Welcome to my blog. A place where I share news on my books and other writerly things including other writing that I do; thoughts on my writing process, the writing community and writing life, and what inspires and refreshes me away from the desk.
Blog
Oh no! What will I do now Paperchase has stopped trading? I’m about to start the last of my supply of the perfect notebook: 8 x 10 inches, narrow lines, eco-friendly, great designs on the covers. These notebooks sit alongside me as I write on my laptop, they are where my novels unfold: I discover … Continue reading Notebook dramas!
This month I'm looking forward to this year’s – the 10th! - Berwick Literary Festival celebrating words. Due to a special family event, I’m not able to attend any events in person but post-pandemic, the Festival continues to offer some great online events. I’m looking forward to hearing Leila Aboulela talk about her new book, … Continue reading Berwick Literary Festival 2023
I’m working on my teetering to-be read pile – I have made a rule: read at least two books which have been there for a while before touching a new arrival. I seem to be always breaking it. This summer I devoured four novels one after the other by Ann Tyler, Bonnie Garmus, Elizabeth Strout … Continue reading The to-be-read pile …
It’s been a while but I have a finished manuscript! I’m so fond of my main character, Edith Wickett, I really want others to get to know her too. The publishing world has changed a lot since my last novel came out and I’m busy exploring the different opportunities there are now for sharing work … Continue reading What next?
A mild, windy morning and for a while not a sign of a bird! But my count in the end (between 9.15 and 10.15, coffee time) was: Blackbirds 3 | feral pigeons 5 | house sparrows 14 | dunnock 1 | robin 2 | coal tit 1 | great tit 1 | blue tit 1 … Continue reading Big garden bird watch 2023
About a year ago, a few months after I moved to the Northumberland coast, one of the best things I did was join a local beach cleaning group. We meet up every weekend for a couple of hours, litter picking alternately on two local beaches. I fell in love with the coastline when I came … Continue reading Beach cleaning
During the pandemic, Swansea Print Workshop set up a new dedicated digital Exhibition space to continue to showcase the fantastic artwork that is supported by the organisation. In January 2021 I reconnected remotely with SPW, an organization I worked with on projects over 10 years while I lived in Wales until 2015. I was commissioned … Continue reading A series of Featured Artist and Printmaking articles
So pleased to get my Level 2 Award in Printmaking! I loved trying out different techniques and approaches and exploring ways to express myself in a visual way. I felt clumsy with some tools and an awkwardness in this other new language but I loved it all. And it was a pleasure to spend time … Continue reading A certificate!
Like a lot of people, my plans had to change as a result of the pandemic. Within less than a year, I have moved 3 times: from the south coast with the future I imagined brought to an abrupt end. I was lucky to stay with a friend close to the hills in the Lake … Continue reading The sea and the hills – a pandemic journey
I’ve moved and my upstairs flat has a front garden patch as well as a small back garden. They are both pretty much blank canvases and the landlady is happy for you to do what you like with them, which is great. I have plans to grow herbs and native plants and flowers. I like … Continue reading Two gardens!
sarah jackman 