Since moving to Beccles in Suffolk four months ago, we’ve taken part in a couple of beach cleaning events – one in Lowestoft and one in Aldeburgh.

Having never done one before, we didn’t know what to expect. We arrived at the meeting point where other people were already waiting, then the organisers handed out work wear – gilets, gloves, grabbers (although I chose to use my gloved hands as I find grabbers frustrating to use), a bottle of water and refuse sacks, then off we went for three and a half hours!

As we had to walk through a car park to get to the beach, there was already rubbish strewn around, which if left, would have blown onto the beach, so our job started straight away and I was already mumbling to myself about why people couldn’t dispose of their rubbish responsibly, but it was to get much worse – the rubbish and the muttering.

Hubs and I walked separately to go at our own speed, and soon I came across what I called ‘party areas’, where people had obviously gathered for a few drinks and snacks but didn’t have the decency to take their rubbish home with them, or use the bins in the car park! What shocked me were the broken glass bottles I found, with jagged edges that would really harm any children or dogs running around. Bottle tops, crisp packets, cigarette butts – that we now know contain plastic –  and plastic wrappers from sandwiches etc were all there to be found.

But what really upset me (and gave me back and leg ache for 4 days after the event) were the tiny bits of polystyrene (looked like from takeaway cartons and cups) dotted around. They were tiny, but enough for fish to ingest, and they blighted the sand. I would take one step then bend down to gather the pieces, then another step to repeat the same action – I did a huge amount of squats over the period of time, no wonder I ached! Even though I spent the most amount of time collecting these pieces, I could see there were more but time wasn’t on my side.

On returning the sack to the organisers, they said that everyone complained about the amount of polystyrene they found strewn around – very disheartening.

The second beach clean in Aldeburgh threw up little polystyrene but we did find plastic food wrappers, plastic lolly sticks and drink cans instead. Again, we found some broken glass, and I can’t understand how people can dismiss the harm they may be doing to a human or a beast down the line. It was a shorter event and as such, didn’t feel as satisfying – but at least my body didn’t suffer afterwards.

We will continue to attend these events although it’s sad they have to exist. However, even if visitors to the beach took all their rubbish away with them, there would still be detritus from industries, boats and ships on the water, so I suppose this is a never-ending story (cue for that song).

After years of writing in my armchair, on the sofa, on the dining room table, progressing to a small desk in the lounge, I’ve finally moved to a house with my own writing room. This has afforded me a larger desk (a Victorian pine kitchen table) and an office chair which is much more accommodating on the back, neck and shoulders, than a dining room chair.

I now have a notice board on the wall above my desk where I can place important info regarding the current novel, a cupboard where I can store all my writing files, and a bookcase dedicated to books on writing and creativity. For the hot days we’ve been experiencing, I have a large stainless-steel fan in place to keep me cool. It’s still a little too messy for my liking, but having only moved three months ago, it’s the last room to be sorted and it will eventually happen.

At last I have peace, away from hubs and his constant need to have the TV on in the background, regardless of what drivel is on – often rolling sports news – need I say more? I keep the door open, however, as Alfie mews at the closed door – he likes to wander in and check on me – occasional sleeping in his bed or on my laptop!

Have I been more productive? Well yes and no, Writing without distraction is infinitely better, but being alone does mean I can nod off and hubs isn’t there to wake me up.

A writing room is by no means essential – I’ve managed for years – and I know I’m very fortunate to finally have one, but it’s definitely something I wouldn’t want to be without, now. Thankfully, this is our forever home after years of moving for work and growing children, so I can rest assured this is my room for as long as I need it – I’ve no idea when I’ll stop writing – if ever?

Do you have your own writing space, or do you prefer being surrounded by household hubbub? We’re all different and seek different experiences and environments to work in.

Happy Word Flow One & All

I am so looking forward to attending this book signing event on Saturday 6th October 2018, which is only eleven weeks away – eek! It’s organised and run by the fabulous ladies at Hourglass, so you can be sure of a well attended and run event. This will be my third event I’ve attended as an author, and this year I will have the fifth in the DI Wednesday novels to sell.

There are authors who write psychological thrillers, horror, fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal as well as crime. I also have two women’s contemporary fiction – The Reluctant Mother, about a woman who suffers with post-natal psychosis, and Garlic & Gauloises, which is about a writer’s retreat in France with a cast of character’s to entertain, hate and hopefully love.

I have attached the link below so you can purchase your ticket to either a morning, afternoon or all day session. There is also the fabulous Darker Ball to attend in the evening.

I really do hope to see you there, whether we’ve met before or you are new to me.

Peterborough Book Signing 2018

Since moving house and emptying most of the boxes, my hunger for reading has thankfully returned. Whilst lost within the pages of a novel, I feel harnessed with power and knowledge by absorbing new vocabulary, seeing what works and what doesn’t, and soaking-up the rhythm and pace set by the author. I do enjoy a novel for pure entertainment, but the thirst for learning is never far from my mind.

Yet the downside is doubting I will ever achieve the greatness of some authors – and there, my friend, is that old nemesis, nagging doubt (insert your own mental image).

