Hello, and thank you for visiting my site. I hope that you'll return often and always find something of interest about my world and what inspires me to pick up a pen. (This is a figure of speech, unfortunately. My handwriting is terrible!) Here's what I've been up to recently...
Featured in Yorkshire Life
This double-paged spread in Yorkshire Life was written to help Ripon Community Link, my favourite local charity, and I hope that it will attract many more visitors to the wonderful Walled Garden.
The words – at least an edited version of them – are mine, but I was careful to submit a draft to RCL for approval before submitting the article to the magazine. The photographs are part of a selection sent to me by the charity and I am pleased to see that the correct acknowledgement has been given.
21 April, 2024 - Make the first comment on this story
Sister Act the Musical
REVIEW: ‘Dazzling’ Sister Act musical set to open at Harrogate Theatre – Your Harrogate
Always happy to write a review for local groups, I found attending the dress rehearsal of RAOS Musical Company’s dress rehearsal at Harrogate Theatre a truly joyous experience.
It’s a long time since I trod the boards there myself – as one of the Mamas in Fiddler on the Roof – but I could well imagine all the frenzied activity backstage. Well done, everyone!
The link above will take you to the full review.
18 April, 2024 - Make the first comment on this story
Featured in Writers’ Narrative
I’m pleased to have this article in the latest issue of Writers’ Narrative. It’s a great magazine and has helped to fill the gap left by the unfortunate demise of Writers’ Forum.
18 March, 2024 - Make the first comment on this story
The wonders of modern technology
When I sent a letter to Who Do You Think You Are? magazine, I attached some images stored on my computer. Very close to the deadline for publication, I was asked if I could provide a better digital image of the regimental photograph and had to explain that it was now in the possession of a second cousin in Australia. I did, however, send my relative a message via Facebook and he was able to oblige – all this within a few short hours. The magazine will now be able to supply a digital copy of the photo to any family history researcher who requests it. How wonderful is that!
1 March, 2024 - Make the first comment on this story
Advice for authors
I was very happy to contribute to Debbie Emmitt’s blog, which you can read here. https://www.debbie-emmitt.com/how-authors-of-books-set-in-france-overcome-challenges-in-their-words/?fbclid=IwAR2rcZVveVaQF4dVGp1hjRHtvGIKvpX-wA5YhRKL6EhKYsyPhaf6QwN6QO8
The advice referred to the research I did when writing my long novel ‘Shadows of the Past’ and is reproduced below:
‘Shadows of the Past’ and, even more so, its prequel ‘Foreshadowing’, have a large autobiographical element to them and were a real labour of love to write.
9 February, 2024 - Make the first comment on this story
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY READERS!
Despite the wishful photo of Maggie the Viking above, created by a wonderful Facebook app, 2024 is definitely going to be a time to look forward rather than back. Long cherished plans include bringing out a new book, essentially a memoir about a glorious summer spent ‘riding the Dog*’ across the USA. Scary moments such as being mobbed on the New York subway and chased out of a brothel in El Paso were amply compensated for by the camaraderie experienced along the way and the warm hospitality offered by many different American families and individuals.
*The Dog in question being the wonderful Greyhound Bus Line
WATCH THIS SPACE!
3 January, 2024 - Make the first comment on this story
A story for Christmas
By a very happy coincidence. this came out yesterday on my birthday and it can also be found in today’s issue of Love Sunday (Sunday People).
Originally written as a story for children, a few tweaks made it appropriate for all ages. Who hasn’t dreamed of an unexpected windfall when money is tight? That it was very well deserved in this case is, I think, a bonus. Honesty was definitely the best policy for struggling young mum Daisy and even the villain of the piece came good in the end.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
24 December, 2023 - Make the first comment on this story
Back to school!
21 September, 2023 - Make the first comment on this story
Research recognised
Having done a lot of research for my latest writing project, I was very pleased when Val Penny decided to feature it on her blog. You can read it here. What a Summer That Was! (Writing Research) by Maggie Cobbett (valpenny.com)
31 August, 2023 - Make the first comment on this story
Writers’ Narrative
The demise of Writers’ Forum left a gap in the market that this new emagazine is attempting to fill.
How successful it will be remains to be seen, but I’m happy to have an article on ‘filler’ writing included in the first issue.
At the moment, Writers’ Narrative is available from Amazon for £1.99, but the aim is to make it free to download.
31 July, 2023 - Make the first comment on this story
Check Out My eBooks
