Meet the Author - Erin Green

 

As it was a New Year it seemed an appropriate title and a good follow on theme from my previous read.  I was soon on my imaginary holiday in the lovely harbour town of Brixham enjoying a solo holiday with Benjamina, Emma and Ruth.  I like books that are written in the first person and this one is broken up with the character’s name within each chapter so you know whose viewpoint you are reading.  For anyone who likes a 'girls' weekend away or a holiday with a difference, this is a delight.

 

The 3 ladies soon make friends and start to pursue hobbies in order to make the most of their time away.  They find happiness in these activities and new adventures open up being away from their normal commitments and concerns.

 

Some of their new beginnings also have endings, some are traumatic, sad, funny but all are life changing.  Will they remain friends and keep in touch, will they return to Brixham?  Will Benni (Benjamina) and Ziggy be reunited in love?  A page turner for sure.

 

I loved it.  Well done Erin Green *****

 

Read how Erin enjoys her writing:

 

Q – Which was your favourite character to write and why?

A – My favourite character is Benni due to her honesty and difficulties in life. In real life, I seem to have met many Benni’s in various sectors of our society. Women who dearly wish to follow a dream, master a specific skill or venture to pastures new but daren’t for fear of what others might think or simply a lack of self-confidence in their own ability. Benni puts herself down before anyone else has the chance to – which is really sad as she has a huge heart and much love to give. She talks herself into booking a ‘solos’ holiday in Brixham knowing that she must step out of her comfort-zone and begin participating in life rather than shying away.

Q – Have you ever been out to sea catching fish (I loved Benni’s trip and I’d be ill like she was) or horse-riding?

A – I have sailed on numerous boats, but have never been sea fishing though, I’d love the opportunity! As a child, I went horse riding whilst on holiday in Wales, the pony was called Rocky which indicates how long ago that was! My last occasion on horseback was a decade ago when I had a riding lesson at a local riding stables in Amington, Tamworth. The lesson was purely for research for a book I was writing back then which I later scraped, but the research notes and experience of the riding lesson came in useful for ‘New Beginnings At Rose Cottage’. I did ‘help’ to muck-out a stable for research purposes whilst writing Benni’s story; I’m a firm believer in author’s gaining as much experience as possible when writing a specific plot-line.

Q – What is your favourite ice cream flavour (not necessarily in the book)?

A – Mint chocolate chip. My choice has never changed since I was a child. I had a lot of fun researching the unusual ice cream flavours and even more fun actually blending and tasting them!

Reply - Wow, I'm impressed, I'm not very adventurous with tasting new foods, especially ice cream.

Q – Is Rose Cottage based on a place you have stayed in?

A – The idea for ‘New Beginnings At Rose Cottage’ actually came to me whilst holidaying in Brixham and staying at Rose cottage. I arrived on the Saturday and by the Tuesday, as we drove to the local town of Totnes, I noted details relating to my three ladies: Benni, Ruth and Emma into my mobile phone. My muse was captured by the sights and sounds of the surrounding scenery. On the Thursday evening, I sat in the rear garden and wrote the synopsis - thankfully, my editor and agent loved the premise straight away.

I’ve received emails from readers who have holidayed in Brixham and gone in search of the cottage only to follow some of my characters’ routes through the town, sightseeing or to the local pub. Which is a thrill for any author to know that readers have gained a further enjoyment and insight having read the book.

Q – If you could go on holiday this year (Pandemic/Covid19 allowing!!) where would you go?

A – I would happily go back to Brixham for a two-week break. I’d start my day like Benni visiting the fish market, possibly indulge in a champagne breakfast and spend the day walking around taking in the stunning scenery. At midday and at eight o’clock on the evening, I would listen out for the church bells playing ‘Abide with me’ – which was a particular delight given that I’m a bell ringer (when Covid19 allows).

Q – what are you writing at the moment?

A – Until the 27^th January 2021, I’ll be editing next year’s Christmas book, which is part two of a series set in Shetland. I always wanted to visit Shetland as a child, so booked a holiday for Easter 2019. I was there a couple of days when my muse took over and I began making notes. Experience told me, I’d be writing about the beautiful scenery in no time! The first book, ‘From Shetland, With Love’ is published in May 2021 with the sequel, ‘From Shetland, With Love At Christmas’ being published in September 2021, both are available for pre-order via Amazon.

