» Listings for April 2011

 Easter time, and lovliest of trees, in Gerard Manley Hopkins view, is dressing the city with blossom which is quite breathtaking. 

I have returned from a wonderful stay in Oxford, and lovely hospitality at Wolfson College, to work on my next novel Sworn.

I thought I'd take a leaf out of Amanda Hocking's book and drink some Red Bull. It's a little too sweet for my taste, and I seem to have enough natural energy without imbibing.

Hopefully Kindle Nation will be honouring me with a slot later today and tomorrow.

I was most gratified with a new review which has earned 5 stars. Check it out on my review page, if you will. Tracy Riva has been with me all the way as a reader. It must be the most

 gratifying aspect of being a writer - to communicate one's ideas succesfully. I am so glad she enjoyed reading Blood Line.

As I mentioned, this past week has seen a great deal more writing of Sworn. Once more my uncanny knack rose to the surface. I had been describing aspects of the building that Bea is visiting. Count Dracula has brought  a 6oo year old red brick building over from Europe. It was spine chilling when I then paused to do a little research on the internet only to discover the building I had seen in my mind's eye as I was writing actually exists! More of this, I think when the book is published. As they say . . . watch this space.                                                                                                                                                                          

Oxford is quietly hosting a group of well known literary figures this week and I have come to join them. The students are down and the small city is relatively quiet. I am gratefully appreciating the kind hospitality of my elder daughter in one of the beautiful Oxford University colleges. Spring sunshine accompanies me as I do research for my next novel which is based here in Oxford, and revel in the warm sunshine in the private gardens.

I listened to Ben Okri introduce HRH Princess Anne who spoke on the work of Save the Children in the Sheldonian. 

A friend showed me round Dorchester Abbey before supper in her delightful garden round a blazing fire.

There are still a few precious days to go and a wealth of research covered. Writing goes apace in the afternoons, and reading a biography of P G Wodehouse in the evenings.

Look out for my Kindle Nation coverage on Monday.