Christmas wishes.

To all my readers, I wish you a fabulous Christmas and a coming year filled with wonder and delight... and because I'm a generous spirit, even if you're not one of my readers, I still wish you the above. [See? I am generous ;) ]

Once the kids go back to school, I will be straight into my new works, one drama/ romance film, a horror film, and a dystopian science fiction film.   As you may know, I like a bit of diversity. 

I am also hoping to move some of my stack of  unpublished books forward. The problem with these, is that I have to make a decision and I've always been rather indecisive - ask anyone who's ever sat waiting for me to make a choice from a menu!

Where I can, I promise to keep you up-to-date with my projects, but this is harder to do with film than books, as so much is out of my control. 

So until then - happy reading! x

Naughty or Nice?

With Christmas almost here, my thoughts have turned to the strangers who have been most helpful to me, this year. Or not.

It's only a bit of fun, but I do advise you to make your own list, as not only does it allow you to vent your angst over something, but it allows the wider picture to be seen, whether you reach a balance or whether you've had a year full of annoying, petty, problems.

NAUGHTY                                                      NICE                        

The man who shouted abuse at me,         All the fellow dog- walkers who stopped  

because I pressed the button                    to chat with me. 

for the lights to change. 

The woman who complained about       Glasgow Council, who helped me 

me placing things outside of my            dispose of my dad's old furniture, 

dad's flat for the council to pick up.       after he passed away. 

(The furniture was next to the bins as

I'd been told to do.)

                                                                                    

The sales assistant at Charford Post       The OTHER sales assistant, who just did it 

Office, who sent me away with my           the next day, when I returned, 

heavy parcel unposted, as                       refusing all help from me.

'she wasn't allowed' to  lift it, 

( fair enough) but insisted that I

couldn't place it where all the other

large parcels waited to be collected

by the Parcelforce driver, as only she

could do that!

Beko manufacturers and AO for           Argos for replacing my broken vacuum  

making and selling me a dishwasher     cleaner, without the slightest quibble.

that broke the DAY AFTER the 12

month warranty ran out.

I could go on, but I won't, as I think you get my point.

Life is made up of the things that happen to us and how others help us through those times.

Going forward, I'm going to do my damnedest to be on other people's 'nice' side.

I hope to see you there! ;)

Happy reading.

A quick catch-up.

With Christmas fast approaching, I'm working hard to get the three films I have been writing, finished and signed off.

Of course in this industry, nothing is ever actually signed-off until it is made into film, and even then scenes may be lost to the cutting room floor, or new ones inserted.

Part of the reason for this, is because making a film is like asking a bunch of theoretical scientists to all agree on a particular theory. Everyone has their own version, no matter how minutely different that is from everyone else's ideas. So it is with film.

Even the most brilliant scripts will be moulded to fit a director's mindscape, diverging from the original idea as conceived by the screenwriter. It's inevitable. It's just a question of how much really.

But I am very lucky in the quality of the teams I am working with - top notch directors and producers - people who really know their stuff, and who are happy to let me get on with my side of things.

So, after Christmas, what are the plans?

I will be working on two brand new films. One of which is set in Cyprus.

I'm really looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into this one, not least because of the rich tapestry of the story I will create, but because of how different it is to things I've written before.

So until I catch up with you again - have fun, eat well and happy reading.

Carmen. x

Just Charlie

Last night I went to a special showing of the film, Just Charlie. 

I had read that the film had received awards and was aware that the story was about a transgender teen and his/her struggle to be the person he/she felt inside. 

But not for one second was I prepared for how beautiful and powerful the film was. 

We live in a world very changed from previous decades. Inter-racial marriages no longer raise an eyebrow, there are just as many single parents as there are married ones, being gay is considered a third gender and we all cheer on the Paralympic athletes. 

Yet transgender kids seems to strike a different note somehow. It is, I believe, the last taboo. And that's very strange. 

We have personalised sex dolls now flooding the market, quite recently I heard that a man had professed to being in an active sexual relationship with his car, and if lots of reality shows are to be believed, it seems that everyone under the age of 25 has slept with everyone else under the age of 25. 

Yet we have difficulty accepting that someone who looks on the outside like a boy or girl, may feel that on the inside, they are the opposite gender. 

I guess the best way of explaining it is that when we cut open an apple, we don't expect there to be an orange inside. 