My true delight as an author is writing rather than editing so, on New Year’s Day, I began writing a new book, almost a secret one, which allows me to indulge my love of writing whilst polishing the Christmas book.

Reply : Thank you for your time, hope we can meet again soon and good luck with your new books. 

 

Meet the Author - Lin Treadgold, Goodbye Henrietta Street

Goodbye Henrietta Street is a romance novel with interesting issues. It is set in the 1970s when there were no mobile phones or internet. This island story represents all the peace and quiet of a desert island—a great read during the lockdown. The islands are among the best in the world. Scilly has to be seen to be believed that you are still in the UK. There are palm trees and white beaches and excellent seafood. Each day is a new experience, There’s one drawback, you must book well in advance. The population is over two thousand people, and the number of houses for visitors are limited. The new helicopter is now running, and it is hoped you can fly by plane from Newquay, once the crisis is over. The ferry sails in the Spring and Summer.

My review:

Pippa, having lost a son, takes 3 weeks out of an awkward marriage to visit the Isle of Scilly from her home in Whitby. She meets Sven, a handsome Norwegian birdwatcher tour guide who shows her around Hugh Town and further afield.  Her best friends back home have their own marital problems as a secret affair comes to light.  Phone calls to her own husband brings little comfort although he receives news of a windfall and meets his biological family, but by this time Pippa is well smitten with the life-style and Sven, and is dreading going home.

 The ending is full of tension – will Pippa leave Henrietta Street or not?  Sven takes a trip to the mainland after complications with his ex-girlfriend.  Will she leave behind the gravestone of her son to pursue a new job prospect in Scilly?

 I loved this story, a five-star recommended read ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Interview with Lin:

Do you live in Whitby? If so, for how long?

I was born in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, 20 miles from Whitby. Whitby is a historical town and popular holiday destination; Henrietta Street does exist. I walked down the famous 199 steps from the Abbey, and when I reached the bottom, I saw the street’s name. It seemed right to use that name for the book, even my character’s house exists along that street, but the reader has to go there and guess which one could be hers.

How many times have you been to the Scilly Isles?

I first discovered Scilly in 1969 on a day trip from Penzance. I was so taken with the place, I returned for two weeks’ holiday the following year. Scilly is lovely, and at my latest count, I have visited fifteen times. I have booked for September 2021 hoping that the Covid situation on the mainland will change. Many people have told me they remember the book’s landmarks or wish to go there on holiday. Scilly is somewhat dependent on tourism, and so my book has often influenced tourists to visit.

There are some serious life issues in your book – death, 3 lots of relationships gone wrong etc.  How did it make you feel writing these scenes?

As this was my first novel, I became emotional when writing it, but now I see things differently. I was keen to get the story written and through the editing process. However, I think a novelist has to have deep feelings for the reader to feel the same way.

Are you a birdwatcher/Twitcher?

Oh yes, most certainly. Nature has always been a part of me, and now that I live in Devon on the banks on the River Taw I need that peace and quiet to help me write. I watch dippers and kingfishers. I recently saw a goosander on the river.  I volunteered on a nature reserve when I lived in Holland and with the RSPB in the UK.

How long did it take you to write/get published?

From the beginning, I think it was about ten years. Like most new writers, I dipped in and out of ideas for a novel, wrote them down and never really thought about being a ‘famous writer’. I think if it wasn’t for joining the Romantic Novelists’ Association, I probably wouldn’t have got this far. They are a great bunch of like-minded people with lots of interesting ideas. I think if I’d done this earlier, I would have been published a lot sooner.

What previous experience in writing do you have, i.e. courses, career etc.?

I’ve always enjoyed writing since school. However, I studied a creative writing course whilst I was a driving instructor. I then became an instructor trainer and wrote my own training courses. I retired in 2001, after 25 years of teaching when I followed my husband and his job to The Netherlands.  After realising my skills as a teacher were transferable, I am now assisting new writers in moving ideas for a novel into something real and achievable. I can provide positive encouragement for them to become successful novelists. My time is on Zoom or email with the student, helping them understand the skills needed to make it all work.

The Viking was a stunning character – is he based on a real person/s?

Sven, (The Viking) is purely fictional. However, I’m aware that everyone loves Sven. Many of my readers have complimented me on this character. He’s caring, he loves nature, and he’s adorable. I suppose the idea of every woman’s dream man. Where I found him, I have no idea. He came to me one day in a flash of inspiration. I love him too.

