The first day of my new blog

I've been toying with a blog for some time now but think I must get cracking as I have a new project Words for the Wounded, the charity Tracy Baines and I are launching.

For a while we've been concerned about our troops with their life changing injuries, but the Remembrance Service last year firmed up our determination to do something. We are grandmothers, mothers and writers.

We know how we would feel if anyone in either of our families was wounded in the way that our troops are being wounded.

We are writers, and have confidence in the power of the word. Words can move mountains.

So we have harnessed words to raise money for the rehabilitation of our wounded troops. We know that out there are many people who have a story to tell, whether it be fiction or fact. We know that out there are many children with stories to tell too. So, very soon the website will be completed and our writing prize will be launched. We hope that non writers and writers alike will enter. Keep your eyes on the blog and I'll let you know the details.

Here  I am, happy as a sandgirl in a suburban village near High Wycombe. We are near two daughters, and another is not too far away. It does save rushing up from the West Country where we lived for over 20 years because of my husband's work commitment. We LOVE it here. Half an hour from London so I am in and out of art galleries with lots of new friends, and old ones. I was at school in Guildford and lived in Worplesden as I was growing up so have linked up with my best friend from school and my first child's godmother. It's totally wonderful. Like being in a sweetie shop.

Now, onto other things. If anyone is in the West Country in April come to the Brympton Festival. There will be many writers and publishers attending. The lovely Sarah Challis will be talking, and Sophie Duffy who was a winner of the Yeovil Literary Prize will be explaining how she did it. I am talking at a Literary Lunch, and it would be great to see you there. Find details on www.brymptonfestival.co.uk

If you've never been to the Winchester Writers Conference then come!  It is www.writersconference.co.uk
I am taking a course and giving a talk, as well as many one to one sessions.

I am reading Why we Run by Robin Harvie. It's excellent. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey is the next on the list.

Ah well. On with the 13th novel. After a very very prolonged sabbatical during which I founded and ran the Yeovil Literary Prize to raise funds for the creative arts of the Yeovil area and ran the Yeovil Community Arts Association I have found I have the germ of an idea which is growing nicely. Up to Chapter 5 and I still like Maeve, the main character. Bless her cotton socks. It will be good to be with her for a while.