I’ve spent the last two writing days in my own personal Tardis, in which I whizzed back in time to Saturday July 30th 1966, the day England won the World Cup. I’m not a huge football fan. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy sport, I like to see a good match of anything – tennis, rugby, cricket, hockey – as long as it’s exciting it’s got my attention. But in spite of growing up with football – Dad a referee and big West Ham fan, the Brother and Nephews live and die for QPR, – I can take it or … Read the rest »

On Wednesday I had decided I was back in the writing! I spent a couple of hours re-reading the last two chapters I’d written and editing/proof reading them and then I attacked the keyboard and off I went; carrying on with The Banjo. Well, three thousand two hundred and seventeen words later I saw that my iPad was very low on battery – less than 10% – which was strange because it was actually plugged into the mains at the time. I tried several things – like switching sockets – but to no avail. Something was wrong! Da- da- DAAAA!… Read the rest »

It was a simple, beautiful way to come round this morning; the sound of rain on the roof at 6.30am. Much better than the 3am ‘Where am I?’ jerking awake of yesterday. And so, it appears that I’m slipping into Antigua time. 🙂

The last three weeks were hectic. Lovely but hectic. I mean, it was only 16 months since my last move, so I’m not sure how one woman can collect so much stuff. As I’ve wondered before, how did Mother Teresa manage with a bucket and a spare sari? So, there were numerous trips to charity shops to … Read the rest »

One of the most interesting things I’ve noticed while doing my research for The Banjo (my next novel, due out soon!) is how nobody in the 50s and 60s dressed casually. In every single photo I’ve looked at the men wore collars and ties and the women hats and gloves, which probably matched their handbags and shoes, but I can’t prove it as the photos are in black and white!
Even the children are dressed in smart clothes; boys playing football and go-carting in the streets wear jackets or pullovers and ties. ‘Best’ clothes seemed to consist of school blazers. … Read the rest »

On Saturday I went to the Authors and Bloggers Meet Up at the Bacchus Bar in Birmingham. (Being writers we had to meet up somewhere alliterative!) This is the fourth or fifth such get-together I’ve attended and to be honest, I was debating whether or not to go. I’m ‘between-novels’ at the moment; my last one came out 14 months ago and it will be 3 months before the next one – The Banjo – will be ready. And, after all, I’d been to all the others, hadn’t I? I’d enjoyed them and found them worthwhile, but, in my conceited … Read the rest »