Putting it Off
Putting it Off
Sitting down looking at a blank screen or a blank piece of paper, my attention immediately strays away to the view out of the window. The beautiful shape of the spreading cedar tree and the very green grass.
Every author or journalist faces perpetual deadlines which are always too close, despite the fact at one time they had a longer lead time. With a deadline approaching, all that empty space on a page can seem especially empty.
Like other writers, I have my routines and my place to write but there is always that remarkable ability to dilly dally, check an email, check a website, order some dog food from Amazon…it is just where to start. My sister Lucy’s advice is always to just unload – fling my thoughts all down, even in a mess and she might bring me a cup of tea. That is always an advantage as she has the most wonderful laugh which makes everything seem lighter as it echoes though rooms.
One thing I find I do need is classical music in the background – familiar, relaxing and stress reducing. It seems as if the melodies and harmonies, both progressive and circular, resonate deeply into connections in my brain and help emotional memories.
So that, of course, takes a little more time out to choose the CD.
The room where I write, holds the memories of my previous books along with piles of notes but above all else, it is cold. The next job therefore is to switch the heater on. Hopefully two dogs are with me so they may need a quick cuddle and I have brought some bottles of water.
I often ask friends where they write. As you might imagine, usually it is a garden room or a cosy, book lined study but it is always a place apart from everyday life. Jane Austen sat at a table in a corner of her drawing room in her home at Chawton, stories and characters emerging from her goose quill pen.
Such pens had been used since the sixth century and would be carefully sharpened or dressed with a special quill knife. It then had a small slit in it to control the flow of ink in the hollow shaft which, every 4 or 6 words, would need to be refilled once more from the ink well.
Paper was produced by various English paper mills and then distributed through local stationers but the ink was indelible and the paper expensive so the thought and planning would have been developed in advance of writing each paragraph. It is very different now.
Many writers’ homes are now open to visit, whether it is Ernest Hemingway’s house in Key West, Henry James’ house in Rye, Sussex or Thomas Hardy’s cottage in Dorset. Views of gardens play a part for most writers and I can seek inspiration amongst winding walks or gazing at wooded hillsides. It is a calming prospect and one which is so often part of my subject as I tend to write about those who have lived here before me or the history of the landscape and gardens.
If you visit Thomas Hardy’s cottage, you find yourself in a world of mixed orchards, vegetable gardens, scrambling roses and deep Dorset valley views, whereas Ernest Hemingway lived part of his life in a colonial style house in an oasis of tropical plants leading out to the sea or the local people of Key West. A sense of place makes a book.
Immersed in the books of Daphne du Maurier or Agatha Christie, you are so filled with a sense of place that your imagination knows exactly where you are walking or sitting and therefore you want to read the next book.
As well as ‘place’, writers often find a ritual time to write and think, plot and shape as well. Routine helps and until I began to write myself, I had absolutely no idea how challenging and tiring writing was. Once you are into a book, it is all that absorbs your conversations and thoughts so that blank pages fill and the entire concentration around you reflects the process.
When the weather improves, an outside corner of the garden might call me – with the dogs of course and perhaps a gardening fork just in case I see something which needs doing. In reality, this means I am either throwing a tennis ball for Isla or getting rid of those pernickety weeds and therefore might write at least ten words.
Despite my procrastinations, this latest book is, however, nearly finished, but it takes a little time to settle and for my head to race less. It is a sculpture of chapters and words which have enough shape and form but are not perfectly smooth. It needs texture or may be that is an excuse for being most imperfect. I have been editing every chapter anxious and absorbed that I left something out I meant to put in, or then again maybe it is fine …my mind then worries with what else I forgot or whether the readers will like it? Perhaps the dogs need a walk – I hope they like the book…
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57 Comments
As it used to be a common thing to do, writing a thoughtful letter, the actual doing part required a quiet and comfortable spot. I can envision myself nearby a window at no Highclere and being captivated by the view, thus utterly distracted. I’m afraid to say out loud that in these most recent years of so many people working at home, it must be much the same as you described for them. It’s a conflicting way to live I think and takes great discipline to stay on task. As always your posts bring me to evaluate my own life and thoughts. Thank you
Another piece of beautiful writing Lady Carnarvon giving us a peek into your world of how a book comes to completion. I especially like the photo of all your happy dogs. Do you have more than 5?
This is so lovely. It is very relatable. Thanks so much for writing this
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
As you look out your window, you see green grass.... I gasp!
Considering it's but February, that is indeed a wonder.
I wager you can probably see croci and snowdrops also.
Keep posting photos that inspire us!
Your friend in USA (we are facing a horrible, long winter)
donna
Lady Carnarvon,
You have touched upon the logical steps of putting pen to paper so well for us writers. And between each step is some helpful day-dreaming, either helpful or of the reminder of chores.
Thanks for indulging day-dreamers! Thank you for the results of your day-dreaming!
