I am hugely lucky. I have a positively ginormous study. It was the old dining room of the house and I've had floor-to-ceiling bookshelves fitted on two walls. Instead of a desk I use a large kitchen table - because I like to draw as well as write. There's a squashy sofa in the window alcove with more bookshelves either side.
I like to surround myself with things that inspire me, that intrigue me, that spark off stories and thought processes. So I have a few tarot packs (from my extensive collection) around me, runes and the I Ching. I listen to music when I write - my soundtrack for Samael is extensive and I keep an old-fashioned beatbox on my table as I still like physical CDs (unlike Gen with her iPod). I burn candles when I write too - my absolute favourite is Aromatherapy Associates Relax.
Scent is hugely important too - and those Jo Malone bottles in the bottom left are to remind me of how my characters smell!
But, when it came to writing Samael, I didn't actually do it at this desk or even in this room that often. The whole book was scribbled longhand into a series of black Moleskine notebooks (three, to be precise). I wrote it all over the place - in bed, in the car, on the beach, in numerous cafes, curled up on the sofa, in the garden. The first chapter was written on the train as I returned from lunch with my agent in London.
Each chunk would be typed up here though...and the edits will happen here too.
btw, for those who have asked, Samael is finished (well, first draft at least). It's now gone out to editors so hopefully I'll have some good news for you soon.
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