Monday 25 February 2013

HOW I CAME TO WRITE 'PUTTING RIGHT THE PAST'

Today I want to tell you about how my book 'PUTTING RIGHT THE PAST' came about. It all started in 2009 when I moved my elderly father from Devon to live with me and my partner in The Midlands. He was eighty three at the time and had lived by himself for twelve years after the death of my mum, my sister and I took turns going down to Devon every weekend, but that really was not enough as he was starting to need looking after 24/7.

As a family we decided a retirement home was not an option for us, nothing against homes but we felt with just a few changes to the way we lived our lives and a little more planning we would be able to cope. The four years have been really good for us; sometimes it's been a challenge and we have good days and bad days.

The more the months went on the less and less we were able to leave him. I was very lucky that someone would check on him while I was out at work, but my evenings out and long walks on a weekend slowly came to an end. Not  being the type to spend all my time in front of the TV I felt this seemed the perfect opportunity to fulfil my dream of writing a book, This is when 'PUTTING RIGHT THE PAST' was born.

The last twelve months have been the hardest as I've had to give up work, he is now bedridden and needs care 24/7 as he is unable to do anything for himself. In a future blog I would like to tell you about the wonderful support I get from family, friends and the NHS.

Perhaps the book I've written should not really exist, I'm not really qualified to write as you will see in the blog covering the editing. 'PUTTING RIGHT THE PAST' was it just a dream too far? and have I been silly thinking I could write a book. Well I have done it now and loved every minute of the writing, to sit at the laptop escape from everything and put these characters that I have come to love into a story, has been a very fulfilling experience. I'm well aware I've put myself out there to be criticized, but as one of my favouite authors said.....

'There are a lot of people writing books that really should stick to just reading'

I must admit in a lot of ways they are right and I don't hold that against them. But writing this book and another that I have just finished have helped me get through a very difficult time in my life.

I have so much admiration for carers, there are so many out there that do not have the support from family and friends like I have, I really don't know how they do it. So thats it for now I hope you are having a good day, in my next blog I look forward to telling you where the idea for 'PUTTING RIGHT THE PAST' came from.

Tuesday 12 February 2013

FIRST BLOG


This is my very first blog, I have always wanted to start writing one and now seems the perfect time as my first book "PUTTING RIGHT THE PAST" is due to be published on the 1st April.  The book is something I have really enjoyed writing and in the next few blogs I will cover:


1. How I was able to write the book

2. Where the story started
3. The characters and the plot
4. Trying to get the book published
5. Editing, proof reading and the cover
6. Finally seeing it in print.

As well as my book, I will blog about books I have loved to read, some of which go back 20 years.  There will be some recent ones thrown in as well.  I have quite a strange reading habit so I'm told; the thing is I remember the days when we had SUNDAY BEST clothes, and I carry this over into my reading. There are certain books I won't read until a special time, holidays and being in special places; I will explain all later.


I also want to tell you about the things I like and dislike; the people and situations that get my back up.  Plus there might be a bit about my addiction to the odd telly programme or magazine.  Not forgetting the dozens of blogs I read.  Well that's it for now, if you'd like to read a bit about "PUTTING RIGHT THE PAST" , please don't hesitate to visit my book page on this site. On my next blog I will explain how I came to be in the position to write my book.