» Listings for November 2009

1. Calling All Readers

   Posted on 11:41am Thursday 26th Nov 2009

   Sadly, there was no response to my request for feedback on my website, despite the competition to win a book!  Nevertheless, I shall press on and continue to improve the site.  I'm intending to add more content and background information about Victorian workhouses, prisons and hospitals to the books pages over the next few weeks.

    

   Do get in touch via the contact form if there's anything particular you'd like to see on this website, or if you have any feedback about any of my books.  I always love to hear from readers, whether the feedback's positive or negative!  Don't forget that you can buy signed copies of my books in the shop on this website.

2. Why Every Writer Needs A Dog

   Posted on 12:00am Thursday 5th Nov 2009

   Why Every Writer Needs a Dog

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   I saw the film Up last night, and the character Dug the dog “You are my master and I love you” reminded me so much of my own dog Domino – he has the same insatiable willingness to please.  I should point out that he also has an insatiable need to be with one of us which verges on the obsessive, and a never-ending appetite for bread, fish, chicken, banana and cheese (he’s quite the cheese connoisseur).

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   Anyway, I felt it was time to give Domino some credit for the writing successes I’ve had over the past five years.  No, he hasn’t secretly been putting paw to paper…!  Having a dog forces me to get out and about in the fresh air every day, and gives me valuable thinking time.  Many an article has been worked through and finished in my head while walking along the canal.  Plus if I’m having a bad day and just can’t focus on the task in hand, he’ll happily cheer me up with a wet kiss and a friendly greyhound ‘lean’.

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   Of course, life with a dog is not without its trials and tribulations - vets’ bills, muddy carpets and scrounging to name but a few, but for now, I wouldn’t have it any other way.