February 20, 2026 · 3:05 pm

Planning Book Promotion ~ Technology or Pen and Paper?

My last post looked at my process for writing a novel back in 2010 – 2013

This post is all about planning promotional activities and marketing.

Blog posts and other plans:

I must admit that I now think on my feet with blog posts. If I have a novel just published I tend to write a series on:

  • The research
  • The locations of the novel, real or imaginary
  • The characters (or those I missed out!)
  • Events, for example sales, book signings or book talks

Otherwise I have a monthly book review, occasional guest authors or anything which inspires or interests me in the book world at the moment.

While reminiscing through my box of notes, research, planning and first draft of my second book I was surprised to see how well I thought ahead and planned my blog posts way back in 2013:

Then even further back in 2010, not long after my first novel Riduna was published by Pegasus, I kept lists of notes regularly:

Even an old post its of personal and house matters too 🙂

I suppose this is a little quaint looking back.

Embracing the technical age

I promise that:

  • I have embraced IT for writing and editing now,
  • but also for scanning research docs. I use the internet for research as well as first source materials too, you’ll be please to know.
  • I keep spread sheets of contacts, possible events and outcomes,
  • and another spreadsheet page of research materials and sources,
  • with another spreadsheet page for a list of experts to request that they read through relevant extracts to give me feedback, to ensure my facts are as authentic as possible. I am indebted to such people who are so kind to give their time in this way.

…but I still use a book diary for recording events by hand too, including blog posts and for planning what to do in the next month.

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February 13, 2026 · 11:23 am

Interesting to look back! ~ Planning and Writing a Novel way back around 2010

In order to carry out the research for the third book in my Riduna Series, I needed to search out my old research notes carried out over 15 years ago. Research for my second novel, set in WW1 mainly in the Southampton area and The Channel Islands, was substantial, and continued way past the end of the book.

When I found the correct box, what astounded me was to discover that I did everything by hand first in those days. I thought you might like to go down memory lane with me too.

Examples of research pages:

It is imperative with historical fiction to carry out a substantial amount of research, and this takes me longer than writing the novel. I always scribble down copious notes but always include the source and author, if there is one. I researched from books, magazines, museum displays, newspaper articles, and of course talking to people …..

My trusty notebooks:

A Brief Chapter Outline:

For my murder mystery, MURDER Now and Then, I used post its for a time line too, to keep track of all the threads and to make sure they all came together at the end.

Chapters and Introduction of Characters:

Family Tree of Characters:

Here is an example page of my very rough first draft:

After that, I remember typing each chapter up before proof reading it a second time;

one of many.

Phew!

I was looking into using Scrivener the other day, which is supposed to organise all this for you on your PC. I have tried it once before, but this time I spent a day trying to get my head around it and decided I am a bit set in my ways. I’ll stick to using MS Word I think.

What do you think?

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February 6, 2026 · 10:37 am

Finding Inspiration from other Literary Geniuses ~ Or ‘Thou Shalt not Covet they Neighbour’s Shed’!

I had a memory recently of a birthday treat, a few years ago, to visit:

John Bunyan’s Tree near Harlington Bedfordshire

When asked what I wanted to do for my birthday, I suggested a picnic beside John Bunyan’s tree near Harlington, Bedfordshire followed by a trip to Shaw’s Corner – the home of George Bernard Shaw in Ayot St Lawrence, only just over the border into Hertfordshire.

We did not make the decision until the morning, because it was weather dependent but, since the sun shone on us, I packed a picnic and we headed off. I’d seen a picture of the tree on line and a footpath sign to it from the road between Harlington and Barton-le-Clay, but never visited.

We parked in Harlington, carrying our hamper – the first time we’d used it since it was given to us as a gift a couple of years back. It looks lovely and I don’t wish to be grateful but for the purposes of our lunch it was pretty impractical.

My husband heaved it along narrow, nettle strewn pathways and then up and down a couple of fields as we tried to locate the exact tree. He was not amused!

Bunyan’s Tree

‘Over here,’ I called back, stumbling over stubble to a gnarled old oak tree, totally dead and with no signage to assure us that I was correct. We set down our mat and sat to admire the view and I have to admit that the sight over to Sharpenhoe Clappers was delightful. Our presence roused the interest of the local sheep, but we ignored them and, after a few moments of curiosity, they lost interest and wandered off.

I can’t say that I was particularly inspired. There was no ‘lightning bolt’ of ideas, but it was quite special to be sat below the tree from which Bunyan (I nearly said Byron there – a Fraudian slip of the keys maybe?) used to give some of his sermons. Truthfully a bit awesome! If communication takes place over the centuries, I certainly felt a tingle, but of what it is hard to describe. Of recognition, of timeless moments, of life’s struggle to be heard, of determination ~ yes I definitely felt some kind of message ~ empathy almost certainly.

Shaw’s Corner ~ The Home of Bernard Shaw

Next we picked up a couple of friends and headed across country roads to Shaw’s Corner.

Shaw’s Corner

The house was closed but since it was a lovely day we ambled around the grounds, sat and had an ice cream and generally relaxed and soaked up the atmosphere. The garden was beautiful, the highlight of which was seeing the revolving shed Shaw used to write in – turning to face the sun and isolating himself from the goings on in the house.

Shaw's Revolving Shed

If you’ve read some of my previous posts you will understand when I say that I coveted that shed. I know it is one of the ten commandments – ‘thou shalt not covet they neighbours ass’ or something. But I’d love one. I’m sure you understand.

Shaw's Shed

I had flowers instead – the most unusual roses I’ve ever seen – almost carnation-like.

What literary spots would you like to share?

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