But instead of being knocked off-course, I choose to take the view of on-wards and upwards. I’m mostly proud of the novels I’ve written so far, but I know there’s always room for improvement – one never stops learning – and one shouldn’t; how dull would it be to know everything without ever experiencing again the joy at discovering something new? I’m a great believer in the more one writes, the better one gets – hopefully!

I’ve just finished The Break by Marian Keyes, the first novel I’ve read by this author. I enjoyed it, but noted that I found the tome rather a long read – something for me to bear in mind. No sooner had I finished that novel, I picked up The Perfect Affair by Claire Dyer, which so far I am enjoying and warming to the two protagonists. My hubs is rather concerned about the subject material of both novels, and is wondering about the state of our marriage!

Since moving to Beccles four weeks ago, I have been a frequent visitor to the town’s independent book shop – what a joy to have one at last! My recent acquisitions are The Kindness by Polly Samson, The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths, N-W by Zadie Smith, and a replacement copy of Family and Friends by Anita Brookner, whom I love to re-read periodically as she was my inspiration to be a writer. Although sadly departed, she was always on my wish list as a fantasy dinner guest. We have already had to buy another bookcase for the existing books, as we lost the built-it shelves in our old house, so I had better monitor my trips to the book shop – ha!

Whether you’re a reader and writer, or purely a reader, I hope your passion is fuelled.

Happy Word Flow One & All

I can’t believe we’re mid-March already, where is this year going? I suppose I have a lot going on, which may explain the phenomenon.

Firstly, and most excitingly, we’re moving to the Suffolk/Norfolk border – hopefully in the first week of May. After keeping the home highly organised – almost show-home style – and clean in readiness for the viewings, it took only two weeks to sell the house, and all hell broke loose after that.

I am now surrounded by all the boxes from the loft – which is now thankfully empty – containing Christmas decorations, drawings and school books from primary and secondary school pertaining to my two daughters, a box with their first primary school uniforms in, and various boxes of stuff from the past that is hard to let go of for various reasons. We had a skip on our drive to fill with broken garden furniture and unwanted bits and bobs. The local charity shop benefited from old clothes, books and boxes of children’s games – it was a pleasure to say goodbye to Monopoly; I hate that game.

My mind is filled with planning the rooms in the new house and nerves about starting at a new gym and a new yoga group. The room I’m picturing the most is my own office to write in – I’m so excited about being enveloped in peace to write in. I’m hoping I’ll be more productive – ha!

On the writing front, I’m waiting to get my 5th DI Wednesday novel,’Step’, back from my editor at the publishers to start working with him, and in the meantime, I’m writing a contemporary novel.

But there’s where my brain feels totally washed-out. I’m 77,000 into one contemporary novel, but then an idea burst into my brain about another story, which I’m now 5,000 words into. I like them both and intend to finish them both, but for now, I’m letting my mind dictate which one I concentrate on – if only for my sanity.

I have another contemporary novel which has been read by three beta readers and my mother – who is hard to please novel-wise – and I have just a few corrections left to do before I publish it. As it’s my first time self publishing, I want to have the time to get it right, so I really have to wait until after the move. Putting the project on hold is something I’m forcing myself to do, but it isn’t easy.

All-in-all, my life feels hectic and close to over-flowing into inertia if I’m not careful. I still have the house to pack up, which is distracting, and Alfie continues to demand my attention as cats usually do.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not unhappy with my life, I’m just tired; clutter doesn’t suit my creativity. I’m so looking forward into being in the new house for the summer and just hope we have plenty of sunny days to enjoy the garden and explore the new area. Hopefully, next time I post on here, I will be esconced in my new home – yippee!

Happy Word Flow One & All

I have always shied away from self publishing, as I feared my writing may not be good enough, and I wouldn’t be taken seriously as a writer.

Now, after having eight books published by a Winter Goose Publishing, and meeting a successful hybrid author at a book event, I’ve decided to branch out and self published a women’s contemporary novel, ‘The Reason I Am’, in 2018. Talking about it here makes it feel very real.

I will still be with my publisher, and have the fifth DI Wednesday novel, ‘Step’, coming out in August 2018 – so yes, it’s going to be a busy and exciting year!

With self publishing, there’s so much to think about. I’m seeking out beta readers, I’ve acquired a wonderful PA, and I’ve been guided towards a cover designer. I feel as though I’m doing the doggy-paddle in the self-pub waters, and I hope it won’t be too long until I can tread water, then finally swim; if that’s possible.

But I’m jumping ahead of myself. For now, I must concentrate on editing the crime novel, and wait until the contemporary ms comes back from the second beta reader, to then edit that. I have no set publication date for the latter novel, so I can go at my own pace, although I do hope to publish it early 2018.

Fortunately, both books are different genres, so I can work on them both without the risk of muddling the characters or stories.

I have also taken back ‘The Divine Pumpkin’ from Winter Goose Publishing, with a view to rewriting it, and publishing it with a new cover. I love this story, but I feel my writing has matured since 2012, so I hope to improve it before launching it onto the world again.

May I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I hope your festivities are fun, peaceful, and loving. Thank you all for visiting my blog – I appreciate each and every one of you.

Happy Word Flow One & All