A couple of weeks ago Bonnie did an interesting interview in the Times about her life and loves:
What is a typical day like for you?
I like getting up with the dawn. I’ll start writing right away because, first thing, I feel really clear and filled with ideas. I just write what’s in me, so it could be anything from an hour to three. Then I do a bit of yoga. My senses are acute — I can feel if I need to stretch a tense muscle. Next, I organise my day and eat breakfast: usually porridge and a bit of fruit. An hour-long walk in St James’s Park encourages me to get out into the world, and is when I get ideas. Then I do e-mails and calls. I’m not addicted to e-mail, so after checking once, I don’t look again. As a writer, you have to find ways to keep moving and stay limber, so then I’ll go to the gym. More thoughts come to me, and I take mental notes. Then I’ll come back and work through the night, till about 3am.
I also work five hours a week unpaid for the British Museum, which gives me the chance to come out of my cave. I get to be around people in finance, in science — those not in the arts. I learn an enormous amount. I can’t understand how any writer can just hang out with other writers.
How do you exist on so little sleep?
I get by on about four or five hours. I like to see the sun and I’ve always survived on very little rest. I don’t drink and I have never had a cigarette, though I love an occasional havana. I love being awake and I don’t feel fatigue.
When do you make time for your husband and friends?
David, who’s a lawyer, is an early sleeper and I go to sleep late, so he has his own routine; we don’t eat supper together. But we are around each other in the house and that is good enough. We try to go out for a meal at the weekend and spend time together, but I am too busy in the week to do it. Hanging out with friends was the one big sacrifice I made for my work. I am starting to do more of it, but, for 15 years, I led a solitary life. Now I am beginning to see that it is important just to be with people and have a good time. I have a little circle of girlfriends — they’re my lifeline. I like the company of women; I like their common sense.
To read the article in full click here!
Lucy
Comments