In spite of the awful weather during July, it turned out to be a very special month for me. I mentioned in my last blog about the round of visits to the East Riding libraries to promote The Harbour Girl Trail. The first section of the tour culminated at the Boulevard library off Hessle Road, Hull, which was a perfect setting as the Boulevard was at the heart of The Harbour Girl novel. Not perfect only for that reason, but because the library - recently re furbished and brought into the 21st c - is the most splendid library I have ever come across. Not only have wonderful 19thc features such as windows and doors been retained, but the building is bang up to date with a computer suite, plus -- ongoing at the moment, a garden is to be created for the readers' pleasure. I was delighted to have the company of Dr Robb Robinson who gave me much needed advice on the fishing and trawling industry during my research for The Harbour Girl, and Dr Alec Gill who is a a well known historian on all aspects of Hessle Road, its fishing industry and its inhabitants. I was most grateful for their contributions which added to the enjoyment of the event.
The final day of the Trail tour was last Sunday - the 5th August and in a very appropriate setting at the Carnegie Heritage Library on Hull's Anlaby Road. The audience were very welcoming -- some of them had already been to other libraries and were keen to hear more about the Trail -- and all were keen to try their computer hands at searching online for details of maps and photographs of Hull and Scarborough and asked dozens of questions. To add to the afternoon, Steve Goodhand of Lordline had brought old and historical photographs and books on Hull and Scarborough, for people to look at or buy. Again a most welcome contribution to the afternoon.
The library tour has been a resounding success and I'm delighted to know that people do still want their libraries, not only to borrow books, but for other facilities which are offered; for research, for lectures, for computer facilities which they might not have at home or which they are nervous of using, but where at the libraries, help is at hand.
In between times, I have had a short break in Portugal, checked the copy edited and final printer proofs of The Innkeeper's Daughter which I won't see again until November when it is in hardback book form, written a short story (which is under wraps at the moment) and have written a few thousand more words of the now current novel -scheduled for November 2013.
And finally, the only 'slacking' I have done has been in watching the Olympics and cheering on all of the wonderful sporting competitors.
Saturday, 11 August 2012
Thursday, 28 June 2012
Jubilee
Looking back at my May blog I read that we had glorious weather! Not so in June when we have had so much rain. However our spirits were not dampened and I confess that I spent much time glued to the TV watching the Jubilee events, getting up early to write and then taking the afternoon off to watch the ceremonies. I loved it all with perhaps the exception of the Pop concert. Perhaps the Queen felt the same, she too might have preferred watching from her own front room with her shoes off. What a stoic she is!
I have had a meeting with the Sewerby WI at the Nth Bridlington Library, yet another splendid Jubilee Tea Party in my old village of Leven where I met up with friends and acquaintances and ate sandwiches, home made scones with strawberries and cream and scrumptious cakes! The following day I gave a 'Master Class' on creative writing and it's simply great that so any people are interested in putting their imagination down on paper. Also this month my daughters and I presented the Peter Wood Memorial Prize to the second winner of the Holderness Art Show which is given in memory of my husband and their father. And not forgetting the Olympic Flame which came through Hull and Beverley and attracted thousands of people. This present week is The Harbour Girl Trail week in which every day I have visited local libraries to talk of the Trail and demonstrate it on the libraray computers. Tomorrow is the last one of the week at Hornsea library, and if we get the same enthusiasm there as in the other libraries, then I can truly say it has been a fabulous success. Next week there is one more event at the Hull Boulevard library, which is in the heart of Hessle Road, one of the two settings for the book, and the final one at the Hull Carnegie library on Sunday 5th August where I hope that two local historians, Dr Robb Robinson and Dr Alec Gill, will be joining me to talk of the shipping and fishing trade of the 19thc.
