My thoughts about books, writing, life and so many other things….Judy Leigh/ Elena Collins.
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 …
At the last writing group meeting, I was thinking about using voice to create character, and what sort of style goes with what voice. It's just a little twenty minute writing exercise I took to the group - I'm not sure where to go with it - but here it is. Have a read and …
Continue reading A little piece of scribble for the writing group…
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 …
Thank you for reading my blog! I’m bewildered by the miracle of blogging. I sit here in the middle of rural England at a desk writing a few random thoughts. I schedule the time for the blog to go out and whoosh! As if by magic, people across the globe stop to read it. As …
Happy New Year to you all. Kissy? I just made that up. But whenever I edit my novels, I always do my best to make them as good as I can for the reader. I hear and read lots of great writing by friends and there are a couple of universal mistakes that keep cropping …
Continue reading The “KISSY” guide to writing better novels.
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 …
Recently, I visited a retirement housing complex about an hour from where I live, where I was invited to give a talk. I was delighted to be asked. It always amazes me that people are interested in my writing, in the three different genres and how I became published. I usually ask my audience to …
Continue reading Talking about writing novels to my readers. What could be more fun?
On writing a new novel...
Writing cosy (cozy) crime....
Happy Fourth Birthday, Boldwood Books. To celebrate, here are four of my favourite locations in my novels...
That quintessence of dust 