In Writing
Conversations on Inspiration, Perspiration and Creative Desperation
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Granta Books
Published:6th Nov '25
Should be back in stock very soon
Based on Crisell's popular podcast of the same name, here is an inspiring and fascinating glimpse into the creative process - with some of our best-loved contemporary writers.
In these intimate and frank conversations with some of our best-loved writers, Hattie Crisell uncovers the mysteries of the creative process, asking: Where do ideas come from? How do stories find their shape? What happens when confidence falters or the work fails - and what does success look like? The answers range from the thought-provoking to the hilarious. Here we meet the novelist who makes a playlist for each manuscript; the screenwriter who considers swearing an art form; the author who prefers to work in near-darkness, and the confessional writer at risk of revealing too much. Taken as a whole, these inspiring interviews amount to an insider's guide to the writing process: its disciplines and demands; its ecstasies and agonies; its coffees, word counts and publishing hurdles. Most of all, they reveal how it really feels to write and be read. With contributions from James Acaster, André Aciman, Ayobami Adebayo, Rumaan Alam, Amer Anwar, Mona Arshi, Andrew Billen, Holly Bourne, Charlie Brooker, Wendy Cope, Cressida Cowell, John Crace, Elizabeth Day, Grace Dent, Kit de Waal, Geoff Dyer, Wendy Erskine, Tor Freeman, Will Harris, Anna Hope, John Lanchester, Sophie Mackintosh, Emily St. John Mandel, Meg Mason, Mhairi McFarlane, Liane Moriarty, David Nicholls, Mary Norris, Graham Norton, Maggie O'Farrell, Ruben Östlund, Robert Popper, Lucy Prebble, Georgia Pritchett, Kiley Reid, John Rentoul, Hugo Rifkind, Jon Ronson, Michael Rosen, Sathnam Sanghera, George Saunders, David Sedaris, Elif Shafak, Alexandra Shulman, Curtis Sittenfeld, Raven Smith, Will Storr, Brandon Taylor, Craig Taylor, Barbara Trapido, Emma Jane Unsworth, Robert Webb, Zoe Williams, Meg Wolitzer.
Crisell distils what she has learned from interviewing an impressive array of authors into an accessible compendium... Essential reading for anyone interested in the writing process * Observer *
A must-read for any writers or budding creatives... stuffed full of vital advice and gems of wisdom from globally recognised authors, poets, journalists and screenwriters * Cosmopolitan *
This book is BRILLIANT. I stormed through it in one go. It's one of the best books about writing I've ever read, and certainly the most reassuring -- Stuart Heritage
There are lots of books where writers say lots of useful stuff about writing. But this is one of the very best. It's friendly and realistic. It's a distillation of wisdom, an incitement to curiosity and an antidote to loneliness. Say hello to your new best writing buddy -- Toby Litt
Full of such inventive but also life affirming ways of honing one's craft. This book is the ultimate reminder of why writers do what they do -- Katy Hessel, author of The Story of Art Without Men
This book offers everything a writer needs: solace, companionship, commiseration and inspiration. I loved it -- Leah Hazard
What a rich and charming stew of meditations on writing - process, craft, courage - by some of my favorite writers ever. This book will be useful and comforting to anyone who is writing, wanting to write - or stuck! -- Anne Lamott
Some of the greatest writers alive, giving excellent answers to incisive questions about their craft. My copy is thoroughly annotated and I already know I'll read it again. Anyone who's interested in good writing will love it -- Andrew Hunter Murray
[In Writing] is filled with so much accessible wisdom for writers, and is written in such an inspiring, energising way that I've found I've written more while reading it than I have in months. It's given me my writing mojo back -- Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious Things
The must-have companion for any writer; thoughtful, illuminating and reassuring, it's something I'll keep on my desk for years to come. It made me laugh out loud, sigh in solidarity, and had me itching to get back to the page -- Claire Daverley, author of Talking at Night
Fascinating, illuminating and inspiring (and occasionally humbling - check out Brandon Taylor's daily word count). Buy it for all the writers and readers in your life -- Lottie Moggach
Provides accessible wisdom * Bookseller *
ISBN: 9781803510651
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
304 pages