Writing from the Heart of a Homestead: Inside Anne of Baggebo’s Creative World
Discover how a cozy Danish homestead, recycled paper, and family life shape Anne's writing process on Substack.
Hey, welcome to Methods—the series where we explore the creative habits of fellow Substack writers.
Today, we’re taking a look at the creative process of Anne of Baggebo.
I reached out to her after I saw a picture of her incredibly cozy writing desk. Anne lives on a 100-year-old Danish Homestead and publishes weekly stories about it on her substack Home by the Beech Trees.
Check out her article: Why I Write: A Feminists Approach to being a Stay-at-Home-Mom
In this interview, Anne shares the daily rituals, materials, and family influences that shape her creative life, offering a window into how her Danish homestead and family-centered lifestyle inspire her writing.
Enjoy!
Know someone with a unique creative process? Drop their name in the comments—I’d love to feature them!
Morning Writing Ritual
Finding Focus Amidst the Morning Chaos
I make myself a cup of coffee in the morning, and I always sit by my desk in our living room.
Usually, I will pull the curtains to watch the dawn slowly creep into our garden as I get my morning pages written.
Since I am a stay-at-home mom I will sometimes be interrupted, but usually, by the end of the day, I’ll have three pages written in hand.
If nothing else, these pages help me stay connected to a writing routine. It is a routine that is easy for me to stick to, and that does not rely on me having focused time to write something good.
I only have to write. 3 pages. That’s it.
A Little Writing Corner with a View
Writing in the Heart of the Home
My workspace is set up in our living room, closest to the south facing windows.
Writing with a view is important to me, as my gaze will often linger on the outside world when I pause while writing.
My husband built the bookshelves to the right of me, and I adore him for it. I like to be surrounded by books and projects and everyday life.
Often a little one will be running around by my feet, and I’ll be in the heart of our family life when writing.
Writing On Recycled Paper
Using Old Notes for New Thoughts
I have taken it upon myself to reuse all of my old papers from my years in education.
I have a master degree in Literature so you can imagine the piles upon piles of paper I have gathered through the years, only printed on one side.
Their informal, almost scrappy appearance, makes the perfect medium for lowering my standards when I write.
I do not have to be afraid of “ruining” a perfect and expensive notebook with my spelling mistakes and morning blabbering. I only have to fill the empty sides of a paper that should have been thrown out anyways.
It makes me feel free to write whatever comes up, and it can sometimes surprise me quite a lot what comes up when I do not restrict myself and my writing.
Similar: Mariella Hunt’s rule of thumb for notebooks: “The cheaper and plainer, the better.”
Family as Inspiration
Drawing Strength from Loved Ones
My nearest family is a big influence of mine.
They teach me to stay kind to myself, and the best way for me to do that is by staying true to my writing.
My mother-in-law especially inspires me, as she herself is a creative stay-at-home-grandmother, who looks after my child a couple of times in the week where I can write or be creative, uninterrupted.
On Being Honest and Authentic
Writing Openly and Without Fear
When I just started writing I had this idea that I would be anonymous so that nobody had to know that I wanted to be a writer.
I have since changed my view drastically, and now I always write from a personal and authentic place.
I carry myself through all of my writing, and sharing that piece of my self, with my family and friends and through Substack, has given me so much courage to keep going.
Trusting the Process
Accepting Writing as Destiny
I’m currently reading through Julia Camerons ‘The Artists Way’, and have been trying to grasp her idea of destiny.
Oftentimes I have found myself overthinking and trying to strategize myself out of failing, which has only led my to push actually beginning in front of me.
By accepting that writing and storytelling is a part of my destiny, I no longer have to overthink every step. I just have to write.
I have written journals as long as I can remember, and though I have been consistent, I have never written as often and as much as I do now.
I have tried giving up writing multiple times, with the excuse that I would no longer have time as a student, mother, etc. But it does not seem to work.
Writing has a way of coming back into my life whether I want it or not. So I am in a phase now where I try to be more accepting and embracing my self identity as a writer and storyteller.
Staying Grounded
Finding Inspiration in Nature’s Stillness
Obviously, I have my morning pages, and I need to have good, natural lighting.
I am not one of those people who can forget time and space when they write. I am always present, in my body, and my surroundings is very important to me.
One of my greatest joys is to take my journal with me on a walk, find a nice tree of a place by the brook, where I can write.
Thank you, Anne!
Be sure to check out her Substack and YouTube channel for more stories from her 100-year-old Danish homestead.
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