Celebrating solstice and sea during lockdown.
Remarkable machines, feisty heroines and tea – 5 reasons why I love #Steampunk
With the publication of my first Steampunk novel, The Dirigible King’s Daughter yesterday I’ve been thinking about what first drew me to write steampunk. Like many people I suspect I came to it via Gail Carriger and then realised that I’d already read some steampunk books like The Golden Compass. I’d also been to Whitby … Continue reading Remarkable machines, feisty heroines and tea – 5 reasons why I love #Steampunk
My turn on the Lovely Blog Hop
I’ve been asked by my fabulous friend, Jessica Redland, to take part in the Lovely Blog Hop where writers talk about some of the things which have shaped their lives and their writing. Jessica lives not far from me in Scarborough and we often meet up for cake and to talk about writing. Her first … Continue reading My turn on the Lovely Blog Hop
Fictional Yorkshire
I’ve just read a lovely novel set in ‘God’s Own County’ (which is what Yorkshire folk call the place where they live). It’s ‘There Must Be An Angel’ by Sharon Booth which is set in the fictional village of Kearton Bay which is based on Robin’s Hood Bay on the North Yorkshire coast. For me … Continue reading Fictional Yorkshire
Knitted Together
Last weekend I went to the Unravel, Festival of Knitting in Farnham in Surrey. I’m an occasional crocheter (I used to do a lot more before I started writing novels) and am just about competent with a pair of knitting needles. I saw some amazing hand-crafted garments, beautiful wool and yarn in every possible shade … Continue reading Knitted Together
Deck the Halls
I tend to be a bit last minute when it comes to Christmas. My tree goes up the weekend before, presents are wrapped on Christmas Eve and that’s when I really start to feel festive. But this year things have happened to get me into the Christmas mood a little sooner. At the weekend I … Continue reading Deck the Halls
Ghostly Whitby
In the days around Halloween, English Heritage transformed Whitby Abbey with light and stories. The ruins were bathed in coloured lights. Turning the west end a glorious shade of purple, drenching arches in ghostly green and lighting the pillars blood red. In the darkness we gathered to hear stories. Burke and Hare told us tales … Continue reading Ghostly Whitby
Alys West 