Some Thoughts on the “Intense Artist” Stereotype
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the archetype of the “tortured artist” and the intensity that is so often associated with creative people. I am intense – I have …
Read More8 Lessons I’ve Learnt Whilst Writing My 8th Novel
I have been incredibly private about my writing in recent years. I tried various avenues of putting my creative work into the world, each one backfired, and I retreated into …
Read MoreThis Ain’t a Coming of Age Anymore
Every few months I read through my old diaries, sitting on the floor surrounded by stacks of mismatched notebooks. My past self was a faithful keeper of her archive. I …
Read MoreAll the Ghosts of Glasgow
I didn’t relate to Meredith Grey until the 400th episode of Grey’s Anatomy. The season 18 finale ends with Dr Bailey handing Meredith the keys to the Chief of Surgery’s …
Read MoreLiving For The Hope Of It All
Aging gracefully isn’t a luxury afforded to the young. It’s reserved for the moment you finally stop dyeing your grey hairs, when you switch from shopping in New Look to …
Read MoreWho I Write For Now
After many months, I finally convinced my sister to watch Fleabag. Naturally, this meant I had to rewatch it, to keep up with her commentary. As I watched the final …
Read MoreWhen Is It Time To Stop Mourning Your Pre-Pandemic Life?
How do you know when it’s time to stop mourning your pre-pandemic life?
If you’ve unearthed the answer to this conundrum, by all means let me know. I have yet to …
What Film Studies Taught Me About Feminism
I am always the first person to joke that I have not used my Film & TV Studies degree at all since graduating. I ran into the arms of East …
Read MoreRedefining Attention as a Writer
Recently I had this radical writerly realisation: I have nothing to say. Since discovering that my life is infinitely more peaceful when I don’t write about my feelings and experiences …
Read MoreWhose Main Character Am I Anyway?
“Did you ever hear about the girl who got frozen?
Time went on for everybody else, she won’t know it
She’s still twenty-three inside her fantasy
How it was supposed to be”
– …