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Thank You!

As we come towards the end of the decade I wanted to take a moment and say thank you for sharing my journey thus far. This year has been particularly tough in so many ways, and your kind words and thoughtful messages have held me up when I’ve been ready to crash and burn. I take none of it for granted, and am thankful for each and every one of you who takes the time to buy my books, read my posts, offer advice, post a comment or simply thinks of me.

We all lead such busy lives and can easily drown with the overwhelming amount of ‘stuff’ there is to do. It is easy to forget to say thank you but it is so important. So, from me to you this holiday season a very big heartfelt thank you for being there. I value everything you do for me, from a simple smile to a wonderful review of one of my books. I may not know you all by name but I do appreciate you 🙂

Here’s wishing you all a very happy and healthy holiday season x

Happy Christmas 2019!
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Gifts Worth Giving…

In this crazy world of fake news and dwindling access to reality, books are more important than ever. As a child I stood outside my local library many times waiting for it to open. I was desperate to trace my fingers across the shelves and find books that would stimulate, educate and inform.

I’m saddened to think that children today have far less opportunity than I did to access such a rich seam of knowledge. Libraries encourage freedom to think, they give you courage to be who you are. Almost a fifth of UK libraries have closed since 2010 – it is a shocking statistic.

Organisations which support reading projects get a big thumbs up from me, which is why I want to draw your attention to the charity Give a book. They promote reading for pleasure and give books where they will make a difference. They work within many settings including prisons and schools across the UK.

From December 3rd – December 10th if you donate to the charity through The Big Christmas Give link here your donation will be match funded!

Poor reading is linked to economic disadvantage and reduced life opportunities. If you truly want to give a gift worth giving please donate what you can.

Photo credit ~ Jarred Craig Unsplash

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Update

According to the Cambridge Dictionary to update is to~

“Make something more modern or suitable for use now by adding new information or changing its design.”

That is a lot to live up to, but I’ll give it a go!

I live in a continual state of updating, whether personal or professional. I think the key is to keep pressing forwards – a blog post here, a  red pen edit there, a finished novel here, another red pen edit there, a new blend of coffee here – coffee, did someone say coffee? I’ll admit I am not the best blogger in the world, and as life crowds in my blog gets pushed down the list of ‘to do’s’. The frequency of my posts leaves a lot to be desired, but like any good cookie will tell you (digital not edible), there is always something going on in the background. Continue reading “Update”

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Nativity Anthology

I have to admit to being a tad excited and a little overwhelmed.
Today see’s the release of Nativity, a collection of outstanding stories by very talented authors under the Bridge House Publishing banner. I am very lucky and honoured to have my short story ‘New Shoes For Christmas’ included.

Many of the stories featured take place at or around Christmas time. Mine is a dark tale of birth and rebirth, but like the proverbial box of chocolates there is plenty of choice! It is available  as an e-book, with the paperback expected within the next few days, with the film following… haha only joking about the film,  but hey that would be something wouldn’t it?

I would love to know what you think of the anthology. Feel free to purchase a copy from the link below… reviews would be most welcome 🙂

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Words Catch Fire

My latest adventure…. An absolute privilege to feature in an anthology so packed with artistic talent! Devon authors, poets, painters and photographers all together in one book. I can be found on page 3!

If this sounds like your kind of read then grab yourself a copy…

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These are the Days

These are the days that seem to vanish into clouds. Days when each past moment is forgotten and only now remains. Am I talking nonsense? Quite possibly, but as fellow writers will affirm the moment really is ‘the moment’ and on a good day it lasts forever.

I apologise if I have lost you, I am of course talking about writing. It has been the best of days, it has been the busiest of days and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Now time is precious so I won’t spend hours talking about writing, because the more I spend chatting the less time I can devote to actually writing or reading or doing whatever I’m supposed to be doing which is embarking on another adventure… So here’s a re cap…

Imagine – you have 1 day to go until your holiday, a holiday you have looked forward to, planned for, I mean really planned for. It involves the whole family, boats, lists, internet searches.

You finish work (your day job), you pack the dogs off to their holiday home, you pick up dinner and now its time to pack. But wait, what’s that? A thought, an idea? You shake it off because you don’t have time, not now, not today. Today is all about planning, being organised. The idea refuses to leave and renders you incapable of rational thought. OK, so it will only take 10 minutes to write down, then you can pack and feel smug. You won’t be the one holding everyone up, you’ll be ready…

The reality…

Six hours later, you crawl into bed. You’ve have 4 hours sleep and still haven’t packed. If you could go back and change things would you? Hell no! Because that’s what it’s all about, that’s what’s so glorious about writing and I love it!

So that was my day – how was yours?

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Hey Shorty!

This week I received an exciting piece of news. A short story I entered into a competition made the Short List. As a writer it is the sort of news that sends tingles down your spine and puts a smile on your face.

Rejection is part and parcel of the everyday when you write, it comes with the territory. So when you get a short list or long list placing you can be assured that your story has had an impact – it is a wonderful feeling. Some days writing is thankless and hard, it can feel as if you are wading through treacle. You try your hardest to make your story sing only to have it land flat. Moments that make you fly are so important. They serve as a reminder that sometimes, just sometimes you can hold a tune!

Thankfully I do not have to wait too long for the results.

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The Big Share

Libraries have always been an integral part of my life. They are about so much more than books. They provide knowledge, ideas, creativity, space to think, time to breath and so much more. They are free to all, which is a rarity.

Today sees the start of ‘The Big Share‘, and I would encourage you, if you can, to participate.

Little Free Library is a non for profit organisation that inspires a love of reading. It is known that children growing up in homes without access to books are generally 3 years behind children in homes with lots of books , but Little Free Library is not just for children, it is for everyone. The free book exchange libraries help to build better access to books for everyone.

This weekend ( May 17th – May 19th) is a celebration of the organisations 10th anniversary.’The Big Share‘ is an invitation to book lovers everywhere to participate. Here’s how:

  • Stop by a Little Free Library (they are in over 90+ countries)
  • Take a photo of your visit
  • Share on social media with #LFL10
  • You’ll be entered into a prize draw for a $20 e gift card for the LFL store
  • Spread the word!

There is a map on the website of where the LFL’s are. If you can’t find one you can start your own!

Now more than ever I feel we need to find ways to encourage reading for all. Little Free Libraries are one way to improve social equity – in my book (pardon the pun), that is a very good thing indeed!