Andy Jones, Jo Thomas, Kathryn Hughes and Annabelle Thorpe Tell Us About Their Favourite Writing Getaway…

Summer is in full swing, and while you lovely readers are off reading by the poolside, our lovely authors are tucked away in cabins or at desks writing their next masterpiece! Read below to find out some of their best writing destinations…

Andy Jones, author of Four

The beach! God no. Sand in your hard drive, sun glaring off the screen, people having fun. Just awful. Hillsides are too slopey, and park benches attract the wrong kind of crowd. Nope, I’m a creature of habit, and my favourite writing spot is my own study. It’s quiet, I have a great selection of books, I play my own music and I make a fantastic cup of coffee. In fact, I find it hard to write anywhere else. If we ever move house I’ll have to take the study with me.

Jo Thomas, author of Sunset Over Cherry Orchard

I do have what I call The Writing Pad, by the sea in Pembrokeshire. When I wrote The Oyster Catcher, I wrote it in my car, sitting by Galway Bay whilst my children were in school. When I finally got published, I upgraded to a camper van so I could make a cup of tea whilst I was working! I would spend summers in Pembrokeshire, the kids out swimming, crabbing and kayaking whilst I looked out at sea and wrote. The draw to sea has stayed with me, and finally I bought my mobile home, The Writing Pad, where I look out to sea and listen to the seagulls as I write and end the day watching the sun set with a sundowner in my hand at The Boat Club.

Kathryn Hughes, author of The Key

A large part of a writer’s life is spent staring out of the window so it can be a revitalising exercise to change the view.  For many years now, we’ve had a lodge overlooking the Conwy valley in North Wales, so I like to drive over there and if the weather is good, set up my desk on the decking.  There are fewer distractions there than at home where there are always chores/offspring demanding my attention.

Annabelle Thorpe, author of What Lies Within

I’ve spent a lot of time in Turkey in the last twenty years, and there’s a small hotel I love, the Courtyard, in a gorgeous village called Kalkan.  It’s the perfect spot for plotting and planning – I either sit up on the roof terrace, which has wonderful sea views, or the lovely shady courtyard garden.  I always write better when I’m away.