Meet The Writer
Inspired by Beth Kempton’s Meet the Writer challenge from back in January.
Hello friend.
Grab yourself a cuppa, take a seat and relax, while I take you along with me to my little corner of the writing world.
What is your view from where you usually write?
I have a dedicated room upstairs where I do most of my writing from. There is a table in one corner where my laptop and notebooks sit, along with my candles. Conveniently situated so I can gaze out of my window across to the neighbouring fields. The window faces due west, so I get to witness some gorgeous sunsets when I time it right. On Friday we had our first frost of Autumn. It glistened as the early morning sun found it. Beautiful.
What made you start writing?
I’ve been a writer in one form or another for most of my life. As a child I loved keeping diaries and journals. Into early teens and adulthood I had penfriends, a couple of whom I’m still in touch with on Facebook. I miss writing actual letters, putting pen to paper. I so wish we’d carried on but life got in the way and everything became busy and rushed.
My big turning point came during lockdown in 2020. Because I had so much time on my hands due to being furloughed, I watched a lot of YouTube and observed many people were becoming content creators and the simple and slow living movement was emerging. I was interested. I know blogging had been around for many years but for me it was something new. I did an online course on blogging while I was at home, but it wasn’t until much later, last year in fact that I started my blog here on Substack.
Describe or show us your handwriting. Do you like writing by hand?
When I’m writing with intentionality, I would describe my handwriting as neat and precise. I say with no shame though that when I’m scribbling I can barely read it.
I enjoy writing by hand. Most of my journaling has been done by hand over the years. Tapping away on the keyboard is a lot quicker of course but writing by hand gives one a sense of calm, of slowing down. I find this so much more relaxing and creative. The handwritten word shows a sense of feeling, a hidden depth somehow.
What kind of rituals do you use to help you get the words flowing?
When I’m afforded the luxury of writing in the early morning, on a Friday usually on my day off, my writing routine starts with me making of a cup of tea, always Yorkshire tea of course. I then head to my office upstairs and close the door. Closing the door signals to Ant that I’m writing and don’t want to be disturbed.
I then switch on the fairy lights and light a candle. Even in the lighter mornings of summer I put them on. It gives my room a cosy ambiance. I’ll then switch on the laptop and open the page from which I want to write or get my notebook and pen ready. It depends on the project I am working on at the time.
I will then do my morning pages, inspired by Julia Cameron’s Artists Way. This is an incredibly powerful practice, to clear one’s head of any rubbish that is lurking there. Julia recommends writing three pages of whatever is in your head right at that time. As I’m usually doing this on the laptop, I make sure I write 1000+ words, which usually takes me thirty minutes, longer if I’ve got a lot to get out.
Then, before I begin my writing I will do a short meditation.
This short ritual triggers my brain that I am ready to start writing. Most of this ritual was inspired by Beth Kempton when I was doing her Winter Writing Sanctuary last year. I found it incredibly effective. I practiced it then and have continued ever since.
While I’m writing I usually have a classical piano or guitar playlist on in the background, or just lately a You Tube ASMR video playing. I always try and choose one that suits the mood of the piece I am writing.
When I write in the afternoon after work, I follow the same routine, with “morning pages” becoming the number one priority. After eight hours in a mainly negative environment, it’s essential to clear my head of all the nonsense swirling around before I can begin.
Whose writing do you keep nearby and dip into often for inspiration?
There are several writers that I look to for inspiration. My favourite authors are Beth Kempton and Kirsty Gallagher and here on Substack my inspirations are
, , and Their work is beautiful and truly inspiring.In what ways has writing been a doorway for you? What has it led to?
Putting pen to paper has been key to my simple living journey. I see more, and it has encouraged me to slow down. Journaling specifically has opened the door to addressing personal issues. Just the act of writing alone can help the healing process. Writing has also opened a door to my creative career and has given me a glimmer of hope that I can gently move away from my nine to five job and focus fully on writing here on Substack.
If you had a pseudonym what would it be and why?
I write under the name of A Simple Living Journal here on Substack, so I guess that’s my pseudonym. I love the simplicity of the name, it’s not one particular thing, it could be anything. Simple Living comes in many guises, a nature walk, a book, a slow cooked meal with a loved one, living seasonally. I love writing about simplicity, a rebellion if you like, against a fast-paced crazy world.
Who has been a real champion for your creativity?
I’m lucky to have three champions in my life, my husband Anthony, my dad and my best friend Eva.
Anthony is the biggest supporter of my creative journey. He believes in me and gives me the creative space I need to write and offers encouragement when I most need it. If I’m lacking a little motivation I can always rely on him to gently nudge me back into action.
My dad is my critic, I can always rely on him to give me an honest opinion, whether that be on a piece of writing or a craft project. He’s always constructive in his advice to me about whatever it is I’m working on. He’s usually right in his suggestions, but don’t tell him I said that though!
Eva, my best friend for over thirty years is my number one supporter. She makes me believe I can do anything. She always has a word of encouragement for me.
To the three of you … I love you 💖
How do you feel about calling yourself a writer? How does it fit with the rest of you as a person?
I’m going to be perfectly honest here and say that it feels strange calling myself a writer. Writing is not my day job, in fact the total opposite of what I do for a living as a logistics analyst. But writing is my joy, and one day it will be my day job. The more I write, the further ingrained the title Writer becomes.
Describe your writing style or favourite themes in three words…
Nature
Simplicity
Poetic
If you could wave a magic wand and make any writing dream come true, what would you manifest?
To make writing my paid job is my ultimate dream. I’m in my element when putting pen to paper, or keys to screen if you like. Being paid for what I love doing is the goal.
What kind of commitment are you going to make to your writing and your writing life?
I commit to learning daily.
I commit to writing something every day.
I commit to publishing a new blog weekly.
I commit to writing something that my readers will value.
Thank you for reading A Simple Living Journal.
If any of the questions inspired you, please let me know below. I would love to read your response. See you in the comments.
Until next time take care.
Debbie xx
I have enjoyed reading this.
I feel you are a natural writer and will achieve your dream of making it your full time career.
Thank you so much for the kind mention!