I have two fabulous Writer Top Tens this week from two lovely friends, Carol Drinkwater and Jane Wenham-Jones. I can highly recommend popping both their books on your Christmas shopping list!
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 entries.
The Gaol House Rocks!
Last night was the opening of The Old Gaol Studios in Wittersham, Kent and, to celebrate, an exhibition of plein air paintings were on display including six of my hubby’s which looked gorgeous!
The Old Gaol is a quirky little building in the centre of the village and Karl Terry has done a marvellous job of breathing new life into what was once the village lock-up! And there was quite a crowd to celebrate the opening.
Back to the desk today and I’m doing my line edits for my second Austen addicts book. This one comes out next summer in the UK and October in the US and I should be seeing the artwork for the UK cover soon – always an exciting moment!
Wannabe a Writer We’ve Heard Of?
Last night was the launch of a fabulous book called Wannabe a Writer We’ve Heard Of? by Jane Wenham-Jones and I’m delighted to say that some of my very own advice features in the book. There’s also a website where you can see some of my tips in the Guest Room. It’s a great book whether you’re an aspiring writer who’s curious about the whole business or an established writer who could use a bit more publicity.
The launch was at a gorgeous club in St James’s and there was a good crowd of writers, journalists and media types who – in the spirit of the book – were all networking like crazy!
And here’s the wonderful Jane Wenham-Jones with lovely Helen Lederer.
(Channel) Island Hopping!
A couple of weeks ago, we enjoyed a week’s holiday in Guernsey. It’s a place neither of us had been to before and we stayed at a farm which had views out to sea and the loveliest of country walks on its doorstep which Molly and I enjoyed so much. And I fell in love with one of the farm residents - a beautiful golden Guernsey goat called Harriet (who adored having her cheek tickled!)
One of the books I took to read on holiday was The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society which is possibly my favourite book this year. It’s a lovely warm-hearted and moving account of what life was like for the islanders during the German Occupation of WWII. And there are still visible remembrances of this period all over the island with forts, towers and the incredible German Underground Hospital.
One of the most amazing places we visited was The Little Chapel which is decorated in a beautiful mosaic of broken china, pebbles and shells.
We also did a bit of island hopping, visiting beautiful Herm where the beaches could easily rival the Caribbean.
And the tiny island of Lihou which can only be reached by causeway when the tide is out.
With me still having chickens on the brain, I was absolutely delighted to spot these fine fellows foraging in a wood.
It was very tempting to grab a couple to bring home but I don’t think the neighbours would be too happy. Better stick with a few hens, I think! Although I’m very tempted to add a goat to my shopping list now too!
And you can’t go to Guernsey without saying hello to a few cows. Here’s a lovely pastoral scene along one of the ‘Ruettes Tranquille’. The light took my breath away!
