What a morning of fun I've had alongside the gorgeous Kiren Parmar of Tamworth Book Club and talented novelist Abda Khan on air at Radio Tamworth 106.8fm. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly a two hour time slot can fly by. At 10am, you wonder how we're going to talk books non-stop for two hours and at midday, I'm thinking there is so much I didn't say, I think we need another 30 minutes! 

The other thing that I love about Kiren's book show is that nothing is scripted. We literally have desk space and a mic in front of us, there's no notes, cue cards, nothing ... except lots of chocolate treats which Kiren always provides.

I can't believe how much we discussed today and the range of topics was huggggggge! Modern day slavery, Jane Austen, Leap year proposals, disability, Bradford, Romeo and Juliet, book prices, St Valentine day hinting, society issues, pantsters and planners, book themes and connections. Plus, Kiren managed to slot a few tunes in between the chatter!

If you missed the live session, I will post the links to the on-demand recording as soon as I receive them.

​Now, I'll love and leave you as it is time for me to write.

Click here http://radiotamworth.com/player/?ondemandid=19362… for the 1st hour of the show.

Click here http://radiotamworth.com/player/?ondemandid=19363… for the 2nd hour of the show.
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My latest book 'Taking A Chance On Love' revolves about my fascination with 29th February and the age old tradition of females proposing to their beaus. Personally, it is not something I would choose to do but even so, I love the very idea that some women do. 

Whilst completing my research, I posed the question to numerous women as to whether they would propose to their partners. Just a handful of women said 'yes' they would which led to me asking more probing questions in search of details and reasoning. After a couple of weeks, I began asking males if they would have liked their partner to propose? I received some eye-opening responses, one man was incredibly honest in relation to his wishes for his young daughter.

I have written an article for Bookends blog, in which I outline the findings of my research: to ask or not to ask on 29th February? 

Bookends article: press here to read




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January is nearly over, thankfully I've managed to finish certain reading books this month. I know many people dislike January after the lively buzz of December but personally, I love it. For me, January is a time of new beginnings and goal setting. This year, one goal is to share my reading books with my readers.

David Copperfield - Charles `Dickens 
This book has taken me a couple of months to read given that I've only dedicated a small portion of reading time each day. I do love Dickens so, tend to read him aloud to enjoy the syntax, rhythms and assonance of his written word. Thankfully, my dog simply curls up and listens to me chuntering away page after page. This book had been on my TBR pile for years. I'd avoided it due to the mixed option of others. I admit, I was wrong. I loved it. And, should have read it before now. Typical Dickens, with a huge cast of characters, lengthy descriptions and entwining conflicts, holds your interest throughout.

Dumb Witness & The Mysterious Affair At Styles - Agatha Christie
Those who have followed me for numerous years know I adore Agatha Christie. Her crime books transport me back to quiet Saturday afternoons when I'd lie on my bed as a teenager and read all day. Dumb Witness was my first read of hers and so, I reread it on New year's day to begin my challenge. I'd remembered who the murder was but not the method or means so, it was lovely to immerse myself for the day.

The Mysterious Affair At Styles - was first published in 1920 so, it seemed apt to choose it. Not my favourite Christie book but entertaining with the introduction of Hasting's narrative and Poirot's 'little grey cells'. I have been tweeting whilst reading the crime books as part of the #ReadingChristie 2020 challenge organised by @AgathaChristie group on Twitter.

The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
My paternal grandmother would have celebrated her 100th birthday this month so, I decided to reread her favourite book. She gave me her actual copy during my twenties so, I felt it was a fitting tribute. It has been many years since my initial read  and I'd forgotten how suave and sophisticated Jay Gatsby's parties were.

You've probably realised that I have several books on the go at the same time. I'd started another book Victoria: a life by A. N Wilson but I didn't manage to finish it this month - it'll overflow into my February's reads.

 Thursday, 23rd January was publication day for my fifth novel 'Taking A Chance On Love'  and I had the joy of attending the studios of Radio Tamworth 106.8fm to chat with the gorgeous Kiran Parmar.

