Lovely news & fishy tale
Newsletter No 3
In the run up to International Women’s Day on 8 March it seems very apt in the last couple of weeks I’ve heard some fascinating stories about forgotten female figures.
One of the stories was told by Sunderland-born Nancy Revell, who left the city and became an investigative reporter on the national tabloids. She then switched careers and became a successful author, writing historical fiction. Her main novels are based on Wearside, featuring unsung female shipbuilders during World War II. I thought it was interesting that Nancy moved back to Sunderland for several years when she was writing them to ensure they were historically and geographically accurate. Some attention to detail. I’m interviewing her soon for my Wise Words blog.
Obviously I’m not even vaguely famous but to my amazement out of the blue I’ve been invited to speak at a great event, The Little Felton Book Festival in Northumberland.
My slot is Friday, 28 March at 7.30pm. On the same bill is Lucy Nichol, now writing crime as Lucy Roth. Our session is Women, Words and Wit so wish me luck as I’m feeling the pressure to be funny. A link to book tickets is here.
I’ve been slowly getting more reviews for The Stand-Up Mam, which is lovely. If anyone who has read my book, has time to leave their review on Amazon and or Good Reads, it would be really appreciated.
As part of my research for my second book, I listened to a talk about ‘Snow Moon’ writing, of all things. I heard a slightly creepy tale about the god of fertility, Brigid, who is celebrated in February to herald in the new year and green shoots. There is a tradition of creating a Bridie doll from twigs, straw and material scraps, in her honour. While creating it you make your wishes and hopes for the year ahead. Then next year you burn the old one to get rid of old aspirations and make space for the new ones. It has a bit of a wicker man vibe about it!
Anyone who knows me realises that I am a passionate believer in getting rid of stuff. Love it. I encourage everyone to clear clutter. It’s like breathing fresh air. (NB Not everyone in my home feels the same way….)
The end of the week was a spectacular event at Whitley Bay Playhouse. The Banff Mountain film festival showed several short films about people doing amazing, brave adventures in stunning locations, testing their skills to the absolute limit.
I was inspired to do something then realised at the meal beforehand I had Dover sole and lifted out the skeleton. It gave me the fear so I asked for a plate to put it on and then even had to get the plate removed. Maybe my scare level is not at the throwing -myself-off-mountains-on-a-bike level. Yet.
However I did do a coffee and doughnut run which was good fun.
At the cinema I saw the new Bridget Jones film and thought it didn’t work like the earlier ones. I think the ditsy older woman who is ghosted on tinder vibe, fell a bit flat. Motherland on TV by Sharon Horgan covers similar women and is way more funny, to me anyway.
On TV I’m enjoying The Good Fight, a spin off from The Good Wife. It is really good. There are some very interesting clothes, which is not my usual go-to and strong female characters. Recommended.
I’ve got three novels on the go – The Villa, Rachel Hawkins, The Shipyard Girls, Nancy Revell and The Rush, Beth Lewis. I will report back when they’re finished.
Thanks very much for reading this.
Ps Ben Aitken (who I mentioned in a previous newsletter) picked up on my post about loving his coach trip book and said ‘welcome on board’ which tickled me!