My thoughts about books, writing, life and so many other things….Judy Leigh/ Elena Collins.
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.
I spend a lot of time writing novels and editing them. I write four novels a year, so that’s twelve edits too. It’s nice when they come separately and a bit scary when they come together but I enjoy what I do so much and I never worry about looming deadlines. I do have to …
I'm a huge believer in positivity. It's not always easy to practise what one preaches, but it often seems that, on the days where we feel upbeat and cheerful, good things come to us and we feel strong. We succeed. On other days, when we feel a bit unsure of our potential, we're going to …
I’m really excited to tell you about my next Elena Collins novel, The Wicked Lady, which will be published in July. It’s a dual timeslip, historical, a little spooky, as ever. I have a feeling you’re really going to love it A few months ago, I went to St Albans to uncover the story of …
Continue reading Book update. What’s coming up from me this summer…
Like many writers, I tend to disappear into the writing cave and become a little reclusive while I’m working on a new novel. I’m sure if the house caught fire, I wouldn’t notice, I'd be too busy writing another chapter. TC has taken my beloved Colin’s place, lying on the laptop and 'editing' with his …
Introducing the three main women in The Daughter of the Fens
On writing a new novel...
Women and marriage then and now...
Writing historical dual timelines ghostly novels is such a blast...
Writing cosy (cozy) crime....
That quintessence of dust 