Hi everyone, having just read Lucy’s The Car Share and loved it, I’m delighted to guest on her lovely blog. She asked me to share some tips on creating a believable setting. I really had to think about it as I tend to be an instinctive rather than analytical writer but here they are. Mostly common sense but work for me and might for you too. All opinions are personal and gathered from life experience! Oh – and I tend to invent fictional settings. That way I don’t get criticism if I get anything wrong! Where? Where to base your book is the most obvious and basic question and everything else ha ..read more

I have been busy working on book 4 where the main characters used to date as teenagers and write each other love letters. It’s sent me love letter crazy and a bit nostalgic. Does anyone remember sending handwritten letters or even better receiving them? I used to cover mine in doodles – flowers, hearts etc and maybe the odd – T.L.N.D (true love never dies) and S.W.A.L.K (sealed with a loving kiss). I think I sent out more love letters than I received back in the day. There are 2 memories I have of love interests wrriting me love letters: The first love letter was one I never got to read as my ..read more

As a writer, one embarks on a journey filled with twists and turns, highs and lows, and an endless array of emotions that often mirror the complexities of life itself. It’s a path marked by solitude, introspection, and a relentless pursuit of the perfect phrase. The Solitude of Creation We often find ourselves alone with our thoughts, grappling with the blank page or the blinking cursor, searching for that elusive spark of inspiration. In these moments of quiet contemplation, we confront our innermost fears and doubts, wrestling with self-doubt and the nagging voice of the inner critic. But wi ..read more

In a world where connections are forged through shared experiences and mutual understanding, close proximity romance emerges as a compelling narrative of love blooming in the most unexpected places. From roommates turned soulmates to colleagues discovering a deeper connection, the dynamics of close proximity relationships offer a rich tapestry of emotions, challenges, and ultimately, profound intimacy. Proximity Breeds Familiarity Close proximity romance often begins with a simple proximity: living in the same apartment building, working in adjacent offices, or frequenting the same neighborhoo ..read more

Hello Today I am going to talk about something which I am starting to get my head around. Note: I’ve not nailed this yet but I am trying. So, I am talking about – the ability to coexist with your imperfect draft novel and be at peace with all its flaws. You can go about your daily life and not be plagued or tortured by your draft novel sat there with it’s saggy middle, flat ending and cast of chaotic characters. You can even smile naturally at your imperfect draft novel. There’s no gritting of teeth or sleepless nights. You don’t delete it, quit writing it or quit writing altogether because ..read more

Welcome to this glorious Monday where I reveal my next book to you, my lovely blog followers. Following on from the success of ‘I’ll Miss You This Christmas’ and ‘Instructions for Falling in Love Again,’ here’s my next romance novel – The Car Share. Embark on a heart-warming journey that proves, it doesn’t matter where you’re going, it’s who you have beside you on the way. Behind the Scenes: Ideas for my romance novels never come fully formed. Parts of this one came to me in 2018, in 2020 and in 2022. It was like the universe sent me a book idea via three cosmic downloads. In 2022 I wrote th ..read more

In the glorious world of romance novels, the spotlight often shines brightly on the passionate and tumultuous love affair between the main characters. I believe there is an often overlooked but integral element that adds depth, richness, and authenticity to the narrative: the friends of your main characters. Friendships in romance novels serve as the unsung heroes, quietly weaving themselves into the fabric of the story, yet playing a pivotal role in shaping the characters and their relationships. Here are some of the things they provide: Mirror. They provide a mirror through which the protago ..read more

Last year I wrote a blog post about how I was changing from a pantser to a plotter. In simple terms, plotters are writers who plot and pantsers are writers who don’t (instead, they “fly by the seat of their pants”, hence the name). For years I have been a proud pantser and I have written 13 books using this method. In 2023 I started interrogating my process. This resulted in me deciding that I needed to become a plotter. Now in life I love embracing decisions and throwing myself into things. The last half of 2023 were spent creating as many novel plans as I could. I became a factory for books ..read more

As a reader of romance I think writing a good break-up is an art form. The authors who do it well make their fictional couple break-up emotionally impactful and believable. They write them so well you can almost hear your own heart breaking into two. I have been known to shed a few tears at the break up of a much loved fictional couple. I do love it when they break up mid-book and then I’m left wondering / praying / hugging a cushion they’ll get back together at the end. Here are some things I think should be considered: Character Development:The breakup has to align with the characters’ growt ..read more

I have always enjoyed writing the final chapters of my romance novels. They are great to write and they usually result in me turning into a blubbering and snotty mess. I always need to go hug my dog and eat a lot of chocolate after writing a good ending. The romance novel ending is the crucial and emotional part of the story. It’s where you wrap up the romance and leave a lasting impression on your readers. Here are some things I think you should consider when writing the end of a romance novel: Sort Out The Main Conflict: You need to ensure the main conflict keeping your fictional couple apa ..read more