I have had a meeting with the Sewerby WI at the Nth Bridlington Library, yet another splendid Jubilee Tea Party in my old village of Leven where I met up with friends and acquaintances and ate sandwiches, home made scones with strawberries and cream and scrumptious cakes! The following day I gave a 'Master Class' on creative writing and it's simply great that so any people are interested in putting their imagination down on paper. Also this month my daughters and I presented the Peter Wood Memorial Prize to the second winner of the Holderness Art Show which is given in memory of my husband and their father. And not forgetting the Olympic Flame which came through Hull and Beverley and attracted thousands of people. This present week is The Harbour Girl Trail week in which every day I have visited local libraries to talk of the Trail and demonstrate it on the libraray computers. Tomorrow is the last one of the week at Hornsea library, and if we get the same enthusiasm there as in the other libraries, then I can truly say it has been a fabulous success. Next week there is one more event at the Hull Boulevard library, which is in the heart of Hessle Road, one of the two settings for the book, and the final one at the Hull Carnegie library on Sunday 5th August where I hope that two local historians, Dr Robb Robinson and Dr Alec Gill, will be joining me to talk of the shipping and fishing trade of the 19thc.
Monday, 28 May 2012
May 28th 2012
This month there have been many events. The first in Driffield for the WI. A very enjoyable evening with a responsive audience and a lovely rendition of Jerusalem given by the ladies.
On the following Saturday I was at Hedon Flower Festival in St Augustine's Church which was held in aid of a staircase to be built to take visitors up to the top of the tower to admire the view. I met many people I knew as I formerly lived in the South Holderness district for close on thirty five years. We sold copies of The Harbour Girl and on my table was a beautiful flower display in the colours of the book cover.
Then came Bilton Social Circle, again in my old stamping ground and a few days later I spoke at an NHS conference which covered Dementia and Bereavement, both subjects which really need to be talked about.
Two more events the following week and by now you'll wonder why I call myself an author, but these also were important occasions. One was a splendid Ladies Lunch on behalf of HERIB; the speaker was Emily Roberts who is a TV cook. Then came a Tea and Tiara Tea Dance supporting the Alzheimer's Society which was simply brilliant. A violinist -- although perhaps fiddler might be a more appropriate title as he was such a wizard with foot tapping music, and accompanied by a piano-accordianist. A really fun afternoon with dancing and cakes too!
But now, I promise that in between gardening in this glorious weather we are experiencing, I have completed about three thousand more words in the next but one novel. The Innkeeper's Daughter is with my publisher and in the production line.
Next week is the start of the celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee and many more functions are arranged for this. I already have my bunting fluttering and my window baskets decked out in red white and blue. Hip Hip Hooray!
On the following Saturday I was at Hedon Flower Festival in St Augustine's Church which was held in aid of a staircase to be built to take visitors up to the top of the tower to admire the view. I met many people I knew as I formerly lived in the South Holderness district for close on thirty five years. We sold copies of The Harbour Girl and on my table was a beautiful flower display in the colours of the book cover.
Then came Bilton Social Circle, again in my old stamping ground and a few days later I spoke at an NHS conference which covered Dementia and Bereavement, both subjects which really need to be talked about.
Two more events the following week and by now you'll wonder why I call myself an author, but these also were important occasions. One was a splendid Ladies Lunch on behalf of HERIB; the speaker was Emily Roberts who is a TV cook. Then came a Tea and Tiara Tea Dance supporting the Alzheimer's Society which was simply brilliant. A violinist -- although perhaps fiddler might be a more appropriate title as he was such a wizard with foot tapping music, and accompanied by a piano-accordianist. A really fun afternoon with dancing and cakes too!
But now, I promise that in between gardening in this glorious weather we are experiencing, I have completed about three thousand more words in the next but one novel. The Innkeeper's Daughter is with my publisher and in the production line.
Next week is the start of the celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee and many more functions are arranged for this. I already have my bunting fluttering and my window baskets decked out in red white and blue. Hip Hip Hooray!
