Several people have asked me this exact question, so I thought I’d write a post about it.

The beginning of the novel is set in a psychiatric hospital in England. In reality, I based the hospital on the one I worked in as a student nurse on the outskirts of York in Yorkshire. Picturing the hospital allowed me to describe the grounds, the building and the smells on the ward. The part that isn’t based on reality is the abuse that went on. I thankfully never witnessed such atrocities, although I was attacked on a couple of occasions by some disturbed patients.

The town is also based on York. However, it’s a fictional town as the antagonist is running for a political party similar to the BNP and I thought that the residents of York could protest about it. Some people who know the city may well recognised the Minster and the wall surrounding it.

The story follows a tale of revenge and forgiveness, not because I have a deep need for both, but because we all have some element of each emotion satelliting around us. We all carry the desire or need of both, and so we could all relate to the two protagonists in this novel. However, revenge may be taking it a step too far.

The descriptions of self-harming are quite graphic in places. I used to work with teenagers who self-harmed, and they would describe their emotions whilst self-harming and describe  what they did. I used this insight to write about the issue with as much reality as possible. I want the reader to feel the strength and depth of the protagonist’s sorrow; to stand in her proverbial shoes.

It is quite dark in places, but that suits the story and how I like to write. I hope that some of you will be tempted to give it a try. Here are the links to purchase the paperback or the Kindle, Nook, ebook.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Attic-Mind-Hemmie-Martin/dp/0988904926/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362576707&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Attic-of-the-Mind-ebook/dp/B00BHM04NI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1362576707&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/Attic-of-the-Mind-ebook/dp/B00BHM04NI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362576816&sr=8-1&keywords=attic+of+the+m

http://www.amazon.com/Attic-Mind-Hemmie-Martin/dp/0988904926/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1362576816&sr=8-2&keywords=attic+of+the+

Welcome to my latest followers – thank you for supporting me.

Happy Word Flow One & All

                                                               www.freeimages.co.uk

Don’t you find that sometimes life fills your mind with things to organise, things to worry about and general daydreaming moments that whisk you away to distant and silent places. We are only human after all.

I’m currently tightening-up my third novel which comes out this November, and writing the next one in the series for 2014. Finding the space to do all of this whilst running a family life is not always easy. Even finding the space to write a blog post can be problematic. As I’m writing this, I’m listening to music on my Ipod, but I’m still being talked to periodically. I’d like to put up a visible barrier to say, “hey, I’m writing. I love you, but may I have some space?”

The type of space I’m seeking isn’t visible, so it’s hard to define to others around me. There is a risk of sounding harsh, demanding or egotistical, so care is needed not to fall into those categories. So how does one get the space to write and think?

Writers have a vivid and wild imagination, so perhaps we should take ourselves away to the peaceful domain of our dreams. Cast a shadow on the white sand beach and hear the waves lap against the shoreline. I’m halfway there now…

I admire and envy those writers who like to sit in a cafe and write. I would be too distracted by people watching and listening to snippets of conversation. But oh to be able to work in all that noise and sound (thank you Coldplay).

Space is perhaps what each individual makes for themselves an a variety of fashions. We a need to dig deep and find that which we desire, regardless of what is happening around us. I can let guilt swamp me, thinking that my 18yr and 16yr old daughters need my input as much as they did when they were little. They too need their space to do homework, study, listen to music and daydream. It’s not only writers that need space, we all need it at one time or another.

If you fancy reading my second novel, Attic of the Mind’ you may find it here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Attic-of-the-Mind-ebook/dp/B00BHM04NI/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361708882&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Attic-of-the-Mind-ebook/dp/B00BHM04NI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1361708955&sr=1-1&keywords=a

Thank you for supporting me in the drowning sea of authors.
Happy Word Flow One & All.

I thought that it would be fun to tell you 10 thing about me which may help you get to know me better. Here is a little glimpse behind the scenes.

1) As a child I was a member of ABBA’s fan club, and I still enjoy their music today. Whenever it comes on the radio you will find be bopping around the kitchen.

2) I am a proud owner of the DVD box set of Agatha Christie’s Marple series in black and white, starring the magnificent Margaret Rutherford. I recommend you see her in action.

3) My favourite nail polish colour is black, for both finger and toes.

4) My kitchen is a homage to Cath Kidston and Emma Bridgewater, but I’m running out of space.

5) I fall asleep laying on my right side.

6) I can raise my top lip and snarl like Elvis. “Very attractive,” I hear you cry.

7) I am an only child. I think my vivid imagination comes from making up games to amuse myself as a child.

8) I love snacking on brie and green grapes.Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.

9) My middle name is Maria.

10) I was a David Cassidy fan in my youth, not a Donny Osmond one. People of my age will know that you fell into one camp or the other at that time.

So there you have it, 10 snippets about me. I hope this was fun and made you giggle in places. It might even have reminded you of things about your past.
Welcome to the latest followers.

Happy Word Flow One & All.