From The Times to Substack: Annabel Preston's Writing Methods
A London journalist on finding creativity between city walks and countryside roots
Hey, welcome to Methods—the series where we explore the creative habits of fellow Substack writers.
This week, we're featuring
, a journalist at The Times and The Sunday Times who's carving out her own space on Substack.Her newsletter, Bursting the Bubble, explores the stories and thoughts that don't fit the traditional news agenda. If you want to stay informed without juggling multiple newspapers and countless apps, this newsletter is for you.
In this interview, she shares her morning rituals (spoiler: coffee is non-negotiable), why she relies on deadlines to write, and the creative superstitions that guide her process.
Enjoy!
Morning Rituals: Coffee, Walks, and the Creative Clock
In all honesty, I am a tad chaotic.
There is one consistent: coffee.1 I am incapable of functioning without it and I find the second the smell of it reaches my nose I am instantly more in tune with the present moment.
It is very dull but I am neither an early bird nor a night owl. In an ideal world, my waking hours would be 8 am to 10 pm. But in reality, it is more like 7 am to 11 pm.
As someone who was raised in the countryside, getting out and about first thing is essential to my creative process - as well as my general mental well-being. After tumbling out of bed I will make a quick Nespresso in my trust Wimbledon reusable coffee cup and take myself for a stomp around Clapham Common.
I like to be at my desk by 9 am to get going. As a creature of deadlines, nothing motivates me like the last minute and repels me more than abundant time.
For general tinkering of my Substack, journalism, and creative writing pursuits, I will whack on Classic FM and start chipping away. For a session of totally immersed writing, however, I need to be down to the wire.
Consistency is important - I write every day. But there is no point in forcing a 2,000-word session if inspiration hasn't struck. You can't manufacture creativity, just be prepared for it to strike.2
Getting Started: Small Rituals That Help
We have a stovetop kettle and I love making a slow cafetière before I get cracking on a writing session. It is five minutes out of my day when I can be truly present because there is nothing to do other than, quite literally, wait for the pot to boil.
In the afternoon, particularly in the winter, I love to light a candle. There's something about its delicate warmth that feels incredibly romantic as you toil over your creative labour of love.3
The Workspace
When I am in my London flat, I work at the dining table. It is rather spoilt of me, but I like being in the relaxed hub of the house...but need no one to disturb me when I am deep in concentration!
When I am at "home home" (my parent's house) in Suffolk, I commandeer the sunroom which always feels like a total treat. Writing whilst you watch the silver birches swish in the gentle breeze of the sunny countryside? Yes, please. There is always a pad and pen of some description next to me. Though this is more of a security blanket than anything else - most of the magic happens on my laptop!
Rather stereotypically, I constantly have books sprawled all over the shop, but I do find these act as a gentle source of inspiration when I hit a dead end.
Essential Tools: What Gets Used Daily
I swear by Moleskine notebooks!
They are the absolute best for random thoughts and detailed planning - particularly the lined A4. My Papier desk planner also brings me a sense of order and control over my time...even if this is largely a placebo.
My job means that I scour the news almost every day, across several publications. This is brilliant for my Substack too, as I am constantly having my interest piqued left, right, and rhubarb.
Influences and Inspirations
I am a huge admirer of anyone who can say ample with as few words as possible. A master of this is the sublime Claire Keegan. Her ability to move you with the tiniest of sentences will forever be of great inspiration to me.
In the world of journalism, I have always been a great admirer of India Knight and Caitlin Moran - both have harnessed the skill of writing with a defined, consistent personality whilst avoiding monotony.
Over here on Substack, I absolutely adore
of The Arts Stack. It warms my heart to see so much passion poured into a piece of work, which Rosie does without fail. is another who has captured this. My dad too! It might not be obvious at first (he's a professional golfer) but his work ethic and deep-rooted belief in practicing your way to perfection has certainly shaped the way I approach creative pursuits.
Learning From Others
I've learnt that the most effective way to hone your own craft is by exploring others. I read as much as I possibly can (within reason!) and make sure to keep up to date with other writers. It is so important to read what others are writing, even if you don't agree with them.
