“What a rich and charming stew of meditations on writing – process, craft, courage – by some of my favorite writers ever. This book will be useful and comforting to anyone who is writing, wanting to write – or stuck!”
“Full of such inventive but also life affirming ways of honing one’s craft. This book is the ultimate reminder of why writers do what they do”
I’d be thrilled if you’d like to order my book, In Writing: Conversations on Inspiration, Perspiration and Creative Desperation, from Waterstones, Amazon, Bookshop.org or wherever you like to get books.
In these intimate and frank conversations with some of our best-loved writers, I uncover the mysteries of the creative process, asking: Where do ideas come from? How do stories find their shape? What happens when confidence falters or the work fails – and what does success look like?
The answers range from the thought-provoking to the hilarious. Here we meet the novelist who makes a playlist for every manuscript; the screenwriter who considers swearing an art form; the author who prefers to work in near-darkness, and the confessional writer at risk of revealing too much. Taken as a whole, these inspiring interviews amount to an insider’s guide to the writing process: its disciplines and demands; its ecstasies and agonies; its coffees, word counts and publishing hurdles. Most of all, they reveal how it really feels to write and be read.
With contributions from James Acaster, Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, Jesse Armstrong, Charlie Brooker, Wendy Cope, Geoff Dyer, John Lanchester, Sophie Mackintosh, Emily St. John Mandel, Liane Moriarty, David Nicholls, Graham Norton, Maggie O'Farrell, Kiley Reid, Jon Ronson, Michael Rosen, George Saunders, David Sedaris, Curtis Sittenfeld, Brandon Taylor, Meg Wolitzer and more.
“Essential reading for anyone interested in the writing process”
“A must-read for any writers or budding creatives, stuffed full of vital advice and gems of wisdom”
“Some of the greatest writers alive, giving excellent answers to incisive questions about their craft. My copy is thoroughly annotated and I already know I’ll read it again. Anyone who’s interested in good writing will love it”
“[In Writing] is filled with so much accessible wisdom for writers, and is written in such an inspiring, energising way that I’ve found I’ve written more while reading it than I have in months. It’s given me my writing mojo back”
“This book is BRILLIANT. I stormed through it in one go. It’s one of the best books about writing I’ve ever read, and certainly the most reassuring”
“The must-have companion for any writer; thoughtful, illuminating and reassuring, it’s something I’ll keep on my desk for years to come. It made me laugh out loud, sigh in solidarity, and had me itching to get back to the page”
“Fascinating, illuminating and inspiring (and occasionally humbling - check out Brandon Taylor’s daily word count). Buy it for all the writers and readers in your life”
“This book offers everything a writer needs: solace, companionship, commiseration and inspiration. I loved it”