diff --git a/src/impls/bool.rs b/src/impls/bool.rs
index fdca95db..eac90ea5 100644
--- a/src/impls/bool.rs
+++ b/src/impls/bool.rs
@@ -76,8 +76,8 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn test_writer() {
-        let out_buf = vec![];
-        let mut writer = Writer::new(out_buf);
+        let mut out_buf = vec![];
+        let mut writer = Writer::new(&mut out_buf);
         true.to_writer(&mut writer, BitSize(1)).unwrap();
         assert_eq!(vec![true], writer.rest());
 
diff --git a/src/writer.rs b/src/writer.rs
index da73c8f7..8b58cbd4 100644
--- a/src/writer.rs
+++ b/src/writer.rs
@@ -14,17 +14,17 @@ const fn bits_of<T>() -> usize {
 }
 
 /// Container to use with `from_reader`
-pub struct Writer<W: Write> {
-    pub(crate) inner: W,
+pub struct Writer<'a, W: Write> {
+    pub(crate) inner: &'a mut W,
     leftover: BitVec<u8, Msb0>,
     /// Total bits written
     pub bits_written: usize,
 }
 
-impl<W: Write> Writer<W> {
+impl<'a, W: Write> Writer<'a, W> {
     /// Create a new `Writer`
     #[inline]
-    pub fn new(inner: W) -> Self {
+    pub fn new(inner: &'a mut W) -> Self {
         Self {
             inner,
             leftover: BitVec::new(),