Dude I loved this - exciting holiday to other parts of your flat and "continuing to use it as a donkey sanctuary" 😂😂 I can't WAIT to see a photo of your finished study!! xx
I somehow missed this when you posted it, but loved reading about your new work room! I would lean into “study”! Not pretentious to me! Makes me want to make my chaotic studio a little more beautiful! Looking forward to more posts now you’re back! Xx
Thank you so much for buying it (and paying whatever shipping costs they charged you to get it out to Australia – I dread to think!). I so hope you enjoy it.
Fair enough! I always like the thought that writers are artists…maybe it’s your studio. :) Best of luck with your writing in the new space, whatever it is called. PS I have nearly finished “In Writing” and you have me fully inspired!
The embroidered felt version of your book cover is incredible – I want one! I love this reflection on the practical conditions of writing. It's amazing how the environment can impact your inspiration – and I agree with Lorna, you need different spaces for different days (and projects). It's always nice to have options :)
I've recently also claimed a spare room as my own and I'm getting much more done. I too didn't like office or study so it's called my 'den' and I have a lovely sign on the door (from a childrens' retailer) that says 'Storytime'. Lovely to have your own space isn't it and it's also lovely to have you back in my inbox :-)
I love your ‘In Writing’, book. It's great to dip into now and again when the writing gets tough, and I take comfort in the fact that many of us, from time to time, share similar trials and frustrations. I have been writing right up until last Christmas. On Monday, my second novel, ‘A Casterbridge Tale’, was published. It continues my association with Thomas Hardy and his characters from ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ that I featured in my sequel ‘The Second Mrs Clare.’ I am currently enjoying a pause in my writing, but when I am working, I sit at our dining table looking out over the garden towards a Victorian brick wall at the bottom. It is very peaceful as I back onto the twenty-three acres of the Westminster Cemetery, which is full of the most wonderful trees and wildlife just beyond the wall.
I think it depends on the energy of your narrator/narration. By which I mean if it’s zinging along it needs the buzz of a cafe. But if you’re aiming for ponderous it’s easier to walk in the woods then settle at a window seat. In the flow it can be done anywhere except right beside someone, eg train or plane, staring at your screen. Piss off - I’ve only ever said silently.
Welcome back! I'm envious of a) your office and b) your multicoloured anglepoise lamp (not necessarily in that order). By necessity, I've always worked in stolen corners of my children's rooms, although ideally I would prefer a sparse, white room of my own, shrouded in monastic silence. The fact that I'm writing this comment now instead of writing the next chapter of my book tells you just how difficult I still find it to get into the 'flow'!
Dude I loved this - exciting holiday to other parts of your flat and "continuing to use it as a donkey sanctuary" 😂😂 I can't WAIT to see a photo of your finished study!! xx
❤️
It’s not a study or office. It’s your Writing Room. Or your play den. Or Hattie’s Hovel?! Hattie’s Hollow?! Hattie’s Hive?…. Coveting the anglepoise..
Haha. Hovel? How dare you! No, thanks for these suggestions… I’ll think on
Hi Hattie, just got your book yesterday and absolutely loving the format—and everything in it. Chapeau!
Thank you so much! I'm so happy you're enjoying it.
I somehow missed this when you posted it, but loved reading about your new work room! I would lean into “study”! Not pretentious to me! Makes me want to make my chaotic studio a little more beautiful! Looking forward to more posts now you’re back! Xx
Thank you Ella! xx
Welcome back. You should call it your writing room. That's what it is.
Or “the lab”. Call it the lab, visitors will wonder what goes on in there.
Also, no. Writing room is not pretentious.
Hilarious. Thanks Tony
My copy arrived here in Perth, Western Australia just yesterday. I really enjoy your podcast and look forward to reading your book!
Thank you so much for buying it (and paying whatever shipping costs they charged you to get it out to Australia – I dread to think!). I so hope you enjoy it.
Luckily through my Amazon Prime membership, postage was free 😄.
Rick
Came across your book in my local Lisbon bookshop last weekend and can't wait to read!
How lovely, thank you so much. Was it Salted Books?
It was - and pride of place on shelf!
So nice. I am hoping to make a visit to Lisbon soon – my first time there and very excited to see Salted!
After listening to other writers describe their writing spaces on your podcast, it’s a delight to hear you describe yours!
Thank you Sim!
Lovely piece, thank you for sharing. It really makes a difference to have a writing space that’s just for that…would you call it your Writing Room? ❤️
I worry that will put too much pressure on it!
Fair enough! I always like the thought that writers are artists…maybe it’s your studio. :) Best of luck with your writing in the new space, whatever it is called. PS I have nearly finished “In Writing” and you have me fully inspired!
I do like 'studio'... Thanks so much, I'm so happy you're finding it inspiring!
The embroidered felt version of your book cover is incredible – I want one! I love this reflection on the practical conditions of writing. It's amazing how the environment can impact your inspiration – and I agree with Lorna, you need different spaces for different days (and projects). It's always nice to have options :)
I've recently also claimed a spare room as my own and I'm getting much more done. I too didn't like office or study so it's called my 'den' and I have a lovely sign on the door (from a childrens' retailer) that says 'Storytime'. Lovely to have your own space isn't it and it's also lovely to have you back in my inbox :-)
Hi Hattie,
I love your ‘In Writing’, book. It's great to dip into now and again when the writing gets tough, and I take comfort in the fact that many of us, from time to time, share similar trials and frustrations. I have been writing right up until last Christmas. On Monday, my second novel, ‘A Casterbridge Tale’, was published. It continues my association with Thomas Hardy and his characters from ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ that I featured in my sequel ‘The Second Mrs Clare.’ I am currently enjoying a pause in my writing, but when I am working, I sit at our dining table looking out over the garden towards a Victorian brick wall at the bottom. It is very peaceful as I back onto the twenty-three acres of the Westminster Cemetery, which is full of the most wonderful trees and wildlife just beyond the wall.
Thank you Mike, and congratulations on the new novel
Hooray for your study/office! And hooray to have you back in my inbox! xx
I think it depends on the energy of your narrator/narration. By which I mean if it’s zinging along it needs the buzz of a cafe. But if you’re aiming for ponderous it’s easier to walk in the woods then settle at a window seat. In the flow it can be done anywhere except right beside someone, eg train or plane, staring at your screen. Piss off - I’ve only ever said silently.
Oh god, someone looking over your shoulder is unthinkable!
Especially when writing a sex scene (said the former Mills and Boon writer). If fair put me off my flow I can tell you
😂
Welcome back! I'm envious of a) your office and b) your multicoloured anglepoise lamp (not necessarily in that order). By necessity, I've always worked in stolen corners of my children's rooms, although ideally I would prefer a sparse, white room of my own, shrouded in monastic silence. The fact that I'm writing this comment now instead of writing the next chapter of my book tells you just how difficult I still find it to get into the 'flow'!
Well I relate hard to that! But hope it's all going well x