My thoughts about books, writing, life and so many other things….Judy Leigh/ Elena Collins.
I loved writing The Silver Ladies Do Lunch, and the stand-alone follow-up, The Silver Ladies Seize the Day. I enjoy writing every novel, immersing myself in characters and plots and emotions, and I suppose there are different reasons why each novel feels just a little bit different. This one is number twenty four, but I …
Continue reading The Silver Ladies Seize the Day. (And why we should all do the same.)
This week I went to the RNA Awards Ceremony as a nominee for Historical Romantic Novel. The Wicked Lady. It’s the first time I’ve been nominated, so I had no idea what to expect. I’d seen The BAFTAS on TV and I assumed that’s what it would be like. It was. Pretty much. A really …
Continue reading The Speech That I Should Have Made At The RNA Awards
I spent a long weekend in the Highlands a week ago, so that I could research another book. I don’t want to give anything away at this stage, but part of the research involved standing at the top of a long winding hill and shuddering at the thought of what happened there many years ago. …
I researched The Cornish Witch in Mullion, a wild village on the coast of Cornwall, and the location was perfect. From the tops of the craggy cliffs the witch could watch the villagers unseen. There was a misty cove with whispering waves at nightfall, and a chill breeze. Tiny, old fishermen’s cottages, full of atmosphere. …
Continue reading The Real Story Behind the Ghosts in my novel The Cornish Witch
You remember a few weeks ago when I was deliberating the question of which famous personality I’d choose to go on a Valentine’s date with, and I couldn’t think of anyone at all? I ended up spending my hypothetical romantic evening with Pikachu, or someone completely inappropriate, because I couldn’t think of a suitable partner. …
Continue reading Remember the search for a Valentine’s Date? I’ve Changed my Mind.
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 …
