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
A Small Celebration
Two weeks before Christmas I had a bit of a party to celebrate the launch of Beltane. It was held in my local village hall which, with the help of my friends, was transformed into a Yuletide haven. So step inside and join the celebration... There was music from some of my extremely talented friends. … Continue reading A Small Celebration
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
A Steampunk Winter’s Tale
Last Saturday was launch day for the short story anthology, Winter Tales – Stories to Warm Your Heart. As one of the Write Romantics I’ve been working on this since February when we first came up with the idea. You can read more about the anthology and why we decided to publish it here. Absolutely … Continue reading A Steampunk Winter’s Tale
Steampunk Research at Lanhydrock
I love visiting stately homes and grand country houses. There’s something about these glimpses into long gone lives that I find really fascinating. I’m also a sucker for costume drama and historical novels. However when I started writing a steampunk short story for the Write Romantics charity anthology I realised that I’d not learned as … Continue reading Steampunk Research at Lanhydrock
Museum of Witchcraft
While I was in Cornwall last week I couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to visit the Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle. When I started writing Beltane I borrowed an introductory book on witchcraft from York library (which did result in some interesting looks from the library staff). Four years on I now own a … Continue reading Museum of Witchcraft
Alys West 