But that's exactly what these kids are. They effectively have the wrong wrapper on them. 

And if you raised your eyebrows at my explanation, think on this. We all have wrappers. 

We all are different on the inside to how the world perceives us. It's one of the reasons, I believe, that we have depression and suicide within society. 

Wouldn't the world be a happier place if we could all just be how we truly want to be, as long as no harm was caused to others?

Ah but therein lies the crux of the problem. 

As Rebekah Fortune, the director of Just Charlie explained after the showing, the situation with transgender kids is not just about them, it's about their families and friends, even the ripples which lead out - diminished, but still there - to the wider community. 

A transgender person makes us question how we really feel about the situation. And that's exactly what this brave and wonderful film does. 

Showing not only Charlie's psychological pain, it shows his parents' pain and fears. Fears not only that Charlie is mistaken about how 'he' feels, but that he is choosing a path in life that will lead only to pain and humiliation. 

And let's be honest, most of us as parents would baulk at the idea of our child changing sex. Not just because we'd feel that perhaps we never really knew them if we hadn't noticed something different... but that because as parents, we are hard-wired by nature to protect our offspring. 

So whatever you have to do, to get to see this film which is available on Sky Cinema, whether it's to drop in unexpectedly on friends who have Sky, or to stand in the TV section of your local electrical retailer, I strongly advise you to do it. 

You won't regret it. 

Carmen. x

Christmas again? So soon?

I'm almost reeling at the thought of it being the Christmas period again. 

Honestly, I'm beginning to think there is little point in taking down the trees this year, as before I know it, it will be yet another Christmas. 

I honestly don't know where all the time in between last Christmas and this one has gone... Okay so in truth, much of it was spent in front of a computer, writing yet another book or film script (or TV script, or animation, because yes, I have written all of these) these past 12 months, and some was no doubt spent in an alcoholic haze after a hard day... (don't raise your eyebrows, writing is hard work too you know :)) 

But the rest? The minutes, hours, days that make up a whole year? Where have they all gone? 

If you have been following this blog, you will know that it's been a year of change for me. My father and my dog died this year and my eldest went off to university. I signed up with a producer with world-wide distribution, and a director who has won awards and accolades for her work. I have managed a little bit more renovation of my home, and have decided on the best way to progress the rest. 

But most importantly, I have decided to do what makes me happy in life, instead of always trying to please others. 

Now you might think this a selfish thing to do. But actually it isn't. I'm happier, everyone's needs are still being met (they're still all watered, fed and loved) but I'm less stressed and much, much calmer.

This has not been an easy transition for me to achieve - I'm very much a people pleaser and find it difficult to say no, but it was high time I put myself first. 

So if I have one piece of advice for you in the lead-up to Christmas it's this - Be true to yourself. If you can make yourself happy without compromising someone's else's happiness, then do so. 

Trust me, everyone around you will feel the benefit. 

Oh and don't forget, my books make fabulous Christmas presents - there's everything from romantic thrillers to science fiction. Just click on the link to your right. 

Happy reading. x

Just a quick hello...

At the moment I am frantically busy finishing off three very different film scripts - I promise I'll tell you all about them, as soon as I can.  

What I can tell you, is that not only are they different genres, but they are vastly different settings, with one set in a large city in China, and another set in Birmingham. 

So, back to work for me after the half term and my strange virus. 

Have a wonderful week, everyone. 

Bromsgrove mourns.

I haven't written a post about the tragic death of a Bromsgrove teenager for a specific reason.

Like much of Bromsgrove, I knew the boy personally. Not as the teenager he eventually became, but as a younger child, when he was friends with my eldest son.

As children sometimes do, they eventually went their own ways - but I still saw him at school assemblies and ceremonies.

Whilst I'm aware that my grief at his passing cannot possibly compare to those who knew him better, nor even touch the mountain of overwhelming loss and devastation felt by his parents and sister, it has been a hard thing to come to terms with.

I have found myself in tears over the past two weeks, in turn hoping and praying that he would be found safe and well, before sinking into despair that he wouldn't.

And even as a writer, I'm aware that my words don't do justice to the grief of this whole community, who rooted for his safe return even, against overwhelming odds.

We are parents too - most of us facing the need to let our own children truly stretch their wings for the first time.

And it's terrifying.

I look at my own 18 year old and I remember with horror the risks I took, when I too thought that I was invincible.

