Where Stories Are Made is back for 2018 and my very first guest for the year is Louise Allan, whose debut novel, The Sisters’ Song, has just been released. Louise is an amazing photographer so her pictures of her writing spaces are to die for. Plus, you can also win a signed copy of her book just by commenting on the post below. Best of luck and I hope you enjoy meeting Louise!
1. My stories are made …
At home in my attic is my favourite place to write, although, through necessity, I’ve learnt to write anywhere. I’ve written at music lessons, while waiting in a car, and at airports and on planes. I once made a short video about my writing spaces.
But my best thinking place is my attic. It’s a fairly typical attic, upstairs, with sloping ceilings and a gable window. I have a built-in desk and bookshelves and, as I work, I can look out the window over vivid greenery and daydream.
2. My stance on notebooks is …
I love my notebooks and have about half-a-dozen on the go at any one time. I’m incredibly boring with my choice of cover and brand—they’re all black Moleskines. One of them is my journal, in which I write my sporadic-but-meant-to-be-daily musings. I have a notebook for writing groups, another one with notes for essays I want to write, and one for my novel. I have seven journals devoted to writing ‘The Sisters’ Song’ alone.
3. I am … tidy or messy?
My desk is neat and tidy—I can’t write when I’m surrounded by a mess. The messiest my desk has ever been was while editing my novel this year. I had sticky notes everywhere, covering most of the surface of my desk. The notes were handy, though, and as I completed each one I enjoyed peeling them off and tossing them in the recycling bin!
4. I like … noise or silence?
I love silence and I love an empty house! Natural sounds, like birds, rain or wind, tend to help my writing—there’s nothing better than writing during a storm. In suburbia, of course, there’s always the drone of traffic, or a blower or buzzsaw. Of a weekend, there’s the noise of the TV, my kids and my husband’s music.
I wanted to write about the bush at one point in my novel, so I played a CD of Tasmanian birds. Whatever I’m listening to seems to influence what I write about—if it’s bird noises, they permeate the text. If it’s music, whatever mood that evokes tends to spill onto my page.
5. On my desk, I must have …
I must have a glass of water and, usually, a cup of coffee. I like to have my notebooks, my pens, a pencil and a rubber within reach, too. And I love having flowers and a candle nearby—just to lift my spirits.
6. My walls are covered in …
Bookshelves, my degrees, my certificate from when I was shortlisted for the Hungerford Award, and a corkboard with notices. I also have this:
Until today, I’ve not told anyone that I have a giant print of the cover of my book on my wall because I’m too embarrassed. But, I figure I might never have another book published, so I’m determined to make the most of this one!
7. I love my writing space because …
It’s light and airy, and even though it’s not that large, it feels spacious. I’d love to take out the modern built-ins and furnish it in keeping with the older style of our house, but for now, it will do.
Win A Copy of The Sisters’ Song
Set in rural Tasmania from the 1920s to the 1990s, The Sisters’ Song traces the lives of two very different sisters. One for whom giving and loving are her most natural qualities and the other who cannot forgive and forget.
As children, Ida loves looking after her younger sister, Nora, but when their beloved father dies in 1926, everything changes. The two girls move in with their grandmother who is particularly encouraging of Nora’s musical talent. Nora eventually follows her dream of a brilliant musical career, while Ida takes a job as a nanny and their lives become quite separate.
The two sisters are reunited as Nora’s life takes an unwelcome direction and she finds herself, embittered and resentful, isolated in the Tasmanian bush with a husband and children.
Ida longs passionately for a family and when she marries Len, a reliable and good man, she hopes to soon become a mother. Over time, it becomes clear that this is never likely to happen. In Ida’s eyes, it seems that Nora possesses everything in life that could possibly matter yet she values none of it.
Over a span of seventy years, the strengths and flaws of motherhood are revealed through the mercurial relationship of these two very different sisters. ‘The Sisters’ Song’ speaks of dreams, children and family, all entwined with a musical thread that binds them together.
To win a copy of Louise Allan’s gorgeous book, just leave a comment below! Which part of Louise’s writing space did you like best or can you most relate to? Winer will be drawn by random number generator at midday on Feb 2nd, 2018.
To find out more about Louise Allan and her book, you can visit her website here, follow her on Facebook here, say hello to her on Twitter here or see more of her gorgeous pics on Instagram here.
I adore all the sticky notes surrounding your computer. It evokes my student days of hard work to meet an assignment deadline. I love the idea of peeling them off as you achieve that part of your story – great organising !