If you missed the radio broadcast but wish to listen to our book banter for two hours please use the links below.

Grab a cuppa and settle back. Link to listen:  Press here

I've packed my notes, my laptop plus, my imagination and I'm out of the office for the weekend at a writing retreat. I know, it sounds indulgent but they work for me. Having spent many hours planning and plotting it is now time to write, write, write. And, so I shall.

I'd like to achieve a ten thousand word count whilst away. I'll blog as I go along and we'll see what the end result is come Sunday afternoon.

Friday afternoon: I arrived, unpacked and was greeted with the customary glass of Prosecco from my lovely host. There are five authors and one editor attending the retreat, each of us has our own agenda, goals and current project. It goes without saying that we each work in various manners and as we feel inclined. I have pitched myself in the reading room, the same spot that I occupied just three months ago whilst attending a previous retreat. I took the customary word count photo once settled and away I go!

​Friday evening: after a hearty evening meal we resumed our writing. I managed to achieve 3,175 words as a daily word count which was a decent amount given that I hadn't written this morning. I tend to write more in the morning than late at night. I wrapped it up at ten o'clock so I could read before calling it a day.

Saturday: an early was my aim for this mirroring so, it was quick breakfast with the other authors and away I dashed. I have spent eight hours tip tapping away but the results are reflected in my word count, yay!

Sunday morning: Woohoo! By midday, I had achieved my goal of 10,000 words. This is why writing retreats work for me! They give me a focus for the weekend, amongst like minded people, where the only thing I need to think about is my writing project. I have a couple more hours in which to write until I leave for home. But the momentum of this weekend remains long after I've arrived home. Tomorrow's writing will be energised by this weekend's achievement helping to boost my productivity and efficiency over the coming days.

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I enjoyed an extra Christmas present today thanks to Tesco! As of Boxing day, my book 'New Beginnings At Rose Cottage' is available from their stores for a limited period. As you can imagine, I'm chuffed to bits!

This morning, I did the 'excited author pretending to be ordinary shopper routine' as I dashed into Tesco without a basket or wheelie trolley (probably the only individual today) and hurried to the book section. And, there she was. Sitting as proud as Punch on the shelf right next-door to my mentor Katie Fforde. This moment never fails to thrill me. Though I probably did look slightly weird to all the other book browsers as I snapped shots of my paperback to use on social media. I don't care; it's my book, my thoughts and my imagination sitting pretty on their shelf.

So, if you haven't yet read my recent book - you can now purchase her with your next big shop! 

Be quick though, as my next book comes 'Taking A Chance On Love' out 23rd January 2020.

Day 29: I reached 50,577 words on 24th November but decided to continue. Today, I've reached 56,659 words written for NaNoWriMo19 so, I'm calling it a day. I need to focus on my editing project this weekend. This year's Nano hasn't been easy. It hasn't felt like the annual experience I sign up for due to their messed up website resulting in a lack of contact with fellow participants but I achieved the goal and have first half a draft 1 written. I have a full weekend of editing and finger crossed, I'll be sending a completed book to my agent for Monday morning.  


​ Day 24: Goal! 50,577 words written.

Day 21: An early writing session for me as I am off to party in London for the evening. Though, I'll take my editing along for the train journey. It's Day 21 and I'm nearly at my goal (46,282/50,000) I am sure that by the weekend I will be celebrating with bubbles! Whether I continue to the 30th November depends on how well my editing goes. I would love to complete both tasks by the end of the month and send my agent a completed novel about St Ives... let's wait and see. Anyway, I need to love an leave you; I have a train to catch x

DAY 20: I spent the morning editing and was fairly chuffed with my efforts given that the kitten wouldn't settle beside me, as he has on previous days. My lunch break was spent sketching a kingfisher which I've been meaning to attempt for weeks but other things have taken priority. Again, I'm pleased with the initial sketch maybe Friday, I'll work on the main body. I'll spend the afternoon writing as much as possible towards my NaNo goal because tomorrow will be dominated by the RNA Winter Party.  

