Space to think

There appears to be some strange interest in where I write the tvdetective books - I've been asked a few times now if I have a study, and if so what it's like.

Go on then, as it's you, I'll talk...

I do have a study, albeit a rather ramshackle version. Regular readers of these ramblings will know I'm not into formality and ceremony, and thus it is with my little thinking and working space.

It's in the attic of the house, with a lovely skylight that provides a fine view over the Exeter cityscape.  There's a little square wooden table - forever cluttered with cuttings, notes and ideas - where I put my laptop, and a comfy padded office chair to rest myself upon.

There are two futons, both very comfortable, which I alternate between as my sitting and thinking positions. One is better for more whacky musings as it looks out of the skylight, the other is more useful for details thinking as it looks towards my stereo system and prevents me wandering into too many flights of fancy - a common Hall problem.

On the floor beside the stereo are lines of that quirk of history known as vinyl records - they date back to my DJing days.  They're both a fond memory and a source of inspiration, because the music that flows from them always sounds better than any CD or one of your modern MP3 things.

Finally, on the wall are some pictures - there's Niamh, my beautiful adopted daughter, a photograph of the young Hall, aged perhaps 5, with Mum and Dad, and a few posters and cards from various gigs and literary festivals.

The walls are off white, and it's an invariably warm, comfortable and quiet space (expect when the vinyl's in full effect!)  Just perfect for a place to get away and indulge in a little scribbling.

In fact it's time to hop up there now, with a cup of tea, a bit of toast, and get on with some work on the events I've got coming up this summer.  If you're interested in toddling along to one, keep an eye on the News and Events page - www.thetvdetective.com/news.html and I'll post details as they come up.