I've just finished correcting the first round of copy edits for my newest novel. There will be a second round, from my American publishers, in a few weeks, and then proofs to correct, from BOTH publishers, but for this weekend I'm putting my feet up and taking it easy.
So, instead of posting something entertaining or profound, I thought I'd share with you some snapshots from my trip last month to Edinburgh, where I actually finished writing this new book, while doing on-site research for the next.
This was where I stayed: in a little flat at Gladstone's Land, the narrow house in the middle. It's a National Trust property on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, in the shadow of the castle, and the National Trust lets out holiday flats in some of their properties, which is a boon for a writer like me, who's setting a book in a house of this age, because even when I'm stuck indoors, I'm still technically doing research!
My flat had a kitchen and sitting room, bedroom and bathroom. I spent a lot of time in the kitchen making coffee, and absolutely fell in love with this kettle and toaster. Aren't they the cutest things? There was a bread box and microwave done in this same cream enamel. I'm now on the lookout for North American versions…
And this was my writing space, while I was there. The final downhill run at the end of writing every novel is, for me, an all-consuming and immersive time, when I come up for food and coffee but don't always take the time for other things, including sleep. With this book, I was also up against an immovable deadline, so I spent most of my Edinburgh week sitting here, to be honest.
It wasn't a bad place to be. Because this was my view. And being Edinburgh, the light and the sky changed dramatically, hour by hour, from sun to cloud to sun to rain to sun again, to dusk and finally darkness, with the warmly golden lights from other windows facing onto this old courtyard. And nearly every hour, small groups of tourists wandered through the courtyard with their guides, so I got extra education without even stirring from my chair.
On my first morning in the flat, a breakfast basket was left for me by the National Trust staff, on the step outside my door. The stairs, as you might be able to see here, were like the stairs in a castle–"turnkpike" stairs–very old and made of stone and more than a little challenging to navigate while bumping a suitcase behind you. But the breakfast basket was a lovely touch, and the croissants were fresh. They also left me a big bag of ground coffee and a box of shortbread biscuits in my kitchen. AND little bottles of whisky. (It's as if they knew me…)
Thanks to the time difference, I did manage to sneak out every now and then, while my editors at home were still asleep in bed and not trying to phone me to see whether I was finished with the book yet. I was able to do a small bit of the reading I'd planned to do, in the Historical Search Rooms of the archives, where the amazing Alison Lindsay always goes several steps above and beyond for me, pulling documents out of places I would have never thought to look, and setting everything out ready for me. And on my way home from the archives, I stopped at a pub on the corner and treated myself to a proper meal (not that croissants and whisky aren't proper, but even writers need variety). Naturally, I finished with my favourite Scottish gain-ten-pounds-by-looking-at-it treat: Sticky Toffee Pudding.
It was, all things considered, a good week.
What's your idea of the perfect place to hide away, for sightseeing or work? Have you ever stayed somewhere that felt like a second home?
Susanna, you work in the COOLEST places and I seriously love the National Trust people who delivered you a food basket.
As for a place to work–maybe a nice little flat on a gorgeous Australian beach of the sort that Anne Gracie visits. As for a place that felt like a second home–certainly some places speak to me more clearly, but I only ever have one home at a time!
Susanna, you work in the COOLEST places and I seriously love the National Trust people who delivered you a food basket.
As for a place to work–maybe a nice little flat on a gorgeous Australian beach of the sort that Anne Gracie visits. As for a place that felt like a second home–certainly some places speak to me more clearly, but I only ever have one home at a time!
Susanna, you work in the COOLEST places and I seriously love the National Trust people who delivered you a food basket.
As for a place to work–maybe a nice little flat on a gorgeous Australian beach of the sort that Anne Gracie visits. As for a place that felt like a second home–certainly some places speak to me more clearly, but I only ever have one home at a time!
Susanna, you work in the COOLEST places and I seriously love the National Trust people who delivered you a food basket.
As for a place to work–maybe a nice little flat on a gorgeous Australian beach of the sort that Anne Gracie visits. As for a place that felt like a second home–certainly some places speak to me more clearly, but I only ever have one home at a time!