​Oops, look what happened - a body appeared when I should have been writing. No worries, I'm on it ... off to write words, I promise. 

Day 19: I've plodded along as I promised I would. Though, I've returned to  editing a previous book as a means of distracting myself from NaNo 2019. I didn't intend to have two projects on the go this month but given my current dispondency I thought I might as well. So, from yesterday onwards, I will write my basic words and edit my previous St Ives book until 30th. (42,145/50,000)

Day 17: Well, my blog says it all really ... I don't feel like it is NaNoWriMo month. I feel as if it is like every other month of the year where I sit alone and write. I have never experienced this during NaNo in nine years. The usual Nano-me is buzzing, lively and connecting with my buddies online and motivating others. This year ... I'm writing in isolation and silence. I've never realised just how important the website is in motivating me for the 30 days. No web site = no fun :-( For you non-writers it would be like following the World Cup without fellow supporter to discuss each match with.  Or watching Bake-Off without a running commentary by Twitter followers. Ah well, I'll keep plodding until 30th!
My project is progressing well, I've fallen in love with my latest character but it could be March, June or August outside of my window. It is going to feel like a long year until next year but I hope NaNo 2020 sees a revival of the usual NaNoWriMo.  (36,840/50,000)

Day 10: Apologies for the lack of posting but I have the best excuse, kitten fever. Seriously, I can't stop loving my little precious. So, you'll just have to put up with me being distracted, sorry.

NaNoWriMo is going well, though the website is a total let-down this year. Every other year, I've been able to connect with my writing buddy, chat, message and encourage the first-timers - not this year. I don't think I'd have coped if this were my first year; they are alone without support due to technical issues.

Anyway, my project which I've called Day By Day is going well. I've found myself lost in the writing zone on several days and the plot has simply written itself. I'm hoping to have half of draft 1 complete by 30th November, then plan to write the other half a.s.a.p. during December and probably into January. Who knows. I can only plan and control certain aspects of my writing life. The ultimate deadline would be 31st January 2020. (21,791/50,000) 

Day 8: I've been slightly distracted today. My new cat, Moses arrived in the house so, forgive me for such a brief update. But, look at that little face!
(17,658/50,000)

Day 7: I was tempted to return to the local library today for a writing session but, I didn't manage to get there. I am hosting a NaNoWriMo Write-In session in another local library on Saturday so, maybe it was right for me to stay at home today. The NaNo website is still driving me slightly crazy as it isn't functioning as it should. I only hope it isn't putting first-timers off continuing as I don't think they have the 'buddy' support they would receive in precious years. (15,655/50,000)

Day 6: A great writing session, today. I went to my local library and worked for a couple of hours in the silent study area. I wrote so much in such a short space of time it was quite amazing. Plus, the staff made me a hot cuppa! What more can I ask for? (13,481/50,000)

Day 5: Today, the words simply flowed. There is nothing as good as a writing day when this happens. It probably helped that the weather seems pretty awful 'weather for ducks and authors' as I call it but hey, it forces you to stay at home, drink tea and write.

The new website for NaNoWriMo is still playing up so, I have no idea what progress my 'buddies' have made in the last five days. I'm hoping that nobody has fallen by the wayside and has given up due to the technical issues keeping us apart.
(11,068/50,000)

​Day 4: OK, so I've finally got over my NaNoWriMo graph issue - just. Today, was split between a research day and a writing day which was necessary but it broke with my routine. My unusual task of the day was phoning the local coroner's office to ask a question about a fictional death. Full marks to them for getting on-board with a writing idea and explaining my options. Seriously, I love it when non-writing folk can humour us creatives enabling our work to continue. (8,325/50,000)

