More than Writers

Well… I have been somewhat preoccupied the last few weeks preparing to lead a ‘Knitwits for God’ knitting and spirituality retreat day in March https://www.wydale.org/events/2026/3/11/knitwits-for-god   Hopefully you will hear more about this in next month’s blog. If I’m not still lying down in a darkened room wrapped in my comfort blanket. 16 ladies (possibly more), all armed with knitting needles and crochet hooks. It could get messy… At times I’ve questioned what my preparation has to do with writing. And I’ve questioned my sanity (nothing new there) as I’ve sifted through hundreds of patterns (you think I’m exaggerating). Knitted and crocheted visual aids (Jelly babies are NOT me, and I can safely say I’ll never knit one again…). Wondered where all these half pairs of knitting needles came from. And more importantly where are their mates and are they lonely?   However in the last couple of days two things have been so helpful. Jane Walters’ new book: ‘Bless the work of our...

For this introductory blog post, I’ve been reflecting on the words we use about ourselves—especially the ones that hold us back. Whether in faith, creativity, or everyday life, our inner narrative shapes far more than we realise. In my various roles, I’ve seen how quickly self-doubt can silence a unique voice—and, conversely, how beautifully confidence grows when we dare to share our words. How often have you heard statements like these? “I can’t draw” “I’m rubbish at baking” “I’m useless at writing”. It is fair to say that these indicate a sense of self-sabotage that is both negative and damaging. It is sad that our inner critic’s voice is the one we hear the loudest, and life should most definitely not be like that. These statements often come from old comments, and they become so familiar and convincing that we believe them. But they are echoes of old moments, not truths. One of my great joys in life is to run a local writing group in Bampton, Devon, where I live. We are ...

We recently attended my son’s wedding. The sun shone, the preparations planned for months came together, and over a hundred family and friends turned up to wish the couple well.  There will be challenges in their marriage - unexpected bumps in their relationship in addition to the dangerous corners, unexpected turns and emergency stops that we all face in life’s journey but they have warm and generous friends and a wide extended family to draw strength from. I was tired the following day and spent time catching up on the TV documentary ‘The Bodyguard’ in which a metropolitan police force officer trained in anti terrorism but emotionally damaged keeps problems to himself during a cliff hanging hunt for a terrorist cell.  He eventually exposes the culprits but at considerable risk to his own life and others, which might have been avoided if he had responded positively to their offers of support. We writers need to be solitary. Our story is a unique creati...

Readers of this and my own Bookaholic blog will know that I like adult colouring books. Almost as much as I like writing in fact. I have recently bought a daily devotional which is also a colouring book. Perfect. Even more perfect was starting off the study with this image and the words that go with it. Words are my, and I am sure for many reading this, joy and inspiration. I am never happier than when reading or writing. Well maybe chocolate might be up there too. As an author, I use words to express myself, to paint pictures, and to weave a story. In my non-fiction books I use words to support others, to lead someone in a certain direction, to illuminate and advise.  However, as a writer who is also a Christian, do I ever pause to think about what words God would want me to write? Do you? This verse from Proverbs 16:24 tells us that our words can be used to heal and to soothe. Words have power, greater power than we can ever imagine. Whether we write fiction or non-ficti...

I’ve never been into space; I’ve never even worn a spacesuit. (I know; you can just sometimes feel life is passing you by, right?) And yet I’ve had the temerity to write science fiction set in space. Sometimes, from the point of view of someone who is wearing a spacesuit. But then, I have scuba dived, so I’ve been effectively weightless, and with my wetsuit and airtanks I’ve known the slightly claustrophobic feeling - that is also immensely liberating - of my life depending upon highly specialised equipment that affords me great freedom, and yet could kill me in seconds if it failed. All of that went into the spacesuit scene. Likewise I’ve never served on an 18th century man of war, but I have sailed here in the modern world. I’ve fired guns (a few times), flown a glider solo (once), parascended (also once, and never again), abseiled (once … you’re getting the picture; I’m not that sporty). In short, when it comes to putting characters into new and unusual experiences that I ha...

I have a confession to make. Up to now in my writing career I have got away without doing any on-location research. Now that’s not to say I haven’t done any research. I have fourteen published books so far and a fifteenth due out later this year, and I have put in many months of research.  The A level textbooks have involved reviewing a great deal of the literature on the subject (Philosophy and Ethics), attending conferences addressed by current philosophers and ethicists and going back through the lecture notes I took while studying for my degree.  The books on disability which I have written for my current employer, Through the Roof, have drawn on my own family’s experience of disability, but have also involved much study of secular and theological understanding of disability, and the lived experiences of disabled people, including designing surveys and collating the responses.  The books which didn’t require this kind of research were my devotional writing...

Don't faint or anything, but I did a bit of DIY this summer. It's not my particular skill, but seems to have become my domain, largely because it would seem I paid more attention in Design and Technology lessons than my husband did, and my kids can't be trusted with an open packet of Coco Pops, let alone a power tool. (To give you an idea of the level of play here, before you start imagining me to be some gifted woodworker, the job of attaching a new swing to an existing frame took me 11 days. And I'm the best DIY-er in our family. God help us.) Anyway, after finding several missing parts, making numerous phonecalls to the manufacturer and eventually receiving replacement screws in the post, I got to that classic line which appears in pretty much any instructions for any piece of furniture: "Don't tighten the screws tightly at this stage." In other words: there's more to come. There are a few additional steps which need to be take...

I must say upfront that I've read about the dangers of smart phones.  Some become dependent on them, even addicted through their lures.  They beckon into a virtual world that can trap you into believing it is more real than the real one ..... although that one is not without its own illusions and fantasies. Awareness provides immunity, of course. However did I manage before?  It's my camera, torch, sat- nav, calendar, diary, alarm clock, dictionary, encyclopaedia, iPod, banker, photo album, calculator, photocopier, Bible, weight controller, fitness tracker, e-reader, e-writer, note book ..... and so much more. Help!  Where's it gone?  Landline track it down ..... you're not good for much else now.  Ah!  Still in my coat pocket....  panic over. All those apps!  Top favourite the one that lets me pray as I go.  Before, I had to go to my room, shut the door, make the effort.  Now I can connect on the hoof instead of wasting ti...

At the writers' weekend at Scargill this year we had the opportunity to write a parable. A narrative that held a deeper meaning; one that could be read on different levels, allowing the reader to pull out truths as they saw them, embedded in story. Here's my attempt: This afternoon I went for a walk with an old friend. We haven't spent time together for quite a while - I'm not sure why. He's always good company but I've kind of got into the habit of walking with other people, or even just by myself. That's when there's time for things like that at all, of course; everything is such a rush these days!  Anyway, my friend seemed a little surprised to be asked but as soon as he heard my voice he was full of enthusiasm. So delighted was he to hear from me that my pleasure was tinged with a little guilt, if I'm honest. Anyway, we went for a stroll on a beautiful sunny summer's day. It was very pleasant. We chatted about this and that - or at leas...