Theory: Uncle Quentin in the ‘Famous Five’ was Enid Blyton herself.
For those who haven’t heard of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five, it’s what Britain had before Harry Potter. Anyway, I have my own pet theory about Uncle Quentin. I think he’s…
Category: fiction
Writing a first draft- the ultimate confidence trick.
Please God, this is the last school holiday in lockdown. The children have watched far too much TV because I’ve had a cold and couldn’t think of many satisfactory ways…
Netflix-informed parenting, Prince Philip and my first draft.
I’m writing this a bit late. My husband and I stayed up to collect my son from a cold-sounding meet in his mate’s garden. He wanted to cycle back at…
Too many bikes, too few words.
Yesterday, the six of us cycled along the prom. The sun was out, people were in t-shirts and there were banners outside the restaurants announcing their terraces would open from…
Refuting stereotypes, adopting metaphors and upskilling in graphic design.
I wasn’t happiest, but I was least existentially stressed when I was taking my professional exams as a junior doctor. I had no children at the time so I had…
Desks, Mr Evaristo and other difficulties with focus.
Yesterday, in the middle of a meeting, my desk fell off the wall, so I’m breaking a rule and writing this in bed. I’m trying to concentrate while my husband…
A pop-up bike shop and a spoilt princess of a novel.
My son has turned the kitchen and conservatory into a bike shop. Grateful he’s out of bed and not torturing his teachers online, I haven’t complained. And the children are…
A turnaround week
I started this week feeling uninspired – one of my least favourite sensations – and have finished with so much in my head I don’t know what to put in…
sophie beal 