My thoughts about books, writing, life and so many other things….Judy Leigh/ Elena Collins.
I’ve been writing and editing pretty much non-stop since the new year, and the index finger still hasn’t healed properly. Not that I’m complaining – being an author is just the best thing. But balance is important and I’ve made sure that I’ve taken time out to rest a bit. (The football has been impressive!) …
This story is one that is still told in the West Country, while families and friends sit around log fires, staring into the flames. It is a tale of the old ways and the old folk that were our ancestors, many years ago. It began with a hunter, a young man, tall and broad, with …
The title of this blog tells you everything you need to know. I’m going to fill in the details. Imagine - I’m washing up. The grater is in soapy water, with lots of food stuff stuck in the holes. Without thinking, I try to get it out with my fingers, pushing it round the horizontal …
Continue reading How My Writing Career Almost Ended In The Sink With A Cheese Grater…
I am always learning, and this is a new year,so there is more to learn. So far this January, I’ve read about a lot of people’s resolutions in their blogs and they are invariably wise ones, mostly dealing with self-care, self-awareness and improving the quality of their lives. That is as it should be. So …
Continue reading My Resolution for 2024? I Will Be Both Sweet And Tough…
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.
Dear readers, reviewers, authors – friends, family! May I thank you for all your support this year, for reading my books, my blog, and for generally being lovely. It has been an incredible year. 2023 has been about the joy of feeling safe and happy among special and valued people whom I respect and love. …
8:1 is the way to go. Let me explain. So, the weather is a bit damp right now. The mornings are cold and the evenings seem to start before work finishes. Waking up and going home in the dark can be tiring. In December, people are often stressed about buying gifts, making preparations for family …
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 …
I’m really excited to tell you about my recent visit to the USA. More specifically, to Denver Colorado. I went there for a family wedding at Sapphire Point, one of the most beautiful places in the mountains, overlooking a lake. Breath-taking. Emotional. Special. Denver is a mile above sea level, the mountains even higher, so …
Most of you know the feeling - how it's great being away, but it's so, so nice to return home. Well, I'm about to do the first and then the second. I'm going on a memorable trip and I will be richer and wiser when I come back, but not in terms of physical things. …
Continue reading I’m planning a trip away…but where am I going?
That quintessence of dust 