Sunday 19th June

I decided that I should step back into the 21st century. Most of my time when I'm working is spent in the 19thc, which might seem rather odd -- but then one does need to be fairly odd to be an author -- but unless I think and breathe an earlier period then it's not possible to make it tangible for my readers, in much the same way, as I have said previously, I must breathe life and put flesh on the bones of my characters to make them seem real too. But I digress; I said I am stepping back into the 21st century and to this end I have joined Face Book and Twitter. I have been asked 'why' and the reason being is that very many of my fellow authors have already joined, and I didn't want to miss out on the party! Of course, when I say that I have joined Face Book and Twitter, what I actually mean is that I have been helped to be there and to have a brand new web site by professional people who actually know what they are doing.

Last Friday my two daughters and I joined Yorkshire artist Ashley Jackson at the 10th anniversary of the Holderness Art Show in Burton Pidsea village, Ashley opened the show and commented on the many fine pieces of work displayed. I, with my daughters, presented a spelted beech bowl given as an annual Peter Wood Memorial Prize in commemoration of my husband's life, to first time winner Rebecca Clark.

Sunday 5th June

Well, there's another month gone by and busier than I anticipated as I really did intend getting down to some serious writing. The first few chapters of a new novel are always the hardest as the author becomes familiar with new characters. If you imagine meeting someone for the first time; you take in the initial appearance of them; their bearing, their demeanour or manner, their personality and so on, and you generally know whether or not you are going to like them, but perhaps don't immediately become friends. It's rather similar with creating new characters for a novel; then there's the business of deciding where you will place them, what kind of setting will they be living in and do they have parents, sisters or brothers and so on, and that is why it is so important not to rush the beginning. It has to feel just right before the author can continue with the tale they have to tell!

There are of course many aspects to an author's life other than sitting down and writing; you will have heard of the fateful news of intended library closures which have been threatening for quite some time and many authors have signed in protest of these. We are all agreed that libraries are an essential part of most lives; most authors have spent at least part of their childhood in them, borrowing books for pleasure or for research and many a literary career began there. Alan Bennett was particularly incensed over one library closure and created a considerable wordy furore. I was asked to contribute to this debate on Radio Humberside and questionedon whether I agreed with Mr Bennett's comments to which I replied that although I wouldn't have chosen his words -- he is more eloquent than I, I did consider it to be akin to criminal to deprive children, the elderly, the blind and partially sighted who read and listen to large print and audio books, and those who cannot afford to buy books from the High Street of this wonderful facility.

On July 2nd at the Hull History Centre and part of the Humber Mouth Festival there is to be a day devoted to 'Telling a Story in which people are invited to do just that. It can be a fictional story or a real one, perhaps something that has been passed down from one family member to the next. Rupert Creed of the Community Play fame will be planning the workshops, two 'Fishermen's Wives will be telling what kind of life they led and I will be speaking on how I research my 19thc novels. It should be very interesting and although not all the details are yet in place (we have had one session of brainstorming), if anyone would like to know more then get in touch with Rachael Drew at the Hull History Centre who is arranging the day.

So an interesting few weeks -- and more to come.

Friday May 20th

I can hardly credit that it is over a month since my last entry, so what have I been doing in that time? Well, catching up on new writing for one thing now that the paperback signings are finally over. I had one more talk to give in Dunnington Reading Room, Dunnington being near York and a delightful village which has apparently won the Village in Bloom award for the last couple of years. It was a very pleasant evening with a full house, the audience being very receptive.

Then of course came the Royal Wedding which I watched on TV all day! My daughter Catherine came over and we ate a proper cooked English Breakfast followed by coffee and cake and toasted the wedded couple in Bucks Fizz.

On the 4th May I attended Mike Ulyatt's event at the Hull Royal Station Hotel which commemorated the 70 th anniversary of the Hull Blitz which caused such devastation and misery. There is a booklet and DVD on sale to recall those terrible times, lest we forget.

And since then I really have been writing, but in between, meeting friends, attending concerts and the most marvellous production of Die Valkurie,  Live Opera at Cineworld. Outstanding!

Last night I wore my other hat, that of Editor at The Hull and District Talking Magazine for the Blind, a charity I have been involved with for over twenty five years. The occasion was the AGM in which the last of the original founders of the charity, Harold Milner, stepped down after thirty four years of sterling work. He has relinquished his role as Chairman and we have asked him to be our President.

Back to work!

Thursday 14th April

Last Thursday as predicted, the charity lunch at Tickton Grange in aid of HERIB was great fun and the food delicious as always; the speaker Jane Thornton was excellent as she outlined both her acting career and that of playwright and scriptwriter. A multi tasker of the first degree.

Monday the 11th April saw the start of the Scarborough Fringe Festival. I was speaker at the West Ayton Library and was delighted to see all the chairs occupied by a friendly and receptive audience. I outlined my long connections with Scarborough and area and told of how Scarborough often plays a part in my books, particularly THE HARBOUR GIRL which will be published in November this year.

