My thoughts about books, writing, life and so many other things….Judy Leigh/ Elena Collins.
I’ve had cats around since I was a kid. So I know enough about felines to be no moggy’s fool. They can be adorable, changeable and totally infuriating. They can be perfect. Then they can let you down. TS Eliot was right. Before a Cat will condescend To treat you as a trusted friend, Some …
As a writer, I’m asked lots of questions about writing. Such as: How do you come up with new ideas? Do you ever get writers’ block? Do you write about people you know? The answers are simple: Ideas come to me quite easily. No, I’ve never had writers’ block. I wouldn’t dare write about people …
I’ve been given the following advice so many times. Don’t kill the dog! That’s what writers are told over and over. It’s a big literary no-no. Readers will put up with a lot in the name of jeopardy – cliffhangers, deceit, murders, infidelity. But not a dead dog. Or cat. Entire films have been based …
The other day I went to see Cloudbusting, a Kate Bush tribute band. They were really good – the singer and the musicians were well worth a listen. I’m not a Kate Bush fan particularly, although there’s a lot about her work to admire. The songs have a kind of purity, an intelligence and a …
I just had to write about this today because I’m asked about it a lot, and I’m more interested in the question than the answer. So let’s get the answers out of the way first. The reasons many people are often vegan are because they don’t like the taste of meat, or because they believe …
I'm not good at taking time off from writing unless I go somewhere. But I make myself take a break and before I dive into my next novel, which I'm about to write soon, I thought I'd blog about a few books I've read and and films I've seen. Of course, you may not agree …
Continue reading My Thoughts and Recommendations About Some Books and Films.
So, I’ve been asking lots of people, who’s the biggest badass in literature when it comes to males we love to hate in books . Out of all the novels filled with Bluebeards and Byronic men, who’s the biggest baddie? Of course, the conversations have been captivating. (I’m talking about male protagonists here – discussions …
The other day, when I was out walking and thinking first thing in the morning, as I almost always do when the weather’s good, I was pondering on the usual random stuff. As I’ve finished a novel and I haven’t quite started to allow myself to think about the next one – I like to …
Hi. I’ve been away from blogging for a while, mainly being busy writing novels. Five a year is quite a target, and I always make sure I look after my brain and my creative energy in between writing. Resting and recharging is important. I’ve written the first two novels of the JR Leigh DI Archie …
My latest book, A French Fling for the Golden Gals, published on May 24th, is all about the joys of travelling to France. In particular, we visit the coastal village of Plouvannec in Brittany, which is based on a specially beautiful beach on the Crozon peninsula. It’s the story of Maxine Sweet, who comes home …
Continue reading Travelling and Sisterhood. For International Women’s Day.
That quintessence of dust 