Thursday, 19 March 2026

Forget the news and think about sheds - by Lu Hersey

  Last night I dreamt an old journalist friend called me: Lu, did you know you're in the Epstein files?

No way!

Yes! Five times!

Don't be stupid.

Seriously, it's OK. If you're not in there, you probably don't exist.

I laughed myself awake. I've obviously been spending far too time obsessing about the news, which as we know is currently dominated by wars, genocide, sleaze, looming eco disaster and power-mad billionaires. It's difficult not to fall into a despondent, powerless slump just thinking about it. And now it was creeping into my dreams.

It was time to start concentrating on something positive instead. My campaign to bring down Elon Musk single handed on X wasn't going well, and the platform is full of hate and Nigel Farage, Time to stop going down that rabbit hole and write something new. (The essential first step on the road to getting something published.)

Which means this week I have mostly been thinking about writing sheds, on the basis it's nice to have somewhere to write. Who doesn't love a shed? Some of my favourite writers have enviable writing sheds and like every other shedless writer, I covet one. So what kind of writing shed to choose? A new rabbit hole opened before me as I created an entire Pinterest board devoted to the subject. I'll share a few with you here, so you understand the complexity of choice...


I really like this one. It has a face, and lets a lot of light in. Also I think it's by the sea, which would be nice



This one has a lovely aethetic but is also probably full of spiders. Good for horror writers.



This looks practical  - and I like the colour.


Good for hobbit fan fiction


Love this but would probably spend too much time staring out at the forest. Also, you'd need a forest to put it in.


Incredibly practical for any writer - and comes with its own outside bench for thinking



Peril at sea adventure stories? At least you wouldn't get interrupted much. Except possibly by passing whales




Definitely one for the fantasy writer



Nice design for those who like to cater for an unexpected turn of events


For those of us yearning to write romantic fiction


Great for the cosy crime writer


Here you could definitely write Great Expectations - if someone hadn't already written it 



Perfect for anyone planning train-based detective fiction. Or maybe another sequel to Thomas the Tank Engine


 One for me, and one for all of you. Perfect. 

You get the idea...

Just one problem. I couldn't fit even the tiniest shed in my tiny garden, so it's back to writing on the kitchen table. Though perhaps a little look at Rightmove first... Oooo!

Turns out I'm only £2 million short of being able to buy an entire Scottish island...


Lu Hersey

https://www.lu-hersey.com/


9 comments:

Nick Garlick said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nick Garlick said...

I only have a balcony. (Sob!)

LuWrites said...

I totally sympathise - and recommend Rightmove :)

Penny Dolan said...

Such a fine quantity of sheds in these images, Lu! I admit to shed envy too.

But also confusion! I went outside today and had a huge clear, clean & organise session in the GARDEN shed. Now the space looks so tidy and organised and ready . . . but how is it that I can't do the same much-needed task for my own WORK room indoors? Grrr!

Anonymous said...

Come & see Trucker’s shed!x

Joan Lennon said...

Beautiful, beautiful sheds.

LuWrites said...

Thanks Penny - I find my work space so intimidating I have to take the laptop downstairs and perch somewhere at the moment . Think I need one of those life laundry people to come and force me to create a clear space! x

LuWrites said...

I would love to see Trucker's shed, Anna! Bet it's amazing and probably in a very interesting way...

LuWrites said...

Seriously I got carried away, Joan - and the ones I collected on Pinterest were even more amazing... (don't blame me if the rest of the day goes out of the window while you indulge in a writing shed search!)