One pic wouldn’t cover it, so strap up and dig it: My office is shaped like an L, so we have three angles. Herewith, a brief tour:
Robert Crais office picture one
click on picture to see larger
Foreground: My MacBook Air and my feet. If you needed to be told this, please go to the end of the line.
My desk is directly across from me. I know it looks like a bunker wall, but it’s my desk, shot from the opposite corner where I am currently parked in a large brown chair. Note the clutter and mess. This happens as I get closer to finishing a book. In this case, THE PROMISE. Mail, magazines, research articles, and junk pile up on the desk and floor. I know, I know, I should be ashamed of myself. I’m not. Figuring out where to file these things or what to do with them is too distracting when I’m lost in a book, so I let the stuff pile up. This may be a character flaw. Note the black boards tacked with white slips leaning against the desk. This is THE PROMISE. Each slip describes a scene or chapter. Most are detailed and some contain dialog. I add, subtract, and rearrange their order as I develop the book. The complete novel filled four boards, but I’m nearing the finish so this is what’s left.
On the right side of the pic directly above the two stools, note the framed comic book cover, MS. DISTRICT ATTORNEY. No such comic existed. A radio drama called MR. DISTRICT ATTORNEY ran from ’39 to ’52, accompanied by a comic book of the same name. When my daughter became a Deputy District Attorney, I commissioned Eisner-nominated Batman illustrator, Jerry Bingham, to create a feminist version to celebrate her accomplishment and express my pride in her and all the women who fight the good fight on behalf of The People. Hence, MS. DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
Directly above MS. DISTRICT ATTORNEY is the Merry Marvel Marching Society No-prize I won for having a letter-of-comment published in the AMAZING SPIDER-MAN comic book. I was thirteen. Years later, Stan Lee inscribed and signed it for me.
Directly left of the No-prize is a photograph of me with my students at the Clarion Writers Workshop at UCSD in 2009. I teach there every two or three years, and this is the only workshop where I will teach. The Clarion workshop specializes in science fiction and fantasy. People seem confused when they learn this. They know me as a crime writer, but I began my career writing sf and am a graduate of the Clarion program. Besides, writing is writing.
Immediately left of the Clarion pic is an x-ray of my reconstructed ankle and foot, showing bone screws, pins, metal straps and other gross stuff. The ankle is fine. I hike three to five miles every morning before sunrise.
Directly above the x-ray is a big color pic of my friend Diane Friedman’s German shepherd, Dog. Yes, that’s her name. Dog, I mean, not Diane. Dog rides in the front seat exactly like Maggie (“a black-and-tan wall”). Dog looks exactly like Maggie. This is because Dog inspired Maggie. Maggie began here, folks.
All the way across to the left upper corner of the rear cork board (and slightly hidden behind the lamp) is the pic a certain Milwaukee publisher used as the cover of their special anniversary issue.
On the white wall to the left of the lamp is a page of original comic art by the great Steve Ditko, my all-time favorite comic book illustrator, who co-created Spider-Man. This page is from AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #29.
Robert Crais office picture 2
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Looking to my left, note the door: Elvis Cole Detective Agency. I love it. You wouldn’t believe how difficult it was to find a qualified sign painter. The lettering was painted freehand.
Also, as if you missed it, note more clutter and stacks of books. The stacks at the far end of the room are foreign editions. Behind the stacks is a large glass view port. The view is blocked by two framed movie posters waiting to be hung. They will wait until I finish the book.
Bookshelves fill the wall on the left side of the pic.
Robert Crais office picture 3
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The wall referred to above and the big brown chair in which I do much of my writing. Again, note the embarrassing clutter on desk. Picture my humiliation.
The bookcases contain books by me, research books, awards, personal mementos, collectibles, and a television. Note the vertical white column separating the bookcases. The lower black plaque is the Barry Award received for THE WATCHMAN. Above it is the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America. Books by my friends and my personal library fill a lower level of the house.
This is part of a new on going feature with authors sharing photos of where they work. Some will have some explanation, others will just be photos. If you enjoy them, let us know,leave a comment or drop a line.
Authors, if you’d like to be a part of this email Jon (at) crimespreemag.com
I love the socks pocking out behind the laptop.
Excellent socks. Excellent space. Excellent books. Basically, excellent 😉
I’m glad you had socks on.
This is great. I admit to being nosy about this side of a writers life.
Reassuring. I don’t have a particular room to write in but i will in a few months when my renovation is complete. This is inspiring including the rabble. I need more boards and stickies. Thanks for baring your room. (And you have joined us at Book Passage for the Mystery Writers’ Conference).
Now I see my workspace not as messy, but writery. 😀
Yikes. Clearly, a good book (or series) is born in chaos. Don’t try this at home, folks…
I am a huge fan of Elvis and Joe . I feel almost empty without a new novel of theirs in my hand . Thanks for the memories .
I am SO hungry for a new Elvis Cole/Joe Pike! I have read every book you’ve published and eagerly await your next gift to the literary world.
Gorgeous socks! My kind of study. Organised chaos in a delightful way.
Thanks for sharing, no wonder I love your books.
Thanks. I love this!
This is a great idea! I’d love to see more.
I loved this. It is fun to see behind the scenes of favorite authors. When do we get to read more of Elvis and Joe?
Robert Crais is an awesome writer.
love looking at different writers and how they write. Helps me to excuse my own paranoia
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Me too, I dont know what happened but the email went before I finished typing. I have one book published but that was non-fiction so I am back to my desk which is also very messy and getting started is so hard to do.
I am missing Elvis and Joe. When are we getting a new book Robert? I. Feel like they are family members.
Can’t wait to see more!
Robert Crais is a favorite author of mine. I have enjoyed see where he works and his comments on why.
I have read a lot all of my life and I do like knowing more about my favorite authors.
Thank you
Thank you. I can stop worrying about my own office. Plus, I love Crais’ work. Esp. SUSPECT. One of my all-time favorite writers.
Love your office. I could SO work there…. 🙂
Just what I imagined a productive writer’s workspace looks like. Thanks
I loved seeing Robert Crais’ workspace. I’ve read and listened to every one of his books. This makes the stories more personal. I love Mr. Crais’ stories. These photos were a real treat. Thank you for sharing your private space with your readers.
Love the socks. Love the author and his stories. But I don’t think Elvis keeps his office like this…
Love this feature – want more more more!
Loved this! Very inspiring, now I understand my own “need” to print sections, cut, paste, and pin to a board so I can “see” my work in progress. Love the socks, Crais. 🙂 Love the workspace, the brown chair too. Regarding your “sign painter” yes that’s a dying art. My uncle took up sign painting many years ago and made a good living at it. He was very good. Businesses had him paint their windows, doors, etc., all over town. His Christmas cards were addressed in the finest English script! He would have been honored to have been able to paint your Elvis and Joe’s door. 🙂
Thanks Jon the Crimespree guy for posting this.
A wonderful window into the process of one of my favorite writers. Thanks for the glimpse!
I love your office! I have read all your books.
This is a great spy-cam look into your creativity; as I continue to further my enjoyment of your prose I will be picturing you in the comfort of your throne, planning and plotting your next tome. I was hoping to see a dog—even if it’s just a pix of Dog. My Yellow Lab, Angel, is such a part of my life I naturally believed that you also had a “best friend.” Your writing about Scott and Maggie so perfectly described the “pack” that it’s a wonder to me why you don’t have a K-9 partner. Thanks for taking me to all the deep, dark places of your imagination and I look forward to all your future works with hopeful anticipation!