Firstly, thanks for dropping by and secondly, apologies for my tardiness, I am on the last week of a writing challenge and tantalizing close to achieving the goal of (at least) fifty-thousand words written within the month of November. For non-writers this seems like a gargantuan task, and for some writers too, if I'm honest. I first took up this challenge back in 2009 - yes that long ago! My current project for the challenge is the spiciest narrative I have ever written, and I'm still in two minds if it will ever see the light of day! I have 'researched' things I never thought I would and read examples of 'spicy romances' that leave nothing to the imagination! I am deleting my browsing history on 1st December! Whew!

I can tell you that this current narrative is set in Istanbul, Turkey, has a young woman and older actor becoming involved. These are my inspirational images, which I hope gives you a glimpse into how I created my characters and setting. I have gone through several possible titles and am still working on that.

Whenever I write the characters become real to me and take on their roles and carry me through their lives. Sometimes, it is like I am channeling, rather than writing. This makes for an interesting process as the story can take me in unexpected directions. For me, it is like watching a movie in my head. When I was asked how do I keep so many characters in my head from past novels, pending and current projects, I say it is just like knowing friends and family members. They are 'real' and although I may not see (read) them for a while, I know them and remember them.

It is much the same as when I read a book, I create a mental image of the characters, and their surroundings. Of course, they will not be the same for other readers, or indeed the author and that is why some book to movie adaptations are difficult to accept. We all have our own idea what the characters look like.

As always I am happy to answer any of your questions about my books, or writing life -just drop me a line, or comment below.