With a Little Help from My Stuff by Pat Miller

​Look at any author’s desk and you are likely to see inspirational notes or items nearby. That includes the Nonfiction Ninjas. Here they share their treasures:

PAT MILLER – I have two items. One is a plain river rock, smoothed by eons of water, that has been painted by a Vietnamese villager. It is covered with a layer of paint, sanded, another layer of paint, sanded, until a final design is painted. Even this final work is carefully sanded and then shellacked, going from nondescript to work of art. It reminds me to treat my revisions the same way. The second is a sign that hangs above the window by my desk. 
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​CHRISTINE LIU PERKINS creates an inspiration board for each manuscript that she is working on. It contains photos of people, things, and places in her work, and also things that simply inspire her. 
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LINDA SKEERS shares:” Years ago I started writing for magazines and dreamed of being a ‘real writer’ who would one day write a book for children. My family and friends thought it was a ‘cute hobby’ but they didn't take me seriously. The only person that believed in me was my husband Bob. One Christmas morning I opened this present -- it's a retro Nabisco tin. (I had a collection of tins) But it was so much more than that. Inside were fancy embossed business cards that said Linda S. Skeers  WRITER.  Best. Present. Ever.

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​NANCY CHURNIN keeps this note close to her desk  to make her laugh and remind her of the audience that will read, and comment on, her books.

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​SUSIE KRALOVANSKY’s family is her biggest fan club. Near her desk is the poster her Mom saved from Susie’s first book signing. The quote from Dr. Seuss was put together by her son and daughter. And the exuberant pig sign was made by Susie (an author/illustrator)  to remind herself to keep moving forward.

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​STEPHANIE BEARCE received the same flying pig quote, but hers is a gift from her children. Their love and support and her husband’s are what helped her create all the books on this shelf. Her SCBWI Crystal Kite award also reminds her to do her best writing for kids.

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​PEGGY THOMAS keeps photos of her parents on her desk. Her mother, Margery Facklam, was also a writer. Here she is doing research with Kermit, one of the chimps at the Primate Cognition Center at Ohio State for her book What Does the Crow Know? It reminds Peggy not to give up. Most of her mother’s books were written after she was 60.
 This quote was written by her father and tacked on his bulletin board. Now it stands on Peggy’s desk.

WENDY HINOTE LANIER shares: “On my desk are several inspirational scriptures and a shadow box with memories of my Aunt Bea. She never had children of her own, but  she encouraged me and prayed for me often. There's also a little frog noise maker. When I'm frustrated or stumped I sometimes stop to make frog noises! “

What talisman do you have on your desk that gives you inspiration, a chuckle, or courage as you write? Tell us what it is in the comments. Include a photo if you like.