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...

Swanwick 2024

Are you interested in applying for this or know someone who might be. Please spread the word!

13 May, 2024 Make the first comment on this story

Featured in Chat magazine

A little free publicity never hurts, especially when you’re being paid for it too!

18 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

A small triumph for Write-On! Ripon

As well as our regular Tuesday meetings, where we share whatever we’re currently working on, some of us like to get together once in a while for a quiz evening.

The photo shows us at a Boroughbridge High School fundraiser, where we came out a clear ten points ahead of the runners-up. Not bad, eh?

13 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

Swanwick Writers Summer School Diamond Jubilee

This is going to be a very special year for ‘Swanwick’ and I’m very pleased to be running one of the short two-part courses again.

I’ve been going to ‘Swanwick’ regularly since 2006. Booking is now open, so why not think about joining me this year?

3 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

Christmas celebrations with Ripon writers!

I was privileged to celebrate with two different groups this week. The photo above (thank you, Nicky) is from Write On! Ripon’s Christmas meal at the Claro Lounge, which was very enjoyable. The conversation flowed as freely as the drinks and the wearing of cracker sourced hats was purely optional.

The following evening, I was at Ripon Writers’ Group’s pre-Christmas event, which featured less food and alcohol – although members did bring contributions to a small festive buffet – but also boasted a quiz, seasonal readings including a short play by our newest member and a Secret Santa.

Good fun all round and I’m very happy to have so many friends who ‘get’ why I write.

19 December, 2023 Make the first comment on this story

Check Out My eBooks
Supporting artists, or ‘extras’ as they’re more commonly known, are the unsung heroes of television and film. Maggie Cobbett recalls the ups and downs of twenty years of ‘blending into the background’.
A working holiday in France for so little? “It sounds too good to be true,” says Daisy’s mother, but her warning falls on deaf ears.
The 20th century has just dawned when David is apprenticed to a Yorkshire coal miner. But what of the younger brothers and sister he has been forced to leave behind in their London workhouse? Will he ever see them again?
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