My Writing Room by Jo Bloom

Until we moved into our terraced house in Brighton three years ago, I always wrote at a dining room table or from bed. Actually, I still enjoy writing from bed – it feels so decadent! – but I prefer being holed up in my office. My office. Writing those two words still feels strange; I can’t believe there is a dedicated space just for me and my work, even if it does occasionally double up as a spare room.

I’m often at my desk at around 5.30am, a habit that I got into just after my son was born, terrified that I wouldn’t get any writing done during the day. Now I don’t even need to set an alarm clock. I love my desk – it’s wide and long and white – and my ergonomic chair, which was incredibly expensive about ten years ago but worth every penny. The shelf directly above my desk holds many of my favourite books and the view onto the garden is colourful and interesting, especially in spring.

But in truth, I don’t usually sit at my desk. Often I’ll have a quick look at the motivational messages taped to the wall (Write through the pain/keep going/don’t try to be anyone else/the first draft is for you) and then I’ll decamp to my comfortable grey sofa bed. I’ll have a huge mug of coffee on one side, my dog Lenny on the other, and I’ll get down to business. Wow, see what I did there – I made writing sound easy! I should say that I usually get down to business after I have turned on Freedom, the internet blocker. I wouldn’t be able to stop procrastinating without some help. But once I’m focussed I love writing on the sofa, under a blanket, feet up on a stool, staring ahead at my favourite piece of furniture, a gorgeous mid-century tallboy which I bought the day I signed with Weidenfeld & Nicolson.

I can’t tell you how much I love this room. I feel so privileged to have my own space and I spend a ridiculous amount of time rearranging things, tidying, hanging pictures, even painting the walls. My husband complains that I need to give the rest of the house the same level of care, but I can’t stop trying to make this room perfect. I finished Ridley Road and got my book deal while I’ve been in here, so it deserves my constant attention. It’s a lucky space.

Ridley Road by Jo Bloom is out now.