Before I finally finish with May it is important to relate the very last AGM at the Hull and District Talking Magazine for the Blind that my colleague Irene and I attended before saying a final goodbye to the members of committee and volunteers. We were presented with a beautiful pot plant and rose bush as parting gifts which were unexpected and so gratefully received.
The following week, we met again, unexpectedly, to attend the funeral of a very dear colleague who had died suddenly; a mild and gentle man who will be sadly missed, not only by his friends and family but by the charity where he has done such sterling work for many years.
On the 11th June I drove to Burniston near Scarborough to attend and speak at the 30th anniversary lunch of several local WI's. We had a splendid lunch at the Three Jolly Sailors and a lovely afternoon with such welcoming and charming ladies. Not content with that alone, I also went on a trip down Memory Lane to look up the house where my paternal grandparents used to live and where my sisters and I spent many happy holidays when we were young.
The next day was the Carers Anniversary Service at the Beverley Minster and I had been invited to speak, not in my capacity as an author but as a former carer. It was a lovely service with hymns by the Singing for the Brain choir, and a wonderful soloist in Noel Griffiths. Music is such a balm to the soul. Mary spoke of her recollections of the changes in attitudes towards the elderly and in my short talk I expressed the fervent hope that carers are given help and the recognition that they surely deserve.
On the writing front I eagerly await sight of the cover of my next book
HIS BROTHER'S WIFE due to be published in November. It might seem a long way off, but there is much to do in publishing to bring out a new book. The cover is an important aspect; the author has a picture in his/her head of the characters and setting, the sales dept need a cover that appeals to the reader, the bookshops want a cover that sits well and importantly fly off their shelves. It is a small miracle if everyone is happy!
Saturday, 15 June 2013
Monday, 27 May 2013
May 27th 2013
Has summer come at last? We have had two unbelievable days of sunshine although the forecast for today was rain. Who can we believe? The best test of all I find is on waking draw the curtains aside and look out of the window, then believe what you see. But fool that I am, on the last sunny weekend, I overdid the gardening, shifted pots and bags of compost in the fear that there might not be another chance of improving my small patch of garden, and then suffered a 'bad back' for almost a week. This weekend I have been more cautious and apart from wielding a watering can -- now there's a novelty -- I sat comfortably in my old basket chair and read a book; not a book for research but one of fiction, such a treat.
Last month I was a guest speaker at World Book Night at the Hull Central Library. I think I can say it was a great success with an attentive audience, not only for me but for the many events and speakers. It's so encouraging to know that people do still support their libraries and not only for the loan of books, but for information and research too and good to hear that many authorities have a Home Service where delivery of books can be made to those who, for whatever reason, are unable to access libraries for themselves.
At the beginning of May I was invited to speak at 'Lincoln Inspired' Literary Festival, 'In Conversation With Margaret Dickinson,' where we discussed the many similarities in our working pattern. Margaret and I enjoy a friendly rivalry across the Humber Estuary, Margaret on the south side and I on the north and where we both trespass on 'foreign land' from time to time. The Yorkshire author Mike Pannet was another who had dared to cross the strip of water, but both of us I'm happy to say were made welcome.
Then there was the Macular group meeting held at HERIB on the 17th. As usual there was warm hospitality and as many in the audience knew me from my voluntary work with the Talking Magazine for the Blind, there were plenty of questions from the audience, not only about books and audio books in particular, but also due to the fact that I have read and presented the recordings for the charity of TMB as we refer to it, for the last time. After nearly thirty years it was time to call it a day and time to move on, but I shall I hope, keep in touch with the many listeners, friends and colleagues made in that long association. There is a link on my website if anyone would like to take a look at what the organisation does and how it operates to provide a service to the blind and partially sighted community, and volunteers are more than welcome.
June is acoming in, but more of that when it arrives and in the meantime ignore the distractions and on with the writing.
Last month I was a guest speaker at World Book Night at the Hull Central Library. I think I can say it was a great success with an attentive audience, not only for me but for the many events and speakers. It's so encouraging to know that people do still support their libraries and not only for the loan of books, but for information and research too and good to hear that many authorities have a Home Service where delivery of books can be made to those who, for whatever reason, are unable to access libraries for themselves.
