Summer 2007

June
Hi, everyone,
Hope you are all well and enjoying the better weather. May was quite cool here in Spain, with some cloud and showers but temperatures are now rising and summer is upon us. Even the pool has reached 23 degrees, not quite hot enough for me to dip a trembling toe in but David has tested water a time or two.

Earlier in the month we took a weekend break in the Sierras de Cazorla. Situated north of Granada in the Jaen Province, we enjoyed a lovely break high in the pine woods. The region is one of the largest national parks in Europe and stunningly beautiful. We did a little walking, visited a botanical garden and collected a bin bag full of huge pine cones for our fire next winter. It's just lovely to see gushing rivers and lush meadows clotted with crimson poppies and split by huge ravines. Buzzards and griffin vultures soar above the mountains, and there are deer and wild boar in the woods. A different view of Spain to the costas which is the only part of this wonderful country some people see. If you’re into mountain biking, horse trekking, hiking or fishing, this is the place for you. We stayed at the Parador which is all polished wood and blissfully cool, with fantastic views of the mountains. The food at these government run hotels is always regionally based, so you’ll get lamb stews, garlic chicken or grilled swordfish, and sometimes wild boar, which is delicious, rather gamey and rich. I can recommend the ham croquettes as a starter, and the fruit platter for afters. The Spanish aren’t known for their desserts although there’s always chocolate ice cream, and flan of course, what we would call crème caramel. You are always given a free glass of fino sherry as an aperitif. Delicious. We drove home refreshed.

Southern Writers Conference
This took place in Chicester in June and I had a great time. If you’re an aspiring writer you might like to give it a try some time. Everyone is very friendly and the workshops and speakers are excellent. It takes place in the Earnley Centre, a beautiful spot with a lovely garden with a croquet lawn, wood pigeons and peacocks. The food is good too. The speakers this year included the childrens’ writer Pauline Fisk; a leading ghost writer, Andrew Crofts, Wendy Perriam, and Will Randall, a travel writer with a difference. He writes delightfully funny books about his experiences teaching in developing countries. Try Indian Summer, you'll love it. There was also a good selection of workshops including my own on Why the saga keeps on selling. Maybe because we all love a cracking good yarn. For more information contact www.southernwriters.co.uk

Here is a picture of me with my friends, relaxing with a drink in the bar. We call it networking, of course. Isn’t that what a conference is for?

From the left you can see saga writer Catherine King, (Women of Iron).
Cockney saga writer Dee Williams, (Sunshine After Rain). Me, and romantic comedy writer Trisha Ashley. (Sweet Nothings).

July/August
Hi everyone, hope you are all enjoying this summer as best you can despite the weather and all the other horrors that have overtaken us. Here in Spain it is hot! We’re all tired of the heat now and doing our best to avoid it, looking forward to the cool of autumn. Never satisfied! I’ve eased off a little workwise, as everyone seems to slow down in this heat.

Summer Reading
We all feel very lethargic so I’ve been indulging myself in reading loads of books by the pool. I’ve discovered Jodi Piccoult and read several of hers this summer. She’s an excellent writer, takes an issue and explores it in the form of a crime. She gives us an intelligent argument, is cogent and perhaps a little controversial, but always gripping and usually with a first rate court scene at the end. I’ve also tried Douglas Kennedy, recommended by a friend, and he too is totally gripping, even heart rending at times. He writes from a woman’s point of view and never fails to secure my emotional involvement as well as writing a riveting page-turner. The first books of the season for our book group are The Book Thief, Markus Zusak, Eleven Minutes, Paulo Coelho and The Portrait of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. I’ll let you know what I think of those later.