Wednesday; another charity lunch, this time at Cerutti 2 in Beverley and hosted by Tina Cerutti; this was in aid of the Dove House Hospice Love You 2 Appeal which aims to raise £2.5 million in 2.5 years to fund the running of their new respite unit. Tina demonstrated how to make easy and delicious fish recipes, which we then enjoyed.

Thursday; another run up to Scarborough; I drove from Beverley through Driffield and towards Staxton and Seamer. Although the morning was cloudy and a little cool, it was so obvious that spring is definitely with us; the daffodils on the verges through the villages of Langtoft and Foxholes were just past their best, but were a bright and sunny gold which gladdened the eye and lifted the spirits, the trees are now dressed in their fresh spring green.My outing today was to hear Sarah Waters at the Scarborough Library talking to James Nash about her books and her research into them. What an absolute treat to listen to such a talented author.

Tomorrow, Friday 15th. My final signing session at WH Smith of Whitefriargate, Hull. It has been a long tour, but a most enjoyable one. Next week, I must get down to some serious writing!

Wednesday 6th April 2011

Today I'm preparing my lecture for the Scarborough Literature Festival Fringe event to be held at West Ayton library on Monday the 11th April at 7pm. For further details  Heather.French@northyorks.gov.uk
I'm really looking forward to being there as, although the event is to be held a few miles outside Scarborough, the town remains my most favourite seaside!  I spent many memorable holidays there as a child, staying with my paternal grandparents and also with a favourite aunt in Irton, not far from West Ayton.

The following Friday, the 15th, my final official paperback signing of HOMECOMING GIRLS, an extra, by special request at WHSmith in Whitefriargate, Hull at 12 noon. Be there if you can!

Regretfully, the scheduled tea party and signing aat SIMPLY BOOKS of Pocklington on Sunday the 9th April has had to be cancelled. We hope to re schedule at a later date. It's a great little independent bookshop. Do call in if you're in the vicinity.

Tomorrow, I'm attending as a guest, a Ladies' Lunch in aid of HERIB -- Hull and East Riding Institute for the Blind -- at Tickton Grange Hotel, near Beverley. A lovely location, a guarantee of good food and a very worthy cause. One of my favourite charities. The speaker is to be Jane Thornton, the well known and much acclaimed playwright and screen writer. Should be a good event.

A library event is to be held at Dunnington Reading Room, Church Street, Dunnington, nr York on Thursday 28th April at 7pm. For further details tricia.raxworthy@york.gov.uk

Tuesday 29th March

  Almost at the end of March. Where has the month gone? Last Monday the 21st, I spoke at the wonderful Hull History Centre. A most incredible building packed with so much information and collections of local, regional and national importance relating to the city and surrounding area. My role on that day was to speak of my current novel THE HOMECOMING GIRLS and of its significance to the Hull area. To this end a slide show was shown of photographs of old Hull in the late 19th and early 20th century, which surprisingly, many were exactly as I had imagined the courts and alleys to be. There were several of my regular readers there and amazingly they seem to know my books and characters better than I do!

On Wednesday I attended the Hull Literary Luncheon where as usual we were entertained by excellent guest speakers; actor Larry Lamb, author Simon Scarrow, and maritime historian Dr Robb Robinson.

Dr Robinson, Robb to all who know him, is a Hull based author historian whose new book FAR HORIZONS is just out and I can say with authority is a crackingly good read.  Not only as a member of an old fishing family does he know what he is talking about, I can affirm he is also more than willing to share his information and expertise.

Saturday the 26th. Back to the Hull History Centre for a meeting with the Society of Authors North. The society is open to published authors and gives advice on all matters relating to writing, authorship and publication. We covered many topics including e books and enjoyed an excellent lecture given by archivist Judy Burg who spoke of some of the archived material held at the centre and then gave us a tour of the building.

Monday I went to the market town of Hedon, close to where I lived for almost forty years until three years ago. The reason for my visit was to sign books at Beckett's newsagents who always stock my books. I found a complete restoration of the shop -- a face lift/makeover and it was lovely to go back and catch up the news with so many people.

Today I managed to work on another chapter of the first draft of the new book and as usual start to think I shall never finish it in time! But of course I will.

Saturday the 2nd April I shall be signing at Hull Waterstone's, the day before Mother's Day. 2pm if you can make it to come and say hello!

Sunday 20th March 2011

Yesterday I had a successful day signing paperback copies of HOMECOMING GIRLS in Smiths Books of Beverley, and Sokell's of Driffield. It was a glorious sunny day -- hopefully the first of many more to come -- and there were lots of people about; many of my regular readers came in to chat and to buy.

Today the eldest of my talented daughters linked this blog to my website. I do hope you are able to access it!