The Long-Term View
People overestimate what they can do in a year. And underestimate what they can do in ten years. I must be getting older and wiser, but I do find that my need to rush at… Read More »The Long-Term View
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Editing Swamp
This is a short blog and a kind of bad tempered one. Novel editing: AAAAAAARGH! Yes, editing your work – going back over it once the first draft is done – and re-writing, clarifying, adding,… Read More »Editing Swamp
Is 45 the new 15?
Is 45 the new 15? I only ask because I honestly haven’t felt so “in between”since I was a teenager. To start with, there’s all that moody existential questioning: What am I going to do… Read More »Is 45 the new 15?
The long wait for a second baby, for Mumsnet
To support the Mumsnet campaign for better Miscarriage Care, here’s my story: I had a beautiful toddler son and all I wanted was a brother or sister, a longed for second baby, to complete our… Read More »The long wait for a second baby, for Mumsnet
World Book Day | My best advice to writers
Today is World Book Day. To mark the occasion I thought I’d repost this blog from my old site. I think there’s plenty here to think about for anyone who loves books, loves writing —… Read More »World Book Day | My best advice to writers
A big thanks to the wordsmiths
It’s April, months after I handed my final manuscript for Cross My Heart in. Bless the editor who has just sent an email after she’s taken another final, final look through before the pages go… Read More »A big thanks to the wordsmiths
A letter to my future self about how to deal with a teenaged daughter
Being the mother of a teenage girl is a nightmare. I should know – I was that teenaged nightmare. Bad hair, out all hours, drinking, smoking… boys? Been there, snogged, torn the T-shirt. My daughter… Read More »A letter to my future self about how to deal with a teenaged daughter