You teens who are reading this, please, please, please look after yourselves. The world is a dangerous place and whilst we want you to have fun and explore, inside we are terrified.

We can't bring this beautiful young man back - but I hope we can prevent future tragedies.

Shine bright Tom Jones. You are a guiding light. x

My name is Carmen, and I'm a workaholic...

A couple of days ago I made a list of everything I've written in the past 6 years. I was surprised by the outcome, as it was much more than even I thought it would be.

Here it is:

19 books,  [various genres]                                                      
5 original full-length feature films
4 original short screenplays
1 original cartoon series
and 1original theatre play.

In addition to this, I am currently working on a variety of projects [films and books] and I'm enjoying every moment. So keep your eyes peeled on this list, because it's growing...

For collaborations, novel to screenplay commissions, or screenplays written to order, email :

carmen.capuano@ymail.com 07757559091

Exam results!

To all the teens and their families who are anxiously awaiting exam results today - I wish them the very best of luck.

But whatever happens, just remember that your families will ALWAYS love you, whether you go off to university or not. 

There are always other avenues to explore, other doors which will open for you. 

Stay safe. You are loved regardless of what life throws at you. x

Time flies - whether you're having fun or not...

Time is elusive. I've always known that.

Even as a young child I was aware of how it slipped away from me. Perhaps that's because I've always had so much to do, so much I wanted to achieve.

More than half a century later, I feel no different. There is still so much to do, so much I want to experience and even less time than there was before, to achieve it in.

I'm impatient for new experiences, to stand on fresh ground that my feet have never before trodden, to meet new adventures and to go to bed drunk on a day well-lived...

But for now my reality is the same as it is for many mothers in the UK - go through the kids' old school uniform, sort through last year's clothes, and prepare for the coming school year. So humdrum. So necessary.

Yet the internet and social media is full of slogans that urge us to live for the moment, to cast of the shackles of domesticity in favour of adventure. Excuse me whilst I just step over this pile of dirty laundry and be on my way to the mysteries of Machu Picchu... No? So let's get real then.

Chores have to be done, responsibilities have to be tended to. And then, maybe, just maybe, I can find a time to fit in all the spirit-enhancing stuff I'd like to do. And let's face it, you are probably in the same scenario as me. Are you going to cast aside your family and go off on a Shirley Valentine adventure? Thought not, appealing as that might be.

So, back to the drawing board, or in my case the newest chapter of my current book and next scenes in the screenplay. And it's not so bad. As a writer I can live vicariously through my characters. And boy, do they whoop it up!

So if you're feeling in need of adventure, you know where to turn. Try one of my books today.

Happy reading.

Sign me up!

Ooh exciting times!

I have just signed two contracts for work, and am about to sign another. I'm like a dog with two tails!

The projects are a little top-secret right now, but what I can tell you, is that one of them is for an adaptation of another writer's book for screen, and one is a publishing deal for one of my own books.

There is of course a lot of work involved - but then I'm hardly a stranger to that.

With 20 books and several screenplays of my own, I know what it's like to knuckle down, and luckily I love my job.

And rest assured, as soon as I can tell you more, I will.

Until then - happy reading!

A day out with my daughter in Birmingham.

If you know me, you'll know I'm a workaholic. 

Even when I'm not writing my next novel or screenplay for film, I'm thinking about it, storing ideas up in my head, and filing them carefully away for later use. 

But with the sheer volume of work I have on at the moment, I thought that conversely, I should take a day off, to unwind and recharge my batteries. And it is the summer after all. 

For this reason I have decided to take my daughter on a 'cultural' visit to Birmingham. 

We plan to visit Birmingham Art Gallery and Museum and coo over the wonderful Renaissance paintings, twist our heads in wonder at the modern art on display and wonder at the skill of the long-dead people who made all the delicate pottery and artefacts on display. 

Then as a final flourish, we will take a stroll along the impressive canal area and head to my favourite place in Birmingham, Del Villaggio, situated at the top of Broad Street. 

Fully authentic, with a menu which makes your mouth water as you read it, it's a favourite haunt of mine. 

The staff are so welcoming that every time I visit, I feel like I've come home. And the food is seriously good - the best Italian food I've ever had, in fact. And coming from a half-Italian woman, born and raised in Glasgow which is teeming with Italian eateries, that's no small accolade. 

