Are you feeling festive yet?

Because I am! Actually, I’ve been feeling festive since 11th December, which is when I did a storytelling session at Somerset House in London. That’s where they have this HUGE ice rink (but just in the winter – don’t turn up in August and expect to do a triple Axel) and festive music and hot … Continue reading →

Philip Reeve exclusive short story!

That amazing writer Philip Reeve (of ‘Mortal Engines’ and other books) has written a special short story for Christmas, and you can read it here. It’s got me all inspired – I think I might do a little story for Christmas too, maybe including some of my Sweet Hearts characters. If I do, I’ll post … Continue reading →

I miss the Chinese lanterns

When I was growing up, we always put the Chinese lanterns on the tree first. They were made of painted silk, with red silk tassels. They were very cheap to buy in a Hong Kong market and I totally took them for granted. I really miss them now. Beside them we hung various wooden toys … Continue reading →

What You Know

Writing for newspapers, which is what I do most of the time, always means lots of research. You’ve got to talk to experts about your subject, you have to make sure your facts are right, you’ve got to talk to lots of different people about their experiences.But for me, fiction has never involved any research. … Continue reading →

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

December has always been one of my favourite months and not only because it’s my birthday. Once that’s out of the way, I know it’s time to start all my little festive rituals; composing my letter to Santa (gotta be worth a try), decorating the tree with the baubles we’ve collected over the years, baking … Continue reading →

All I Want for Christmas Is . . .

Not long now until Christmas, Girls Heart Bookers! And I for one can’t wait. Every year I ask my friends and family for one present, and one present only – book tokens! Walking into my local bookshop – Dubray Books in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin – and knowing I can treat myself to those hardback books … Continue reading →

Story of an Accent

“Then you need to have an accent that makes everyone stop and stare at you. Most of these people should say, “I just love your accent.” Any old accent will do, don’t worry. My accent is from Boringtown, Boring County, England, and it’s worked well for me.” — from page 2 of Split by a … Continue reading →

My working day…

I was wondering what to write for this post and I asked Laura Harrison (hi, Laura!) what might be a good idea. She suggested writing about my working day and how I fit everything in. Like most of the writers here on Girls Heart Books I have lots going on in my life and fitting … Continue reading →

A Victorian Danish Christmas

Over on another author group blog, The History Girls, Marie-Louise Jensen has posted an extract from her book ‘Between Two Seas’ (which I read and loved and have no hesitation in recommending to our older readers!). It’s a beautiful scene describing Christmas, so if you’d like to feel all warm and fuzzy and festive, check … Continue reading →

‘Waste Not, Want Not’ – in the words of my Nana

When I was small, my Nana had a whole range of different sayings, like ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again’ and ‘Don’t put all your eggs in one basket’. One of her favourites was ‘Waste not, want not’, which she used to say to me when I left the tap running … Continue reading →