The start of this year has been bumpy with the return of homeschooling. It’s been hard work so far but we’re coping. It’s been amazing to be in our new home to do it. I think homeschooling four kids in a two bed flat nearly sent me crazy last year! I love my kids and when they were small I briefly considered homeschooling but realised that I need a bit of space for myself. I’m an introvert and so space for myself is the best way for me to stay sane! At the moment I’m able to get that time from 3 until 5 when I shut myself into the kitchen and cook. That’s why I’ll be putting on some of my favourite recipes on for you at some point. There are already some of my recipes out there on an old blog I wrote on wordpress called ‘Indulgent Diners Wanted’. Feel free to have a look.

This year is all about writing for me. I’m excited to be finalising the edit on my novel Reflections and I’ve gone back to the first novel I wrote a couple of years ago and rewriting it with all the wisdom I’ve learned from writing my most recent novel. Also from all the seminars I attended at the Festival of Writing and from lots of online resources. As well as my ever patient writing partner Sophie. I know that she is one of the reasons I’ve persevered in writing. We’ve really missed our Starbucks writing sessions over this last year but we have met up and had virtual write-ins.

We have some exciting announcements lined up this year to do with both our writing projects. She’s definitely worth following on her website www.sophiebeal.co.uk. She is a genius in creating prose and a master of editing! I love the actual writing but find the editing challenging.

One of my favourite things is to read. I love to read. My favourites I can read over and over! I’ve read ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ by Alexandre Dumas three times! I love the unexpected twists and turns. The planning that must have gone into writing such a complex novel. Another of my favourites is ‘The Handmaids Tale’ by Margaret Attwood but this isn’t one I can read over and again. But I love how Margaret Attwood sows together the story, weaving in and out of past and present, full of imagery and symbolism, it’s a masterpiece. I love simple straightforward stories too but my taste tends to be towards the unusual and so is my writing! I also love Jane Austen, Charles Dickens among others. Let me know what your favourite novels are, I love to read when I have the time so throw me some suggestions.