My thoughts about books, writing, life and so many other things….Judy Leigh/ Elena Collins.
In my latest book, Golden Days at the Vintage Volumes Bookshop, I’ve embraced the theme of older people looking back at their lives; how the past can’t be changed, and how the present is absolutely the moment to live in. Francie Molloy, the central protagonist, is a 65-year-old divorcee who runs Vintage Volumes book shop. …
Those of you who know me best will know my attitude to ageing. It’s better than the alternative. I have written books for eight years now about people getting older and celebrating new wisdom and a different stage of life where they have a freedom and an attitude that they didn’t have before. In a …
So what are your thoughts about this quotation from A Vagabond Song by the Canadian poet Bliss Carman? “There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir: We must rise and follow her, When from every hill of flame She calls, and calls each vagabond by name.” Those of you who know me best …
How often do I read that phrase in reviews of books? 'I hated that character.' 'I didn’t like that character.' ' The character was horrible.' Some reviewers never do it and are much better reviewers for it. Some do it and qualify their comments – they get that not all characters are loveable. That’s a …
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 …
Reading was my first glimpse of magic. My mother read to me, which makes me very fortunate. On her knee as a baby, a toddler, a preschooler. I was allowed to point to the words, to sound them out, to close my eyes and breathe in the beauty of descriptions, characters, adventures. I read everything …
I was inspired by a photo a friend sent to me of a Ferrari, in all its glorious red sporty shininess, parked outside a shop somewhere in Surrey. It struck me as a sleek bit of unnecessary luxury, and it was open-topped and unoccupied. I’m no thief, but anyone could have jumped in it and …
I’ve been in the writing cave recently. I’ve had two edits back to back – one for Golden Girls on the Run, which is out in December and I can’t wait for you to read it – and one for the new Elena Collins novel, published early next year. I’m really excited about that one. …
The other day on my dawn walk, I thought I could smell autumn in the air. It’s a unique smell, sharp, tangy, new, a scent that tells me the seasons are changing. Of course I could be completely wrong, but I think I’ve always been able to smell it. It’s a sign that summer is …
Sometimes my daily word count impresses people. I don’t seek to impress anyone, but often writers find it difficult to write a large number of words in one go. Or even start writing a novel. That's normal. But for some reason, I don’t have that problem. People say, ‘How many words did you write this …
Continue reading When I Wrote Five Thousand Eight Hundred Words In One Day…
