Where I write
I
write this sitting in the kitchen sink.
Not
really, that’s the opening line from, I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith, of
course, one of my favourite books.
Where
I really write is at my desk, in the living room. My desk is an angle table and
my chair is a vintage 1950s mad men style swivel thing of joy which I can swing
round and round in if I feel the need to (it’s very good for ideas). The lamp
is a vintage orange Conran and makes a perfect spotlight on my laptop for the
serious business of writing/editing late at night.
Facing
me is the very first painting my son did and stuck into the edges are various
post-its and cards. The post its contain editing notes, things to remember and
occasionally the odd shopping list that’s snuck in. I am nothing without lists.
I
have three large windows in the living room but I deliberately face the wall
(and the picture) so that all I can really see is what I’m writing. I’m easily
distracted and a nice view or bustling coffee shop, while wonderful, is no good
for me when I’m writing. I need peace and quiet, access to stationery and
plenty of post its.
The
other things on the desk are research books, a thesaurus (in case I’m avoiding
the internet) and a cup of tea (Earl Grey, no milk). That gadget you can see is
a baby monitor. I mostly write at night when my little one is asleep and this
makes sure I can hear him if he wakes, which he doesn’t often these days, and
for which he will get a glowing thanks in the acknowledgements of my next book.
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