When I'm writing a novel, I always like to have an image in my mind of what the two lead characters look like. Often, this can be a composite of two or three people - for example, in my debut novel, The Second Chance Tea Shop, Matthew Carter, the leading man, was a kind of… Continue reading How ‘Horrible Histories’ gave me Harry Sinclair.
Tag: life
Why I love…the Shipping Forecast
I'm going to try to follow my daughter's example with this blog, and post more regularly for the next few weeks. As a result, I thought I'd do some shortish posts where I write about things I love. Welcome to the first in the series! So...the Shipping Forecast. Put simply, it's a list of the… Continue reading Why I love…the Shipping Forecast
Welcome to my writing place!
For the first four novels of my career, I wrote in the living room. The computer was in the corner, and I’d type while keeping a vague eye on my young daughters, just to make sure no major mishaps occurred. When the first, and then the second, went to school, I stayed put because it… Continue reading Welcome to my writing place!
2018 review…what I know now.
Well, that's another year almost in the bag. And what a year it's been! Starting with the release of my second novel, Springtime at the Cider Kitchen, and ending with the burning anticipation of the release of my third book, Summer in the Orchard on 3rd January 2019, it's, in one sense, a year bookended by books. It's been… Continue reading 2018 review…what I know now.
Welcome to my happy place…
Ever since I can remember, writing and reading have been my happy places. They are where I go when, if you'll excuse the vernacular, Shit Gets Too Real in real life. Now, before everyone gets out their tiny violins, can I just make clear that, actually, for most of the time, my life is exactly… Continue reading Welcome to my happy place…
Mum Life…
**Wrote most of this on Friday evening, but finished it today - a shout out to parents everywhere** So today has been one of those days when you realise how many balls you juggle as a parent. And whether you're a mother or father who has a job outside the home, works from home or… Continue reading Mum Life…
One of those weeks…
This week has been One Of Those. The kind of week where everything is just that little bit more complicated than it needs to be. Of course, it's the last week of the school term, and it doesn't help that not only are there two knackered children in the house, one who's just completed her… Continue reading One of those weeks…
The day has come…
Today is the day I've been fantasising about for months (and, after six weeks of having my lovely daughters with me virtually 24/7, dreamed about!). My youngest daughter has gone to school for the first time. And I feel so, so weird. I know I'll get used to it; after all, having a good chunk… Continue reading The day has come…
The Lake House
So. Those of you who know me well must have known this was coming. And those of you who don't know me well but are regular readers of this blog might have guessed as well! I currently have a mild obsession with this film, after having watched it for the first time on Friday night.… Continue reading The Lake House
If ‘not now’, then when?
It's HOT! And in usual British style, the weather didn't give us much warning; it just switched from 'meh' to volcanic heat literally overnight. And, as is my usual, this has got me thinking. I went out to the RNA South West Chapter dinner last night, and I was quite sad that I couldn't wear… Continue reading If ‘not now’, then when?