It felt so good to peel them off and throw them away! x
That is such a good idea! I would borrow it if I used post-it notes.
Your weiting space sounds wonderful, Louise. I identify with many of your preferences, including bookshelves and degrees on the wall. I look forward to reading your book. 🙂
Thanks, Bambi! There’s no one else but me in here, so I can put whatever I like on my wall! Including a giant canvas of my book cover! ?
Good luck Bambi!
A fascinating read, thank you Natasha.
Louise I love that you listened to birdsong whilst writing ‘The Sisters’ Song’ – what a great idea!
(And after looking at your gorgeous writing space, I might just tidy up my desk !)
The birdsong was great—it really helped evoke the Tasmanian forest.
I can’t work with clutter, although it’s not always avoidable!
x
I know! It makes me want a tidy desk too.
I love Louise’s leafy outlook. I have that too, and I adore it when the birds fly by. We get cockatoos, rainbow lorikeets and bats in the evening. Birdsong is so relaxing and inspiring. Lightning storms make for an amazing writing view too. Excited to read The Sisters’ Song.
Your writing space sounds wonderful! We get the occasional Carnaby cockatoo and rainbow lorikeet, and a few wattlebirds. There’s been a fair bit of renovating going on around us, sadly overpowering the natural sounds. I’m certainly with you on writing during a lightning storm—nothing better! x
That sounds gorgeous Jessica!
Love the post-its, so organised! So neat and tidy! I wish I could keep my space this clean. I’m of an organised chaos kind of girl.
I really try to keep my desk and writing space tidy, but you should see the rest of the house! There’s no ‘organised’ about it—it’s just chaos! ?
I’m chaotic at edit time but neat at first draft time. I don’t really know why though!
Walls covered with bookshelves and degrees definitely sounds like the way my home office is heading. While most of my books are in my lounge and bedroom, the shelves in my office are reserved for autographs day books (2 shelves so far) and business books. I know which shelves give me the most joy ?
Yes, fill your walls with all your achievements!
Let me guess: your favourite books are not the business ones! ?
x
How did you guess? ?
Just a lucky guess, Liz! 😉
Bookshelves are the best no matter what kinds of books they contain!
Hello
I love it all but that giant print copy of the cover is gorgeous woohoo you should be very proud ?
Have Fun
Helen
Thank you, Helen! I’m making the most of this publication as there may never be another one! x
Exactly! What better way to be proud than to have the book in large format in your office!
Thanks, Natasha, for sharing this, although I probably shouldn’t have told everyone about the giant canvas of my book cover! Now my secret is out! x
I love it! I might do the same!
Hi Louise, I love that your attic really is an attic and your sounds of silence are the sounds of the day filtering in through the window as you write. You need to know that you will be publishing another book if all the wonderful reviews are anything to g o by. You had best get started on the next one! Can’t let a good attic go to waste!
Yes! I can’t wait to read another book by Louise.
You’ve inspired me, Dee, and my new motto is, ‘Can’t let a good attic go to waste!’ Thank you! 🙂
Do you colour code your post it notes for a reason? I tend to colour code paperwork to find things at a glance.
Love the giant cover of your book. Have you thought about having it printed on fabric so you could use it as a table cloth or even a picnic rug? The cover is quite stunning.
Great question Deb! Look forward to seeing what Louise has to say.
Yes, they were colour-coded! I know the orange ones along the computer were for Things I Must Not Forget. Another colour was for characters, and I had Ida in one column on the desk, and Nora in another, etc. I confused myself sometimes, though, when I forgot whom was meant to go where!
You’ve got me thinking about table cloths and picnic rugs now. And extrapolating from that, I could start a whole range of Sisters’ merchandise!
I love the thought of being up high in the attic to write . I too love the sounds of the bush – but mostly the ocean –
Yes, the ocean is wonderful for creativity isn’t it?
The bush and birds are lovely to write to, but the ocean is my favourite sound of all! 🙂
Well there’s so many similarities between you and I Louise – being neat and organised, loving silence and listening to the sounds of nature which I did with the 4 children in my care today. Silence resonates with me the most! My very favourite indulgence is to sit and read in complete silence so that I can devour what I’m reading. Your novel is on my ever growingTBR list, it sounds like one I would enjoy! Best of luck with future publishing.
Yes Debbie – silence is definitely the best for me too when it comes to writing!