Friday, 27 April 2012
There have been very many events this month, some of which I have already mentioned; it has been a long paperback signing as detailed in an earlier blog, but very enjoyable. One of the most exciting events was appearing at the Scarborough Literature Festival on Friday the 13th; a very lucky day for me as the concert hall at the Vernon Road Library was almost full. My host was Peter Guttridge who asked interesting questions which allowed me to expand on explanations of my work in creating fiction set in the Yorkshire area. We also discussed the making of the Val Wood Harbour Girl Trail which is now up and running on my website and available for all to see and explore. I'm very thrilled about this as it's something I have wanted to do for a long time. Now it is a reality.Also this month I was invited to the Hessle Road, Hull store of Boyes and was treated like royalty, with a comfortable chair, a good table display of books, an offer of tea or coffee and staff who couldn't do enough to make me welcome. I shall certainly go again if invited. I managed to slip in a quick visit to the Keukenhof Gardens in Holland to see the beautiful tulips, seven million bulbs are used to make this wonderful display. A very restorative break from a busy schedule. Since then I have visited Radio York to speak about the Trail, given a telephone interview of the same to 'Yorkshire Life' and not least, attended a Fashion Show on behalf of the Friends of The Hull Memory Clinic of which I am a keen supporter.
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
April 2012
Once again I have lost a month. This time it was March and this is because I had a veritable raft of book signings. Apart from my home territory where the paperback of The Harbour Girl sold very well, I also travelled to Leeds, Lincoln, the delightful market town of Malton and of course Scarborough. I arrived home to find a request from a bookstore in Bradford but sadly had to decline until the next book comes out as I'm now on my much neglected writing schedule. The Innkeeper's Daughter is with my publisher and so in the meantime I have started another novel; this will be for November 2013, and from the way it is progressing will be a shade darker than the others and set in the higher reaches of the Humber estuary. Can't tell you more than that as ideas are filling my mind.
The exciting news, however, which I'm sure I have mentioned before, is that the launch of The Val Wood Harbour Girl Trail is almost ready for lift off. I'll announce it on the Blog just as soon as I hear, because of course, I am not creating it myself, but leaving that to an incredible team Divine Clark pr. I will tell you more next time.
The exciting news, however, which I'm sure I have mentioned before, is that the launch of The Val Wood Harbour Girl Trail is almost ready for lift off. I'll announce it on the Blog just as soon as I hear, because of course, I am not creating it myself, but leaving that to an incredible team Divine Clark pr. I will tell you more next time.
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
February 2012
I seem to have lost January completely, so what happened there? Cleared up and got life together again following Christmas, had several dental appointments to fit a new crown, had editing, reading and committee sessions in my capacity as a volunteer with the Talking Magazine for the Blind; continued with the novel in progress and then fell over in my kitchen -- during the day I hasten to add in case anyone might think I'd been imbibing anything stronger than tea -- I hadn't -- and injured my left wrist. It was painful and swollen enough to warrant a visit to the casualty department at my local hospital where it was x rayed and my arm put in a plaster cast; the following day the cast was taken off and a wrist strap put on; the consultant decreed that it was not a fracture after all but a soft tissue injury. Whatever it was, I lost a week's work as I couldn't bend my fingers or thumb. However, it is just about back to normal now and I have today finished the editing and checking of the manuscript which I have titled THE INNKEEPER'S DAUGHTER. It remains to be seen whether the title will be kept, and indeed if my editor and publishers like it!
I was again invited to an interview on Radio Humberside to discuss the proposed closure of the mobile libraries in Lincolnshire. I have previously given my views on this subject and they remain the same. Readers must have free access to books or reading matter. Libraries are essential as I said as a guest speaker for the Friends of Hull Central Library. Thank goodness that the East Riding Library Service appears to thrive.
Since February began I have been to two free lectures on Charles Dickens in this his 200th anniversary of his birth. What an amazing writer he was. Like Shakespeare he was pure genius. After reading the works of both these great men, it doesn't make me want to give up my own poor offerings, but only want to do better.
I'll finish by saying I didn't receive a single Valentine card but that I don't mind a bit, for I absolutely know without a shadow of doubt, that I have been loved.
