I love how reassuring this series is. Writing at home on your own - as many of us do - can be quite isolating and it is so great to have these insights. I love the space Poorna has created. Thanks for sharing.
I LOVE reading about other peoples' desks and writing practices. I am, of course, writing this comment in the middle of my writing time, so that shows just how disciplined I am...
I too have special work/ at home joggers that are not slob clothes, but still do not leave the house.
Re: cleaning. I love cleaning and tending my home. It's ritualistic. I see it as a way of caring for, and being in relationship with my house, which feels very much alive.
Oh, also, desk in middle of house because work is more important. SO LOVELY TO READ. I really adore seeing people make their own spaces functional for them, instead of conventional for imaginary critics. (I've never, in my history of dinner partying, which I adore doing and have done since I was a teenager, had anybody complain about having to balance a plate on their knees. Or bring their own forks because I only had 2, for that matter.)
Thank you for introducing me to Poorna, book ordered and can’t wait to start. I love reading about other people’s desks, so insightful to see what people surround themselves with. I share a desk with my husband and marvel when I find my hand creams and balms moved out of his eye line, ah a desk of one’s own.
“It’s a book, not a sandal” 😂. My 2 favourite Substackers, what a treat! Can confirm Poorna’s book, and indeed all her other writings is brilliant. Can’t wait for the next in this series
Love this and this series, thank you. Desk related Q: how to file? My desk would be beautiful and inspiring if only I knew how to file away all the stuff. I’m fascinated by other people’s filing. Any hints and tips gratefully received.
I love reading about writers' desks and habits. They always make my own seem incredibly slobby. I'm possibly the only writer with egg shell on my desk most of the time.
I could spend my whole life reading about writers and their writing habitats - it’s my favourite pastime and endlessly fascinating. I’m also a fiend for fabulous notebooks and will scrutinise every photo in search of them.
Book ordered, OF COURSE! What an amazing woman and what a great desk. I now wish I had an open plan living room with a desk, rather than a sloping-ceilinged garret, although it does have great views. I am inspired to TIDY said desk after this. There’ll be a lot more room once I’ve re-homed 27 lip balms in pockets of jackets. Possibly even for flowers.
India, have you discovered Purdy & Figg? (I guess I have to declare an interest because I did my only ever Instagram ad for them earlier this year, but by that point I’d been using them for FOUR YEARS and spending my own money buying them.) They are little vials of essential oil-fragranced cleaning stuff that you pour into an apothecary-style spray bottle and top up, and they SMELL AMAZING. I started buying them in the pandemic and have gone from ‘aaaaaargh, cleaning’ to ‘what can I clean next?’
Also, do you know the word ‘scurryfunging’? Thanks to the marvellous Suzy Dent I now know there is a word for opening cupboard and kicking stuff inside them before people come around. Happy scurryfunging!
Absolutely adore this series, I am so nosy when it comes to other people’s desks and writing habits!
You might already know about this wonderful book, but Rooms Of Their Own by Alex Johnson is a real treat in this regard :)
Ooh no, I don't know it, thank you!
I love how reassuring this series is. Writing at home on your own - as many of us do - can be quite isolating and it is so great to have these insights. I love the space Poorna has created. Thanks for sharing.
So welcome!
I LOVE reading about other peoples' desks and writing practices. I am, of course, writing this comment in the middle of my writing time, so that shows just how disciplined I am...
I too have special work/ at home joggers that are not slob clothes, but still do not leave the house.
Re: cleaning. I love cleaning and tending my home. It's ritualistic. I see it as a way of caring for, and being in relationship with my house, which feels very much alive.
Lucky you liking cleaning! I don't mind cleaning one room. But this was the whole house, and UGH.
Oh, also, desk in middle of house because work is more important. SO LOVELY TO READ. I really adore seeing people make their own spaces functional for them, instead of conventional for imaginary critics. (I've never, in my history of dinner partying, which I adore doing and have done since I was a teenager, had anybody complain about having to balance a plate on their knees. Or bring their own forks because I only had 2, for that matter.)
Yes I love that too - wham bam in the centre.
Such a fascinating series
Do it for Abundance please!
That would be wonderful
Thank you for introducing me to Poorna, book ordered and can’t wait to start. I love reading about other people’s desks, so insightful to see what people surround themselves with. I share a desk with my husband and marvel when I find my hand creams and balms moved out of his eye line, ah a desk of one’s own.
Nice to have company though.
What a very stylish space, not that that’s a surprise. Thank you both.
Pleasure.
“It’s a book, not a sandal” 😂. My 2 favourite Substackers, what a treat! Can confirm Poorna’s book, and indeed all her other writings is brilliant. Can’t wait for the next in this series
Oh good, hooray and thank you!
Lovely desk . And I just found a copy of Chase the rainbow in my bookcase so will enjoy that!
It's terrific, despite the tragic subject matter. It even has jokes!
Am engrossed. I love her honesty. It is desperately sad though. I hope you carry on with the desk thing - so enjoyable
Great Q& A. Also loving the expression ‘light mess’
Light to medium.
Ha! Medium to high this end ....
Love this and this series, thank you. Desk related Q: how to file? My desk would be beautiful and inspiring if only I knew how to file away all the stuff. I’m fascinated by other people’s filing. Any hints and tips gratefully received.
I wish I had a filing system but I don't - I just shove everything into nice boxes from Harris & Jones.
I love reading about writers' desks and habits. They always make my own seem incredibly slobby. I'm possibly the only writer with egg shell on my desk most of the time.
Me too, I find it extraordinarily interesting. Mine has no eggshells but it does have date pits and sometimes crumbs. (Do you snack on eggs??)
My darling husband brings me breakfast to my desk. I start early and stop early.
A thoroughly enjoyable start to a sunny day. What an incredibly interesting woman.
Isn't she? And thank you. Enjoy the boiling heat!
Sure thing!
I could spend my whole life reading about writers and their writing habitats - it’s my favourite pastime and endlessly fascinating. I’m also a fiend for fabulous notebooks and will scrutinise every photo in search of them.
Me too. I could write a whole Substack that was just desks.
Loved this post! What an interesting way to enter a writer's head.
Thank you! I find people's desks gripping.
Book ordered, OF COURSE! What an amazing woman and what a great desk. I now wish I had an open plan living room with a desk, rather than a sloping-ceilinged garret, although it does have great views. I am inspired to TIDY said desk after this. There’ll be a lot more room once I’ve re-homed 27 lip balms in pockets of jackets. Possibly even for flowers.
India, have you discovered Purdy & Figg? (I guess I have to declare an interest because I did my only ever Instagram ad for them earlier this year, but by that point I’d been using them for FOUR YEARS and spending my own money buying them.) They are little vials of essential oil-fragranced cleaning stuff that you pour into an apothecary-style spray bottle and top up, and they SMELL AMAZING. I started buying them in the pandemic and have gone from ‘aaaaaargh, cleaning’ to ‘what can I clean next?’
Also, do you know the word ‘scurryfunging’? Thanks to the marvellous Suzy Dent I now know there is a word for opening cupboard and kicking stuff inside them before people come around. Happy scurryfunging!
I LOVE Purdy & Figg, use nothing but. I have even met both of them! There's a book coming up I think, I must make a mental note. BRILLIANT products.
I did not know scurryfunging but it basically what I have been doing all day! What a good word. Xx
Love this series!
Me too, I find the desks and arrangements so completely interesting.