I love a silent, empty house … but I rarely get it! Thanks for adding my book to your ever-growing TBR pile! 🙂
I could definitely see myself with a million sticky notes all over my desk while editing and totally understand the satisfaction of peeling them off one by one and throwing them away as they’re no longer needed.
I also love that she has a large print of her book cover. It’s a beautiful cover, I can definitely see why she would want it, and I don’t think she should be embarrassed by it. She wrote a novel and it’s being published, that’s amazing!
I agree Cailin- in fact, I think I might have to get a large print of my next book cover too!
You definitely should! Your covers are gorgeous too
Definitely get one, Natasha! In fact, now I wish I’d got an even bigger one!
Congratulations Cailin! The random number generator has chosen you as the winner of Louise’s book. I hope that you enjoy it. I will send you an email soon with more info. Thanks for entering, and thanks to everyone else who did too!
I love the giant book cover. If I ever get mine published I’ll be doing the same!
Out there and proud 🙂
Definitely get one! They’re not very expensive at all!
I think that’s an excellent idea Cat!
I love quiet places and tidy environments. They make everything more relaxed and enjoyable. 🙂
And they help my thoughts stay ordered so I can write better! 🙂
I agree wholeheartedly Angela!
I love the tidy desk and getting to throw out the sticky notes on completion! I wish my desk was that tidy…
Throwing out those sticky notes and seeing the top of my desk again was one of the highlights of my year. Doesn’t take much to make me happy, does it?! 🙂
Louise, although I dont know you I have been discovering lots about you this past week and you seem like such a beautiful person. I love the notebooks and being organised, both of these sing in my own little world, and silence….oh my goodness, silence is as the song laments ‘golden’. Wishing you much success in your writing ventures…writing to me evokes so many joys…memories, special places and people, exploring life and all it brings. I admire those who take the time to express those words…we as readers are blessed to read them.
What a beautiful message, Jodie! Silence is golden and writing is, as you say, an exploration and very special. Thank you for this lovely message. 🙂
I love the pictures of your workspace and your postit notes – I wish my desk was that tidy
It’s the only room in the house I have control over, so I keep it exactly how I want it! Thank you for your comment, Megan! 🙂
Hi Louise! Congrats on your book. You know, that large poster of your cover will be quite handy at book fairs and other events. Best wishes!
Yes, I hadn’t thought of that! I’ll have to take it along! Thank you for that idea! 🙂
Oh, I love this. If I had a wall in my caravan I’d have a giant canvas too! Great post and blog series, ladies.
But you must clear some space on Myrtle the Turtle’s walls for a giant pic of your beautiful new cover, Jenn! 🙂
Louise you had me at attic! ? I am inspired by you mentioning you play a track of birdsong when you write about that subject. Brilliant! ? I want to write a story set in Ireland and I’m now so excited about the research, accompanied by Irish nature whispering in my ears. ?
The birdsong really helped me feel as if I was in the bush—I think sound is very evocative. Just listening to that gorgeous Irish accent would enhance any story, I’m sure ! Good luck with your writing, Janet! 🙂
I can relate to enjoying silence and an empty house… my favourite part of the blog!
I live here in Tasmania where I am surrounded by beautiful beaches and bush land. Naturally i love to just get out amongst it all and appreciate how lucky i am to have it all on my doorstep to enjoy.
The Tasmanian landscape is second-to-none. It’s 18 years since I lived there and I still miss it. x
Oh that giant canvas would look so good in my girlie room/library. It is so gorgeous. Looking forward to reading your book
The canvas is certainly popular amongst readers—maybe I should order another and hold a giveaway for that! I hope you enjoy reading The Sisters’ Song, Joanne. x 🙂
I really relate to your appreciation of silence. I love my family, wouldn’t be without them, miss them after a fairly short time – but oh, the bliss of a quiet house for an hour or two!
I know exactly where you’re coming from, Lorraine. I love my family, too, but nothing beats having the house to myself! 🙂
I loved reading and seeing the detail of your attic and tidy desk, sans the coded post it notes. Feasted on the lifting the spirit elements and ambiance; the coffee, flowers and candle.
It lifts my spirits every time I walk into my attic, Nicola! And I don’t think I could write a word without coffee first …
Thanks to everyone who’s commented! I wish you all the best with winning the book.
I like that her writing space is in the attic overlooking greenery. It sounds like bliss!
‘Bliss’ is the right word, Michelle! I’m sure it helps me write! 🙂