Martha G
Writing - what a lovely skill, bringing ones thoughts, stories or information to life for sharing. Looking forward to this next one!
Thank you!!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Everything you write is so amazing and interesting. Your writing is like, when you looking at a painting and someone helps you “see” what you are seeing. You make us travel right next to you. Thank you so much.
PS - your dogs look so happy and friendly. Cheers
Thank you for your thoughts - I suppose we all used to work from home - working was more local and often tied to where we all lived. commuting is quite novel!
I wonder if school and rote learning was more disciplined in the past - learning poems, reciting excerpts of speeches, learning Pii or algebraic rules?
I think there is a lot of fluttering around going on on today !!!!
I write in the corner of my sitting room. Nothing so romantic as writing a book - I am writing funding bids for our Church or typing up PCC Minutes, but realised as I read your blog, that writing is writing - whatever it is that one is writing and I too put it off until the very last minute, finding that emptying the dishwasher, sorting the post, putting the bird seed out, vaccing the floor or watering the plants is much more important. So now your blog has been added to the list.........I really must get on - we need money for the stonework on the roof.................
Thank you Lady Carnarvon, for a lovely insight into your struggles against "Writers' Block" & the daunting task of filling huge white voids of paper with interesting words that people might actually want to read!
You do it wonderfully well & I hope you continue to write for us, because I for one certainly want to continue reading your works, thank you.
I certainly enjoy receiving and reading your weekly blog because it reminds us that looking at the past and projecting into the future are important. However, writing a weekly blog with typical deadlines can become quite burdensome. I therefore suggest (hesitatingly) that you might follow a recent trend and write this as a biweekly note (as we have seen with the reduction of the daily 'snail-mail' delivery to 2 and 3 times per week here in Norway). I say hesitatingly since I find your efforts quite illuminating and hope that the writing for you doesn't become increasingly tiring. With best regards.
Thank you - i like the rigour of writing as well as dawdling
You are kind
yes churches give us space to think and meditate about others and with others - we need to keep hold of them
I really enjoy your blog. This month marks one year of me reading it! I really love how you write about your everyday life. I wish one day you can make a “a day in my life”video
Ah, the struggles of a beautiful writer. Thank you for sharing always so inspiring. ❤️
Lady Carnarvon I have enjoyed your books and blogs and I hope that you will continue to find that perfect spot and music to keep you going. I can see that beauty of your surroundings must be both a blessing and distraction but and as a fan of your writing I wish for you many comfortable spots to write and more inspiration than distractions. Thank you for always sharing.
I love the ideas of reading for relaxation as well as the rigours of writing. I look forward to your weekly post and always enjoy it, along with the beautiful pictures of your office and the grounds outside. Thank you for sharing your world with us.
As a voracious reader, I have great admiration for all accomplished writers. It's a talent I definitely don't possess. I enjoy your blog every Monday morning in California and I have read all of your books.
Can you share the subject of this new book, or must we wait for publication?
Thanks for brightening my day.
Linda D Jones
Hello Lady Carnarvon.
Don't put off what you can do today because if you like it, then you can do it again tomorrow.
Carry on Highclere.
Hello Linda
We can't share just yet I'm afraid but as soon as I can you'll hear it on here.
What I’m curious about is, what makes a quill pen knife different from a tiny pocket knife? And, where is the tiny slit positioned on the quill? The photos of the quill pen collections were quite interesting. And I feel your distraction, Lady Carnarvon, as I too am an addicted window gazer while holding a pen!
From Atlantic Canada
You've inspired me to do something today that I've been putting off for some time. Thank you!
This was very usefull, I'm an 21 year old Argentinian young man who's starting to write. Thanks for the inspiration my Lady.
Greetings to you and your dogs!
Thank you for the long ago memories of inkpens and inkwell. I've lived in the States sixty years now abs your weekly blogs take me 'home.' Thank you.
Lady Carnarvon,
Congratulations on being the Lady in Residence for 2025 for Victoria magazine. I have been a subscriber of Victoria since it's very first issue. I own The Rose Tree Cottage shop in Coral Gables, Fl ; many of their featured shops and vendors are ones that we also due business with in our shop. As a small business owner , you get to know your vendors and appreciate the quality and creativity of their work.
I'm having a great deal of trouble keeping up with writing in our blog. Distractions , especially at the shop are overwhelming. One of my New Years resolutions is to not fall too far behind in this aspect. Thank you for your advice and I cannot wait to read your next book. I have loved them all.
Jossie Esquijarosa
Greetings Lady Carnarvon,
I too find classical music helps to focus the mind when procrastination works against you. For these times, I recommend The Hours soundtrack by Philip Glass. The piano is beautiful and melodious.
Thank you for sharing Highclere interiors and gardens with us. I don't believe you have shared the topic of your new book. I look forward to learning.
