Where It Started

'How did I get here' I hear you ask.

Thirteen years ago I retired from my job as a health and safety consultant and took up a wide variety of hobbies, from beekeeping, fruit tree pruning, furniture restoration, Italian, archery; I turned my hand to so many things but nothing really clicked. Until I got talking to Maggie Elliott. As a retired journalist she was starting a creative writing class and asked if I'd like to join. I've never looked back. From flash fiction writing exercises to short stories, Maggie led us through the secrets of writing interesting stories. One of our writers published their first novel and I was in awe - 80,000 words - how on earth can anyone write that much? My 2000 words short stories paled into insignificance. I'd never be able to write that much.

From short stories to novels

In 2013 I moved to Dumfries and Galloway and soon found another writing group, Moffat Crime Writers, run by Linda Wright (LP Mennock). The members told me about a fabulous weekend they were going to at Gretna called Crime and Publishment.

Run by author Graham Smith, the weekends involve masterclasses from some of the top crime writers, industry experts, agents and publishers. I was hooked. This was the genre I wanted to write. That was it, I’d found my home. I had so many plots and characters running round my head, I just had to get them down on the page - three months later I had 75K of a paranormal crime book called And Then We Sever written. It's still sitting in a drawer waiting to be resurrected. I have plans for it – more to follow.

The genius who is Hayley

My writing buddies.

Some of the people I met at Crime and Publishment had complained about never having the time or peace and quiet to get their writing done. Some were carers, some lived in noisy flats, some just needed a few hours away from their normal routine – all needed space to write. Our house has space and is in the middle of nowhere, the only disturbances from cows, hens and the occasional passing jet fighter. I invited them to come and join me for a weekend of writing and talking booky stuff. Twisted Sisters was born. Meeting up 4 times per year we write from 9-5pm, then discuss various aspects of the writing process over dinner. Then we party. This bunch of women has become my support group, they beta read, advise and encourage every aspect of my writing. And the amazing Hayley Rebecca Kershaw holds my hand as I navigate a website.

Twisted Sisters writing retreats favourite evening entertainment:

A Star Is Born – Barbra Streisand version – May and Linda in full voice all the way through.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show – water pistols, jammies, rice, and kit-kats led to a raucous night – I was still finding rice behind the couch months later. Hayley’s Timewarp had to be seen to be believed.

Murder Mysteries – Jackie showing her Oscar winning performance she learned in court.

Dungeons and Dragons – who knew it could be so much fun?

Eating – I love cooking and enjoy the challenge to produce something that everyone will like. The first menu was going well until we asked Jackie what she liked – her list of couldn’t/wouldn’t/didn’t eats was most of the contents of the menu. Such is her hate of squid that she describes the time when she inadvertently swallowed some in a paella – ‘If I could have reached down into my stomach and pulled that squid out, I would have,’ she said, describing that move in detail.

Rocky Horror Show party

Ginnie’s playlist. While writing I have a constant playlist in my head, mostly songs linked to places or times from my past which just seem to fit with the narrative. Mostly dreich but a couple of upbeat songs to keep me dancing.

Brian Hyland	Ginnie Come Lately
Sandy Shaw	Always Something There To Remind Me
Wings	Let Me Roll It
Mike Oldfield	Tubular Bells
Michael Jackson	Ben
Jim Croce	Time in a Bottle
Jackson 5	I’ll Be There
Steely Dan	Ricky Don’t Lose That Number
Eagles	I Can't Tell You Why
Fleetwood Mac	Tusk
Harry Nilsson	Without You
Beatles	Here There and Everywhere
Blondie	Dreaming
Bill Withers	Ain't No Sunshine
Chicago	If You Leave Me Now
Kate Bush	Man With a Child in His Eyes
Talking Heads	Psycho Killer
10cc	I’m Mandy Fly Me
Mathew’s Southern Comfort	Scion