When you saw that title what did you imagine? A scene from Alice through the Looking Glass? One of those high speed reverse sequences in a magical fantasy film, when everything rewinds? Or perhaps a time-slip scenario? Or simply an image of mirror writing? Would it be wonderful if we could indeed start at theContinue reading “The Art of Writing Backwards: a Novelist’s Sleight of Hand?”
Category Archives: literature
#SocialDistancing #Walks in Enchanted Woodlands
I admit I rather like taking nature walks where everyone we meet is social distancing… with a polite smile, other walkers withdraw into the shrubbery or the bracken and we pass each other by at a safe distance, or with jokes about whether we are on the right route and whether we’re going round inContinue reading “#SocialDistancing #Walks in Enchanted Woodlands”
Inspiration from Fantasy Novelist Philip Pullman, President of the Society of Authors
During the Covid19 lockdown, the Society of Authors are presenting a number of webinars with notable authors, and the other day I attended “Afternoon Tea with Philip Pullman”. I was keen to hear from the author of a fantasy trilogy that captivated me, “His Dark Materials“. 500 of us attended, all waiting with drinks andContinue reading “Inspiration from Fantasy Novelist Philip Pullman, President of the Society of Authors”
Paranormal Warwickshire Cover Reveal Coming Soon
I hope you are all well, and staying home, except for your one-daily-piece-of-exercise here in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis. I must admit I’m finding plenty to do as a writer. ‘Paranormal Warwickshire’ has a new publication date: 15 Nov 2020. I’ve just returned the corrected proofs to my publisher, Amberley. Meanwhile I’m workingContinue reading “Paranormal Warwickshire Cover Reveal Coming Soon”
Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 19: North Island, New Zealand: Enchantment and Delight for ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Fans: Matamata and Hobbiton
This is the nineteenth in my series of short reflections on different places in Australia and New Zealand, as experienced during my November 2019 visit. Today is the third of my posts on New Zealand’s North Island. In my last post I wrote about Paihia and the Bay of Islands. We set off from PaihiaContinue reading “Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 19: North Island, New Zealand: Enchantment and Delight for ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Fans: Matamata and Hobbiton”
Book Review: ‘Waireka’ by Sheila Donald, set in nineteenth century New Zealand – a story which makes you see your own life in a new perspective
Before I start my series on New Zealand, which I visited in November 2019, I am delighted to review a book set in the very place I visited – New Zealand’s North Island. But the times are very different in ‘Waireka’ by Sheila Donald. The genre is historical fiction. We are in the nineteenth century,Continue reading “Book Review: ‘Waireka’ by Sheila Donald, set in nineteenth century New Zealand – a story which makes you see your own life in a new perspective”
Book Review: ‘Lifelines’ by Andy Croft and Mike Pilavachi
I stood in a queue of those waiting to have this book signed by Andy Croft, at the CRT (Christian Resources Together retreat) several months ago. I remember Andy asked me about my interest in being at the conference and I told him I too was a writer. He asked me about what I writeContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Lifelines’ by Andy Croft and Mike Pilavachi”
Book Review: ‘Less Than Ordinary’ by Nicki Copeland
‘Less than Ordinary‘, published by Instant Apostle, is a non-fiction inspirational self-help book, an account of one woman’s journey from low self-esteem and negative self-limiting beliefs to a place of wholeness where she is able to blossom, nurture her relationships, rejoice in her own inherent worth, and offer her gifts to the world. A quoteContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Less Than Ordinary’ by Nicki Copeland”
Book Review: ‘Reparation’ by Gaby Koppel
I first heard of this book via my local independent bookshop Warwick Books, and planned to go to an evening with Gaby Koppel, to hear her talking about ‘Reparation‘. The subject of the book – a young Jewish woman’s research into her mother’s past as a survivor of Nazi persecution during World War II –Continue reading “Book Review: ‘Reparation’ by Gaby Koppel”
Book Review: “A Vision of Locusts” by SL Russell
Today I share with you one of my latest book reviews: in fact the last book to which I awarded 5 stars! A Vision of Locusts by SL Russell is an unusual contemporary novel which introduces a number of themes including religious intolerance in the world today, the nature of evil, and the mysterious sourceContinue reading “Book Review: “A Vision of Locusts” by SL Russell”
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