CREATIVE SECRETS Clare Helen Welsh

To discover how others are working Loretta Flockhart speaks to writers and illustrators about their creative spaces, processes and inspirations. 

This month we hear from writer Clare Helen Welsh.

 

What’s your ideal creative space and where do you usually end up working?

 

I don’t have an office or a desk or one creative space. I often wish for one but I like to switch things up to keep them exciting so I’m not sure I’d use it if I had one! When my family are out during the day I mostly work on the sofa with a blanket and the dog. I teach workshops and run mentoring from the kitchen. I do have an 'authormobile' – think converted van with books, seats and a bed! – which I take to school visits. I sometimes drive and write near the sea or on the moors.

Clare in her home space

When do you do your best work or feel most inspired?

 

I like writing in the quiet. But I can work in cafes too and to music – except when writing in rhyme. I am pretty good in the mornings but I also work at the end of the day and late at night. I need to feel comfortable and relaxed and if it’s new words, I’m better at the beginning or end of the day when I know I am most likely to get uninterrupted time. My absolute favourite way to get in the zone is to be away from home on a holiday... but that can be quite expensive!

 

Where do your ideas come from?

 

I walk the dog each day and I often think over new concepts, characters and plots. I like to take a creative nap in the afternoon where I dream about stories and worlds. I collect images, quotes, phrases and links on the notes' pages of my phone for when I’m looking to start something new. 

Sometimes I try idea-generating activities like combining random objects or a fresh twist on a perennial topic. Most often I find titles from things I hear or see and/or start with a theme and something I want to say.

 

Clare in her 'authormobile'

What are your favourite tools for writing?

 

I sometimes use a notebook or my phone, especially if I’m starting something new or brainstorming, but my preference is writing on my laptop. My pen usually can’t keep up with my brain so a word processor means I can write fast and legibly. I also like to write out of order – sometimes starting in the middle, at the crisis, at the end or with my favourite scenes – so this is much easier when working digitally.

 

I’ve just invested in Scrivener as I’m starting something longer. I like that you can jump between scenes easily and separate a complicated storyline into manageable chunks.

 

What inspires your work?

 

Anything and everything! I write about a wide range of topics in a range of different styles for different age groups and genres, including non-fiction, early readers, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, wordless books, dialogue-only books, books that rhyme and books in prose.

 

Sometimes my work is silly and funny, other times it’s more serious and issue-based. I find variety inspiring. Nothing is off-limits and literally anything could be my next great idea. That’s where the magic lies for me... creating something from nothing or anything.

 

Hope, Clare's dog and walking companion 

What encourages or hinders your work?

 

I don’t mind a bit of background noise. Often that helps me relax, but if there is more than one noise or the noise is too loud, I can’t work. And if I’m writing in rhyme I need complete silence.

 

The biggest hindrance to my work is probably myself. I’m the kind of person who has several hobbies, projects, tasks on the go at once – I’ve just started Pickleball and pottery in addition to my numerous other hobbies. I also have lots of writing projects on the go at any one time. So I have to be quite disciplined with my time – finishing one thing before starting another or I would never finish anything!

 

How far into a new project do you feel comfortable sharing your ideas?

 

If it’s with people I trust, at the very start. Sometimes I won’t begin a new idea until I’ve chatted the concept over with a writing partner or my agent. I find the process of talking about a story aloud gets to the heart of what I want to say and achieve. That’s worth it in itself. Plus early feedback helps me ensure my concept is strong enough before I get too far down the line.

 

School visits in the 'authormobile'

Do you work in the same way for each project and proposal?

 

My process varies depending on the type of project I’m working on, how well thought-out the idea is and if there is a deadline. I do repeat certain parts of the process – writing a pitch line, writing out of order and sharing with critique partners – but I also like to switch it up every now and again.

 

I used to write without planning at all but over time I have found that I am now more of a plotter... even if the plot is a few post-it notes or a phone call to a friend. I do a lot more pre-writing these days which means I delight in putting the words together knowing the idea and structure are pretty sound.

*Header image: Ell Rose and Tita Berredo;

*all other images courtesy of Clare Helen Welsh  

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Clare is a former primary school teacher, turned children’s writer. She has published over 50 books, including picture books and early readers, with more in the pipeline. When Clare isn’t writing stories, she is inspiring people to write their own, running events for children and working as a writing tutor for Write Mentor.

For more about Clare and her books, visit her website, Books That Help, or X (Twitter).

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Loretta Flockhart is the Creative Secrets editor for Words & Pictures. You can find her on social media @lolajflo

 

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Ell Rose is the Illustration Features Editor of Words & Pictures.

Find their work at https://fourfooteleven.com

Follow them on Instagram and Twitter

Contact them at illustrators@britishscbwi.org

Tita Berredo is the Illustrator Coordinator of SCBWI British Isles and the Art Director of Words & Pictures. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter or www.titaberredo.com

Contact her at: illuscoordinator@britishscbwi.org.