Blog

The RSPB reserve on the Avalon Marshes in Somerset is one of my favourite places. At this time of year, around half a million starlings roost in the reedbeds every night.

If there’s one valuable lesson that my 44 years have taught me, it’s that life, more often than not, comes in seasons.

Twenty years ago my first novel, What If? was released. It was the story of Carly Cooper and her merry band of friends, all of them navigating their way through life and love. So what happened next? 

If Faking It reminds us of anything it’s that ‘faking it’ can actually be quite a positive thing. You’ve heard the phrase ‘fake it ‘til you make it’?

It took twenty years to appreciate what they were telling me. Life has rules. I got that. Eventually. But by then I was thirty five.

Of all the words of wisdom I’ve heard over the years the line that has truly meant the most to me comes from none other than The Office’s Andy Bernard.

Many promise themselves to live the dream but never get round to it. I did it and sailed south until the butter melted.

I wanted to write about pre-publication. That moment between complete belief that you’ve written a masterpiece, and utter dread that you’re a self-deceiving fool.

Music is amazing. It has the power to lift us up and soothe our souls. It can comfort us. Sometimes we feel so much better after letting it all out.