Exploring the Power of Women
Long ago, I made deliberate choice to foreground women’s stories from the past and, by doing so, I hope, celebrating the power of women in history and literature. Through extensively researched and creatively fleshed out historical storytelling, I try and bring to life diverse women in different historical settings from England in the 1300s and […]
Author, Playwright, Lover, Spy and figure of hate: Who was Aphra Behn?
In 1929, Virginia Woolf wrote that “All women together ought to let flowers fall on the tomb of Aphra Behn… For it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds.” If that’s the case, why have so many people never heard of Aphra Behn? The answer is diabolical: for while Aphra lived, […]
“Sin in a bowl”: The history of the chocolate drink
So much of our history is not only recorded by men, but features them almost exclusively. This is especially true when it comes to trade. Women have always been integral to business and commerce, yet we know so little about the roles they played in various industries, whether candle-making, brewing, baking, wool, etc. They provided ideas, support, labour and, in times of war and sickness, stability. Yet their […]
Happy 2019 – Here’s to lots of writing and reading (among other good stuff).
I can’t believe it’s already the 22nd of January and here I am, only now, putting finger to keyboard to write the first blog of the year. Forgive my tardiness – but happy new year to all of you, I hope it’s a great one, I really do, and that all your goals are, if […]
The Brewer’s Tale: How beer went from being suspicious to delicious
The wise Homer once famously declared: “Alcohol: the cause and solution to all of life’s problems.” That’s Homer J Simpson of course, not THE Homer of Iliad and Odyssey fame. Even so, the yellow man with four fingers makes a very good point. When you examine the relationship society has with alcohol – from a […]
The Inspiration behind The Brewer’s Tale: or What Was I Drinking?
Authors often get asked where their inspiration for writing a particular story came from. Some people have been very curious as to what motivated me to write a tale about a medieval brewer and all things brewing – particularly when they discover I don’t drink beer. The simple answer as to what inspired me is, […]
Meet My Character: Blog Hop
This is an unusual blog for me as I don’t often write about my books (a situation that will change as I am upgrading/changing my website soon – watch this space!) but the notion came via a lovely invitation from the wonderful writer, Josephine Pennicott, author of the fabulous Poet’s Cottage and Currawong Manor as well as […]
Book Review: Heresy by SJ Parris
This was a strange book in so many ways – and I mean that more positively than to infer the opposite – strange can be good, right? Ostensibly a historical novel that, while a work of fiction features real people – the main one being the lead character, the excommunicate Roman priest and humanist philosopher, […]
“This is true love… you think this happens everyday?”
Ten points if you can guess where that quote comes from… if you can’t, I will reveal at the end of the blog… So, here we are, another year. Happy New Year! I really hope that whatever plans you’ve made (even not making any), come to fruition and that you have many adventures, love and […]
Is celebrity gossip women’s domain?
I was drawn to write my column this week on this topic because of something Australian Today show host, Karl Stefanovich said during the segment “Girls on the Grill”. Discussing the recent Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes split, he made the observation that he didn’t know a single bloke who was interested in this story. That comment served […]