In Conversation with Author Hattie Crisell

By Nicola Campbell-Turnbull

Hattie Crisell, author, writer and podcaster

Hattie Crisell’s new book In Writing: Conversations on Inspiration, Perspiration and Creative Desperation offers a compelling exploration of the creative processes behind writing - in all its forms - from novels to memoirs and screenplays or poetry. If you’ve ever felt you had a written work inside you but didn’t know where to start, Hattie’s book might be just the push you need to move from dreaming to doing.

Based on her popular podcast In Writing, the book is structured around 10 key questions aspiring writers might ask themselves along the way—questions like “Where do ideas come from?” and “What shape is a story?” These questions are thoughtfully explored through conversations with some of the most celebrated names in writing, including Scotland’s own Maggie O’Farrell and Succession writer Jesse Armstrong. The result is a refreshingly honest look at the craft, dispelling myths about the writing process while showing that even literary greats wrestle with creative struggles. Writing, as the book reveals, is a job filled with challenges—but also one that brings immense joy to both creators and readers.

Having worked alongside Hattie in London during the noughties, I’ve long admired her keen eye for detail and her natural gift for storytelling—skills honed through years of feature writing for Grazia, Elle, The Times, The Telegraph, The Sunday Times, and Sunday Times Style.

Just one week after her book’s release, I meet Hattie on a crisp autumn day in Edinburgh—a city she knows well from her student days—to talk about the book, the podcast, and the inspiring writers she’s encountered along the way.

Where did the idea for the In Writing podcast come from?

Well, I was doing maternity cover at Grazia, and they asked me to take over the Grazia podcast while I was there, which was amazing because I learned the technical side of podcasting. I’d always loved podcasts - I remember listening to them back when I was at university in Edinburgh around 2005, when they were still quite basic.

Once I had those skills, I really wanted to give podcasting a go myself. I’d always thought it would be fascinating to do something with writers—exploring how they work, going into their writing spaces, and trying to understand not just their creative process but also the psychology behind it: why we write, why it’s so hard, and how people keep going despite the challenges.

So, I made the first 10 episodes. I didn’t know if it was a good idea or if anyone would listen. I had major self-doubt throughout the process and didn’t tell many people I was doing it. I figured if nobody listened, I’d quietly slink off and never mention it again. But luckily, it found an audience of people as nerdy about writing as I am. It’s been really lovely.

How did you get the writers on board?

I think my journalism contacts definitely helped. I’d already interviewed quite a few authors for magazines and newspapers, so I started by reaching out to people I knew a little bit. Elizabeth Day was one of the first people I recorded because I’d interviewed her for the Grazia podcast, and she’d been so lovely. Sathnam Sanghera, who’s a friend, agreed to do it, and Charlie Brooker, who I already knew, said yes too.

From there, it became easier to approach people—I could say, ‘I’ve already interviewed these great writers; would you be interested?’ Of course, plenty of people said no—and still do—but enough were kind enough to give it a go, which helped me put together the first 10 episodes.

I’ve always chosen people whose work I find interesting—writers I enjoy reading. I try to have a mix of well-known and less well-known guests, not just novelists but also screenwriters, poets, and journalists. I like to come at it from different angles so it doesn’t get too samey.

Who have you had on the podcast that’s given you a real ‘pinch me’ moment?

I was so excited when I got Curtis Sittenfeld on the podcast because I’d never had any previous contact with her, and I’ve always loved her novels. It was wonderful to talk to her.

I also had this amazing moment when a publicist emailed me asking, ‘Would you consider having Graham Norton on your podcast?’ He’s just so funny, such a professional, and so entertaining. He was also incredibly honest about the writing process and the difficult parts, which I really appreciated.

We recorded that one remotely during the pandemic, and having him on the other end of the line felt so surreal—like having a phone call with someone you’ve watched on TV your whole life. It was such a weird but brilliant experience.

To succeed to the point that you’re being asked by publicists and not chasing them - that must have been a moment?