At the beginning of May I was invited to speak at 'Lincoln Inspired' Literary Festival, 'In Conversation With Margaret Dickinson,' where we discussed the many similarities in our working pattern. Margaret and I enjoy a friendly rivalry across the Humber Estuary, Margaret on the south side and I on the north and where we both trespass on 'foreign land' from time to time. The Yorkshire author Mike Pannet was another who had dared to cross the strip of water, but both of us I'm happy to say were made welcome.
Then there was the Macular group meeting held at HERIB on the 17th. As usual there was warm hospitality and as many in the audience knew me from my voluntary work with the Talking Magazine for the Blind, there were plenty of questions from the audience, not only about books and audio books in particular, but also due to the fact that I have read and presented the recordings for the charity of TMB as we refer to it, for the last time. After nearly thirty years it was time to call it a day and time to move on, but I shall I hope, keep in touch with the many listeners, friends and colleagues made in that long association. There is a link on my website if anyone would like to take a look at what the organisation does and how it operates to provide a service to the blind and partially sighted community, and volunteers are more than welcome.
June is acoming in, but more of that when it arrives and in the meantime ignore the distractions and on with the writing.
Wednesday, 17 April 2013
April 2013
The blossom is almost out here in East Yorkshire and we get occasional bursts of sunshine, but it's still very cold and I can't yet divest myself of warm joggers, sweatshirts and thick socks as I sit at my desk.
I have had mixed fortunes since I wrote my last blog. I told you of the paperback launch of The Innkeeper's Daughter on February 14th and was then delighted to hear that it climbed into the Top 50 official charts and up to last week was still there at number 39. It does make me wonder what it is that makes one book a best seller whilst others never reach the charts. Readers of course have their favourites; perhaps within a novel there's a reminder of some loss or joy or remembrance of their own which gives a book a special appeal. I have been re-reading Barbara Kingsolver's
Prodigal Summer, a delightful book and wholly suitable for bedtime reading which is the only time I read fiction. I know that in a couple of years I will fish it out again and read it once more.
February and the first two weeks of March I had a hectic signing schedule but managed to finish and send off my new novel His Brother's Wife to my editor. I thought then that there would be time to dig out my office and dust my desk before beginning the next one. But life has a way of travelling its own course and sweeping us along with it. John Lennon famously said, 'Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.' It is true. Life and death stops us in our tracks and makes us aware that we are not in complete control after all, although many of us might think that we are until we discover otherwise.
I have spoken publicly on Dying Matters, was asked to speak on the subject as it was known I had lost my much loved husband to Dementia - but there, I have fallen into my own well sprung trap. I haven't lost him, he is still close to my heart. He died. Death is a difficult subject to discuss, but here I am writing about it again as I grieve over yet another sister, who died quite suddenly in March after heart surgery. I find I can speak of her or write of her if I imagine I am speaking as someone else, the third person, as we would in a novel. Wanting to telephone her to tell her something or entering through her front door when she is no longer there, is something else entirely and only time will change that.
The secret is keeping so busy that you don't have time to feel sad; that is until a piece of music or someone being nice to you can open the floodgates. To keep my equalibrium I have given two talks - speaking in the third person again, attended a literary lunch as a guest, had meetings with fellow authors and attended live concerts to hear beautiful music and shed a silent tear. I do believe that when a sibling dies, comes our awareness that life is short, and there's nothing more certain that I personally will avoid the tragedy of dying young, and that none of us will live forever in this life though your views on the life hereafter may bring up another story.
This year is the twentieth anniversary since my first novel The Hungry Tide was published and plans are afoot to celebrate. I know that they will be tempered by loss, but also am aware that those who are missing from my life would want me to continue living life to the full on their behalf.
I have had mixed fortunes since I wrote my last blog. I told you of the paperback launch of The Innkeeper's Daughter on February 14th and was then delighted to hear that it climbed into the Top 50 official charts and up to last week was still there at number 39. It does make me wonder what it is that makes one book a best seller whilst others never reach the charts. Readers of course have their favourites; perhaps within a novel there's a reminder of some loss or joy or remembrance of their own which gives a book a special appeal. I have been re-reading Barbara Kingsolver's
Prodigal Summer, a delightful book and wholly suitable for bedtime reading which is the only time I read fiction. I know that in a couple of years I will fish it out again and read it once more.
