Blog Posts

Read more about the article Writing a Memoir

Writing a Memoir

By Dawn Brookes, bestselling author of  Hurry up Nurse: memoirs of nurse training in the 1970s. Recently I gave a talk at a local church to an interesting group of people, most of whom could write great memoirs if they had a mind to. We all have a story to tell, so if you've ever considered writing your own memoir but don't know where to start, read on... Memoir or Autobiography First of all you need to decide whether their focus is on your whole life story (an autobiography) or on one aspect of your life, bringing in themes, memories and anecdotes that highlight that theme (a memoir). To be honest, unless you're famous or writing for posterity, a memoir is likely to be more readable that an autobiography! Having said that, who knows? Reasons for Writing People have different reasons for writing a memoir or autobiography, some of which are listed below: Personal–writing for posterity, familyAs branding –e.g. running a businessTeach somethingPublishing–writing to publish You don't have to be famous, but it helps! This was a screenshot of the top 17 books listed in the bestseller list of Amazon's memoir/biography section at the time I prepared my talk. Spot the famous people! That said, there are some who weren't well-known prior to writing their biography or memoir. When you niche down, it makes a difference as shown in this screenshot of the bestsellers in nursing category where two of my books feature in the top 18! If I'd taken a screenshot of the US Amazon store, niching down, my book would be top, where it has been for the past 16 months, but hey, that's just showing off! My point is, you can do well within your area of expertise if you're writing a memoir. This only matters if you're considering publishing of course.…

Continue ReadingWriting a Memoir
Read more about the article Spring & Seasonal Reading

Spring & Seasonal Reading

Spring is Here! Spring is probably my favourite season. As that first flower emerges, new life starts to appear after the winter when everything that lay dormant comes to life again! I always feel invigorated at this time of year, and renewed energy helps me focus on new ideas. I like to write ideas down as they come to me and have a notebook for this purpose. Seasonal Stories Some authors write seasonal books, not only to generate sales all year round, but also to capture the feeling of the season or month they are in. My plots continue all year round and are not intended to be seasonal. That said - quite by chance, I have written a couple of children’s books inspired by the seasons. Ava & Oliver’s Bonfire Night Adventure obviously centres around November 5th. I wrote that one as I’m not a fan of Halloween, and the traditional bonfire night appears to be waning. Ava & Oliver’s Christmas Nativity Adventure focusses on preparations for a church nativity play using real animals, I love that book! My favourite, because its based in my favourite season, is Danny the Caterpillar. Seasonal books for children not only sell books, they help children learn about nature and the traditions that we all cherish as part of our culture, and that’s why I think they’re important and there remains a place for them. Spring Cruise for Rachel Prince! My Rachel Prince mystery series is based on a cruise ship, and despite Rachel being able to travel the world through all the seasons, they are obviously holiday focussed. That doesn’t mean they can only be read on holiday, though. The latest book, Killer Cruise follows Rachel on a spring cruise – get the gist! It’s not my intention to make the books seasonal,…

Continue ReadingSpring & Seasonal Reading

Plotter, Pantser or Planter

Plotter, Pantser or Planter? You may have heard the term plotter and probably pantser and I've been mulling these writing styles over in my head and while doing so I've come up with a combination of the two, planter! What on earth is she talking about? All will become clear... Plotters In terms of writing, a plotter is a person who sits down and outlines a plot of their story following a structured approach. This approach will most likely drill down to chapter headings and a rough outline of the contents of each chapter ending with a finale.  A story outline such as this is a requirement for submissions to agents and/or publishers and it is an approach many authors follow rigidly. Pantser The opposite to a plotter, the pantser sits down and writes, allowing their creativity to take over. There is no plan, the story develops itself on the hoof as the author writes. Authors who rebel against the traditional plotting already mentioned might swear by this approach arguing that the former inhibits their creative side.  Some people argue that pantsing results in better stories while others say that it is damaging. Who's right? Neither. It's whatever works for the author or more importantly, the reader as he/she is the ultimate judge of whether it is working. Planter  In reality many authors use a combination of the two approaches and you can see what I've done here - creating one word from the two. I personally use a combination and when I was playing with this word initially it was a bit of fun.  The more I think about it though, planting is what I do as an author. I have a seed of an idea, I start to write and for me as the story develops or the plant…

