A few words on the conflict in Ukraine - and how to help. I can’t imagine being stuck in this traffic jam. At first glance it looks like any other. An irritatingly, bile-rising and frustrating situation, bound to flare the tempers of anyone stuck in its centre or joining its tail. But impulsive end of … Continue reading I can’t imagine being stuck in this traffic jam…
Too shy shy…
If there’s one thing that I hate about myself it’s my history of debilitating shyness. But I am learning how to have more compassion for myself.
Book review: Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding
I was introduced to this book at an online event hosted by Bryony Gordon to explore how we talk about alcohol and relationships in literature. Lisa was on the panel, along with Shuggie Bain author Douglas Stuart (that one’s on my Christmas list) and I was really taken by the words from all three authors… … Continue reading Book review: Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding
Review: Haddock and Chips
A play by Janet Plater From CaroleW Productions / Directed by Jake Murray Starring Phillippa Wilson and Joe Caffrey I haven’t seen much theatre lately (obvs) but I was so glad I ventured out to Gosforth Civic Theatre for this one. Haddock and Chips says so much that we need to hear right now making … Continue reading Review: Haddock and Chips
Ten to Talk Through with Lucy Nichol
If you’re a 90s grunge music fan, I can guarantee you’ll love The Twenty Seven Club by Lucy Nichol. It’s a fantastically nostalgic tale of 90s music, friendship, and discovering who you are.
I sat down with Lucy to chat about the inspiration for her debut novel, and the slight inspiration from her personal life that ended up in the book.

View original post 729 more words
Jeanette Winterson’s book bonfire is symbolic of how we dismiss those working passionately behind the scenes
Whether it was artistic symbolism, a PR stunt or a knee-jerk emotional reaction, the one thing that really stands out about Jeanette Winterson’s book bonfire is the fact that we forget how many people pour their hearts and souls into publishing books. Nobody with an interest in the world of publishing could have missed the … Continue reading Jeanette Winterson’s book bonfire is symbolic of how we dismiss those working passionately behind the scenes
Does mental illness make us more creative?
This is a topic that is ALWAYS up for debate. And it’s pretty controversial to boot. There has been a lot of research into whether or not mental illness makes us more creative - acclaimed US psychologist and author Kay Redfield Jamison released an entire book exploring the subject (Touched With Fire if you’re interested). But … Continue reading Does mental illness make us more creative?
Free Book Sample:The Twenty Seven Club
Fancy having a read of The Twenty Seven Club before committing your pennies to it? Well, turns out that Amazon will let you do that for FREE! This fictional tale takes you back to 1994, when the music world was mourning Kurt Cobain - and the concept of The Twenty Seven Club emerged - along … Continue reading Free Book Sample:The Twenty Seven Club
How anxiety makes the truth stranger than fiction
Trigger warning: Panic and health anxiety There’s a theme that runs through all my writing - the media’s impact on our anxiety. And my God, it’s very REAL. I’m not blaming the media. Not entirely. It’s just that, for us obsessives, the combination of health anxiety and health headlines is a bit of a toxic cocktail. … Continue reading How anxiety makes the truth stranger than fiction
10 Books on Addiction and Recovery
I’ve spent a lot of time working with addiction recovery charities over the last few years, and, as I was working on a project this morning, it inspired me to share some of the books I’ve read - and some on my TBR - on the topic. There really are some powerful, honest, inspirational, humorous … Continue reading 10 Books on Addiction and Recovery