But what fascinates me most about the place, is that it's kind-of a hidden gem. It's not rushed, and when I sit down to peruse the menu, I won't feel that I have to be out of my seat as soon as the final forkful leaves my mouth, as you do in some places. 

I will have as much time as I want to order, to savour my food and to enjoy a sneaky mid-day glass of wine, or even a cocktail [we will be travelling in on the train after all].

My daughter, will of course have her favourite dish - lasagne. I am undecided between the  Tagliolini Missoni Al Marinara - tagliolini in a garlicy sauce with prawns, mussels, squid and smoked salmon or the Penne with king prawn and chicken. There again, I might join my daughter and order lasagne... there's so much choice and since they're currently doing a special deal of buy one pasta or pizza and get another for £1, it won't break the bank.

If museums and art galleries aren't your thing, there are a million and one other places in Birmingham to take your children during the summer holidays. You could take a trip on a canal boat and sightsee, or visit the Thinktank or the library. You could hit the shops and even have a stroll through the busy market area which has remained unchanged since I first came to the area, over 30 years ago! 

You could visit the Cathedral which stands at the centre of town or the Jewellery Quarter which sits towards the back of the area, where diamond rings out the reach of my pocket, glitter enticingly under bright lights.   

Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure you'll have a great time. And who knows, maybe I'll see you at Del Villaggio's for a coffee or a spot of lunch. 

Happy Reading. 

Smashing!

Did you know that you can now get Split Decision on Smashwords?  

Yup, that's right, we've made it even easier for you to get your dose of good reading. 

So what're you waiting for? :)

In other news, I am still working on my newest play for theatre and also my latest screenplay for film, so I'm pretty busy. 

On top of that, there are several other projects awaiting my attention. 

So for now, work calls and I must bid you 'Adios' [yes I'm still learning Spanish and can even say "I'm hot," [as in sexy]. So what if it isn't factually true? A girl can dream, can't she? 

Happy reading. x

It's the summer holidays [almost]

Where are you going this year? Spain? Cyprus? Greece? Or are you holidaying at home? A staycation, as it's been coined. 

A few years ago a staycation would have been a poor choice. But this year? This year it seems like an excellent alternative to the charms of anywhere abroad. 

In fact, sitting looking out at my garden right now, and the dried up, shrivelled brown grass of what used to be my lawn, reminds me more of a holiday in Lanzarote than anywhere else. 

I'm not a great believer in the idea that the weather has to be blisteringly hot in order to have fun, but that said, sitting on the beach in a raincoat with its hood up against either driving rain, or gale-force winds, isn't going to appeal to many [if indeed anyone]. 

So I'm hoping for fair weather when I go to the beach to scatter my dad's ashes in the next few days. I want him to be lifted and carried by the wind, taken far out to sea and made at one with its great vastness, it's eternal swell and ebb. 

My dad had a particular fondness for the sea. As wild and untamed as he himself was, it brought out the very best in him. Again and again, like a lover, he would return to the same spot, the easy familiarity of known stretches of sand; the indomitable rocks which had been there since the beginning of time...

We sat on those rock and ate fish and chips; played beach tennis on the sand. 

Now, after the sprinkling of ashes, this place will hold other memories for me. And also for my children.  

It's true what they say about one life touching many. 

And in this time of bereavement, I can't help but wonder at the beauty of life in the midst of all its cruelty. 

So whatever you're doing today, remember one thing: Take nothing for granted. It will stand you in good stead. 

Happy reading. x

Do you want to see one of the things I'm working on?

Here is part of the theatre monologue I'm working on.

Taken in isolation it's a bit weird, but hopefully you'll see how it will all eventually come together.

                        He stands there in front of me and tells me that I’m not alone. That I’ll never be alone now. That I have no need to be alone, anymore.

                         And I actually don’t know what he’s telling me. Is it that he wants to be beside me? Or that he feels he ought to be?

                         Or perhaps that my aloneness is a subconscious desire on my own part to endure how things are without having to rely on others? That I chose it? Willingly. 

                        I’m confused. But I don’t blame him. Confusion is a part of me now. Like rain on a winter’s morning, it washes over me leaving no lasting effect, because it’s only what I’ve come to expect, after all.

                        But him? He’s new into this – raw and brave like a new recruit on the battlefield.

