MY WRITING DAY
JADE SCOTT
The author of a book about Mary Queen of Scots’ correspondence in captivity tells Lynne Hackles about fitting in writing round her life as an academic
Scottish academic and author of historical non-fiction Jade Scott and her husband like to go on adventures with their two St Bernards, hiking, visiting the beach, and taking road-trips.
‘We visit the Highlands as often as possible to switch off,’ she says. ‘I find riding horses and being around them relaxing. I enjoy painting, pottery, and needlework, and I love to read. Historical fiction is a favourite.’
When does Jade manage to fit in her writing?
‘I don’t work set hours because of my other life as an academic, but also because some days you get into the flow quickly and before you know it a chapter is drafted, whereas on others the words just won’t come, and you can spend a full eight hours torturing yourself. Working as an academic has given me the discipline needed to manage my workloads even when lots of things are all going on at once, so I’m quite good at meeting writing deadlines even if it isn’t always a linear process. I’ll work on research and writing most days, but always schedule in at least a full day of no book work. I think it really helps to step away from it; it’s true what they say about fresh eyes.