My thoughts about books, writing, life and so many other things….Judy Leigh/ Elena Collins.
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 …
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…
Those of you who know me might recall the blog I used to write a few years ago, under the name of Tuppence (*) Cataldo, called Dream Catching, in which I interpreted people’s dreams. Well, here’s the one I had the other night. I’m eighteen, a student again, and it’s almost the summer. But I …
The things we do for art… In the name of researching a book, I have to check my facts. And most of the time, fact checking is very pleasurable. Take going on location, for instance. Research trips have taken me to France, Scotland, The Isle of Skye, Cornwall, East Anglia, St Albans, Dublin. It’s only …
I recently did an author’s talk at a library. I love these events, and it’s always a great opportunity to meet readers and talk about my books. People are fascinating and an inspiration, ad it's always good to get positive feedback. Often, people tell me that one thing they like about my ‘golden girls’ novels …
When I started thinking about writing The Wicked Lady, the dual timeline was a central focus. I knew what I wanted to write about Katherine Ferrers. Her story has been sketchily recorded in history, with plenty of gaps for me to fill with creative speculation. But I needed a modern character to parallel her story. …
Well, dear friends and readers, hopefully the summer is round the corner. I keep picturing the sizzling cover of that Stevie Wonder album, Hotter than July. Here in the south west of England, it’s lukewarm, to say the least. Cooler than April, most mornings. But I won’t be deterred. This is what I’m up to …
We don’t ask to be born into privilege. But privilege is something we have in varied amounts, whoever we are. Perhaps being male, being white, being educated, being wealthy are privileges. It depends on complexities, who you are, where you are, and what your situation. There are, of course, many more privileges than this. Certainly, …
When I first started writing, I was delighted by all the positive reviews about older protagonists. There weren’t enough of them. Evie Gallagher in A Grand Old Time was seventy five. Nanny Basham in The Age of Misadventure was older. The Five French Hens were in their seventies. Then an anonymous negative comment on social …
Continue reading Life is short. Smile while you still have teeth.
That quintessence of dust 