                        Not a war zone of bloodshed and righteousness – where one side believes in its cause unto death - but the battlefield of life, where there are no rights or wrongs; no surrenders; no victories. No banners held aloft on a crimson field. Just survival. 

                        Or not.  

Dark? Yup - unapologetically so, but it is mitigated somewhat by the comedy film I'm writing. 

So until my next post - happy reading!

I'm back!

I've written the first part of this blog three times, and erased it three times, so this is my fourth attempt. 

You'd be forgiven for thinking that because of the sort of novels and screenplays that I've written, emotions would be easy for me to deal with. But they're not. In fact, I am an exceptionally emotional person; even if I don't reflect it on the outside, I'm often screaming on the inside. 

Maybe it's not a bad thing then, that after my recent bereavement, I am returning to two very different projects. One is a comedy screenplay that I am writing and which would suit Simon Pegg and Nick Frost down to the ground; the other is a sharp and introspective monologue. 

The beauty of writing these in tandem, is that the comedy elevates me from the depths of despair, whilst the monologue allows me to voice and externalise that primal inner scream. 

My father's funeral was a strange affair. Filled with funny moments and memories, heart-breaking ones, and many which were both unique and special. I wish he could have been there to experience it. I think he would have approved. 

And as for my current projects? Well he would have loved the screenplay, and he would have understood the dark monologue, but he wouldn't have been comfortable with it. 

The monologue though is intended for quite a different audience. It will be a stand-alone piece of theatre, something that will be delivered to a live audience and will take their breath away with its power and its truth. 

But working on both together works for me. Isn't that the very nature of life after all? That sometimes we cry and then we laugh or vice versa? 

Life isn't simple. Why should my work be?

Until next time - happy reading!

Please excuse my absence from this blog but I have had a very recent bereavement. Thank you for your understanding. 

On July 2nd, 3pm you can catch my interview on the radio at WWW.radioplus.org.uk or 101.5FM.

I'll be discussing my love of film and why I am now writing movies as well as novels. 

Until then, happy reading! 

Hola!

I have always intended to learn Spanish but somehow failed to get round to it in the past. So, because I am totally rushed off my feet with work and therefore won't have time to fret about whether I'm doing well at the language or not, I decided to begin. 

I spent literally five minutes on an internet lesson, and armed with that scant knowledge, proceeded directly to a Spanish conversation practice. Glass of wine in hand, I regaled the class with my entire knowledge of the Spanish language which mostly comprised of ordering glasses of cava and thanking the person for the said glass of cava. ;)

The evening turned out to be rather a surprise for all concerned. Not least for the lady who runs it, as we discovered we had met previously, when she bought signed copies of my books at an event. 

The rest of the group were equally friendly and I enjoyed my first session and even came away with several new phrases and words. For example I can now say in Spanish, "I'm sorry, I'm Scottish and my Spanish is really bad, can you speak very slowly as if to an idiot, please?"

I'm not sure if I was apologising for being Scottish or for being bad at Spanish, or for being an idiot - either way I imagine I'll get a lot of use out of that handy phrase. 

So for now - Hasta Manana!

Is summer actually here?

So it looks like summer is actually upon us. My garden is looking gorgeous with flowers of every colour,

and I'm so glad I put all that effort into it last year. 

Gardening is not something that comes naturally to me. In fact quite the opposite. Normally I can actually kill plants by osmosis - just by association with them. But this batch seem impervious to my fumbled weeding and pruning...

Anyway the sun is beating down and instead of being out in the garden, I'm slaving away over a laptop. 

I'm so frantically busy that I have barely any time to call my own. But I'm loving every moment of it, I have to say. 

Watch out for the details of my radio interview, coming soon. 

Until then - happy reading! x

Old workaholic me!

At the moment I am working on a number of projects - books, films and documentaries.

I was asked yesterday how confused I got with all the different characters and plots that go on simultaneously in my head. The truth is that I'm not confused at all. All of the characters are so clear, so individually and precisely drawn, that there is no mistaking one for another. Likewise the plots are distinct, and each has not only it's own storyline, but it's own feel to how the narrative plays out.

Of particular interest at the moment is the screenplay which I am close to finishing. It's a real thriller and I think it will have viewers on the edge of their seats. Drawn from real life, there are characters you will love to hate, and ones you will empathise with.