Susanna, you work in the COOLEST places and I seriously love the National Trust people who delivered you a food basket.
As for a place to work–maybe a nice little flat on a gorgeous Australian beach of the sort that Anne Gracie visits. As for a place that felt like a second home–certainly some places speak to me more clearly, but I only ever have one home at a time!
Mary Jo, I will gladly share my Edinburgh hidey-hole with you 🙂 OR join you and Anne in Australia (although, I dunno–I’ve seen some of the insects and snakes they have down there…)
Mary Jo, I will gladly share my Edinburgh hidey-hole with you 🙂 OR join you and Anne in Australia (although, I dunno–I’ve seen some of the insects and snakes they have down there…)
Mary Jo, I will gladly share my Edinburgh hidey-hole with you 🙂 OR join you and Anne in Australia (although, I dunno–I’ve seen some of the insects and snakes they have down there…)
Mary Jo, I will gladly share my Edinburgh hidey-hole with you 🙂 OR join you and Anne in Australia (although, I dunno–I’ve seen some of the insects and snakes they have down there…)
Mary Jo, I will gladly share my Edinburgh hidey-hole with you 🙂 OR join you and Anne in Australia (although, I dunno–I’ve seen some of the insects and snakes they have down there…)
On the same trip where I saw the Royal Mile (a 12-day whirlwind tour of places in Great Britain), I saw the Shambles in York. Unfortunately we got there just as the shops were closing, so I couldn’t indulge in going INTO those fascinating stores.
Recently someone posting in the Mercedes Lackey group (U. S. fantasy writer for those who might not know her name), mentioned the Shambles as THE idea of what Lackey’s capital city Haven would look like. Several of the followers of that group agreed that (while we hadn’t thought of this on our own) the poster had picked the perfect example of what Haven would be like!
I would dearly love to go back to York and see the Shambles while the shops are open. (And then perhaps continue North to Edinburgh and revisit the Royal Mile!
On the same trip where I saw the Royal Mile (a 12-day whirlwind tour of places in Great Britain), I saw the Shambles in York. Unfortunately we got there just as the shops were closing, so I couldn’t indulge in going INTO those fascinating stores.
Recently someone posting in the Mercedes Lackey group (U. S. fantasy writer for those who might not know her name), mentioned the Shambles as THE idea of what Lackey’s capital city Haven would look like. Several of the followers of that group agreed that (while we hadn’t thought of this on our own) the poster had picked the perfect example of what Haven would be like!
I would dearly love to go back to York and see the Shambles while the shops are open. (And then perhaps continue North to Edinburgh and revisit the Royal Mile!
On the same trip where I saw the Royal Mile (a 12-day whirlwind tour of places in Great Britain), I saw the Shambles in York. Unfortunately we got there just as the shops were closing, so I couldn’t indulge in going INTO those fascinating stores.
Recently someone posting in the Mercedes Lackey group (U. S. fantasy writer for those who might not know her name), mentioned the Shambles as THE idea of what Lackey’s capital city Haven would look like. Several of the followers of that group agreed that (while we hadn’t thought of this on our own) the poster had picked the perfect example of what Haven would be like!
I would dearly love to go back to York and see the Shambles while the shops are open. (And then perhaps continue North to Edinburgh and revisit the Royal Mile!
On the same trip where I saw the Royal Mile (a 12-day whirlwind tour of places in Great Britain), I saw the Shambles in York. Unfortunately we got there just as the shops were closing, so I couldn’t indulge in going INTO those fascinating stores.
Recently someone posting in the Mercedes Lackey group (U. S. fantasy writer for those who might not know her name), mentioned the Shambles as THE idea of what Lackey’s capital city Haven would look like. Several of the followers of that group agreed that (while we hadn’t thought of this on our own) the poster had picked the perfect example of what Haven would be like!
I would dearly love to go back to York and see the Shambles while the shops are open. (And then perhaps continue North to Edinburgh and revisit the Royal Mile!
