Posts Tagged Artist’s Way
5 Questions About Writing With . . . Ellie Henderson
Posted by Sally Jenkins in 5 Questions About Writing on July 1, 2025
Ellie Henderson was brought up in Glasgow and now lives near the sea on the east coast of Scotland.
She has written five books set on the Isle of Arran and is working on a new series set by Loch Lomond. When she’s not writing, she runs creative workshops in the community and delivers training in First Aid for Mental Health. She also writes psychological fiction under the name Lorna Henderson.
Find out more about Ellie at: https://elliehendersonbooks.com/ellie-henderson
How do you discipline/motivate yourself to write and do you set daily targets?
It very much depends on deadlines and other work projects that I am juggling. I wish I could say that I sat down every day at a certain time to write x number of words. But I’ve had to learn to be flexible and fit in writing when I can. I used to work as a journalist – so I do love a deadline – that tends to motivate me. Recently I’ve found that walking is a good way to unclutter my mind and work out where the plot is going next. Then I sit down and write. Although I can also procrastinate so I will switch off the WIFI and phone and set a timer which helps focus my mind!
What are the most important qualities required by a writer? Do you have them?
I think anyone can write for the love and process of writing and I’m a great believer that creative writing can be really positive for our wellbeing. I think writing in order to be published can be different and can bring a lot of other additional challenges. Some of the most important qualities are: imagination, patience, perseverance, being open to feedback and learning. But most of all you need to actually just get on with it and write.
How do you market yourself and your books?
Fortunately my publisher, Joffe Books, does a lot of the marketing which is wonderful. I have previously self-published books and the marketing takes a huge amount of effort. I am quite introverted and prefer to shy away from publicity. I’d much rather be writing! However I know it is important. I use social media, mostly Instagram, which can be fun and am lucky that I have a lot of supportive followers who help to spread the word. I also keep in touch with local newspapers and let them know if I have any book news which might be of interest.
Which writing resources have you found useful, e.g., books, courses, organisations, websites etc.?
I loved The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron; I also did an MA in Creative Writing which I personally found useful as it gave me a framework to follow at a time when I needed it most and I was trying to juggle work and family life and develop my writing.
A top tip for other writers?
Don’t give up! Keep persevering and trust you will get there at the right time. I’ve had hundreds of rejections over the years but that probably made me more determined to succeed. The final tip would be to enjoy the writing process. It’s such a gift and something I am very grateful for.
About A Summer of Secrets on Arran – published June 2025
A Summer of Secrets on Arran is a heartwarming, emotional romance about second chances, family ties and the healing power of love. It’s about three women, Rosie, Isobel and Bella and a secret that could change everything they knew about love.
Morning Pages
Posted by Sally Jenkins in Books, Resources, Writing, Writing Exercises on February 6, 2013
Do any of you do morning pages? By this I mean: write longhand immediately on waking each morning.
The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity (Photo: Wikipedia)
Julia Cameron advocates this in her book The Artists’s Way. I haven’t read the book but heard about it from someone who has done morning pages for many years. This lady scribbles down everything that is going on in her head, things she has to do that day, negative thoughts about whatever is going on in her life etc. She finds it clears her brain and enables her to start the day in a better frame of mind. Sometimes it produces something that can be used in a story or elsewhere.
I know that other people get up early to work on their novel or another project, either because it’s the only way they can make time in their day to write or because they just enjoy the quiet at dawn before the rest of the family erupts into activity.
Up until now I’ve lacked the willpower to set the alarm any earlier than absolutely necessary, just to write. But my husband has changed his job and needs to be at work by 7:30 am – forcing us to set the alarm for 6:00 am, and therefore giving me the opportunity to try morning pages.
So I’ve been writing for 25 minutes each day before getting up (with a cup of tea brought to me!).
I decided that I wanted something positive to show for this time so I’m drafting a longer piece than I normally write. I never read back more than a sentence of what I wrote the previous day and I don’t edit anything. I don’t pause to think of the right words, I’m just trying to get the flow of the story down on paper.
It’s a positive experience because I get up knowing that I’ve already ‘achieved’ something and the number of completed A4 pages is growing.
Does anyone else do this – or, as Julia Cameron envisaged, do you write about whatever is on your mind?
There’s no right or wrong in this. Different things work for different people.
Sally Jenkins 