“It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.” ― Voltaire “I want to commit the murder I was imprisoned for.” ― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban “How to Commit the Perfect Murder” was an old game in…
I suppose one could say that I was lowering my expectations in my decision to self-publish. But I would beg to differ and here’s why. I spent much time (about a year in fact) selecting, researching, writing individual letters to and awaiting replies from more than several agents, all of which, with the exception of…
1. The way you say ‘hello’ has the potential to cause a sibling to roll their eyes and send you a diminishing and icy cold stare. 2. Your input into the family mix is never enough by everyone’s account. 3. You feel intense anger every time your mother says “your sister called.” 4. You wish…
I was eighteen when I passed my driving test, the first time. Which is more than I can say for my motorbike test (third time) and my HGV test (fifth time). That day was joyous. I remember distinctly that I drove straight over the middle of a mini-roundabout without realising, and hoped that the instructor…
I overheard the following conversation in a café recently, between a mother and her young child of about seven years old. Child (whisper): “Muuum. Mmmm mmm mumble mmm mumble”. Mother (loud): “Well Johnny, you know what you need to do? Next time he says that you need to bash ‘im and bash ‘im, and then…
– Catching up with old friends – My animals being affectionate and sending me signals they send to no one else. – My husband being affectionate and sending me signals he sends to no one else. – Sunshine and cool breezes. – When I get it right in the present department. – When members of…
I have passion for horses and because of this own two. I will refrain from telling you all about how wonderful and beautiful they are (they are), because I’m not going to write about them here. I also have two darling Dalmatians, who need a lot of exercise and love. Because of this, I spend…
I am struggling. All I feel is that I’m waiting… waiting… and waiting. I’m bored of waiting. And now I’m wondering if I’ve missed the bus; missed my opportunity. I’ve submitted to ten agents and received, so far, eight rejections. With each rejection, I send another submission and I’ve got another ten on my list….
My mother shocked me once some years ago, when she came home with two black eyes. To my relief, she had not been attacked. She had received plastic surgery! Although minimal (she had “only had an ‘eye lift’”) it shocked me because I had never begun to imagine that anything needed changing. It was all…
I admit… with some shame… that I have used the C word. On more than one occasion. Generally, when the F word is not enough. And always, but always, when I am driving. I think it’s because I cannot be heard. I’m safe, behind the steering wheel, and encased in glass and metal, with the…
