It probably will hurt.
There’s a programme on BBC iPlayer at the moment called This is going to hurt. I haven’t had the courage to watch it yet, but when I do, I’ll have…
Half-term: to yell or not to yell, that is the problem.
It’s been half term this week. I only have my second-born’s word for it that he’s been revising for his mock exams. On Tuesday, I found him head under the…
Wind days, hospital marketing, and a novelist’s ode to post-it notes.
We have ‘snow days’ in Britain, but for the first time, the children are off school because of the wind. Unfortunately for them, COVID means teachers have wised up about…
Stretching the perimeter of my comfort zone.
If I had my way I would stay in my comfort zone and never make a mistake. But two things have recently pushed me to do things I wouldn’t choose…
Tumble-driers, novel middles and a kanban board.
Lots of things going on this week: We went out to a French restaurant to celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary. I am a fan of cream-based cuisine (and my husband).…
Parenting mini-mes, editing and the hard work behind magic.
The first sign of spring – forced daffodils in the supermarket. Give it another week or two and I’ll have snowdrops in my garden. I can see the crux of…
Life-novel balance and other fictional concepts.
I have never managed the work-life balance thing. Complicated Christmas holidays, a deadline for one of our authors, the need to catch up with my own work after that, and…
A requiem to mince pies and a to-do list for my novel.
Almost back into routine. Phew. Sort of. There is something nice about the holidays after Christmas: most of the benefits (pretty lights, mince pies, and hot chocolate, time with family)…
sophie beal 