AS Byatt and her novel A Whistling Woman, the book at the centre of ‘Scribbling.’
We’re delighted to introduce A Writing Life, our series of monthly articles written by long-time 26 member Rob Self-Pierson.
Like many of us, Rob straddles the line between commercial and creative writing. Each month, we’ll invite him to share the trials and triumphs of a writing life – and what he learns along the way.
It’s August, and Rob’s busy writing a book, as well as discussing ways to scale his studio with industry friends. A memory is sparked…
Do you get asked, ‘So why did you become a writer?’
I’m sure you do. Writing can be a fun, creative way to earn a living – and plenty of people are curious to know how and why we start.
For me, a memory stands out from summer holidays between college and university. As I watched the documentary, I knew I’d made a smart decision to study Creative Writing from that autumn.
It was called ‘Scribbling.’ In it, Leanne Klein and a film crew follow author AS Byatt as she works on A Whistling Woman, her 2002 novel. We head to France, where the wide-eyed, precisely spoken author isolates (even sending her husband away) to focus on writing.
We also go into AS Byatt’s heart. She speaks about the loss of her son who was killed, aged 11, by a drunk driver – and how writing helps her cope. She’s full of wisdom, acceptance, compassion and love.
A writing life
I reference the memory and film because I noticed at the time AS Byatt was living a writing life, the name of my new 26 series.
Being a writer opened doors for her: to the world and to herself. I loved it, and I wanted it. And I’ve been lucky to live it – paid to write all sorts – for over 15 years. But the novelist’s life stayed with me.
This summer is the closest I’ve been to feeling what I so enjoyed in her writing life. No, I’m not published – perhaps that will happen one day – but I have spent two months writing what I care most about. It’s been a mix of projects, commercial and creative.
Each has introduced me to brilliant people. Some have inspired ideas in me about how to grow my language studio. Others have passed on good, rousing advice as I combine short stories written over years with a fresh narrative to approach literary agents.
This is my writing life. A little different to AS Byatt’s, but just as valid and nourishing. As is yours, I’m sure. But perhaps it’s when we’re asked, ‘Why did you start?’ that we appreciate what we have.
Lessons in writing
‘Scribbling’ is now on Vimeo, so I watched it again last week. AS Byatt is a fire throughout – sometimes flickering in her thoughts, other times a fierce flame fuelled as she researches for her novel.
Her life still inspires me but I’m happy with my lot. Sitting in her audience again, I smiled at what she knows and what I love learning.
For example, that:
- The act of writing brings up all sorts of feelings. Some will make you laugh, some will make you burst into tears. Embrace them all and you’ll connect with readers.
- You must throw yourself into a subject. Whether you’re creating the setting for your novel or defining tone of voice for a brand, you need to know what’s in every drawer.
- Isolation is useful, but so is the support of others. AS Byatt enjoys time writing alone. It’s when she’s interviewed however that her eyes sparkle and humanity shines.
- With age comes clarity. I’ve seen it since I went freelance aged 24, working with older writers, designers etc. The best knew they’d continue getting smarter, sharper, wiser.
- Writing isn’t a job but a way of life. Sometimes we sleep, and one day we die, but we never stop being writers. Each second with breath is an opportunity to improve our craft.
They feel valuable lessons for writers like us, who on Monday might be rewriting client Ts and Cs, on Tuesday editing lines of poetry.
I thank AS Byatt, whose flame has now gone out, for teaching us.
Together we go
I hope one day I’ll possess the novelist’s wisdom, acceptance, compassion and love. Now I’m just excited to live a writing life – not knowing what tomorrow holds – and share some of it with you.
If you’d like to share in response, email Max at 26 and he’ll send on to me. You can also find me on LinkedIn.
Enjoy ‘Scribbling’ here.
Onwards,
Rob Self-Pierson
For more from Rob, take a look at his website here, or at last month’s article on Escaping to Write here.