Nature and City Life
Immersing myself in nature is what unleashes my creativity.4
I find it surprisingly difficult, particularly in London, but I have recently been trying to go for walks without my earphones in. It is amazing how peacefully optimistic this makes you feel...you also tap into a lot of conversations you would have otherwise missed. Perfect editorial fodder!
On Staying Organized
Lists lists lists!5 It may not sound like it, but I am actually far more organised with the way I approach my creative process these days. I used to just want to sit down and create if and when the urge struck. But when you're bogged down by an overflowing to do list it can be really tricky to get started.
Daily and weekly to-do lists definitely give me the mental space to create.
Superstitions
My greatest superstition is someone seeing my work before I feel it is ready.6 I regularly bark at my boyfriend when I feel him peering over my shoulder as I write. This is probably some kind of imposter syndrome coming out sideways and maybe a slight fear of failure too.
I also absolutely have to be dressed before I start writing - it doesn't have to be fancy, just not a dressing gown!
Books or Products that Enhance Creativity
Einaudi and the Gladiator soundtrack! I am forever in awe of people who can listen to pop music when writing. Not that it stunts creativity, I just end up writing out the lyrics instead of my own words.
I must have my phone in aeroplane mode or 'focus' when I am writing. If there is one thing that will stop me from staying creative, it is Instagram reels.7
Thanks for sharing your process with us, Annabel!
You can find more of Annabel's writing on her Substack Bursting the Bubble, where she explores the stories that fall between the cracks of traditional journalism. Her unique perspective as both a traditional journalist and independent writer offers valuable insights for anyone interested in building a multi-faceted writing career.
See you next week,
Sam Mas
Subscribe to Writers Are Weird
Documenting the creative process. Written by Sam Mas.
FOOTNOTES
The Coffee Ritual in Creative Practice
Coffee appears consistently as a cornerstone of creative routines, with 40% of interviewed writers citing it as essential to their process. For Annabel, it serves both as a functional stimulant and a mindfulness trigger, with the aroma helping her "tune into the present moment." This mirrors a growing body of research suggesting that ritualistic behaviors, even as simple as making coffee, can help create psychological boundaries between rest and work states.
The No-Pressure Approach
In last week's interview
This philosophy reflects a broader trend among interviewed writers who prioritize consistency over volume, suggesting that sustainable creative practice often emphasizes showing up over output metrics.
Full Article: Writing with Demons: Sean Thomas McDonnell's Creative Process
The Role of Ambient Rituals
This is the second time lighting a candle has appeared in this series. In a previous interview,
Full Article: Ellie Ireland's Creative Process
Nature as a Creative Catalyst
The significance of nature in creative processes has emerged as a dominant theme, with 55% of interviewed writers citing it as crucial to their work. Annabel's experience bridges both urban and rural environments, from Clapham Common walks to the silver birches of Suffolk.
Full Article: Writing from the Heart of a Homestead
The List-Making Tradition
While Annabel uses lists primarily for organization, it reminded of me of Ray Bradbury’s list making technique. Bradbury famously used lists as a creative tool, generating story ideas by listing nouns and concepts.
Full Article: Ray Bradbury's Creative Exercise To Generate Story Ideas
The Sharing Dilemma
Annabel's reluctance to share work-in-progress reflects a common creative anxiety, manifesting as what she calls "imposter syndrome coming out sideways." This mirrors a broader pattern among writers (I'm mainly thinking of myself here folks), though it's worth noting that excessive privacy can become counterproductive. I still struggle with letting anyone see my work, even when I'm stuck and could use some guidance.
Digital Distractions and Focus Methods
Here is a counter argument from Vulgar History writer
“I know some writers like to cut themselves off from social media or the outside world while writing. For me, I like to keep some tabs open in the background so when I need to zone out a bit I can pop onto Threads or Instagram to see the latest Moo Deng video or whatever. I find it more distracting not to be able to quickly check those things than to just pop over for a few minutes.”
Full Article: Building a Writing Career Around a 9-5: Ann Foster's Creative Method
I really enjoy these Methods, they're so enlightening and I love hearing about writers' routines, whether I follow them or not (I do follow Annabel). So much to learn, and I often pick up an interesting tip or two that I consider applying to my own way of doing things.