On the same trip where I saw the Royal Mile (a 12-day whirlwind tour of places in Great Britain), I saw the Shambles in York. Unfortunately we got there just as the shops were closing, so I couldn’t indulge in going INTO those fascinating stores.
Recently someone posting in the Mercedes Lackey group (U. S. fantasy writer for those who might not know her name), mentioned the Shambles as THE idea of what Lackey’s capital city Haven would look like. Several of the followers of that group agreed that (while we hadn’t thought of this on our own) the poster had picked the perfect example of what Haven would be like!
I would dearly love to go back to York and see the Shambles while the shops are open. (And then perhaps continue North to Edinburgh and revisit the Royal Mile!
Sue, I hope you get a chance to go back to the Shambles! It sounds like a Very Good Excuse for making a second visit to York.
Sue, I hope you get a chance to go back to the Shambles! It sounds like a Very Good Excuse for making a second visit to York.
Sue, I hope you get a chance to go back to the Shambles! It sounds like a Very Good Excuse for making a second visit to York.
Sue, I hope you get a chance to go back to the Shambles! It sounds like a Very Good Excuse for making a second visit to York.
Sue, I hope you get a chance to go back to the Shambles! It sounds like a Very Good Excuse for making a second visit to York.
Susanna, we’ve been to Australia three times and I’ve yet to see insects that match the ones I’ve seen in Florida. *G*
Susanna, we’ve been to Australia three times and I’ve yet to see insects that match the ones I’ve seen in Florida. *G*
Susanna, we’ve been to Australia three times and I’ve yet to see insects that match the ones I’ve seen in Florida. *G*
Susanna, we’ve been to Australia three times and I’ve yet to see insects that match the ones I’ve seen in Florida. *G*
Susanna, we’ve been to Australia three times and I’ve yet to see insects that match the ones I’ve seen in Florida. *G*
Beautiful photos. Just lovely.
They make me think of Classically-inspired Georgian paintings.
Beautiful photos. Just lovely.
They make me think of Classically-inspired Georgian paintings.
Beautiful photos. Just lovely.
They make me think of Classically-inspired Georgian paintings.
Beautiful photos. Just lovely.
They make me think of Classically-inspired Georgian paintings.
Beautiful photos. Just lovely.
They make me think of Classically-inspired Georgian paintings.
What a lovely post and your photos are wonderful. I envy you not only the perfect place to work, but being able to look out a window and see an ideal picture of the world gone by.
Thanks for sharing.
What a lovely post and your photos are wonderful. I envy you not only the perfect place to work, but being able to look out a window and see an ideal picture of the world gone by.
Thanks for sharing.
What a lovely post and your photos are wonderful. I envy you not only the perfect place to work, but being able to look out a window and see an ideal picture of the world gone by.
Thanks for sharing.
What a lovely post and your photos are wonderful. I envy you not only the perfect place to work, but being able to look out a window and see an ideal picture of the world gone by.
Thanks for sharing.
What a lovely post and your photos are wonderful. I envy you not only the perfect place to work, but being able to look out a window and see an ideal picture of the world gone by.
Thanks for sharing.
I think there is just something almost magical looking out of a window like that, pondering the people below, watching the sun and clouds. Sounds heavenly to me. Can’t wait to read your new book. It will be amazing, I’m sure.
I think there is just something almost magical looking out of a window like that, pondering the people below, watching the sun and clouds. Sounds heavenly to me. Can’t wait to read your new book. It will be amazing, I’m sure.
I think there is just something almost magical looking out of a window like that, pondering the people below, watching the sun and clouds. Sounds heavenly to me. Can’t wait to read your new book. It will be amazing, I’m sure.
I think there is just something almost magical looking out of a window like that, pondering the people below, watching the sun and clouds. Sounds heavenly to me. Can’t wait to read your new book. It will be amazing, I’m sure.
I think there is just something almost magical looking out of a window like that, pondering the people below, watching the sun and clouds. Sounds heavenly to me. Can’t wait to read your new book. It will be amazing, I’m sure.
