The peculiar art of self-publicity
You know the funniest thing about this writing lark is all the stuff that comes with it … I’m still having trouble acknowledging that I’m a writer. I find it very hard to say ‘I write books.’ Harder still is to take in the news that Pursued by Love has been nominated for the Romantic […]
Anyone for ‘cheap’ music?
‘Extraordinary how potent cheap music is,’ said Amanda in Private Lives (a production of which, starring Matthew MacFadyen and Kim Cattrall, has just closed at The Vaudeville Theatre). Extraordinary indeed. I love my early evening Saturday night telly. It’s one time in the week when I know I can settle down and relax. Don’t mind […]
So, how did it all begin?
Recently, I’ve been thinking about how I started writing in the first place. I was one of those children who always had their nose stuck in a book – I even read while walking home from primary school! Enid Blyton was a favourite but along the way I devoured Rosemary Sutcliff, Susan Cooper, Alan Garner […]
Black dye, riches and tragedy.
I’m lucky to have many fascinating National Trust houses within easy distance and one of my favourites is Berrington Hall in Herefordshire. Berrington is a pretty 18th century house, with Capability Brown designed grounds, set amongst beautiful rolling hills and commanding impressive views. I visit frequently and always find something new. My most recent trip […]
Spread the Love.
We’re in that period hurtling up to Valentine’s Day. The shops are full of pink champagne and sickly boxes of chocs and jewellers are in overdrive. Never been a fan of the fourteenth of February myself. Always seen it as a ruthless commercial gesture to charge a fortune for a dinner reservation for two or […]
The world is ready for a Mary Stewart revival!
Want feisty heroines? Smouldering men? A good plot and excellent characterisation all set against an atmospheric background? Try a Mary Stewart novel. Those in charge of commissioning television drama, glutted as it is with Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell, take note. To feed my current King Arthur obsession, I was given Lady Stewart’s Merlin […]
In search of a hero …
Reading an interview with the delightful and very down to earth sounding India Grey in an issue of Writing Magazine, something struck a chord. Ms. Grey (Mistress: Hired for the Billionaire’s Pleasure and Spanish Aristocrat, Forced Bride, both for Mills and Boon) was asked that old chestnut, where does she get ideas for characters […]
Move Over Mr. Darcy!
Puppy Love Move over Mr. Darcy, I have a new love in my life! He’s a very handsome chap and, just like Darcy, looks rather dapper in his black and white outfit. He also has a cold wet snuffly nose and four enormous paws, which I’m fairly certain Fitzwilliam Darcy didn’t possess. Some weeks ago […]
Going Beyond the Bedroom Door …
Recently, an article written by novelist Maeve Haran in The Telegraph hit on a common problem for writers and especially writers of romance: how to write that perfect sex scene. It’s something I had to face a few months ago. One novel that I’ve been working on for a few years now (I’m a […]
