Like every other writer I know, I’m regularly asked if I draw plots or characters from real life. It’s not an easy question to answer, at least not without sounding...

Seven Letters is my 14th novel and possibly the most moving. The book was originally inspired by a court case I read about a few years ago. The story of...

The events of the past few weeks have been dream-like. On several occasions, I’ve had to pinch myself to ensure that, yes, I am indeed wide awake, and this is...

As a romantic comedy writer I’ve got two main goals with my book: to make my readers swoon along with the budding romance and to make them laugh. Sounds easy...

In the beginning there was a blank screen. Writing does not get any easier, the more books you write and get published. The blank page was still as daunting to...

For me, the genesis of a new novel begins with a theme or issue that I would like to explore. In A Thousand Roads Home, my latest novel, it was...

There’s a beautiful little-known song called ‘If I Should Fall Behind’, music and lyrics penned by the brilliant Bruce Springsteen, which was the initial spark of inspiration for what became...

When I started my writing career, nearly thirty years ago, I never considered the possibility of sequels. I rattled off novels, each one totally unconnected with the others, and when...

I didn’t want to go to mother’s group. I only went, actually, because the first meeting was right after my nurse appointment, so I really had no excuse. The baby...

Years ago, when I was writing for tv drama series, I learned to carry a very small notebook indeed. This was back in the days before notebooks were digital, when...