Readings

Hello again.

Things have been pretty quiet on the blogging front as I've been finishing off my second novel, Monsoons and Marigolds. Set in Nepal, it is the story of a young woman volunteer who is trying to escape into a new life. She is idealistic, naive and misunderstands cultural differences with disastrous consequences. Having worked as a volunteer in Nepal 1997-8, a lot of material has been used from my journals. If you don't already keep one I can highly recommend it. I also keep a small notebook in my handbag or beside the bed, to jot down those nuggets that come at inopportune moments and are lost unless written down.

On Wednesday I appeared at The Basement Coffee House at their open mic event. It was a profitable evening; I read from my poetry pamphlet The Language of Crows and sold 2 copies before I'd sat back down! Tonight I'm at Newton Stewart Library appearing as one of Take Four, a group of writers and storytellers who are performing and reading our new work. I shall be talking about my time in Nepal, how it influenced my writing, and reading passages from the new novel.

In October I am on retreat for 4 weeks  hoping to make a substantial start on my third novel, a murder mystery this time, set in China, Hong Kong and Dumfries and Galloway. Never one to shy away from challenges I think this one will stretch me in ways different to the first two novels, which were heavily based on person experiences.

In November Take Four take to the road and will be performing on 5 November at the newly refurbished Stranraer Library and on 24 January at the Ryan Centre, Stranraer. More dates and venues are in the pipeline, so watch this space.