Continue ReadingPlotter, Pantser or Planter
Read more about the article Wine Tasting

Wine Tasting

Wine Tasting Posted on 1st February 2019 inCozy Mysteries, Cruising, Rachel Prince Backstory, Rachel Prince Behind the Scenes, Wine Tasting Wine Tasting Rachel Prince attends a wine tasting lesson in the book ‘Deadly Cruise.‘ I thought it would be fun to put together a summary of what she may have learned! Introduction to Wine Tasting In terms of fine dining, no drink plays nearly as important a role as wine. Top restaurants and cruise ships have their own sommeliers to advise guests with regard to the wines suitable for accompanying their food choices. A good wine is an experience in its own right. Accordingly, wine tasting is growing in popularity as more people have opportunities to dine out and to take cruises. Many cruise lines offer wine tasting lessons on board ship with the ship’s own sommelier and visits to wine growing vineyards as part of a land-based tour. In particular, a vineyard tour offers a unique insight into the inner workings of wine growers. Wine tasting provides an excellent opportunity to engage intensely with wine variants. By practising wine tasting you will learn which grape varieties and dishes can be combined. This helps you choose which wines are suitable for which occasion and what specialties you can serve with what wine. You will learn to sensitise your taste buds and your nose for the different flavors! What is Wine Tasting? When it comes to wine, tasting wine is not synonymous with drinking. Tasting comes from engaging and stimulating the senses including those of sight, smell and taste. Wine tasting is a skill needed to analyse wine to check it is suitable for serving and that there are no imperfections. You will use the eye to check colour and clarity, the nose to check aromas and the mouth to detect flavors and textures. Tasting also involves the pleasure of recognising…

Continue ReadingWine Tasting

Tears of Fire Book Review

Tears of Fire by Gordon Bickerstaff This is another gritty and gripping political thriller from Gordon Bickerstaff. This is the second book I have read in the series but works as a standalone if you haven't read any of the others. Zoe is a ex SAS soldier and ferocious opponent with a softer side and her character makes the book compelling. In this book Zoe is being hunted by the very people she has saved from terror and they will do anything to capture and kill her. The story features evil twin sisters who have a love for torture and will mete out suffering in any way they can. It is a well-woven plot that starts with a bang and then continues full throttle right through to the end. If you are a fan of thrillers and don't mind some graphic violence then this book is a great read. Another page turner by a talented author.

Continue ReadingTears of Fire Book Review

The Mitford Murders Review

The Mitford Murders by Jessica Fellowes Having picked this one up at the Derby Book Festival where the author was speaking, I have to say that I loved it, particularly as I like historical fiction and a good cosy murder mystery. There is plenty of content to keep you interested as the story progresses introducing different characters along the way. The setting in the early 1920s, I felt was well researched and the effects that the Great war had on ex soldiers and nurses who were subjected to at that time was true to life. I liked the mix of fact and fiction and how the author brought in the true horrific murder of a war nurse, Florence Nightingale Shore, a murder that took place on a train and one that was never solved. I confess, I knew nothing about the Mitford family, except the link to Chatsworth House of one of them, but am intrigued now to know more about them and the controversy surrounding the family. The story of this book centres mainly around the oldest Mitford sister, Nancy. I also enjoyed the insight into the upstairs, downstairs life of the family which is interesting and continues in the vein of Downton Abbey from that perspective. The main protagonist, Louisa was plausible and her background believable as that of a young woman brought up in poverty during the era. Her love interest, Guy is also a likeable character whose tenacity to solve the murder of the nurse is admirable. I liked the plot and the introduction of red herrings at various points throughout the book that kept one guessing. It wasn't until nearer the end that I guessed whodunnit! I liked the writing style and the humour that was interspersed at various intervals. I would highly recommend it if…

Continue ReadingThe Mitford Murders Review