Category Archives: Uncategorized

HURRAH! I have been shortlisted for the Queen of Teen Book Award, which is kind of like the Orange Prize for Fiction, but with more sequins and bigger dresses. This has led me to reassess my previous diagnosis of self … Continue reading →

There is something fishy going on in Dorset i.e. my Mum is not at all up to her usual standard of oppressive cleaning / food monitoring. Having just spent four days in close confinement with the Jif-happy one, I can … Continue reading →

Brain hurts. It is vexed by important philosophical question, as asked by Millie. Not usual one to do with death. Or chickens. This one is more complicated. And possibly ickier. It is: What is the point of boys? It is … Continue reading →

I tried. I held out for weeks, despite the desperate pleas of my daughter: MILLIE: Please Mummy, but Hannah and Ava have seen it. And Hannah has completely fallen in love with Choy. ME: Troy MILLIE: Yes. Choy. I want … Continue reading →

Today have mostly been trying to explain the colossal significance of the 5th November to a five year old. But the details of bonfire night and the US Presidential Election seem to have got muddled on the way. Me: Will … Continue reading →

Hurrah for Christmas is here, the season of goodwill, mince pies and too much Haribo.  Oh, and little white lies: Millie: Is Father Christmas real? Me:             Yes Millie:            But how can he get round the whole world in one … Continue reading →

Hurrah, it is that time of year again. Yes – the annual hand-wringing exchange of emails between me and my brother James about what to get our parents for Christmas. For example: James: And our father. What shall purchase for … Continue reading →

I tried. For literally weeks. Well, alright, days. I said I was absolutely under no circumstances going to sign up to Twitter i.e. sign away yet more swathes of my day when could usefully be writing / making cups of … Continue reading →

Have known since was 8 that was never ever going to be Darcey Bussell type (nor did Darcey Bussell, given that this was 1978 and do not think she was born yet, but you get drift). Was not through some … Continue reading →

As any fule kno, am obsessed with teen movies. Mostly because I write teen books, which are all begging to have movies made of them, if only to keep Millie in Hannah Montana DVDs, and also because my own teenhood … Continue reading →