Workspace: Paula Hawkins

My desk

I have a study on the ground floor of my house, which is where I work. I’m no good at working in cafés or libraries, I like to be at home, without distractions. I don’t listen to music – in fact I get very grumpy about there being any noise at all.

I live on quite a quiet road, so generally I’m ok; I work with my back to the window to minimize time spent daydreaming or spying on the neighbours.

On the wall in front of my desk are many Post-its, detailing the plot of my new book. I find it really helpful to be able to look up and see where I am. Sometimes I’ll also pin up poems or quotes or pictures I find inspiring.

My cluttered home study

On the wall behind me is a calendar showing me where I’m supposed to be and what I’m supposed to be doing over the next couple of months.

The room is pretty cluttered – it also serves as my gym, so there’s a treadmill and weights in it, too.

I have two large bookshelves where I keep books that are yet to be read, or ones I know I’m going to want to refer to often. I also have a shelf of my own foreign editions.