My thoughts about books, writing, life and so many other things….Judy Leigh/ Elena Collins.
A message from me, to wish you all the best. Thank you for reading my books. Thank you for being my friend. Thanks for your warmth and kindness. Thank you for being you. I wish you the very best for 2025: Good health. Happiness. Love. New and wonderful experiences. May your heart be filled with …
A small recipe message from me - a late Christmas gift, if you like - because some people hate Brussel sprouts and I have developed a few ways of using them that totally transforms them and makes them delicious. Of course, you can mash them with all the other veggie leftovers, season and use them …
Continue reading All those Brussel sprouts, left over after Christmas! What shall we do with them?
It’s creeping up a bit quickly now, isn’t it? The 25th. How are you getting on? Tree up yet? Presents bought? Cards sent? (Do people still send cards through the post?) A friend of mine is way ahead in terms of planning for Christmas – his tree and decorations are always up on the twelfth …
Didn’t someone on TV accused of misconduct recently say that his critics were mainly ‘middle class women of a certain age.’ I think I heard that on the news... A certain age. Let’s unpack that. It means the number of their age is left deliberately vague - perhaps too many years have passed that it's …
Hi. I’m in the middle of writing another Elena Collins dual timeline, but I’ll take a few moments away from the writing cave to mention my fabulous research trip last week to the Highlands. I haven’t an ounce of Scottish blood, but I love it there so much, just being there is so uplifting. I …
I've taken to writing poems to take to the writing group I am part of, Solitary Writers. The group is held once a month; they are some of the loveliest and most talented people who meet to share their ideas. I always feel inspired by their writing. They are a diverse group, some already published, …
So, what am I up to? I'm having so much fun. The weather is chilly, so I’m about to set off into the cold to research an Elena Collins novel. I’m going to start writing it from the middle of this month. It’s a venture into history, fiction, fact, speculation, lots of exploration and the …
Dear Reader This morning, I discovered that I have sold one million copies of my books with Boldwood. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you, and to tell you just how much that means to me. Nine years ago, I was working as a teacher of theatre. It was my dream job and …
Have you ever read a poem called YgUDuh by EE Cummings? I read it years ago and loved the unusual style. It’s written in the slurred speech of a belligerent racist drunkard, presumably from New York, and it really has to be read out loud. Give it a go. It's fun, and a great exercise …
Recently I was doing one of those authors’ talks where I read an excerpt from a recent novel and then I answer questions from the audience. Someone was saying how they enjoyed the characters I create, that they were like friends, and I was so pleased. Someone else asked about location – they were very …
Continue reading I’m Just A Vegan Writing About All Sorts of Food…
That quintessence of dust 