Sitting At My Desk By The Ocean

while I figure out this Substack stuff

I’m here! And if you’re reading this, you’re here too! What an enchanting thing that is.

(D’you know what else is enchanting? The word enchanting).

Thank you so much to everyone who has subscribed this past week. I’ve been so touched by all the messages and sign-ups that have poured in since I launched this little writerly corner on Monday, which is so heartening, when you think it’s probably just going to be your mum and your best friend. (Who yes, did sign up first. I see you. I am grateful. To my dad too, who even made a pledge. Cheers Dad.)

Whilst I’ve been a reader of so many wonderful writers on Substack for some time, it took a bit of self-talk for me to quietly dip my toe into the Substack sea myself. But it’s time! I’ve no idea how it’ll go! But I know that I’m happy to be here! It’s like opening the page of a fresh new notebook. Energising. Full of possibility. A little nerve-wracking because you hope that what you put down is worthy of the pretty hand-picked notebook, or indeed, the eyes and hearts of those reading. (That’s you. Hello!)

So here we are, sitting together in front of my sea-view, wondering where it is we go from here.

I introduced myself over on my first post, but you can also check out the About Page to find out what Desk By The Ocean is - well, about - so I won’t go repeating myself.

If you haven’t already, feel free to subscribe to get every post straight into your inbox, and the Welcome Email will give you an idea, too. (It’s free! Enjoy! Make a cup of tea, and sink in!)

But aside from all that, allow me to introduce in a fresh post what I’m hoping to bring to your inbox from now on. Thanks again for reading, it means a lot.

1. Things you can expect…

At Desk by the Ocean I will be writing mostly about writing, I’d imagine. The (fairy)story of how I finally got published, after years of rejection. The best writing advice I’ve ever been given. The most unhelpful things I’ve been told, as a debut novelist, because we all need a laugh (the stranger in the street telling me my book was too long was a highlight).

But I’d love to write about the quiet in-betweens, too. What it’s like to type, instead of write. (There is a difference.) Why I decided to move to Scotland, after years of living near London. How you can get your dream, and still - maybe even because of it - feel a little (or a lot) lost. Plus an ever-changing list of the best pastries I’ve ever eaten, and where you can (and should) travel to get them.

A little treasure trove of many things, essentially.

2. Friends! Writers! Countrymen!

If you’re already here, I’m guessing you’ll be drawn to reading about books, words, emotions, landscape, spaniels, hard truths and little joys. Some of my favourite writers don’t stick to one particular subject but share the poetry or truth or dawning realisation of something going on with them at any one time: I hope to do the same.

If you want straight up advice about how to get published or how to land an agent, ways to market yourself as an author or map out the key beats of your novel, that is all really worthwhile, and there are some amazing resources out there for those things. This, though, is a space for gentle musings and tales of my own experiences, and nothing quite so specific. Hopefully they’ll be helpful in their own way if you’re a writer, or simply charming to read, if you’re not.

3. No set schedule

I am a shy and self-conscious soul who nevertheless has a history of chronic blogging. As a teenager I wrote blogs like a diary, on platforms that no longer exist - they poured out like water, every week. Who knows if that kind of outpouring is even possible, as an adult, with a job and dog and more self-awareness about the value of what it is I’m putting onto the (virtual) page? So I’m making no promises to myself in terms of how regularly I’ll post, but I can promise to write when I’m moved to, or when I think there’s something worth saying.

Because there are schedules and deadlines and expectations in so much of modern life. But my Desk by the Ocean? It’s a place for unstructured wonderings. Hopefully a nice little gem to drop into your inbox from time to time.

4. Enjoy the view

I’ll be featuring the view out my window so you really can feel like you’re sat with me at my desk. Photos of my sprocker Isla, too, who is so often commandeering my chair. I pretend to mind, when of course I don’t, because she is soft and comforting and like a little hot water bottle, as well as the perfect writing companion who loves me even when the words won’t.

Here’s the first view of many. May you all see a beautiful sky at some point today.

5. Subscribe, if you’d like to

Desk by the Ocean is free, like all the best things in life. Turning your face to the sun. Burying your face in your pet’s fur. Walking barefoot in the grass. Waking up early, with the promise of a whole new day ahead. Fill in your email below, or share with a friend if you think they’d like to hear more - and thank you, from the bottom of my word-loving, sunrise-seeing, wild-swimming heart.

Until next time. x

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