My thoughts about books, writing, life and so many other things….Judy Leigh/ Elena Collins.
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?
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?
Introducing the three main women in The Daughter of the Fens
On writing a new novel...
That quintessence of dust 