I’ve been fascinated by the Neolithic period in a very unscientific kind of way for years. Stones circles are a bit of an obsession of mine and I’ve driven down many tiny lanes in search of sites that are marked on OS maps but don’t have a single sign post. I love the mystery of … Continue reading Ness of Brodgar – Uncovering #Orkney’s Neolithic past
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
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
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
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
Out with the Old
Something odd happened to me today. Something that hardly ever happens. I had an overwhelming urge to have a clear out. And then, what’s more surprising, I actually did it. I’ve spent most of the day chucking things out, going through piles of paperwork, shredding (which I really hate) and tidying up again. For the … Continue reading Out with the Old
Meet My Character
Thanks ever so much to Sharon Booth of The Moongazing Hare blog for asking me to do this blog tour. You can read Sharon’s brilliant blog here. This is the first time I’ve done one of these blog tours so I hope I’ve done it right. If not then please let me know… 1. What … Continue reading Meet My Character
Writing Heaven
What’s your idea of the perfect place to write? Would it be a cottage in the country or a summer house at the bottom of your garden which only you had the key to? Well, I think I’ve just found my perfect place and it’s in the little village of Sheepwash in Devon. Deborah Dooley … Continue reading Writing Heaven
Alys West 