Your Edinburgh sojourn sounds wonderful. If I was hiding away to work, any nice hotel with room service would do. For sightseeing, I’d like to go back to Paris and stay in a little flat with a street view.
Your Edinburgh sojourn sounds wonderful. If I was hiding away to work, any nice hotel with room service would do. For sightseeing, I’d like to go back to Paris and stay in a little flat with a street view.
Your Edinburgh sojourn sounds wonderful. If I was hiding away to work, any nice hotel with room service would do. For sightseeing, I’d like to go back to Paris and stay in a little flat with a street view.
Your Edinburgh sojourn sounds wonderful. If I was hiding away to work, any nice hotel with room service would do. For sightseeing, I’d like to go back to Paris and stay in a little flat with a street view.
Your Edinburgh sojourn sounds wonderful. If I was hiding away to work, any nice hotel with room service would do. For sightseeing, I’d like to go back to Paris and stay in a little flat with a street view.
I know that place… I didn’t know they rented out flats. This is me, adding to my bucket list…
I know that place… I didn’t know they rented out flats. This is me, adding to my bucket list…
I know that place… I didn’t know they rented out flats. This is me, adding to my bucket list…
I know that place… I didn’t know they rented out flats. This is me, adding to my bucket list…
I know that place… I didn’t know they rented out flats. This is me, adding to my bucket list…
You would have LOVED this place. And I think it’s impossible to take a bad photograph in Gladstone’s Land. Every corner is amazing.
You would have LOVED this place. And I think it’s impossible to take a bad photograph in Gladstone’s Land. Every corner is amazing.
You would have LOVED this place. And I think it’s impossible to take a bad photograph in Gladstone’s Land. Every corner is amazing.
You would have LOVED this place. And I think it’s impossible to take a bad photograph in Gladstone’s Land. Every corner is amazing.
You would have LOVED this place. And I think it’s impossible to take a bad photograph in Gladstone’s Land. Every corner is amazing.
Thanks, Annette. It definitely made being “locked in my room” a rare treat!
Thanks, Annette. It definitely made being “locked in my room” a rare treat!
Thanks, Annette. It definitely made being “locked in my room” a rare treat!
Thanks, Annette. It definitely made being “locked in my room” a rare treat!
Thanks, Annette. It definitely made being “locked in my room” a rare treat!
Thank you, Patti. I love windows. I love imagining who looked through them before me.
Thank you, Patti. I love windows. I love imagining who looked through them before me.
Thank you, Patti. I love windows. I love imagining who looked through them before me.
Thank you, Patti. I love windows. I love imagining who looked through them before me.
Thank you, Patti. I love windows. I love imagining who looked through them before me.
Karin, I’m with you on the room service part. Self catering is nice, but so is a person delivering food when you ask for it 🙂
Karin, I’m with you on the room service part. Self catering is nice, but so is a person delivering food when you ask for it 🙂
Karin, I’m with you on the room service part. Self catering is nice, but so is a person delivering food when you ask for it 🙂
Karin, I’m with you on the room service part. Self catering is nice, but so is a person delivering food when you ask for it 🙂
Karin, I’m with you on the room service part. Self catering is nice, but so is a person delivering food when you ask for it 🙂
Grace, there are three flats in Gladstone’s Land. I highly recommend it!
Grace, there are three flats in Gladstone’s Land. I highly recommend it!
Grace, there are three flats in Gladstone’s Land. I highly recommend it!
Grace, there are three flats in Gladstone’s Land. I highly recommend it!
Grace, there are three flats in Gladstone’s Land. I highly recommend it!
Hi Grace
I live in Edinburgh and I think that flats in Gladstones Land have only recently become available to rent. Previously the property was open to view as an example of old Edinburgh tenement properties. I have just recently finished your Windham series and loved it along with the Lonely Lords and Jaded Gentlemen.
Hi Grace
I live in Edinburgh and I think that flats in Gladstones Land have only recently become available to rent. Previously the property was open to view as an example of old Edinburgh tenement properties. I have just recently finished your Windham series and loved it along with the Lonely Lords and Jaded Gentlemen.