Day 3: Urgh! I've woken this morning to find that NaNo's new website has malfunctions and added my word count from yesterday into today's date. What the hell! I hadn't written any words for today. For those doing NaNo you will now realise that my output graph has a gap for yesterday, which I can't alter or do anything about. In short, this nerdy girl has a blank space on her 2nd November date when she showed up, wrote and inputted her daily word count. There are times I hate technology! As an NaNoWriMo addict - I'm not impressed. My NaNo addiction requires that I have a perfect graph which shows my participation for all 30 days. I now have to complete the month with a 'blot' on my beautiful graph. I'm not sure I can cope with that! (6,315/50,000)


Day 2: A busy day for me but I still managed to write my NaNo words in my favourite Birmingham coffee shop. Apart from one other customer I had the place to myself! (4,219/50,000)

Day 1: As always, I stayed up to begin NaNoWriMo at midnight. I managed to write my first thousand words before sleep took over. This morning, I've settled down to another writing session to complete my daily word count. I love the fact that so many writers around the globe are connected by one annual event. There are occasions when the act of writing can feel fairly insular but never during November. (2,178/50,000)

If you know me, you know I love November. November is my chance to write a minimum of 50,000 words in one month alongside a global community of authors participating in NaNoWriMo. It might sound crazy, manic and totally absurd but it works for me. For one month of the year, everything which I love in life is forgotten in favour of the daily word count of 1667 words. Repeated 30 times it will deliver 50,010 words - that's half a draft 1 novel for me!

I have already planned (twice, in fact) a feasible plot line on post-it notes, my manuscript template is created and I am raring to go at midnight. I will wait for my local church to strike the hour and then, my fingers will begin.

This is my ninth NaNoWriMo - I intend to enjoy this experience but you never know what is in store for you. So, my fingers are crossed for a decent Nano experience. I have signed up many new buddies, some of them are first-timers, who I hope to support through the experience as well as Helen Phiffer buddied me back in 2012!

My plan is to write everyday. To aim for 2000 words each day to hopefully provide a safety net should the unexpected occur during the month. It pays to plan ahead for the unexpected, you know what life is.

I will be totally honest about my NaNo experience, my followers know I'll say if I'm finding it tough or dry-up partway through the month. Likewise if the words flow, I'll be chuffed to bits. You can never plan for the month ahead - you can simply try your best.

Good luck, folks! I'll see you on the other side of midnight!   

Day 1: As always, I stayed up to begin NaNoWriMo at midnight. I managed to write my first thousand words before sleep took over. This morning, I've settled down to another writing session to complete my daily word count. I love the fact that so many writers around the globe are connected by one annual event. There are occasions when the act of writing can feel fairly insular but never during November. (2,178/50,000)

The photo says it all. I've finished my current book on my self-imposed deadline day 31st October.

A good job really given that NaNoWriMo begins in just over 10 hours time!

​I'll be ready and waiting for my local church clock to strike midnight and then off we go!

Enjoy x

November is nearly here which means my annual hibernation is nearing with each passing hour. I've been a busy bee during October. Firstly, in finishing a novel and secondly, with my annual planning in preparation for NaNoWriMo. My usual October routine consists of ideas, plans and post-it notes but this year, my planning has taken a slight change of direction (that's an understatement)!

I was plodding along fine until ten days ago; Nano prep was complete - I knew what I would be writing 50,000 words on during November. But, this little brain of mine never stops, it simply churns away and throws up ideas whenever it chooses. I love it, because it keeps me on my creative toes but boy, when the NaNoWriMo planning is complete I don't need another idea, thanks.

Sadly, I couldn't ignore the idea either. So, I spent an entire day wrangling with which idea is the best one for me to pursue and yes, you've guessed it: the second one.

Back to square one and armed with post-it notes. 

It's 30th October and I have a brand new writing project planned for November! The previous project will have to wait in line until 2020 to see the light of day - nothing is ever wasted in our profession.

I still have a day's writing to go finishing my current novel but it will be completed by 31st October, I promise. I couldn't possibly have two projects on the go during November - that would be sheer madness! Or could I?