Friends and a friend of a friend.

This song and video were created by Lynne Arrol in memory of a friend she lost to breast cancer. I think it's lovely and hope you'll enjoy it too.

I've never actually met Lynne, yet still count her as a friend (I hope she feels the same way). We came across each other on the internet, via a selection of writing sites. I've gained many other writing friends that way (and gardening ones too, via the RHS site). Writing can sometimes feel lonely, so it's great to have a group of supportive friends who know what it's like and who can exchange ideas and offer encouragement, or even nag each other when the need arises.

Some of these people I've since met in real life. That's how I met my two best writing buddies (yes, Anne and Serena, I'm talking about you). We sometimes hear of awful things that happen to people who've met someone they've encountered on the internet and I'd urge anyone to be cautious when first meeting a stranger, but not to allow the evil few to discourage us from making new friends.

Logging onto this blog and seeing comments and a list of people 'following' me is a bit like popping into a coffee shop and seeing a friendly face. So blog friends, I'd like to introduce you to my friend Lynne Arrol. I think we'll all be hearing more of her music, and hopefully seeing some of her plays, in the near future.

Not sorry about the sorrel.

Sometimes I need a break from working on a long writing project, otherwise I get so close to the story I'm unable to think clearly. Surprisingly, the best way to distance myself is by yet more writing, but on something very different. That's why I wrote this article about sorrel. (Well, it's either for that well thought out reason, or because I got distracted again. It's my own fault for having a character drink sorrel soup.)

I wonder if there's a market for a story about someone who writes articles on herbs?

NaNoWriMo

Sorry, that's all I've got time to write for now, but for those in the know, I think it says it all.

Celebrity Authors

There are writers who are celebrities; Stephen King, JK Rowling, Terry Pratchett, Lynda La Plante, even that damned Brown bloke (No, I'm not a fan of his, in case you wondered). They've become well known because their writing is popular.

Then there are celebrities who have decided to become authors; Sarah Ferguson, Madonna, Dolly Parton, Henry Winkler and John Travolta have all had a go. Martine McCutcheon and Katie Price are two recent examples who have been criticised as ... actually, I'm not quite sure as the word appeared as 'c***', but I'm pretty sure Lynda La Plante didn't mean 'clever'.

What do you think? Are you pleased when someone you like watching on TV or listening to on the radio also publishes a book, or do you wish they'd concentrate on what they're best at and let 'real' writers write? Which is most important, the words on the page or the name on the cover?

Added 24/10 It seems Lynda La Plante has more to say on the subject.

Personally, if I could get the book deals and publicity Katie Price manages to achieve, I'd be very pleased. I'd still want to write the book myself though.

Not just a game.

This isn't just a game; it can improve your vocabularly and help save lives. Please post up the first word you get wrong, or the one you feel most smug at getting right.

Today my first error was amphiprostyle (a clue in case you get that one - it doesn't mean jumping like a frog) The one I was most chuffed about getting right was remontant (twice blooming) as I read a lot of gardening books and catalogues and it's good to feel I'm learning as well as daydreaming.

The Weekly News

If you've not come across The Weekly News before, I'd like to encourage you to give it a go - and I'm not just saying that because one of my stories is in the current (October 17th ) issue. The Weekly News is a hybrid between a newspaper and a magazine. It's ideal for anyone who finds the usual newspapers alarming and/or depressing.

Unusually for me, I know exactly what prompted me to write 'Pursued to Glory.' I won't say now though as it'll spoil the story for anyone who hasn't yet read it.

Woman's Weekly Fiction Special

My story, 'All Talk' is in the current (2nd October - 20th November) issue of Woman's Weekly Fiction Special.

I can't think where I got the idea for my main character, a girl who talks a lot and knows some very obscure facts. Maybe I once met a person like that ...