and second monitor. My writing demand requires the ability to work from multiple screens.
I also have a wonderful lamp I got from my daughter as a gift. It has multiple settings, which is great when I’m trying to work at 4 a.m. while my husband sleeps.
Anything special about your space?
My space is also “mommy central.” Because I try to get writing done during a day packed with mothering 6 kids and homeschooling as well as communicating with colleagues and students, I have a bunch of non-writing supplies, such as combs and brushes to do my little one’s hair and moisturizing butter to keep everyone’s skin smooth.
What do you love most about that area?
It’s where the magic happens. There is something about being there that helps trigger my creativity. I can get work done in other places. I’ve written chapters and articles on my cell phone, but nothing gets as ready to write as sitting at my desk with a cup of coffee.
What would like to change about your home office?
I would like for it to be an actual office with a lock and guard dog sitting outside. One of the biggest challenges in having a corner and not an office is blocking out the world, especially a tenacious pack of kids determined to make your writing time theirs.
I think one of the things I most need is a full space with my books and research. I’m eyeing my oldest son’s bedroom. When he’s finished with college, he’s gonna have to spread his wings so I can get my office.
If money was no object, what would your home office look like?
It wouldn’t be a matter of what but who. I so need an assistant. My scheduling skills are so out of whack, and I need someone to help me keep an organized content calendar for the multiple blogs I manage and manage my time to get semester grading done, progress in writing my next book and contribute to the list of projects I’m committed to completing.

My home office would like a regular one because I would have an assistant with a desk.
How do you juggle writing and family?
I don’t know how to juggle. I drop a bunch of balls all of the time. Fortunately, I have a great husband who makes sure I get out of my chair and spend some time with the family. He’s also awesome at picking up the slack at home despite working 90 hours a week himself.
If I find myself with an immediate deadline, I can count on him to help out around the house so I can keep those keys clicking. It’s extremely important. I couldn’t do any of my work if he didn’t.
What’s the last book about writing that you read?
That would be the Associated Press Stylebook. I kid you not. I write a lot of online articles, so I need that by my side.
I also get into friendly skirmishes with fellow writers about things like the Oxford comma, so I use it for ammunition.
What book or books about writing do you recommend for new authors?
The Best Punctuation Book, Period is pretty great. The author, June Casagrande has a lot of great books on writing.
What do you like to read for relaxation?
I enjoy reading other romance authors. I’ve become hooked on Black women romance authors like Twyla Turner, Love Journey, Reana Malori and Aubree Pynn. They introduce readers to some culturally-specific romance and explore some topics and corners from which other romance authors might not.