OK, I admit it, Lockdown has been good for writing but what it's been rubbish for is research. I can't tell you how fed up I am at trying to get squashed images on Google Maps to show me the terrain, the buildings or routes for my heroine to travel. So as soon as I... Continue Reading →
At 4pm on Monday, I was painting a kitchen wall Rectory Red. By 7.20, I was an award winning author. Fortunately, you'll be glad to know, I'd managed to change out of my paint-smeared clothes for the occasion. It was International Women's Day, and the day when I was so proud to be one of... Continue Reading →
It's eight years since I started writing 'Lily's War'. It was a reaction to a couple of things-firstly, to try to rediscover my mum after she died at the age of 90. Anyone with an elderly relative will understand that in the last few years of life, you can lose sight of the younger person... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Monday. Hang on, is it Monday? Is it still April? Are we still in this grim parallel universe? I feel like asking in a mystical, deep voice: "Is there anyone there?" I remember at University doing philosophy as part of my English course and the theory of solipsism ( had to look it... Continue Reading →
I am a published author! Well, it’s on e books at the moment, the paperback version is coming out on 23rd Jan. The publishers emphasised this was a soft launch so I didn’t really get too excited but then everyone around me started to make a fuss and I suddenly thought: “No, this is a... Continue Reading →
There’s only one way not to fail and that’s not to do anything. Those wise words repeated endlessly by my parents when I was a child, have framed my life and as I enter my third and very unexpected career in my 60s as an author, they have never rung more true. I did not... Continue Reading →
When I started to write 'Lily's War', I met a friend who is also an author. I very blithely stated that I just wanted to create a well-written page-turner.. nah, wasn't interested in awards. Well, apparently, I lied. I'm ridiculously delighted to say that 'Bobby's War' has been shortlisted in the RNA Romantic Novel of... Continue Reading →
I know, I've been woefully quiet and I could use the excuse that I'm desperately trying to get 'Hannah's War' written but I suspect the truth is, that for the first time in my life, I have had nothing to say! This morning it's started to snow which scuppers the one thing that's kept me... Continue Reading →
So anyone still out there? Not hiding under the duvet? Tempting though isn't it? Enough of this Covid nonsense ( Oh, yes please!) I'm starting to think about a talk I'm doing in December entitled 'It's never too late to write a novel' - you can book to join it on Zoom here: https://www.wherecanwego.com/item/e1426299/its-never-too-late-to-write-a-novel-an-online-wirksworth-heritage-centre-talk-by-local-author-shir -... Continue Reading →
Well, it's been a funny old summer so far, hasn't it? There have been moments when it's all seemed OK and I've felt incredibly lucky and other times when I've felt cheated by this bloomin' virus. I know that living in the wonderful county of Derbyshire I have no reason to complain but last night,... Continue Reading →
You remember Marion, the stuck-up one in 'Lily's War'? Well, I was commissioned to write a short story for Woman's Weekly last month and I thought Marion had had a bit of a bad press so I wanted to give her a back story that might make you find her a little more appealing. I'm... Continue Reading →
Right, I'm confident you're bored with Lockdown, you've watched all the box sets, you may have even done all the ironing so I thought you might like a change. Tonight ( Tues 5th May 7pm) I am doing a talk and Q and A on my book 'Lily's War' and the good news is, you... Continue Reading →