Best Regards,
Nancy McKinney
It is about life today - from secret gardens, living with a film crew, ghosts and more ...
Thank you so much - I am enjoying my role with Victoria!
The slit is one the top side
Loved the form this essay took. I don't write books but often letters & emails, however it's so easy to get sidetracked!
Dear Lady C, there is nothing more appealing than ANYTHING when a deadline approaches, I even wash my car ! However we struggle on. Thank you for sharing.
Highly recommend Elgar's Enigma Variations, particularly the Nimrod section! I'm obsessed with it currently.
Solveig Peck
I am lucky - living at the beach and working remotely for someone 900 kilometres south! I'm planning to move back down south soon so I check out homes online, make a cup of tea, oh there's washing to go out ... any number of distractions, even though I love what I do! But when the deadline approaches, I have my head down and work like crazy to get there! I don't like any background noise when I'm working though - except the birds through the open window are usually exceptionally loud! But how lucky to have work at 75, to do in my own time (well with easy deadlines), something I love doing and being paid for it as well! Loving your blog. Thank you!
Mary-Jill
I absolutely cannot wait to read this next book of yours ❣️
Thank you - I was editing it and laughed out loud so I hope you will too!
And the ironing!!!
Thank you
Thank you for another inspiring read. I have been writing a blog to overseas family and close friends and right now I have a total block! I haven’t had anything interesting to write for a couple of weeks and feel awful to have left such a gap. I will look anew tomorrow out at the view from our deck hoping for inspiration. Thank you again for sharing your insights.
It is so relatable! Finally I found someone who is like a memeber of the british royal family, but is very very reletable! What classical music were you listening to? I am into ballet music.
Another wonderful price of writing. I look forward to seeing them every Monday. Living in the city I have often have trouble finding a place to I can relax and concentrate. I have a cat that is quite needy, or family members that often have a question or two, laundry that could be done, the list goes on, and then there's a quick nap. I have actually found I do my best writing very late at night when all are asleep and there is nothing for me to do but write.
I do often write too late!!
I love John Rutter, Mozart, Bach , Handel...
Dearest Lady Carnarvon,
Nowadays writing is underestimated from all too many. AI’s offer to do the job ever so often. Their products however lack soul.
The true spirit of the writer will show when a book develops, evolves, deepens and absorbs..a beautiful process and a great joy for the reader.
I cannot wait for your new book and I shall bring it to you in German again.
Bis bald und ich freue mich auf das Wiedersehen hoffentlich im Sommer,
Ragna
Lady Carnarvon,
Another amazing blog, as usual. I am used to self imposed deadlines. In my case, it's as a church pianist, and sorting out weeks of music needed for the next
liturgical session. I put them, week by week, into a binder which then goes back to the chapel where I play. They can then be switched out week by week. People ask me. "Why don't you do that on your phone". Yes, I've seen it, and, in some ways looks more complicated. But it's also soulless to me. There's something about looking at sheet music that someone either hand wrote or typed, and is maybe at least fifty years old. (Here's hoping that AI doesn't get involved in obliterating copyright). There's something about all these activities that cannot be done by machine, and needs the human input. Have a good week Lady Carnarvon.
Mary L. Mantel
Hoffentlich kommen Sie wieder zurück!
I play the piano badly - with sheet music... better for my eyes somehow and being
I have three of your books and thoroughly enjoy them.Visited beautiful Highclere last April,a truly lovely experience.Thank you so much for sharing your home.I live in the USA, South Carolina.Cant wait to read your latest book !
Thank you!!!
As a historical novelist, I fully understand how little things can get in the way of writing. My study overlooks my garden and pool (I'm in Australia) and its very easy for me to want to slip outside and pull out the odd weed or go for a swim in summer. However, these books won't write themselves! :)
I very much enjoy your books.
A lovely blog as always. Cant wait to read your new book. Good luck with it all..
Thank you
Karen: Lord & Lady Carnarvon actually live at Highclere Castle….its where Downtown Abbey is filmed.
Of course, I am late in responding. I am a gardener and spend hours at a time pulling weeds, encouraging my lesser-performing bushes, and getting my therapy of time well-spent.
I laughed when you spoke of sitting in a corner of your garden to write and ending up playing with the dogs or picking weeds.
Every time I head to the yard to refill the birdbaths or birdfeeders, my husband says, "I'll see you tonight." I give him the eye roll, but generally, he is right. I see a weed or a branch that needs a quick nip, and before I know it, I am on the other side of the house, moving from task to task.
As afternoon turns to dusk, my husband will bring me my headlamp flashlight, so I can still see to work. There is incredible peace in a summer evening outside.
I never regret it for it brings me such happiness.
Agreed - that is life - the good life
Lovely the pictures of putting it of and did you and lord Carnarvon have a wonderful weekend and lovely highcelere castle and Downton Abbey