Desk Tour: Rachel Hochhauser
The author of LADY TREMAINE shares her darling attic office.
Welcome to Desk Tour, a series where I interview creative folks about their desks and workspaces. In case you missed it: Kristen L. Berry’s Desk Tour from last time. You can also browse the entire catalog of Desk Tours.
If there is one book I have seen absolutely everywhere in the past few months, it’s Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser. I mean… Reese’s Book Club pick! Book of the Month pick! New York Times bestseller! I could go on! I was lucky enough to read a copy of the novel a couple months ago and I immediately understood why it is getting so much buzz. It is the ultimate ‘I can see this as a movie’ book, and even as someone without children, the writing on motherhood was truly moving.
It’s been inspiring to see Rachel’s wild success… but wait until you see her office! It is… maybe… perfect?
PS: Fun fact… Rachel is also the cofounder of Piecework!
OM: Describe your workspace.
RH: I moved to a big, drafty, 100-year-old house a few months ago and have been using the converted attic as my office—it’s all sloped ceilings and dormer windows. Heaven! I loved my workspace at my previous house, but it was the polar opposite. (Quite literally a converted hallway alcove.) I know most people don’t have the luxury of something like this, but I’ve worked from home for years now and it’s the first time I’ve felt a real separation from the happenings of the rest of my household. (I have young kids. My husband also works from home.) Having a physical divide has been very appreciated.
OM: What are your three favorite items on your desk right now?
RH: I keep a tiny oil painting of Lucy, the falcon in Lady Tremaine, nearby. My sister painted it for me. I also am amassing a small collection of vintage Cinderella books. My friend Jenn—my first eyes on my book—got me the initial one and it’s been easy to grow from there. And then, I will say my fancy tissue box because, per above, I have young children and therefore have been sick 19,472 times since December.
OM: Do you keep anything specific at your desk that you use as inspiration to stay creative or positive?
RH: I reward myself with chocolate candies, which I don’t technically keep at my desk, because I would eat them all at once, but I will bring up a little bowl with me. I like to keep copies of my ARC and hardcover on my shelf alongside some of my favorite Piecework puzzles—it’s nice to glance over and see the finished product of hard work.
As a bonus choice, can I say my carpet? I’ve found that when I’m really working on a problem or thinking something through, I want to physically stretch out, or do something different with my body. I’ll end up on the floor, hunched over some notepads and sticky notes, or lying on my back and talking to myself. It helps!
OM: Is there anything you absolutely HAVE to have at your desk/workspace or you can’t be productive?
RH: Good lighting. Lots of beverages. A comfortable chair. A door to shut. Temperature control. The truth is I will use any excuse to get up to take a break so I have to make myself very well situated to get any writing done.
OM: Is there anything you’d change about your workspace? If so, what?
RH: I’d love to have a bathroom nearby. I try to drink a lot of water and my bathroom breaks to go downstairs can be disruptive.
OM: What books are on your desk right now?
RH: I have an entire shelf next to my desk dedicated to research for my second book. I created a reference table of contents for myself in a word doc based off of all my notes, so when I want to find something specific, I can see which book and page number, and then it’s right next to me.
OM: Describe your ideal work day at your desk.
RH: My dream scenario is, as soon as I wake up, I roll out of bed, head up to my office, have a cup of coffee, read the news, and start writing. A more realistic version of this is that, after school drop off, I get to my desk pretty early and have a day free of calls.
My writing tends to come best in the morning, so when possible I try to move my Piecework work, or marketing-for-the-book work to the afternoon. Add in a walk, or something outside, and I am a happy camper.
OM: Where can people find you on the internet?
RH: You can find me on Instagram: @hochhauser. My website is here. Lady Tremaine is here. I have a baby substack, Great Fanfare; I have not set out to write regular newsletters so much as share occasional miscellany and book news.
Note from Olivia: Even THE CAT is perfect???? I’ll be thinking about this space for a long time.
A portion of March’s subscriber proceeds will go to Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, which is helping get groceries and necessities to families forced into hiding and parents kept away from work and kids from school.
THAT CAT!!!!!!!!
The cat IS perfect!! And the office is too, DAMN! Go Rachel!!