My theme: writing and the business of writing"Karelia: a region of NE Europe, formerly Finland but annexed in several stages by the former Soviet Union."Picture from ParadoxIn Finnish history, Karelia is a contentious issue. It's not mentioned in the above quote, (from Collins dictionary 2003) … [Read more...]
A-z Blogging Challenge: H is for Helsinki
My theme: Writing and the business of writingWhat has Helsinki got to do with writing, I hear you scream. Well, OK, absolutely nothing, although, Helsinki is the setting for two of my books, and will be the setting for my next book too. (More about this later.)I just thought today, about third way … [Read more...]
A-Z Blogging Challenge: D: is for Dialogue
My theme: Writing and the business of writing[I know, I know it's 5th April today and I should be on E, but I'm running a day late…Yesterday, I couldn't get away from the office (yes, I have a day job), and in the evening I had promised to go to a members' viewing of Lichtenstein's Retrospective at … [Read more...]
Coffee and Vodka is out!
Thank you for all of those who voted in my little book cover poll. In the end it was the horse that won the race…sorry, couldn't resist that one. Looking at the cover, I am really pleased with it and I hope you all agree. I am hugely indebted to my excellent designer Simon Wilder for all his … [Read more...]
Caffeine and Snow Ploughs
For the past three days, here on a New Year's skiing holiday in Åre, totally unintentionally, I've been drinking decaffeinated coffee. Yesterday morning when I found out the reason for my continual tiredness I dosed myself up with caffeine during the day. I even asked for a double espresso when … [Read more...]
Colourful London is the latest choice
OK, the decision's made: We're moving to London.Just joking. We still have no idea where our next home is going to be. Last week it was Helsinki, the week before Stockholm, week before that Portsmouth (a curve ball?), then it was Bath and a week before that London. It seems we've now come a full … [Read more...]
Submission fatigue?
The latest copy of Mslexia has been sitting on my bedside table, untouched, for over two weeks now. This is the magazine every woman writer should learn by heart a few days after it drops on her doormat, as it has everything you ever need to know about writing and getting published.For my defence, … [Read more...]