Learning from the Past

Before I start, I should warn you that there's no grand social faux pas that I've learned from. Sorry to disappoint! It's rather more literal.

Last week, I went with my family for a short city break to Cardiff. While we were there, we visited St Fagan's National History Museum which details a history of Welsh life. It's a 'living museum' and therefore, in my view, far more interesting than looking at something in a glass case.

I was enthralled. This visit has not, I hasten to add, spurred a change in direction for my writing. I am not going to attempt to pen a historical novel with my woefully inadequate knowledge of history but will try and encapsulate what I learned.

The buildings that have been taken down from across Wales and resurrected at St Fagan's are presented as close as possible to how people would have lived and it was those little details that hit home and brought the places to life. The smell of the peat fire in the 1700's farmer's cottage. The linen at the window that diffused the light rather than making the room darker. And the high threshold that would have kept the thresh inside the house.


The devil's in the detail, so they say, and it's the little things that count, so I am going to try to include the little details that will really bring my writing to life.

And as an attraction, if you're in the area, St Fagan's is a great way to spend your time. From a grand house built on the site of an old castle to a farm outbuilding that dates from the 1100's and all surrounded by farmland, it was a peaceful, beautiful and enlightening.

In it for the long haul

Today sees the Anglesey Half Marathon get under way and as the runners begin their race, I can’t help but feel some sort of affinity. Alright, I’ll be honest, I haven’t pushed through stitch, felt the burn and build-up of lactic acid or suffered blisters for a while, but I have put in the hours in front of my computer. And yet last month, I hit the wall and lost my way. 

It’s a situation that’s all too common and is often the point where many writers give up. I was lucky. I found my way again through the support of my family and friends and the guidance of other writers. A chance to talk things through with a fellow writer shouldn't be underestimated. If anyone will understand, they will. 

So I was glad as always to spend some time with good friend and fellow writer Melissa Morgan when we met up in beautiful Criccieth last Thursday. The long distance runner may have been lonely but there's no reason for the writer to be as well!

Of course, food was involved and this time, we chose Dylan's Restaurant set in a fabulous art deco building with super views over the sea.

The beautiful Welsh coastline.

As someone once said, never give up on something you can't go a day without thinking about. So if you'll excuse me, I have writing to do!

The Beauty of the ARC

If the joy of reading allows us to live through the characters we read about and to experience what they do, would it be a stretch to suggest that writers are in the business of selling emotions? And as both a romance writer and romance reader, I am a bit of an emotion junkie.

So it was my pleasure to take the chance to preview an e-ARC of In the Boss's Castle by the very talented Jessica Gilmore which is due out at the beginning of May 2016 with Mills and Boon. Authors sometimes offer readers the chance to have sight of an ARC or Advance Reading Copy before the book has had the chance to go to the publisher for the final print in exchange for a honest review. But Jessica asked for nothing in return other than to read it.

And I loved it! Chock full of emotion, it was devoured!

Here is my review which I posted on Goodreads:-

Full of plans, Maddison grabs the chance of a job swop in London, leaving her life in New York behind in the hope that absence will make her ex-boyfriend’s heart grow fonder. But life has the habit of shifting and altering and soon Maddison isn’t as sure that what she thought she wanted is actually what she wants. Add in gorgeous Kit and I had the joy of watching two people discover who they really are and work out that they are meant to be together if only they will give themselves a chance.

The PA/Boss trope has been done a hundred times but this one’s different as Maddison’s job swop lends a temporary nature to their relationship. Add in the seamless flow of this author’s perceptive writing that is once again so full of emotion and I was happily ensconced in a book that not only took me to the beautiful heights of Scotland and the warmth of Cape Cod but also made me relive that falling in love feeling: the highs, the lows, the doubts, the excitement of meeting someone new.

A beautiful book and highly recommended.

Writers need other writers

Writing – it’s a solitary job and while writers work alone for the most part, we’re not antisocial really. In fact, if anything, we’re fascinated by people and relationships and have a bevy of supporters from family and friends to those who get roped into reading early drafts. But as with any job, writing has its idiosyncrasies – when the characters won’t behave, when they keep secrets from the writer, when it just isn't flowing – and which another writer understands all too well.

So I was looking forward to catching up with my good writing pal

Melissa Morgan in beautiful Betws y Coed. 

Of course food and cake were involved as we talked shop and bounced ideas off each other. So I have come to the not-so-very startling conclusion that … drum-roll please … writers need other writers. And if we can visit somewhere stunning to catch up, it’s all good.










All smiles after cake!

One Giant Leap ...

On the day of Tim Peake’s space-walk, I have taken my own giant leap and, not exactly embraced technology, more like given it a lukewarm handshake.

I have finally taken the plunge and joined the world of Twitter.

So I find I'm facing another learning curve, deciphering the world of hashtags and learning a whole new language. I am officially a tweeter and a tweep on Twitter!

Why not stop by and see me on Twitter? @SarahSnowdon10

One Year On ...

Happy New Year!

I can hardly believe that a year has passed since my first post.

Are you making any resolutions? I gave up making resolutions long ago but occasionally I get the urge to think about one every now and again and there’s one that keeps coming up.

Write more.

Not necessarily more words, although that always helps – it’s easier to edit a page full of words than a blank page – but to lose that inhibition that I think holds writers back at various times during their writing career. I've heard some writers comment that a glass of wine helps get the creative flow going but I'm not sure my finger-keyboard coordination will stand up to alcoholic influence! So I'll go with the wise words of William W Purkey:-

"You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth."

So here's wishing you all a very happy, healthy, successful 2016. XX

Merry Christmas!

I think many people either love or hate Christmas. But hopefully whatever camp you fall into, you’ll find time to indulge in what makes you happy, be it spending time with loved ones or alternatively doing what you love.

For me there’s plenty to love about Christmas. It’s a time to slow down and enjoy the school holidays. Anyone else glad that they don’t have to do lunch boxes?! Not to mention pyjama mornings and the time to write.

As for Christmas morning, what’s on my wish list? The latest from my favourite authors: 

Nalini Singh Lara Adrian

and Rachael Thomas

Wishing you love and happiness and hoping you get what you want this Christmas.

xx