RS Pateman – A Tale of Two Rooms.

RS Pateman’s debut novel, The Second Life of Amy Archer has been our book corner pick this month. Rob chats to us about his writing space… 

It makes me look very grand to say I have two writing spaces but bear with me – one of them was only mine on loan while I wrote The Second Life of Amy Archer. Both are blessed with very different – but equally fantastic – views. And both are clutter free. I’ve read a lot about a messy desk being conducive to great creativity but it doesn’t help me at all. I need clear space and lots of light.

The city view is from the room where I first had the idea for Amy Archer. I put the idea in a notebook and left it in a drawer for twenty years. The draw is just out of shot! I then went on and wrote another three novels at this desk, none of which got anywhere. The whiteboard was meant to be for planning and notes about characters but, as I don’t really plan, it’s usually just an outsize diary and shopping list. The assortment of magnets keeps my young niece entertained. Me too, truth be told.

Despite the great skyscapes beyond the window, I felt a bit cooped up and needed a change of scene if I was to write the book. A friend offered me use of his conservatory in a remote part of the Cotswolds. Lucky, lucky me. Instead of planes all around me, I had birds. And rabbits. And stoats. Hunter and prey – a perfect backdrop for the tale I was telling. And the location of the house inspired my next book too; the well in the foreground plays a big part in The Prophecy of Bees.

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.