Are you nervous about where your novel is heading? — I always knew that 9/11 would play a part in the third book in my Tales of the Countess series. I’ve been working on a first draft and initially danced around the topic, not wanting to go there. But when I bit the bullet and wrote the story as I…

2022 started so well — Do you remember back to January? I was wide-eyed with optimism and happily embarked on some new projects. I declared everything to be an experiment and my catchphrase was, “Let’s see what happens.” My writing got off to a good start, but then I made two choices in March which…

Reflections on the magnitude of the Queen’s passing — After ten days of feeling an occasional lump in my throat, it was during the second hymn of the service at Windsor that my tears started to flow. This really was a final goodbye. The Queen was gone. Seeing the orb, sceptre and the crown removed from Her Majesty’s coffin…

I am worthy — Over the last six weeks, my fatigue has returned, as has the incapacitation which accompanies it. I have produced a weekly article for my Gentle Creative publication, but I have done little else. I saw my wonderful homeopathist last week and, thankfully, I am improving. I have often been plagued…

We all have our own crosses to bear — I’ve practised Buddhism for over 30 years but every year I am fascinated by Easter. There is something about the solemnity of Good Friday that gives way to the light of Easter Sunday. Even if you aren’t a practising Christian, there is much that you can gain by looking at…

And I love the freedom — When you turn forty, the big M looms on the horizon. Menopause. You are trepidatious. You’ve heard about hot sweats and hormonal chaos. You know it can be a long process, which for many is de-stabilising. You feel that your days of youthful fertility are ending. You are no longer…

You don’t have to feel like a failure — Recently I did a survey about writer’s block and discovered some heart-rendering reasons why people aren’t writing at their desired output. You told me that you were juggling more than one job to make ends meet, that you were exhausted from home-schooling and that you were suffering from grief. For…

Create a sensible roadmap using the rule of three — Many years ago, when I was a life coach, one of the most popular exercises I did with my clients was to plan their goals using a rule of three. It’s very simple. Here’s the short version: Decide what is important to you and do three small things towards it…

It’s impossible to write anything at the moment without thinking of the situation in Ukraine. My heart goes out to the people there and for those suffering in Russia because of Mr Putin’s actions. In my Buddhist chanting I am praying for them to have the fortitude to get through…