I’ve realised Moniack Mhor features frequently on this very infrequent blog of mine and I’ve come to the conclusion that sadly that's not because I'm here all the time (if only) but because this special place reconnects me to my writer self. It has a magical serenity, a quiet power that strips away the chaos of everyday life and lets words breathe. The setting, the company of other writers, and the laughter and support as we share our trials and triumphs, replenish and restore almost as much as the welcome and nurturing the amazing team here provide. Nothing is too much trouble for them. I’m writing about the desert at the moment and as can be seen in the photos, Moniack has turned up the summer heat to help me return to the Sahara. Method writing at its finest!
 
I am in no hurry to go home.

No sign yet of the 'beast from the east' - unless it's that big bird on the hobbit house...

So pleased with the Polish version of Ursula's Secret - just wish I could read it! I love seeing how different publishers/designers/countries see the same story. 

I'm lucky enough to be spending this week at Moniack Mhor, Scotland's creative writing centre. I'm meant to be hard at work completing the latest draft of current novel but it's hard to concentrate when all this is outside the window. Perhaps I'll get snowed in.

New neighbour seems pretty relaxed. Or has she been raiding the recycling bin and reading those early drafts...?

There's still availability on Highland Literary Salon's tutored writing retreat in beautiful Cromarty at the end of the month with the wonderful Morag Joss - I know from personal experience how good she is both as a tutor and as a writer - so thought I'd share this.  I've also just heard they are offering one free place - see their Facebook page here for details.

Had a brilliant evening in Inverness with Highland Literary Salon (see below). Met some good people and the Salon clearly has a lot going on so thoroughly recommend investigating if you live within striking distance -and an hour's drive to the Salon and back seemed quite normal so that covers a fair bit of ground. The event was run with backing from Scottish Book Trust as part of Book Week Scotland and it reminded me how lucky we are to live in a place that still supports reading and writers so strongly. Long may it continue!

To celebrate Book Week Scotland, Highland Literary Salon are holding a special event which aims to encourage local writers to put themselves and their work forward and aim high. There will be plenty of opportunity to look at traditional and non-traditional ways of approaching publication, and at what sort of support might be available. 

​I've been invited to join the panel to talk about my route to publication - through winning the Sunday Mail Fiction Prize in 2015 - and the other panel members will be Helen Sedgwick, who received a New Writers Award in 2012 which led to publication of her debut novel The Comet Seekers earlier this year, and Lynsey Rogers, Writer Development Co-ordinator at Scottish Book Trust. Author Caroline Deacon will be chairing the event and keeping us in order, and all are welcome - you don't have to be a member of the Salon, although if you're a local writer it could be worth investigating what else the Salon does.

The event is free of charge, so why not join us? Hope to see you there!

Very enjoyable morning at Portobello Book Festival today talking secrets and sagas with Shelley Day and Anne Loughnane. Audience were very chatty which always makes it fun and the sun shone. Happy days.

  Article in The List here about Edinburgh City of Literature's Story Shop programme and how important it has been over the years to emerging writers, as I know from personal experience. I'll be going along to as many of the sessions at this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival as I can and urge any one else who finds themselves in the vicinity of Charlotte Square at 3pm during Festival to do the same. Ten minutes of escapism and storytelling in the Speigeltent in the midst of festival madness for you, and a huge boost for the writers lucky enough to have the chance to read their work. See you there!