February and the first two weeks of March I had a hectic signing schedule but managed to finish and send off my new novel His Brother's Wife to my editor. I thought then that there would be time to dig out my office and dust my desk before beginning the next one. But life has a way of travelling its own course and sweeping us along with it. John Lennon famously said, 'Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.' It is true. Life and death stops us in our tracks and makes us aware that we are not in complete control after all, although many of us might think that we are until we discover otherwise.
I have spoken publicly on Dying Matters, was asked to speak on the subject as it was known I had lost my much loved husband to Dementia - but there, I have fallen into my own well sprung trap. I haven't lost him, he is still close to my heart. He died. Death is a difficult subject to discuss, but here I am writing about it again as I grieve over yet another sister, who died quite suddenly in March after heart surgery. I find I can speak of her or write of her if I imagine I am speaking as someone else, the third person, as we would in a novel. Wanting to telephone her to tell her something or entering through her front door when she is no longer there, is something else entirely and only time will change that.
The secret is keeping so busy that you don't have time to feel sad; that is until a piece of music or someone being nice to you can open the floodgates. To keep my equalibrium I have given two talks - speaking in the third person again, attended a literary lunch as a guest, had meetings with fellow authors and attended live concerts to hear beautiful music and shed a silent tear. I do believe that when a sibling dies, comes our awareness that life is short, and there's nothing more certain that I personally will avoid the tragedy of dying young, and that none of us will live forever in this life though your views on the life hereafter may bring up another story.
This year is the twentieth anniversary since my first novel The Hungry Tide was published and plans are afoot to celebrate. I know that they will be tempered by loss, but also am aware that those who are missing from my life would want me to continue living life to the full on their behalf.
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
February 2013
So what did you do on St Valentine's Day? Did you receive chocolates and flowers and protestations of enduring love and devotion. Well good for you!
I was curious to know the origins of St Valentine, but after some sli.ght research he remains an enigma. Several sources describe him as a Roman martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith, others as a temple priest during the time of Claudius. He did exist however, as archeologists discovered a tomb and ancient church dedicated to him. It seems though that there were several Valentine's -- which means valour - and when relics were found in Rome in 1836, they were attributed to St Valentine and dedicated to young people especially those in love! So there you are.
What I did on Valentine's Day was dress in my heart shaped patterned dress and drive to Harrogate, at least my daughter Catherine did, we went through snow and then thick fog but eventually arrived safely at the Cairn Hotel where I had been invited to speak at the Yorkshire Post Literary Lunch. Two other authors also speaking were Lesley Pearse and Clive Aslett. It was a very pleasant afternoon and the sun came out briefly.It was a special day for me as the paperback edition of The Innkeeper's Daughter was launched that day and I am still travelling on the signing tour. And I have received flowers -- and cake -- from some of my lovely lovely readers which made me feel quite emotional.
I know I haven't mentioned January, and I didn't reallyt intend to as this month for me is the clearing up month, a time for finishing the very last edit of the work in progress or WIP as authors call it, and trying my hardest to keep warm without turning up the central heating and breaking the bank. Is it me, is my blood thinning, or has it really been very very cold and a very long winter?
This week I have several more local signings to do, then a trip to Scarborough Waterstone's on Saturday. The good news out of Scarborough is that last year's library lending list is just out and my book THE HARBOUR GIRL was the top loaned book in the Scarborough district. I think that coupled with Radio 4's Open Book and the East Riding libraries where I was named as one of the UK's top loaned authors I can give myself a small cheer!
I was curious to know the origins of St Valentine, but after some sli.ght research he remains an enigma. Several sources describe him as a Roman martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith, others as a temple priest during the time of Claudius. He did exist however, as archeologists discovered a tomb and ancient church dedicated to him. It seems though that there were several Valentine's -- which means valour - and when relics were found in Rome in 1836, they were attributed to St Valentine and dedicated to young people especially those in love! So there you are.
