Skip to content
logo TNQ
  • Read
    • Dispatches
    • Issues
    • Online Exclusives
    • Free Archive
      • Poetry
      • Fiction
      • Nonfiction
  • TNQ Presents
    • Spirit Ink
    • The Wild Writers Literary Festival
    • The X Page Workshop
    • Parallel Careers
  • Subscribe
    • Print Magazine
    • Digital Edition
    • Free Archive
  • Submit
    • Contests
    • Regular Submissions
  • Donate
  • Buy
  • About
    • About TNQ
    • Where to Buy
    • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Read
    • Dispatches
    • Issues
    • Online Exclusives
    • Free Archive
      • Poetry
      • Fiction
      • Nonfiction
  • TNQ Presents
    • Spirit Ink
    • The Wild Writers Literary Festival
    • The X Page Workshop
    • Parallel Careers
  • Subscribe
    • Print Magazine
    • Digital Edition
    • Free Archive
  • Submit
    • Contests
    • Regular Submissions
  • Donate
  • Buy
  • About
    • About TNQ
    • Where to Buy
    • Contact Us
  • My Account
Login
$0.00 0 Cart

Writing Spaces: Heather Birrell

By Heather Birrell

This week on Writing Spaces, we take a peek into the temporary working space of Heather Birrell, author of the short story “Tin Jails” in Issue 139.

An image of Heather's view from her writing space.

I think my ability to write has less to do with physical than mental space – and not being exhausted. I am currently NOT exhausted! Which is wonderful. Some of this has to do with the fact that for the last six months I have been on leave from my job and visiting with family on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. My father-in-law gamely set up a desk for me in the bedroom. I have written at the desk very rarely, but I have often appreciated the fact of the desk, and its silhouette against the fantastic view from our window. Plus the desk is a wonderful place for various things to live – stacks of books, a wind-up Postman Pat, piles of shells and stones, Dairy Milk wrappers, a stuffed monkey, rings and other shiny things. The view – behind the caravan borrowed from a generous neighbour for visitor overflow – is of the family croft and the moorland. It has changed and remained the same in so many ways since we arrived. But really, my writerly home is my notebook. If I have a notebook and pen, I can usually (NOT exhausted) write where I’m planted.

An image of Heather's notebooks at her feet.

Read more

  • Heather Birrell
  • Writer Resources
  • Writing Spaces

Post navigation

Carina Reads Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Writing Spaces: Janette Fecteau
Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin-in Tiktok X-twitter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibilty

MAGAZINE

  • About
  • Where to Buy

CONTRIBUTE

  • Submit
  • Volunteer
  • Our Board
  • Donate

CONNECT

  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter

Subscribe to our Newsletter

CONNECT