5 Objects on My Desk that Inspire Creativity

I technically have two writing desks. One is an old bureau that fits neatly into a nook in my bedroom. For years, it was my only space for writing, amongst the piles of clothes that needed ironing! After I secured a book deal with Penguin Michael Joseph, I set up a study with a view of the garden. That's where I am now, writing this blog, and here are the five objects that inspire me:

1. Pen

I'm a haphazard user of whatever pen I can find. Purple and pink are my favourite ink colours, but I'm just as happy with black or blue. This pen, however, is special because my mum bought it for me so that I could sign copies of my books in style. It fits snugly into my hand with a comforting weight that feels serious. When I look at this pen, it reminds me that one day the words I am writing will be in a proper book.

2. Notebook

I scribble in notebooks all the time. Character journaling, lists, timelines, research, plot arcs, scene planning...I would be lost without the paper on which to record my ideas. This notebook is a reminder that all novels have to begin somewhere. They don't come fully formed and perfectly written, but instead accrue depth and meaning from the medley of thoughts and notes that tumble onto the page.

3. Postcards

I have a mood board of images that helps with the creation of a book. The images change from book to book depending on the theme and plot. But these postcards, which I bought from the Imperial War Museum, are always here. The photographs feature real men and women who were caught up in the terrible events of World War Two and keep my stories grounded in the reality of that time.

4. Perfume Bottles

There's always an object in my stories that connects the past and the present. These perfume bottles were my inspiration when writing The Perfumer's Secret. Having them on my desk to touch and hold helped bring the story to life. I imagined Iris and Alessandro using vials like these to mix accords for the perfumes in The Perfumer's Secret.

5. Candle

This candle was a present from my best friends when The Paris Affair was published. It smells of fresh paper, vanilla, and hope. My friends have been cheering me on for years and always believed in me even when I lost faith. The sight of the flame burning brightly and the witty optimism of the caption ('Smells like she's writing a bestseller') keep my spirits up when I'm writing.