Hi Grace
I live in Edinburgh and I think that flats in Gladstones Land have only recently become available to rent. Previously the property was open to view as an example of old Edinburgh tenement properties. I have just recently finished your Windham series and loved it along with the Lonely Lords and Jaded Gentlemen.
Hi Grace
I live in Edinburgh and I think that flats in Gladstones Land have only recently become available to rent. Previously the property was open to view as an example of old Edinburgh tenement properties. I have just recently finished your Windham series and loved it along with the Lonely Lords and Jaded Gentlemen.
Hi Grace
I live in Edinburgh and I think that flats in Gladstones Land have only recently become available to rent. Previously the property was open to view as an example of old Edinburgh tenement properties. I have just recently finished your Windham series and loved it along with the Lonely Lords and Jaded Gentlemen.
Many, many years ago I visited Edinburgh and would love to go back again. My daughters were there this summer. My younger daughter (29) was there for the Harry Potter experience. They also enjoyed a whiskey tour, (if you knew them you’d know to totally expect this). They had a ball.
Susanna I’m so excited you have a new book coming out. Can’t wait to read it. I enjoy your books very much but my favorite one of all is Sophia’s Secret. It’s worn away from reading it!!!!
Many, many years ago I visited Edinburgh and would love to go back again. My daughters were there this summer. My younger daughter (29) was there for the Harry Potter experience. They also enjoyed a whiskey tour, (if you knew them you’d know to totally expect this). They had a ball.
Susanna I’m so excited you have a new book coming out. Can’t wait to read it. I enjoy your books very much but my favorite one of all is Sophia’s Secret. It’s worn away from reading it!!!!
Many, many years ago I visited Edinburgh and would love to go back again. My daughters were there this summer. My younger daughter (29) was there for the Harry Potter experience. They also enjoyed a whiskey tour, (if you knew them you’d know to totally expect this). They had a ball.
Susanna I’m so excited you have a new book coming out. Can’t wait to read it. I enjoy your books very much but my favorite one of all is Sophia’s Secret. It’s worn away from reading it!!!!
Many, many years ago I visited Edinburgh and would love to go back again. My daughters were there this summer. My younger daughter (29) was there for the Harry Potter experience. They also enjoyed a whiskey tour, (if you knew them you’d know to totally expect this). They had a ball.
Susanna I’m so excited you have a new book coming out. Can’t wait to read it. I enjoy your books very much but my favorite one of all is Sophia’s Secret. It’s worn away from reading it!!!!
Many, many years ago I visited Edinburgh and would love to go back again. My daughters were there this summer. My younger daughter (29) was there for the Harry Potter experience. They also enjoyed a whiskey tour, (if you knew them you’d know to totally expect this). They had a ball.
Susanna I’m so excited you have a new book coming out. Can’t wait to read it. I enjoy your books very much but my favorite one of all is Sophia’s Secret. It’s worn away from reading it!!!!
LOL on the snakes etc we have, Susanna. The truth is, we almost never see anything scary unless we’re in the bush somewhere. I’ve never been bitten or stung by anything but a bee, and the bee stings were when I was moving a hive, so my own fault.
LOL on the snakes etc we have, Susanna. The truth is, we almost never see anything scary unless we’re in the bush somewhere. I’ve never been bitten or stung by anything but a bee, and the bee stings were when I was moving a hive, so my own fault.
LOL on the snakes etc we have, Susanna. The truth is, we almost never see anything scary unless we’re in the bush somewhere. I’ve never been bitten or stung by anything but a bee, and the bee stings were when I was moving a hive, so my own fault.
LOL on the snakes etc we have, Susanna. The truth is, we almost never see anything scary unless we’re in the bush somewhere. I’ve never been bitten or stung by anything but a bee, and the bee stings were when I was moving a hive, so my own fault.
LOL on the snakes etc we have, Susanna. The truth is, we almost never see anything scary unless we’re in the bush somewhere. I’ve never been bitten or stung by anything but a bee, and the bee stings were when I was moving a hive, so my own fault.