I was so lucky with Graham Norton. His publicist also represented David Nicholls, and I’d already had David on the podcast. She was just really nice to think of me. She said, ‘I book interviews for Graham Norton, and most people want to talk about his TV work, his comedy, or his personal life. But I know you’ll ask about the writing.’ I was so lucky with that one—it was definitely a pinch-me moment.

Take us behind the scenes of an in writing interview?

Well, when I do the interviews remotely, I sit on my bed because acoustically, it’s good to have soft furnishings around you. I don’t do them on Zoom—it’s audio only—so they can’t see me. Quite often, I’m wearing my pyjamas or the most revolting outfit I wouldn’t let anyone see me in. My hair’s grubby, I’ve got no makeup on, and there I am, sitting on my bed talking to some pretty famous writers. I always think, ‘I really hope they can’t sense my lack of professionalism down the line!’

You always begin by asking a little about your subject’s writing space in your interviews. Why?

I am always nosy about people's homes and their workspaces – the spaces we make around us are extensions of who we are and what's important to us, so I find it fascinating to visit a writer's study and see what they keep on their desk or hang on the wall. I remember going to the journalist John Crace's office, in the loft of his house, and he had his (now grown-up) son's teddy-bears on the window sill – I found that really touching, and it tells you something about the comfort he takes from family. Other people are very house-proud and everything is beautiful and stylish, or they're very messy and it's as though they can't see their surroundings because they're living in their imagination instead. I find these things revealing. I also think that when you're reading a book or listening to a podcast, getting an image in your mind's eye helps you to feel absorbed and engaged, so I like to hook in my readers or listeners by painting a picture for them.

Out of all the writers you’ve interviewed for the podcast and the book who have you found super-inspiring?

George Saunders was amazing because, even though he’s a literary legend—especially in America—he’s also such a generous, encouraging, and thoughtful person. He teaches creative writing, and talking to him felt really special. He even gave me another interview for the book, which was such a gift.

Meeting Jesse Armstrong, who writes Succession and Peep Show, was another highlight. He’s a real hero of mine, and he’s so reflective and thoughtful about the writing process. That conversation meant a lot.

And Michael Rosen—he’s just the nicest man. He gave me so much of his time and was so chatty. Sitting down and having that kind of wonderful, open conversation was such a treat.

When I think about all the writers who’ve been on the podcast or in the book, they each have their own moments of greatness that really stay with me. I just love them all forever.

Signing books on book launch night

At what moment did you think ‘this podcast could be a great book’?

I think about a year into the podcast, people started asking if I’d thought about doing a book. A publisher even took me out for coffee to discuss it, and I got occasional emails from agents saying the same thing. But I couldn’t figure out the right framework.

Someone suggested writing a book about what I’d learned from doing the podcast, but I didn’t want to be a teacher telling people how to write. I was more interested in exploring what it feels like to be a writer—the process, the struggles, and the joys—rather than offering writing tips, though there are some in the book.

At one point, I tried writing it in a sort of memoir style, but that didn’t feel right either. So I put the idea aside and got on with other things.

Then one morning, while making coffee, the structure just clicked: 10 key questions about writing, each explored through different writers’ experiences. It’s funny how your brain works quietly in the background when you’re not paying attention. I think that’s something writers should remember—you might feel like you’re banging your head against a wall, but your mind could still be working on the answer. You just have to trust that process.

You had your structure with the 10 questions, but with so much material to work from, did that ever feel overwhelming?

Thank you for asking that — no one else has noticed, and it was such a massive task! There are 55 interviews in the book, plus a few more I transcribed but didn’t end up using. That alone took up a big chunk of last year.

After transcribing, I went through each interview, pulling out sections that fit one of the 10 questions — it was exactly like putting together a giant puzzle. I used folders and sticky notes to organize everything. Some chapters ended up with loads of material, while others felt a bit sparse.

