My thoughts about books, writing, life and so many other things….Judy Leigh/ Elena Collins.
Do you get lots of books as presents for Christmas? I’m lucky – I got a bumper bundle this year and it’ll last me a couple of months. I read all sorts of books, for pleasure, for research, to extend my own skills. And this past week, I’ve read two absolutely brilliant books I’d love …
Today’s blog post is about the cold. This month has been freezing. Baltic. Icy. I mean electric blanket at night sort of freezing. Scarf and gloves and extra socks during the day freezing. I don’t care how silly I look in that bobbly tassel hat with Amsterdam knitted on it as long as it keeps …
So, as many of you know, a stray cat turned up in my back yard last June and lived outside for a while in the old barn where we keep G’s rusty wrecked cars. He was shy, nervous even, but his hunger got the better of him and I started to feed him. He’s a …
A message from me, to wish you all the best. Thank you for reading my books. Thank you for being my friend. Thanks for your warmth and kindness. Thank you for being you. I wish you the very best for 2025: Good health. Happiness. Love. New and wonderful experiences. May your heart be filled with …
A small recipe message from me - a late Christmas gift, if you like - because some people hate Brussel sprouts and I have developed a few ways of using them that totally transforms them and makes them delicious. Of course, you can mash them with all the other veggie leftovers, season and use them …
Continue reading All those Brussel sprouts, left over after Christmas! What shall we do with them?
It’s creeping up a bit quickly now, isn’t it? The 25th. How are you getting on? Tree up yet? Presents bought? Cards sent? (Do people still send cards through the post?) A friend of mine is way ahead in terms of planning for Christmas – his tree and decorations are always up on the twelfth …
Didn’t someone on TV accused of misconduct recently say that his critics were mainly ‘middle class women of a certain age.’ I think I heard that on the news... A certain age. Let’s unpack that. It means the number of their age is left deliberately vague - perhaps too many years have passed that it's …
Hi. I’m in the middle of writing another Elena Collins dual timeline, but I’ll take a few moments away from the writing cave to mention my fabulous research trip last week to the Highlands. I haven’t an ounce of Scottish blood, but I love it there so much, just being there is so uplifting. I …
I've taken to writing poems to take to the writing group I am part of, Solitary Writers. The group is held once a month; they are some of the loveliest and most talented people who meet to share their ideas. I always feel inspired by their writing. They are a diverse group, some already published, …
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 …
That quintessence of dust 