Want to see my writing desk? (Malachy Doyle)

I’ve always been fascinated by shots of writers’ and artists’ workspaces, so if you want a snoop at the desk of a picture book writer, here’s mine, at the end of a working day.

 

On the printer are two sculptures of me and my wife, Liz, made by our clever son, Liam, and given to us as Christmas presents.  He usually works on blood and gore for horror films, so it’s nice to see him making something pleasant for once (Liz, I mean, not me…).  Also a top shell picked up on one of my walks round the island where I live, and a gecko bought in Santiago at the end of my Camino back in November.

Next to the printer is a beautiful bronze hare, who’s watched over me for many moons as I write. Sitting at his feet is a little art deco rabbit. 

 

On my screensaver is a photo of the view from my window, over the water to Errigal - my mountain, my muse.  It was taken when there was snow on top - a rare but magical event.   Every afternoon I walk the beaches of my island with my dogs, but occasionally, if I've written something I'm really pleased with (or just need a dose of Errigal exhilaration, for whatever reason), I treat myself to a walk up the mountain. 

Next to the keyboard is a card drawn by my good friend (and illustrator of three of my books) Jac Jones.  ‘Peace beyond Christmas’ Jac’s written, in English and Welsh, and inside he credits the image as ‘copyright Jones and Picasso.’ 

 

On my desk (a massive old green-leather-topped lawyer’s desk – I love it!) is my Penguin  Rhyming Dictionary – an essential tool for any picture book writer who succumbs to the temptation to versify. 

On the sheet of paper next to the keyboard is a print-out of the last thing I’d written.  A little bit of fluff that maybe might sneak its way onto the back page of a future picture book:

This story was written with glee

By someone anonymous. Me!

My name I refuse to disclose.

Can you guess by my stupendous nose?   
 (I'm seeing an illustration here of a masked man with a mighty schnozz)

Oh no, I’ve just noticed – go on take a look –

It’s written right there at the front of the book!

(And the pictures are great, don’t you think?  Well, I do!

They’re by …..   ....., and they’re specially for you.)

Under the rhyming dictionary is a copy of The Snow Queen illustrated by Bernadette Watts.  I love both the story and the illustrations, but the real reason it’s on my desk is because it’s a hardback that’s big enough to carry round the house (and outside) with print-outs of my stories on.  For me to catch my story by surprise, reading it aloud in the shed, the garden, the toilet...  To give to Liz to read and comment on (with her big pink pen)...  It’s always this book.  It’s become a ritual, a totem, like my hare, my island, my mountain...

In the background some of my children’s books, including a shelf of foreign editions of ones I’ve written.   I particularly like when they come through in Korean! (This is Charlie is My Darling, by the way.)

 

I'm hoping some other Picture Book Denners might add to this posting, showing us their desk and maybe telling us a little about it - the more untidy the better!

And if anyone else would like to tell us about where they write, and what's around them as they do so, it'd be lovely to hear from you.