For the gaps, I thought about who else I could interview specifically for the book. That turned out to be really fun, as it let me explore topics we hadn’t covered much on the podcast, like where ideas come from and how inspiration strikes. So yes, it was an enormous editing task, but also incredibly rewarding!

Has delving into everyone else's writing process helped or hindered your own processes for writing?

It’s definitely helped. I think it’s helped a lot, particularly with my resilience. What’s been really reassuring is learning that many writers I admire go through the same ups and downs, the same moments of self-doubt, and those days when you write a mortifying first draft that you'd never want anyone to see. Knowing that made me tougher and less likely to shy away from writing just because I was worried it wasn't good enough. That’s been incredibly helpful.

In terms of process, it’s the emotional side that’s been the most valuable. There have been some practical tips too, like when I interviewed Liane Moriarty. She told me about her beautiful hourglass — a gift from a friend — which she keeps on her desk. When she feels stuck, she flips it over and writes until the sand runs out. No distractions, no getting up. It’s a small but powerful commitment to just get on with it for half an hour. I bought an hourglass after our conversation, and when I feel myself avoiding the task at hand — when every part of me wants to reorganize my inbox or do anything except the writing — I use it.

So yeah, all of it has been nothing but helpful. I couldn’t have written the book without these interviews. For one, there would be no book without them, but also, I just couldn’t have done it without speaking to those people. Now, having written a book that others will refer to, it’s interesting to realize that everyone does it differently, but there are lots of little nuggets of wisdom that can help — especially when it comes to overcoming that self-doubt. Writing is hard work, but that’s because you’re a writer.

What do you hope people will get from reading Your book?

I really hope that it is a book with a feeling of warmth and humour and honesty, and that it will feel like a friend to anyone who is writing themselves, because writing can be a lonely pursuit and you don't have team-mates in the room to cheer you on. And for those who aren't writers themselves but perhaps love reading, I hope that the insight into the minds of writers will add richness to their enjoyment of books in general – and an appreciation of all the blood, sweat and tears that goes into telling a good story.

Which book do you wish you’d written?

I wish I had written so many books, but to pick one somewhat at random, recently I read American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld, and I thought it was absolutely amazing. I just loved it. It’s a long book, and I’m quite a lazy reader in some ways — I tend to prefer shorter novels. So, when I pick up something that’s 500 pages, I sometimes inwardly groan. But with American Wife, I was savouring each page. I didn’t want to read too much at once because I wanted it to last forever. That feeling of not wanting to say goodbye to a book — I really love that.

And finally, in the spirit of Christmas, which book do you give as a gift?

I often recommend The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, especially because through the podcast, I speak to so many people who are aspiring writers — people who have been quietly trying to write a novel or dreaming of being a poet but are too scared to start. It's a great book that really helps get you on track with doing the creative work that’s in your heart but that you haven't quite managed to begin.

Hattie Crisell is a London-based writer and the author of In Writing: Conversations on Inspiration, Perspiration and Creative Desperation, published by Granta Books in November 2024. She is the producer and host of the In Writing with Hattie Crisell podcast, where she interviews writers from all fields in their own creative spaces. A freelance journalist and contributing editor at Grazia magazine, Hattie has previously held roles as acting features director at Grazia and acting fashion editor at The Times. Her writing has appeared in Bustle, Elle, Vogue, You, The Telegraph, The Evening Standard, and The Sunday Times Style, among others.

Discover Hattie’s Podcast

In Writing with Hattie Crisell is a captivating podcast that delves into the minds of celebrated authors, screenwriters, poets, and playwrights. Across seven seasons, Hattie has welcomed literary greats like David Nicholls, Leïla Slimani, Elizabeth Day, Bernardine Evaristo, Deborah Levy, and Curtis Sittenfeld. Recorded in mostly in their creative spaces, these intimate conversations reveal how stories come to life—from sparks of inspiration to the reality of rewrites and self-doubt. Packed with insightful stories, practical tips, and literary wisdom, it’s a must-listen for aspiring writers and book lovers alike.