I’m writing this from my bed in Oslo, Norway. A little over three months have passed since I put my bag in the back of Gilbert’s truck and watched the white stone house disappear behind us. The only one I didn’t hug goodbye was Keith, who disappeared the previous night. Later, I got a text from him: “Friend, so sorry for missing your goodbye. It has been such a joy, both mentally and spiritually, to be in your presence. Thank you for feeling like home. I will surely miss you.”
Keith was right. Staying in Paulet House was a joy, both mentally and spiritually. The hosts, Justin, Theo, Gilbert, Siena and Charmaine (in the order in which I met them), made the experience nothing short of luxurious. We were picked up at the airport by Justin, who made the two-hour drive enjoyable, telling stories and pointing out various animals along the way. I might have seemed overly enthusiastic. Being Norwegian, I am not used to seeing troops of baboons in the middle of the road. Or anywhere, for that matter!
When we arrived, Gilbert and Siena had prepared a delectable spread to nibble on while dinner was prepared. The writers sat in the garden, our faces lit up by candlelight, listening to laughter and chatter from the kitchen. As the palms gently rocked in the evening warmth, the wine and ambiance melted away our last inhibitions. This was the magic of Paulet House. Despite our varying introversion and capricious minds, the daily joy of our surroundings and Gilbert’s excellent meals transformed us into a tight knit group.
In my three weeks in KwaNojoli, I got to know five other writers: Keith, Willem, Kwassi, Anzil and Lindiwe. We worked in separate locations on the property but shared all our meals. Breakfast was the most disjointed from our side, our group being a mix of early birds and night owls. Conversation was quite limited. By lunch, we had picked up some spirit and often discussed our work. In the evening, most of us gathered in and around the kitchen, having a glass of wine. Gilbert kept the drinks flowing through dinner. Some of my best nights in KwaNojoli were spent around the braai, drinking, dancing and talking into the wee hours.
It might sound as if I achieved nothing but merriment in Paulet House, but to my surprise I got a whole lot of writing done. I was working on a young adult novel and picked up helpful tips from several of the writers. Some through exchanging texts, and lots through osmosis: in helping others and sharing ideas, becoming inspired is inevitable. Besides, there is so much uninterrupted writing time when you have all your meals provided.
Paulet House and its lessons will stay with me always. I miss both KwaNojoli and my friends in Paulet House dearly!
Hannah Mileman
Hannah Mileman is a Norwegian writer and illustrator who studied at Kingston University in London and is currently based in Oslo. She made her debut in 2020 as an author of historical fiction with her first book in the Gjenklang series and in 2021 as a writer of storybooks for children when she started with her Vesle series. The most recent Veslestorybook has been nominated for the Norwegian Ministry of Culture’s picture book award in 2024. Apart from these book projects, she has worked as an educational writer of school textbooks, for online teaching platforms and encyclopaedias and presented lectures about writing and literature for children and adults. She has already published 15 books and is currently working on a young adult novel. Her aspiration is to publish a work of fiction in English in order to reach a wider audience.