I may not always like all of my characters but they are compelling and I hope that's what comes across to readers and viewers.

Here's what the latest reviewer of Split Decision had to say:

5 Stars
I went in not knowing what to expect, but boy was this an edge of your seat ride!!! It was one of those great ones you don't realize how great till the end! Carmen does a brilliant job with character building as well as keeping it intriguing till the end. Well done! - M. Krugel. [AMAZON.COM]

I need your help..

Those of you who read this blog regularly will know that I'm not one for talking about high-end politics. I have no in-depth knowledge of politics in any shape or form within my own country, let alone the rest of the world.

But what I do have is a good moral compass and I use this to navigate the path I tread. For that reason much of my writing [this blog included] seeks to examine the morals, loose or otherwise, and the values by which we live.

This has led to me writing  psychological thrillers, science fiction adventures and countless other genres of books and screenplays.

And yet, for all that, and all my seeming worldliness, I have recently been shocked on more than one occasion by what is happening in the world around me.

Did you know that in countries such as China, dogs and cats are burned alive by blowtorch? Yes you did read that correctly, ALIVE! They are held on a lead and torched from head to paw whilst they scream in agony.

How despicable and cowardly are these practises? I honestly can't believe that humans can be so barbaric and cruel.

If we don't fight to stop these atrocities there is no hope for humanity. We will exist as a species that closes its eyes to that which it does not want to acknowledge.

And I think most of us are better than that.

Join me in emailing the Chinese Embassy press_uk@mfa.gov.cn.

Your soul will thank you for it. And so will I.   

Goodbye to Tia

I have been avoiding this blog. Dreading the writing of it, for I know what it will be about.

I can only hope that it will be cathartic.

A couple of weeks ago, I had my beloved old dog put to sleep. Tia was 15 and a half, and had become increasingly frail over the preceding months, and the inevitable could no longer be delayed.

I'm writing this post with tears streaming down my face, such is the weight of my loss. And yet, the pain is almost nothing compared to how my soul would bleed on the times I saw her standing in the middle of the room, lost in some canine dementia, unaware of who I was, or how much she was loved. It broke my heart and still does.  

For more than two years, since her first stroke, I had told myself that the day of her demise was coming, that perhaps she wouldn't just pass away in her sleep, but that I'd be forced to make the terrible decision that all animal-lovers dread.


But still, every morning she would greet me with tail wagging, even though her cataracts must have made me look fuzzy to her. She had also grown progressively deaf during the last couple of years, and it pained me to think that she couldn't even take comfort in the familiarity of my voice in those last weeks and months.


And the parallels with her decline and that of my aged father have been most cruel. To see someone you love recoil from you in terror when you try to hold their hand... well the particular agony of that is almost indescribable.

So it was that I came to be saying goodbye to my faithful dog and packing up my father's house all in the space of two days. Honestly, I was broken. Utterly and completely bereft.

I shunned my friends - they didn't and still don't know what to say to me, how to help me. And in truth I'm not that sure I want to be helped.

Mine is a particularly strange scenario. Always more in tune with animals than with people, I have a natural affinity with them that isn't matched in my interactions with humans. Not that I don't like people, but to say they worry me, is probably the best description I could give to explain how I feel.

Animals don't worry me. They approach me with unsubtle abandon. Unknown cats in the street will sidle up to me, allow themselves to be picked up and petted and once put back down, will often walk some way with me on my path, before we part company. I have been called a witch in the past for this affinity, and maybe the name-callers weren't far wrong, for there is a certain other-worldliness to this easy familiarity. I'm aware that I give myself to animals, and that they reciprocate this affection in a way most people cannot comprehend.

And bizarre as this may sound to you, this is similar to the bond I share with my father. For he is not my natural father, but rather the man who chose to take me on as his own when he married my mother. Now, alone and divorced from her, he has continued to be my dad these long years. So the dementia which is slowly robbing him of the essence of who he is, is an exceptionally cruel cut. Sometimes he doesn't know that we chose each other to be family, just like me and Tia did.

If you are one of those people who will recoil at my putting my love for my dog and my love for my dad together in one sentence, as if the love for one should be so much greater than the love for the other, feel free to discontinue reading. There is space in my heart for both...

But there were feelings other than my own to consider too. My children had grown up with Tia in their lives and my other dog, Roxie had been adopted when Tia was already firmly established in the household. But they coped. Better than I did, actually.

