Dresses – Books on and the Making of

Wow, I must be a bit psychic (that, or it’s a coincidence, but that’s not so fun, right?) as my new book (The Party Dress) was waiting for me when I got home on Friday. I read it cover to cover that evening and here are my thoughts (having only read it, not tried it [...]

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Writing, Reading and Loving

These three things are inextricably interlinked for me.  When I am reading a story I love, I feel most inspired to write.  And, I like to think I’m aware enough that I don’t fall into that trap of writing like what I’m currently reading, which I hear/read so often from writers – ‘I don’t read [...]

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This week I have been mostly …

I just wanted to give you lovelies a quick update on what I’ve been up to … Applications – a couple for jobs and a couple for PGCEs.  They take up a lot of time and are quite dull, but they need doing, alas! Tulle skirt.  Meh.  It’s finished, but it looks frumpy and I’m [...]

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Cupcakes!

What is it that people love so much about cupcakes? I’m afraid I don’t have an answer, but I do have an addiction to the darn things.  So when I saw this book for £5 at my office’s book club, I just couldn’t resist: Huzzah for many different recipes (for the cake and icing) and [...]

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I Heart Books

As a reward for doing the boring but necessary task of visiting employment agencies all day, I allowed myself to spend the last of my gift card.  I tried to order the Kyoto Fashion book, but they couldn’t order it as it was out of stock (meh!). But nevermind, ’cause it means I got to [...]

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Aflutter Over A Book

I’m all aflutter at the release of what looks to be a rather exciting debut novel from the witty and most learned Gail Carriger: Who could possibly resist a novel whose byline is “A novel of vampires, werewolves, and parasols”?  Really? Do go and check out her blog for Interesting Reading and a very fun [...]

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Editing – Read, re-read and then re-read some more.

Thanks to distracting friends and sun, I’ve only finished my editing for last week on Sunday evening, so I thought I’d take a look at the process of hammering your manuscript up to standard. A lot of writers suggest doing separate read throughts for different kinds of editing – an method I find effective.  As [...]

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Fantasy Fiction – Brevity Isn’t a Dirty Word

So last time, I mentioned this other addition that I made.  It was a brief explanation of my magic system.  BRIEF being the operative! The currently direction of commercial fantasy fiction is away from the excesses of worldbuilding so beloved of Tolkein and his acolytes.  Check out what Joe Abercrombie has to say on the [...]

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Sewing – the First Adventure

Because one day I really want to go to the Venice Carnival and wear this and because I’m a perfectionist so I can’t buy an ‘ok’ readymade version and because I can’t afford the hefty price tag for someone to make it for me, I need to learn to sew. The current plan is to [...]

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