Wowwy, was 2017 ever a year for writing and adventures … and writing adventures! The mind reels to remember all that’s happened in the last 12 months!
This time last year, I had just recently finished up a new book about a girl who falls through a painting and goes back in time to Shakespeare’s England. Little did I guess then that Katie Watson and the Painter’s Plot would launch into the world and hit the Amazon bestseller lists only 11 months later!
But of course, lots happened in between January and November. Too much to possibly share in full! So here’s a just a wee snapshot of my writing adventures from 2017:
Winter/ Spring
It’s always a good idea to spend the dreary, dark days of January and February doing things you love … which is precisely what I was doing last year! In particular, I was researching and planning my book Churchill’s Socks, set in WW2 rural England. And what an adventure it was! Highlights include my visit to Coleshill, where England’s top secret resistance army trained for a possible enemy invasion, and a day at the Imperial War Museum in London.
Who ever said research was boring? I was on the edge of my seat and could hardly wait to write the book. I only hope you will enjoy reading it (coming this Spring!) half as much as I enjoyed researching & writing it!
Summer
I spent last Summer back in my old stomping grounds in Georgia, USA. That meant getting to hang out with my fantastic Writing Buddy Bri Stox, discovering the new local bookshop, chasing & catching the Solar Eclipse (stranger than fiction!), and visiting some pretty inspirational places, like Rock City in Chatanooga, Tennessee (keep an eye out for these in Katie Watson’s next adventure!).
Autumn
After 7 long years in London, Gordon, Hugo and I packed up and moved to the country — and a boarding school, no less! We’ve already made lots of farmyard friends who, I’m sure, will make their way into a book sooner or later.
No sooner had we made the Big Move then it was time to buckle down and get Katie Watson reader to greet the world!
December
The month of Dreams come True! Getting my advance copy of Katie Watson and the Painter’s Plot was a truly magical moment I shall never forget (here’s my reaction for all to see!). But better still was hearing readers’ reactions when they got their copies!
This was my first ever book launch, and boy was it nerve-wracking! But it went better than I could’ve ever imagined thanks to lots of wonderful people who helped make it happen … and that includes YOU, reader! Nothing gives me warm fuzzies inside like seeing readers curled up with Katie Watson, all swept up in the adventure!
I’ve also loved getting to meet readers and share Katie Watson and the Painter’s Plot with them in person as I got the chance to do with a whole gaggle of fun, horse-riding gals at the High Point Farms Christmas Party. **(Congrats to Maddie who won the signed copy of the book & Katie’s horse locket!)
So there you have it! A whirlwind tour of the year gone by. It was an adventure, & I have so many blessings to count! But, it’s time to turn the page — onto the next adventure!
So much to look forward to in 2018, including Churchill’s Socks releasing this Spring, plus Katie Watson giveaways, tours, and Book 2 in November… and so much more!
I’m glad we’re in it together, Dear Reader. Here’s to a New Year of Story & Adventure!
Mez
Thanks for sharing your adventures. Boarding school, hmmm, shades of Lewis, more animals and exciting adventures. I can’t wait. Hope I live to see many more. Is Hugo a fox terrier?
Looking forward to getting a signed hard copy of Katie. You are going places and you can count on me to be along for the ride.
Thank you! And you are close — Hugo is a Jack Russell, & definitely all terrier! I’ll have to bring him to meet you next time we’re in GA, along with a signed copy of Katie Watson:)