What I did on Valentine's Day was dress in my heart shaped patterned dress and drive to Harrogate, at least my daughter Catherine did, we went through snow and then thick fog but eventually arrived safely at the Cairn Hotel where I had been invited to speak at the Yorkshire Post Literary Lunch. Two other authors also speaking were Lesley Pearse and Clive Aslett. It was a very pleasant afternoon and the sun came out briefly.It was a special day for me as the paperback edition of The Innkeeper's Daughter was launched that day and I am still travelling on the signing tour. And I have received flowers -- and cake -- from some of my lovely lovely readers which made me feel quite emotional.
I know I haven't mentioned January, and I didn't reallyt intend to as this month for me is the clearing up month, a time for finishing the very last edit of the work in progress or WIP as authors call it, and trying my hardest to keep warm without turning up the central heating and breaking the bank. Is it me, is my blood thinning, or has it really been very very cold and a very long winter?
This week I have several more local signings to do, then a trip to Scarborough Waterstone's on Saturday. The good news out of Scarborough is that last year's library lending list is just out and my book THE HARBOUR GIRL was the top loaned book in the Scarborough district. I think that coupled with Radio 4's Open Book and the East Riding libraries where I was named as one of the UK's top loaned authors I can give myself a small cheer!
Saturday, 22 December 2012
I hadn't finished!
The most important thing that I wanted to say, was that I hope that all of my friends and readers have a very happy Christmas and that I send my good wishes to you all for a healthy and happy New Year.
With love from
Valerie aka Val
xx
With love from
Valerie aka Val
xx
Three Sleep Nights to go
As the children of friends might say.
People weighed down with the responsibilty of shopping and preparing for Christmas often say it's for children, which it is, but it's for adults too; it's a time for catching up with old friends and for reflection on the year which has almost gone, and too quickly for most of us. It's also a special time for thinking of those who are no longer with us, except in spirit and deep within our hearts.
For me it has been a satisfactory and busy year, with the paperback publication of my last book The Harbour Girl and the creation of The Harbour Girl Trail which has been so well received, particularly in the libraries, and the November publication of The Innkeeper's Daughter.
My lovely loyal readers have once again shown such support and at each signing have asked will there be another book next year? Yes, I say, should I live so long!
This year of course has been so very exciting with the Queen's Jubilee Celebration and not forgetting the wonderful Olympics. I must confess that I had been rather cynical over the original hype but was won over by the sheer joy and exhilaration of it all, especially when so many Yorkshire athletes brought back their golden accolades. Call it jingoism if you like but it brought a tear to my eye and filled me with delight.
Since I wrote my last blog I have 'cut a ribbon' at the opening of a new office for the charity Beverley Lift, supported the firework display in aid of the Hull Memory Clinic, given several talks on the aforementioned Trail, launched The Innkeeper's Daughter at Hull's Waterstone's where they built a wonderful Christmas tree of books in their window, and where the book sales exceeded those of last year; wrote a short story for My Weekly which is out now and had a mention on Radio 4's Open Book. Oh, yes, and wrote a few more words for the next book, and a quick trip over to Stockholm as a prelude to Christmas where we knew for sure there would be snow!
People weighed down with the responsibilty of shopping and preparing for Christmas often say it's for children, which it is, but it's for adults too; it's a time for catching up with old friends and for reflection on the year which has almost gone, and too quickly for most of us. It's also a special time for thinking of those who are no longer with us, except in spirit and deep within our hearts.
For me it has been a satisfactory and busy year, with the paperback publication of my last book The Harbour Girl and the creation of The Harbour Girl Trail which has been so well received, particularly in the libraries, and the November publication of The Innkeeper's Daughter.
My lovely loyal readers have once again shown such support and at each signing have asked will there be another book next year? Yes, I say, should I live so long!
This year of course has been so very exciting with the Queen's Jubilee Celebration and not forgetting the wonderful Olympics. I must confess that I had been rather cynical over the original hype but was won over by the sheer joy and exhilaration of it all, especially when so many Yorkshire athletes brought back their golden accolades. Call it jingoism if you like but it brought a tear to my eye and filled me with delight.
Since I wrote my last blog I have 'cut a ribbon' at the opening of a new office for the charity Beverley Lift, supported the firework display in aid of the Hull Memory Clinic, given several talks on the aforementioned Trail, launched The Innkeeper's Daughter at Hull's Waterstone's where they built a wonderful Christmas tree of books in their window, and where the book sales exceeded those of last year; wrote a short story for My Weekly which is out now and had a mention on Radio 4's Open Book. Oh, yes, and wrote a few more words for the next book, and a quick trip over to Stockholm as a prelude to Christmas where we knew for sure there would be snow!
