Wax & Wane

October is the month it grows dark enough to light candles. Wind snaps at our legs. Green turns molten as leaves curl then fall. Skies can glisten like pale crystal or dampen everything with a wash of grey. Autumn sweeps in with a ruthless brush stroke. It finds us peering into drawers and boxes, savouring finds…

Sunbeams & Books

Some highlights of weeks past and plans looking forward. I'm near to completion on a poetry collection and overseeing illustrations for my children's book 'Moonbright'. Both will be published in 2019. My focus for the second half of 2018 is overseeing illustrations for another children's book and editing an older project. Reading has been non-fiction; I've…

Writing: The Process

I met with author ES Moxon recently, to talk about the process of writing Sky Drum... 1. What was the initial inspiration for your current book/series? A thunderstorm several years ago reminded me of recurring childhood dreams. I've always been fascinated in nature and the cosmos. I began thinking about people interacting and working with them directly.…

Memory Stones

In another research post, I share my photos of West Kennet longbarrow and Sidbury hill in Wiltshire and Pentre Ifan in Pembrokeshire. The deep blue of the sky on a clear day in Wales, is wonderful. The black mountain is framed by the Pentre Ifan burial chamber. Buttercups and gorse in golden bloom quiver in the…

Ancient Abodes

Here are some photos I took while exploring places that inspire storytelling; Castell Henllys Iron Age village in Pembrokeshire and Wroxeter Roman City, in Shropshire. From the fireside earthenware to the loom, these abodes highlight what was important to us then is still important now. The scale and layout give each place a different feel. Narrow paths…

Embrace

Within each season, the moods of nature support certain activities; building momentum throughout the year. They nurture the necessary and the beloved, providing a loose framework with room to adapt (because disruption is part of life). I've put my life on paper in 3 lists; what I need to do, what I love to do and…

Set the Scene: Writer Carol Lovekin

Enjoy my interview with writer Carol Lovekin, author of two books (both published by Honno, the Welsh Women's Press). You can find Carol via her blog and on Twitter. What were your reasons for taking up swimming? Initially, & predictably, because I thought it would be good for me. And because a fear of deep water…

Curiosity

I'm fascinated by the big TA-DAAA moment. A glimpse of what comes after. The sun rises, people gather, rebuilding awaits. I often linger there. It cannot be all rainbows and ribbons - a battle is won though struggles continue to exist. Neither is life entirely morose - alongside grief and uneasy alliances there are moments of joy.…

Set the Scene: Artist Wendy Andrew

Update: I interviewed representational artist Wendy Andrew and her website - Painting Dreams - features a new blog. Read on for inspiration... 1. What drew you to becoming an artist? I have always drawn and painted and made things! My father was an artist and took me to life drawing classes as a young child, so being…

Lullaby of Sky

Today I'm sharing with you the lullaby of sky, a poem that details the character's united journeys in my fantasy epic novel which launched this week. Sky full of lullaby Answering heart’s call Shadows in the wake of light Journeying towards a fall . . . A million strings beating sparks Together moving to a…

Sky Drum

The first novel in my fantasy epic is out now... Peace. Chaos. Potential. Cosmos. It will take them all to restore the sky drum. Journeys and friendships collide, in this elemental tale of old promises and new hope. Sky Drum is the first in the series about two planets, two suns and the people that…

Winter Wisdom

A piece I've written of my grandmother is featured in She Who Knows - a magazine that honours the feminine and nature. Helmed by Cheryl Tipple-Trepat and Isabella Lazlo, it is packed with content by a diverse community of artists, writers and illustrators. Below is an extract from the piece... "The wildness pulls at me; tugging at…