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News Posted February 2006:
When I realised it was eleven months since Daniel last updated my website I could scarcely believe it. But I have lots of excuses why this is so because last year could rightly be called the year of two weddings and two funerals. All four events were to effect my work but, as someone said, all experiences good or bad can be used in some way in one’s writing.
My sister’s husband Ron was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2004 so 2005 was a year that began with a feeling of uncertainty about his future. Sadness pervaded my life as he grew steadily worse and my sister Irene bravely supported him.
But there were moments when happiness burst through to lighten my spirits. In July my husband’s goddaughter, Jennifer Johnston, was married. As she is an opera singer, the music at the church ceremony was brilliant. Several of her friends from the Royal College of Music performed and the reception at the historical Knowsley Hall (See Photo), one time stately home of the Stanley family and Earls of Derby, was an experience not to be missed. Especially as an earlier Stanley plays a part in my HMB historical. Jennifer Johnston has her own website where you can hear her sing, click on link.
Sadly, my sister’s husband, Ron, died in August. We’d known each other for over forty years, so the funeral was emotional but tremendously uplifting in the church where they had worshipped for years (A Photo of Ron is included below).
Photos: Knowsley Hall; Jennifer&Husband; Ron Holmes, John & Don
Emotional upset really does do one’s head in so the first draft of Look for the Silver Lining was a mess but after a major rewrite my agent said that it was a million times better. The hardback will be out May/June this year. A cover picture and the prologue can be found elsewhere on my website. As for the paperback of A Dream to Share that’s scheduled for June and the large print is out in April.
My historical for Harlequin Mills & Boon (HMB) was accepted and the hardback is out in April, paperback June, large print September, 2006. For reasons of their own HMB changed the title from His Lady Kate to Rowan’s Revenge. Mine not to reason why but I suppose it does have a ring to it. You can read part of the first chapter elsewhere on my website.
I had almost finished the rewrite of Look for the Silver Lining when my sister and I went off to our niece Christine's wedding in Ireland, where she married Alan aka Alli (see photo). This was a big adventure for both of us as she’d never been to the Emerald Isle, never mind driven on its roads. Getting out of Dublin with its one way systems and road works was a nightmare and we wouldn’t have done it without the help of a leprechaun, no, sorry, a nice Irish Dubliner, who recognised our Liverpool accents and thought we were two of their own. We eventually found Naas, famous for horse racing, twenty miles or so from Dublin.
The next day, searching for the church where the wedding was to take place had us driving round in figure eights but again a kindly leprechaun, sorry, Irishman, set us on the right road. The ceremony was in a beautiful village church and to everyone’s delight, the sun shone out of a clear blue sky. So much for it always raining in Ireland. The reception was in one of those manor houses that metamorphosised into a hotel when tourism took off. The food was worth going all that way for and I also got an idea for a short story. Started it but have yet to finish it - perhaps I’ll turn it into a novel instead one day.
With Silver Lining and Rowan’s Revenge written and after holidays in Rhodes and Keswick, my thoughts turned to what to write next. I am now more than halfway through the first draft of another historical HMB set during the War of the Roses, called Mackillin’s Reward. I’m having great fun writing it but my mind is also playing with ideas for my next saga, which will be based in Chester and Liverpool. It will be the third in the trilogy set in the earlier part of the twentieth century, involving some of the characters from Step by Step and A Dream to Share, as well as some new ones.
Throughout 2005 I’ve spoken to various groups on being a writer and read from my work. I’ve also attended lunches with other writers which was interesting and fun.
Sadly my ex-sister-in-law, Elsie died on Christmas Day and my sister and I drove down to Essex for the funeral. An event that was a mixture of tears and laughter as we remembered
our teenage years of which Elsie was such a part in the fifties. This was when Elvis was king of the swivel hips, Bill Haley and his Comets had us Rocking round the Clock and Cliff was one of the Young Ones.
I’ve already done several talks in 2006 and attended Writers' lunches. I have been asked to take part in a Readers’ Day in the new art centre in Runcorn the last Saturday in May, where I’ll most likely be on a panel and do readings from my books. The beginning of July is the RNA’s conference, which happily is up north this year at a college just outside Penrith on the edge of the Lake District so that will be enjoyable with the promise of book signings in a local bookshop.
John and I have booked a holiday in Rhodes in September again - Lindos, our perfect place to relax, and have fingers crossed for a break in May.
Family good news this year is that our eldest son Iain was awarded a Diploma in Religious Studies from the Open University and after finishing his autobiography, has now started work on a novel. Third son Daniel obtained a first class degree in Maths. He is to graduate at Ely Cathedral in June. As for Tim, son no 2, he has just heard that the short animation (three minutes long) he wrote, did graphics for and produced, is being showcased in Liverpool. (Daniel will get a mention in the credits as he wrote the music) The family is thrilled about this because we know how hard Tim has worked at his animation. Hopefully this will lead on to the career he wants.
Husband John continues to give us the support we need by working his socks off. Just over two years until he retires and the countdown has begun. In the meantime he relaxes-if one could call it relaxing-by running on the fells.
That’s me up-to-date and hopefully you’ve enjoyed reading this newsletter. Please feel free to email me at any time with your comments or questions. I’d love to hear from you.
June x.
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