What are you working on next?

I am now on my fourth book, The Trail to Freedom with my third one in the submission stage. It’s a WWII story based on letters my father wrote from a prison camp in Italy. Book No. 4 is a modern sequel with a working title of Sulmona, The Forgotten Years. My second book, The Tanglewood Affair, is set in the 1980s, a family romance saga, based on witchcraft and deceit.

Do you have any advice for would-be authors?

Get help as much as you can if you want to write a book. Ideas can always be turned into something exciting, and if you run it by someone who knows how to write and is published, it can save you a lot of heartbreak. I like to give confidence to the new writer. My role is not to tell someone their writing isn’t good enough or to judge how they write. It’s all about goal setting and learning techniques to make ideas work. I allow the writer to think for themselves and help them improve what they already have. My advice is not to struggle alone, get help, and your confidence will shine through.

Links for further information: https://itslinhere.wordpress.com

Twitter: @itslinhere

Publisher: www.silverwood_books.co.uk

 

A New Beginning

 A new beginning by Sue Flint©

 

The tiny bulb stretches.

The dark, deep down days were about to birth a new beginning;

The earth worm slithers past not noticing.

Slowly, so slowly her shoots extend

Reaching for light above the soil

Its hard work, but once begun

The bulb cannot stop the process of change.

 

Comfort of known existence changes to fear

Of the unknown world it is heading for.

Green stems break the icy cold surface

Its tips soaking up the light.

 

The stretching continues, air and freedom excites

Little roots go deeper, leaves pushing upwards with joy.

Day follows night and night follows day,

The soil warms and the bulb pushes out a stem

And then, a bud, and finally its energy is burst –

A white bell shaped petal opens up, delicate and beautiful;

Sparkling against the brown and green around it.

 

It shakes a little and blooms to its full capacity;

“A snowdrop,” the little girl shouts beckoning her mother

To draw alongside her.

Yes, my love, its telling us Spring is on its way,” she replies.

 

Writing for Wellbeing

with Leonie Martin.  A zoom group monthly writing group based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Uk but, as with any zoom, participants can be from anywhere in the world.  This month's meeting welcomed a lady from Singapore and whilst she looked sunny and cool, the UK participants were in winter woolies.  

Leonie is an author, freelance writer and facilitator of writing workshops, living with MS.  She guides the group into writing just a sentence at first and offering participants to read it out aloud to the group if we want to.  She is a natural encourager and we feel safe and more confident about writing in her care.  Next may be a 3 minute exercise writing about a picture relating to the topic of the month, this month was 'Beginnings'.  Again we read out our work and receive feedback from Leonie.  If it is particularly good others in the group may clap or write a comment in the chatbox.  The third and fourth exercises in this two hour group zoom is a five minute write, followed again by a sharing of our work.  It is lovely listening to other peoples interpretation of the same picture.

Leonie uses 'screen share' to show the group beautiful 'prompts' to aid our scribbles.  Here's two pictures and my stories that came from nowhere, such is inspiration!

No matter where I stood I could not find the coloney of penquins that I had filmed five years ago.  My heart was beating so fast that I thought it would burst within my chest.  I wasn't dressed for the ice today, I was being picked up by helicopter and transported back to concrete towns and busy offices.  

I pleaded to get just a glimpse; "I know their numbers have declined, but please God let them not have been wiped out."

Just as I heard the helicopter overhead, its blades whirring and the air around me stirring, a black and white head appears before me, then a body, then a jump and a waddle followed by another and another and another.  My heart leaps for joy as the helicopter lands behind me on firm ice.  Time to go home.

©SueFlint

The inscription on the back of the pocket watch told me it had been presented to Bill Middleton for 50 years service at M.C.H.  I 'googled' the name and workplace initials and gained a list so long it seemed an impossible task to find its owner.  'Perhaps I should just hand it in at the local police station?'

I decided to send a brief email to the first 20 Bill Middleton's and that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship with a local hero.  His son, by the same name, invited me to visit as his dad had just turned 90.  I spent days with him chatting about his work at M.C.H., his heroic act and how he lost his watch.

A few years later I was moved to tears to receive the watch in his will.

©Sue Flint

Feedback included the thought that I could continue to make this into a short story, readers/listeners wanting to know what the heroic act was.  

Hope you enjoyed my tit-bits of writing?  Comments are always welcome here or on Twitter @tweetsue13