I was again invited to an interview on Radio Humberside to discuss the proposed closure of the mobile libraries in Lincolnshire. I have previously given my views on this subject and they remain the same. Readers must have free access to books or reading matter. Libraries are essential as I said as a guest speaker for the Friends of Hull Central Library. Thank goodness that the East Riding Library Service appears to thrive.
Since February began I have been to two free lectures on Charles Dickens in this his 200th anniversary of his birth. What an amazing writer he was. Like Shakespeare he was pure genius. After reading the works of both these great men, it doesn't make me want to give up my own poor offerings, but only want to do better.
I'll finish by saying I didn't receive a single Valentine card but that I don't mind a bit, for I absolutely know without a shadow of doubt, that I have been loved.
Thursday, 29 December 2011
December 2011
December almost gone, two days before another year begins; so how was December? Busy busy busy, but mostly satisfactory. I was late with Christmas shopping, but nothing new there and as always happens, everything is always ready by Christmas Eve, give or take one or two presents to be wrapped.
The day after the Hull Literary Luncheon where I spoke along with fellow writer Mike Pannet, I flew off from Humberside Airport to visit the daughter of a friend in Stockholm; it's such a lovely place to be in the run up to Christmas. No snow this year, unlike last, and not so cold, but nevertheless the city was very festive with shop windows beautifully decorated and almost every house and apartment window displaying decorous Christmas lights; not a sign of a blow up Father Christmas or flashing rooftop reindeer.
We once more enjoyed a delicious Yulebord, a wonderful Christmas concert in the Royal Opera House, visited a museum where work by Turner, Monet, and Cy Twombley, an artist I haven't come across before, were on show. We walked by the quayside and breathed in the icy Baltic air and thought what a great way to begin the Christmas month.
On our return, I had two more signing sessions with another visit to Hull Waterstone's and WHSmith, two speaking engagements, one draw of a raffle at HERIB, always a good place to be invited, a visit to the dentist, Christmas carols at St Mary's in Beverley, and then the delivery of family presents, and at the last minute, a Christmas video to all of my lovely readers -- or as one of my daughters wryly remarked, my message to the nation!
But now everyone has gone; we were six for Christmas lunch, and various friends and family called in over the holiday. The time goes so rapidly and the New Year will be upon us before we can blink an eye. I hope whoever is reading this, that life treats you kindly in the coming year, that you have good health, loving friendship to sustain you, lots of books to read and enlighten you and above all wish you a very happy New Year.
The day after the Hull Literary Luncheon where I spoke along with fellow writer Mike Pannet, I flew off from Humberside Airport to visit the daughter of a friend in Stockholm; it's such a lovely place to be in the run up to Christmas. No snow this year, unlike last, and not so cold, but nevertheless the city was very festive with shop windows beautifully decorated and almost every house and apartment window displaying decorous Christmas lights; not a sign of a blow up Father Christmas or flashing rooftop reindeer.
We once more enjoyed a delicious Yulebord, a wonderful Christmas concert in the Royal Opera House, visited a museum where work by Turner, Monet, and Cy Twombley, an artist I haven't come across before, were on show. We walked by the quayside and breathed in the icy Baltic air and thought what a great way to begin the Christmas month.
On our return, I had two more signing sessions with another visit to Hull Waterstone's and WHSmith, two speaking engagements, one draw of a raffle at HERIB, always a good place to be invited, a visit to the dentist, Christmas carols at St Mary's in Beverley, and then the delivery of family presents, and at the last minute, a Christmas video to all of my lovely readers -- or as one of my daughters wryly remarked, my message to the nation!
But now everyone has gone; we were six for Christmas lunch, and various friends and family called in over the holiday. The time goes so rapidly and the New Year will be upon us before we can blink an eye. I hope whoever is reading this, that life treats you kindly in the coming year, that you have good health, loving friendship to sustain you, lots of books to read and enlighten you and above all wish you a very happy New Year.
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