How to Get the Most From Gladstone’s Library: Best Practices for Being a Writer in Residence
By Dan Kaszeta
Anyone can hold a self-booked writing retreat at Gladstone’s Library, but every year a small number of writers are chosen to become official Writers in Residence. This is a formal programme, of which I am proud and grateful to have been a beneficiary. There are eligibility criteria and an application process. Each year, traditionally published writers are invited to apply for the residency, which includes a sponsored stay of two to four weeks, and it is worth a try.
But if you book a few days to clear some head-space and get some writing done, anyone can benefit from time at the Library.
Either way, here is my highly opinionated guide on how to get the most from Gladstone’s Library, in big ways and small.
Bring some boots: there is excellent, if muddy, walking to be had in the area. A walk to Ewloe Castle is, in fact, mostly not muddy and takes about an hour each direction. You can, also walk all the way to the walled fleshpots of Chester. I did it, and it took about two and three quarters hours one way.
Set some objectives: Give yourself a writing objective for the day. Then give yourself room to enjoy yourself when you hit the objective.
Don’t mind the bells: You’ll get used to the clock chiming after a few days. The idea of sneaking into the church to shove your duvet in the bell will pass.
Read something you wouldn’t normally read: At the risk of sounding obvious, the place is full of books. I don’t know how anyone becomes a good writer without first becoming a good reader.
Enjoy the utter whackiness of the old books: There’s a book on manure. There are old books on why the world is going to end. There’s Unorthodox London which is full of frankly catty highly opinionated remarks about various places of worship in London.
The Chef’s Specials are your friends: The menu can get formulaic after a while. The chefs are actually really talented so a few daily specials have surprised me.
Meet the people: Pretty much everyone who works here is lovely. They’re nice people and they are very helpful. But also, don’t be afraid to meet your fellow residents. I’ve met some very fine people in my four weeks here. This place is the cross-roads of intellects.
The Half Term: If you’re on the official 4-week residency programme, you can do like I did and split it. I took a week off in between. Going back to London had the effect of teaching me what a good thing I had going on. I counted the hours until I could come back.
Engage in community outreach: The local residents are fine people and generally a friendly lot who respect and care about the Library. You can meet them in the post office shop, the church, the two pubs (Glynne Arms and the Fox & Grapes), and the Charcoal Gallery café, which does excellent coffees. I’ve met a lot of local characters. And their dogs. More than once now some person said “Hey Dan” at me while driving down the street. It did not take me too long. I feel like I’ve lived here a year.
If you need the bright lights: Chester is a fine day out or even just a few hours. It’s about half an hour on the 11 or 4 or 4X bus.
Unless you are really in some penitential mood, avoid the jigsaw puzzle of the Rosetta Stone in the Gladstone Room. That way lay madness.