Recently, I visited a retirement housing complex about an hour from where I live, where I was invited to give a talk. I was delighted to be asked. It always amazes me that people are interested in my writing, in the three different genres and how I became published. I usually ask my audience to treat my visit as a dialogue rather than a talk. I don’t want to go on about myself – I’d rather interact with people and respond to their interests.

There are questions that I’m always asked. The most frequent is how did I get published. Everyone knows that the journey to publication can be a tough one, that writers’ work is rejected a lot and that they should just persevere against all odds. But what people seldom consider is that it isn’t always the best writers who are published, although I know some of the best writers who write the best books. But a novel has to be saleable, and no matter how skilful the writer, if the story won’t sell, it’s just not going to be picked up.

People are often surprised by my enthusiasm. It’s as if they expect to meet a gin-soaked down-at-heel writer who works in a garret room and has writers’ block, but my story couldn’t be more different. I consider myself privileged to do something I enjoy each day and blessed to be paid for doing it. I get to travel, to research, and to write. What’s not to love?

People are also surprised by my working schedule. I have a strong work ethic. I put in a ten hour day – more sometimes, I’ll work at weekends. But at other times, I have the freedom not to. I like to start the day with a walk in the woods. It blows away the cobwebs. I finish at six o’clock more often than not. Usually because I’ve forgotten what time it is.

I’m often asked which genre I prefer writing. I laugh. I don’t read in one genre, listen to music in one genre, or theatre, or film. I love the challenge of writing in other styles. The Seal Bay cozy crime enables me to learn and grow, and to think and write in a completely different way. The ‘never-too-late-hens-lit’ genre is written for so many people who I want to champion and celebrate. And the Elena Collins dual timeline novels are a gift I will always be grateful for, I love writing them so much.

Often I get sweet questions I don’t expect. Do I write sweary books, because a reader is uncomfortable with them. Do I like Richard Osman, because the person asking the question just doesn’t get him. Do I write about people I know? (Never!) One lady told me she had read Lil’s Bus Trip and then replicated the journey of the entire novel with several of her friends. It’s a wonder Val wasn’t arrested, bless her!

I have had a brilliant time so far this year, visiting libraries and bookshops, writing groups, residential homes. I had a great time at a WI where we sang Jerusalem and I spoke to a group of fifty wonderful women who were totally inspirational. I went to a haunted library in Plymouth which is my absolute go-to inspiration for the Seal Bay library Morwenna works in. We ate the most wonderful (vegan) cake and talked about how valuable libraries are in the community.

In one place I visited, I took my other half and was surprised to see big G talking to a lady in her nineties, who was offering him cake and pinching his bottom. She had the wickedest laugh and I just smiled and wondered what that man would do for an extra slice of Victoria sponge. That scene is definitely going into a book.

And the nicest thing is being asked to go back. So many people are excited about The Daughter of the Fens. And they want me to go in and read from The Vintage Village Bake Off. The idea of scone wars between Devon and Cornwall and a seventy-something bachelor who is a babe magnet because his cakes are so tempting is one that I’m delighted that people are responding to.

I can’t wait to be asked back to libraries, book fairs, festivals, residential homes, WIs, book shops. Writers love the opportunity to talk about what excites and motivates them and, the most inspirational thing is to meet readers in person and ask them questions. It is research and it is pleasure.

So, here’s one girl who can’t say no. If I can fit it in, and I’m in the area, I’m happy to talk about writing. After all, it’s what I do and I love it.