This week, I thought I’d blog about my volunteering role. Not a role that I talk about much on social media but some of you eagle-eyed folks have picked up on my early morning postings. And questioned, what I’m doing? If you spy an early morning post linked to breakfast at McDonalds, I will have just finished a night shift answering phones for a charity. The shift starts at 2am and finishes at 6am - its my preferred shift. I’m usually in Maccy’s within 10 minutes, as it is the perfect place to allow my brain to download from the topics and calls taken during the night. I tend to be the only person who is ‘eating in’ and the staff greet me with a smile. Which is always lovely. I have the entire place to myself, while a line of traffic snakes past the window for the ‘drive thru’. 
 
It might sound melancholy but it’s become a vital routine after each night shift giving me chance to grab breakfast and empty my mind, before heading home to start my day. I do different shifts each week but my preferred shift is the night shift. For eighteen months, I have willingly given my time, four hours a week, to those that need to talk. I’ve found it to be rewarding and have gained a sense of purpose knowing that my experiences in life haven’t gone to waste. We all encounter ‘something’ in life, I endured rotten times as a child and in my thirties – the early hours of the morning were the worst for me. I frequently hear callers make comments that I once uttered and instantly understand where they are coming from. Sadly, during my difficult times, my comments fell on deaf ears or were answered back with insulting cliches! My callers benefit because I understand where they are sitting with their hurt/pain/upset/trauma/situation/issue – I haven’t ‘lived’ what they’re going through but I recognise the emotions and the isolation they talk about. 
 
I truly believe: we don’t heal until we’re heard!
 
So, should you spot my social media Maccy’s breakfast posts know that I’m heading home grateful for the opportunity to have listened to another - who needed to be heard. 
 
Samaritans: freephone on 116 123 - 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

I dare to dream ... this could be happening! I've continued my daily plant-watch and am seeing a definite orange hue slowly develop within the stalk's spike. Dare I call it a flower bud? Yep, I think I will! In thirty years, I have never had a leaf unfurl in this manner so I'm opting to be optimistic. The second bud, positioned lower down, isn't as prominent in colour but is showing the exact same signs.​

Update: she is blooming, very slowly. 

Tadah! Finally, after 30 years of nurturing, having planted a seed in 1996 - she blooms!

Tonight, I attended my fourth author talk of 2026! This event was held for a local group of ladies who had booked me having heard of another groups' satisfaction, after their delightful evening - you can't beat that for a booking! Anyway, I trundled along as I do, suitcase in tow, stashed with an array of books and writerly paraphernalia to give my talk about 'secret scribbler to published author'. Another success! There was plenty of laughter, book chatter and many questions! i also heard the most amazing version of Blake's Jerusalem sung without accompaniment! 

Topic included:

Jane Austen                                                              Post-it notes
Library cards                                                           Market Square
Awkward teenager                                                  Comet computer
The Bennet sisters                                                  Extraordinary women
Romantic Novelists' Association                            Daily reading
Bottom drawer                                                        GCSE English
Nappies & mortgages                                              Beds, cots and spare rooms 
Writing groups                                                         Options 
Secrets                                                                      London Euston
1994                                                                           Tap dancing
C. S. Lewis & wardrobes                                          Short stories
Happiness and dreams                                            Golden nuggets
​Writing habits                                                          Three day recovery
New Year story                                                         Connections
The Open University
​                                                         

Last night, I meet with a local group and walked them through the process of writing a book, from idea to published page. The group sat in silence as I explained how I generate ideas, observe and dive into research at various points. I explained how I plan the plot using post-it notes, characters arcs and describing locations. I used a multitude of examples that I have used for inspiration within my own books.

I talked about the practicalities of coloured post-it notes, my manuscript template and my writing habit. The highs and lows of creating chapter by chapter to produce draft one. I shared my dislike of editing and how I approach the task in an attempt to make it likeable in my world.

I enjoyed myself immensely - the evening was full of book chatter, laughter and a great company!    

During my Friday library talk at Wolston, Aimee and Matthew who were hosting my event, talked about the Warwickshire Book Bingo challenge 2026. I grabbed the chance to sign-up and join in. I had such a rubbish year of reading last year that I feel this could be the boost I need to inject some fun back into my reading habit. I won't be completing the reading books in month order but I will be completing the challenge! I've already selected six books which fit the categories - I'll leave my options open as surprise choices.

​Task 1. The first book in a series: The Housemaid - McFadden
Task 2: A book you loved as a child:
Task 3: A book by a debut author:
Task 4: A book with a green cover:
Task 5: A book recommends by a friend:
Task 6: A book with a number in the title:
Task 7: A book set in another country:
Task 8: A book you've been meaning to read:
Task 9: A book with a one word title:
Task 10: A book that starts with the same letter as your name:
Task 11: Reread a favourite book:
Task 12: A book published this year: