Last Monday night I delved into the labyrinth of Plot and Story with Caroline Green and Emma Darwin. We'd not used the stage before, with its dramatic red back drop and black curtains, but as we had quite a turnout, our biggest crowd yet, it worked really well. The resident cat snoozed on a comfy chair oblivious to the bustling room. Everyone sorted out their tea, cake and wine essentials before finding their way to a seat and settling in for a good chat followed by a Q & A session.

Last Thursday night I swapped my elasticated trackie-daks for a party top and high heels and set off for The Cinema Museum, secreted in deepest SE11, for the launch of Essie Fox’s new novel, The Last Days of Leda Grey.  Part of the fun was finding the venue, tucked away as it was, but once found what a treat!

I love living in South London, it’s steeped in history and there are stories everywhere. Some stories are waiting for you, some you have to seek out…Last Tuesday night I stepped out to enjoy a particularly lovely evening of readings and writerly chat at the bright, beautiful Camberwell Library

Elizabeth's novels are set in Tudor England and she spoke candidly about her approach to creating characters, covering lots of ground. We began with the question of what Elizabeth looks for in a potential main character. She's interested in spirit; something to identify with personally, a spirit of rebellion. Bad girls! Try googling that for an image for your blog. 

A couple of years ago some friends of mine, Mark and Sarah Driver, bought a farm in Alfriston, a beautiful part of Sussex not far from the sea. They had plans to build a vineyard. On a walk with Sarah we visited the potential site of the winery and tasting rooms before exploring the ruins of some derelict flint barns. Sarah conjured up a vision of beautifully restored barns to accommodate potential seasonal workers, walkers and wedding parties.

Last week, we held our first Words Away salon at the Tea House Theatre Cafe in Vauxhall. The rain magically stopped just as Emma and Andrew Wille arrived, followed by a friendly and enthusiastic crowd of published and unpublished writers. With tea, cake and drinks secured, pens and notepads at the ready, introductions were made and together we launched our inaugural salon, How To Make Your Novel Shine, Self Editing Your Fiction. 

Sitting in the Devon sunshine recently at the end of a seaside holiday, I listened to The Art of Editing, a Guardian Books podcast. If you've ever wondered what editors do all day, it's worth a listen. I really liked what editor and publisher Matt Weiland had to say, recounting his guiding editorial mantra,