In our newest podcast, Maria and I talk about the challenges and rewards of two independent, high strung and determined creatives living together.

It isn’t a simple life, but it is a rewarding and wonderful life. Although we live together, we work apart – me in my study, she in her much loved Schoolhouse Studio.

We have our traditions and rituals. When she is excited about something, she asks me to come and see it. I only go to the Studio when invited, it is her space.

I have been working alone for decades, it is now a natural thing for me. I sometimes get lonely, but am at peace with the reality that there are not a lot of people I can be around for too long.

Listen to our podcast here.

Maria is one of them, blessedly, miraculously. Perhaps this is why I love dogs so much, they are willing companions in any writer’s life (artists too).

When she comes in the house, I often greet her with “can you read this?” I no longer have editors I can call on the phone, it’s valuable beyond words to have someone around you can trust.

When she reads my work, she often has a simple, thoughtful observation – a line that works its way into my work.

Working together calls upon each of us to support, respect and encourage the work of the other while making sure not to cross any boundaries. We each have very clear ideas about what we want to do with our work.

We aren’t looking for anyone, even each other, to tell us what to do.

So far, so good. Watching Maria evolve as an artist, and receiving her support and encouragement have shaped and defined my life in the most wonderful way.

Come and see how we are working out living together. You can hear our podcast here.