I don't think I will ever forget the lightness of her in my arms in those final moments; of the limpness of her body as I carried her from the vets and back to the car, the poor, tired, emaciated feel of her...

But I will hold forever in my heart the joy of watching her as a young dog running across lush fields, of patting her and kissing her little velvety head;  the unique comfort she provided

me on those nights I had to bury my face in her fur and cry - for there have been many; of how she would lick my tears and somehow make me hold on until the morning.

For all those times and more - Tia Capuano, I salute you.  RIP until we meet again. xxx

What memories are made of...

When this memory came up in Facebook today, I was actually surprised. Because although it was only a year ago, it seems longer than that.

I wish I could tell you what’s going on in my life, but at this precise moment I’m unable to, and it’s driving me mad.

It's not that I can't keep a secret - I'm one of those people you can trust to take your soul's burden to the grave, if you need me to.

But I am in turns sad, elated, excited, worried and sometimes downright afraid. I have a handful of projects on the go at the moment, and each one brings forth not only one emotion, but a whole plethora of them, making sure I give the very best to it.

It's exhausting but oh so worthwhile. I promise I'll fill you in when I can.

Happy reading! 

StageWright's production of TWO

Taking on an intense play such as Jim Cartwright's TWO, was never going to be an easy option.

This play, which requires two actors to craft fourteen very different characters between them, is enormously demanding both emotionally and physically on the performers, not to mention necessitating great skill to pull it off.

Add to this the fact that actress Hannah Kilroy hadn't performed in a play before, and that this was also the debut production by a brand new, young and innovative director and theatre company - and what you're really asking for seems beyond the realms of possibility.

Yet that is exactly what StageWright Theatre Company did when I went to watch their production in The Victoria in Birmingham last night. In fact I would go as far as to say that their first ever staged production was nothing short of a run-away success.

Beautifully portrayed throughout, both Kilroy and her male counterpart, Chris Cooper, played each new character with startling insight and a fair dose of sensitivity. They were by turns, endearing, over-bearing, nauseating and funny. But above all they were credible - every word they uttered rang true.

As I writer myself, I understand the value of  realistic dialogue, but during a performance such as this, one can only hope that a good director will ensure that every last drop of meaning is wrung from every line. Tellwright delivered this in buckets, keeping her audience fully immersed and experiencing the full gamut of emotions.

Every ounce of comedy, every shred of stripped dignity, every fortuneless twist of fate suffered by these characters was laid bare before the audience's eyes. I didn't see a single person move their gaze from the riveting performance in front of them, so rapt was their attention.

But I must make a special mention about Kilroy. Her final portrayal of the 'Landlady' was nothing short of outstanding. Poignant and heart-rendingly real, I unashamedly cried, not only for how she had been emotionally abandoned since losing her child, but for all the unrealised what-ifs in her life.

From beginning to end this was a production that enthralled, captivated and entranced. And I have no doubt at all as to the professionalism and exceptional talent of all of those involved.

If you can, get tickets for the final night of this production. If you're lucky there may be some left. But I seriously doubt it.

And if you're wise, you'll note Laura Tellwright's name, and that of her company StageWright, because I think this young director is going places fast.

But don't just take my word for it. Go and see for yourself.

Do you know what they're saying about Split Decision?

Did you know that reprints of Split Decision have just been delivered in South Africa? 

Here they are in all their glory.

They are a little different to the British version and list my other books on the inside as well as giving a list of readers who have recommended the book.

If you haven't yet bought yourself or a loved one a copy, now is the time.

Happy Reading! x

Grand Re-opening of The Old Beams

The Old Beams in Stourport reopened on Saturday to a packed house.

Having been recently taken over by a new management team, this pub has a fabulous fusion of old and new, with a wealth of charm evident in every exposed beam. Tastefully decorated and furnished with quirky designer sofas, there are even more plans afoot to turn the place into THE place to go in Stourport.

More comfortable lounging areas are planned, and there are extensive plans for the outside area to host live music with the addition of an outside bar and dining area, allowing diners to make the most of those long summer evenings.

And to give clients just a taste of a delightful new, summery menu, mini-burgers were served on the evening, along with samples of crispy chicken, cheesy pizzas and dreamy desserts. All went down very well, along with the complimentary glass of prosecco.

So roll on summer! 

