Maggie O'Farrell's "I Am, I Am, I Am" is a memoir that explores thirteen moments of near-death experiences throughout her life. The book weaves together personal reflections with vivid descriptions of the events that shaped her life. O'Farrell's writing is both lyrical and emotionally resonant, creating a powerful and unforgettable reading experience. The memoir explores themes of mortality, resilience, and the importance of appreciating life's precious moments. It's a deeply personal and moving account of a life lived on the edge. The book's exploration of life, death, and the human experience continues to resonate with readers.
Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess" is a dramatic monologue that explores the themes of power, control, and possessiveness. The poem is narrated by an Italian Duke who is showing off a portrait of his deceased wife to a potential new wife's envoy. Through his words, the Duke reveals his controlling nature and his ultimate responsibility for his wife's death. The poem's use of dramatic irony and psychological insight makes it a powerful and enduring work of art. It's a study of human nature and the dark side of power.
The novel is set in Warwickshire in the late 16th century and revolves around the life of Agnes, the wife of William Shakespeare, and their children. It fictionalizes the events surrounding the death of their son Hamnet, who died of the plague in 1596 at the age of eleven. The story delves into the grief and emotional turmoil faced by the family, especially Agnes, and how this tragedy influenced Shakespeare's writing, including his play 'Hamlet'. The narrative alternates between different timelines, exploring Agnes's early life, her marriage, and the years following Hamnet's death. The book is a poignant study of motherhood, childhood, and the depths of grief, offering a vivid portrayal of family life during the Tudor period[1][3][5].
Award-winning and bestselling author Maggie O’Farrell Hamnet and The Marriage Portrait author takes us behind the scenes of her creative process—from the early struggles of starting out to the discipline and instinct that shape her acclaimed novels.
We explore the irresistible drive to write, the role of characters in steering a story, and how she blends history with imagination. Maggie also shares her thoughts on revision, redrafting without ego, and what it really takes to endure in the writing life.
We discuss:
- The insatiable urge to write and the challenges of beginning a novel
- Letting characters lead and reshaping a story mid-draft
- Weaving fact and fiction in historical narratives
- Why revision is where the real writing happens
- Honest feedback, creative resilience, and writing for the long haul
ABOUT MAGGIE O'FARRELL
Maggie O’Farrell is the author of Hamnet (winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award) and I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death, both Sunday Times number 1 bestsellers. Her other works include The Marriage Portrait, The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, After You’d Gone, The Hand That First Held Mine (winner of the Costa Novel Award), and Instructions for a Heatwave. Maggie’s work is praised for its lyrical prose, emotional depth, and its ability to bring overlooked historical figures to life.
*
RESOURCES & LINKS
*
This podcast was done in collaboration with Arvon, the UK’s leading creative writing charity. Arvon passionately believes that everyone can benefit from the transformative power of creative writing. It hosts residential, online and community-based writing courses and events, embracing over 6,000 people each year, tutored by some of the most respected writers in the UK today. Find out more at arvon.org.
*
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Lulu. If you're interested in self-publishing, Lulu has free resources such as helpful tutorials, templates to help you layout a book, design for print, and they have a very watchable YouTube University channel. Our community anthology is in fact published using Lulu. Check them out at lulu.com.
For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.
For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.
*
FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALON
Twitter: twitter.com/WritersSalon
Instagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalon
Facebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalon
If you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!
London Writers' Salon 