Thursday, 25 October 2012
You might well ask where have I been
The last time I wrote here was back in August and I'm not going to mention the weather.
As I look back in my diary I see that at the end of that month I had a quick visit to London and the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. Brilliant as always. Then home in time for a lunch that same week at the Burstwick Golf Club in Holderness which was held in aid of the Hull Memory Clinic. Also a telephone interview on the same day with one of my favourite personalities of BBC Radio Humberside, Carl Wheatley. We had a good chat, a few laughs and a talk about my upcoming new book The Innkeeper's Daughter.
Later that month, a visit to the dentist, and the hairdresser, I'm sure you want to know this and then a week of cat sitting, or at least cat visiting whilst my daughter and partner were on holiday. Twice a day a cat cuddle which was so satisfying for both of us.
Wednesday the 5th September an evening at the Hull History Centre for the start of a festival which I was going to miss as I was off on holiday the following day. However, I didn't want to miss the launch of this special festival and I managed to catch up with various people who over many years have been important to my work; in no special order, David Alexander Smith who spent many years at Hull Central Library and the Hull History Centre, Dr Robb Robinson and Dr Alec Gill, both well known historians as well as many others. It was such an interesting evening and I'm so glad that I made the effort to be there, in spite of not having finished my holiday packing.
Then the following day off to Sicily, land of glorious sunshine and ancient monuments. A wonderfully interesting if exhausting holiday.
Whilst I was away, just in case I'd given any thought of slacking, plans were afoot by the delightful people who look after my marketing and publicity, to prepare for two pre launch readings from the new book, and an invite to the launch of the Beverley Literature Festival.
A gave a lecture at Holderness Grange, and attended a meeting of RNA northern authors in Beckwithshaw where we heard a fascinating talk on the life of author Alan Wilkinson. I've known Alan for twenty eight years when we first met at a writers' workshop when we were pre published and embryo writers; he has led an amazing and varied life.
What else? An interview by a Hull Daily Mail journalist for the said new book and oh yes, several thousand more words for next year's novel. Next week the preparation for the readings begin and the following week is -- launch week!
As I look back in my diary I see that at the end of that month I had a quick visit to London and the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. Brilliant as always. Then home in time for a lunch that same week at the Burstwick Golf Club in Holderness which was held in aid of the Hull Memory Clinic. Also a telephone interview on the same day with one of my favourite personalities of BBC Radio Humberside, Carl Wheatley. We had a good chat, a few laughs and a talk about my upcoming new book The Innkeeper's Daughter.
Later that month, a visit to the dentist, and the hairdresser, I'm sure you want to know this and then a week of cat sitting, or at least cat visiting whilst my daughter and partner were on holiday. Twice a day a cat cuddle which was so satisfying for both of us.
Wednesday the 5th September an evening at the Hull History Centre for the start of a festival which I was going to miss as I was off on holiday the following day. However, I didn't want to miss the launch of this special festival and I managed to catch up with various people who over many years have been important to my work; in no special order, David Alexander Smith who spent many years at Hull Central Library and the Hull History Centre, Dr Robb Robinson and Dr Alec Gill, both well known historians as well as many others. It was such an interesting evening and I'm so glad that I made the effort to be there, in spite of not having finished my holiday packing.
Then the following day off to Sicily, land of glorious sunshine and ancient monuments. A wonderfully interesting if exhausting holiday.
Whilst I was away, just in case I'd given any thought of slacking, plans were afoot by the delightful people who look after my marketing and publicity, to prepare for two pre launch readings from the new book, and an invite to the launch of the Beverley Literature Festival.
A gave a lecture at Holderness Grange, and attended a meeting of RNA northern authors in Beckwithshaw where we heard a fascinating talk on the life of author Alan Wilkinson. I've known Alan for twenty eight years when we first met at a writers' workshop when we were pre published and embryo writers; he has led an amazing and varied life.
What else? An interview by a Hull Daily Mail journalist for the said new book and oh yes, several thousand more words for next year's novel. Next week the preparation for the readings begin and the following week is -- launch week!
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