Roll-up for the mystery tour!

Yesterday was such an unexpectedly beautiful day, that my partner and I decided to change our plans and go on a mystery tour. With no real destination in mind, other than finding somewhere new to explore, we found ourselves in several little country villages and hamlets, before dropping into Knowle for a saunter around the churchyard and a leisurely cuppa.

We chose Elderberry Blacks Café for a drink for both of us, and a sausage and mushroom sandwich for my partner.

But what entranced me most about the place was it's quaintness and in particular the Hobbit-sized toilet.

Now I don't think I've ever written a post about a toilet before, but this one was quirky and unexpected - a bit like me!

With its tiny entrance carved into the framework of the building, the room boasted a log burner and a set of books, as well as the obligatory porcelain.

And it made me smile because I could just imagine Frodo Baggins rummaging around in there. [No cheap jokes about him looking for the ring please ;)...]

So here are the pictures, I hope they make you smile too!

A Celebrity Endorsement for Split Decision

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I have been honoured with a celebrity endorsement from the fabulous Jack Woodward, freelance commentator and reporter, with over 20 years' experience in radio, TV and football clubs.

Here's what he had to say:-

"I thought this was a compelling and enthralling read, from beginning to end. We've all had 'sliding doors' moments in our lives (though not many with quite such dramatic consequences I hope!), and the two parallel stories were superbly and sensitively told.

Lots of surprises, twists and turns along the way and excellent use of language to convey the emotions, also covering a range of issues, from friendship to family, loyalty to jealousy.

For the whole book to be based on a time period of less than 24 hours was a challenge but it worked well, written in such an intelligent way that flitting between the two narratives is in no way confusing for the reader, it actually helps build the suspense.

I'm one of those people who likes to read a couple of chapters a night but I just couldn't put this one down and had to keep going right through to the nail biting finale. Riveting and remarkable, this author really knows how to get you right on the edge of your seat.

In fact, reading Split Decision is the best decision you can make." Jack Woodward.

All hail the ale!

Just off the Stourbridge Ring Road, only a minute or two by foot from the main shopping area, lies Craddock’s Brewery.  Yesterday I paid it a visit.

Situated behind a quaint and cosy pub, this brewery defies all expectations, because for all its compact nature, it manages to supply the pub to which it’s attached, and three others owned by the company, with a constant supply of ale.

Now you know me, I don’t drink ale. But I had booked the brewery tour as a present for my partner, and so for that reason, plus the fact that I seldom turn down new experiences, I accompanied him.

To be truthful, I wasn’t expecting much. Our admission ticket included pie and mash at the end of the tour, and prior to the event I thought that would most likely be all I got out of the experience.

I was wrong.

The owner of the brewery, David Craddock, conducted the tour himself and proved to be witty, approachable and exceptionally knowledgeable, not just about the process of making good beer, but the history of it.

Along with the others in the tour I sniffed hops, tasted some of the ingredients used to flavour the drink and asked numerous questions. All were answered with ease and appreciation.

At the end of the tour came the sampling. Generous volumes of ale were handed out and I did take a sip of each one and even as a novice and proclaimed wine drinker, I had to admit that there were subtleties of flavour I hadn’t expected.

And I was particularly interested to learn that David plans to open a bar right in the heart of Birmingham, funded by Crowdfunding, where profits will go to charity. As a true believer in giving back to the community, I think it’s a great idea and wish him well.

So if you like ale, or you’re just looking for a novel day out, take the Craddock’s Brewery tour. Oh and by the way, the pie and mash was great too!

Special people and their winning ways.

I have spent the last two days in the company of some very special people and I have to say that I am humbled.

Whilst I can't tell you too much about any of them, as plans are afoot for me to work with each of them, in different ways, I will give you what I can.

Each of the three people has made their field their own, striven and fought to get to where they are - but none more than a lady I hope to call my newest friend.

Awarded an OBE for her services, she has possibly one of the finest brains I have ever met, wrapped up in a spirited, empathetic and warm personality. Between us, I hope we can tell her story to the world.

So please excuse me if I have been a little absent from this blog, but now you see part of the reason why, perhaps you'll excuse me.

I'll let you know more when I can. x

When your home life takes over...

We are now just over the 24 hour mark with no working boiler.

Yesterday was a living nightmare with water pouring out of the boiler, three shivering children and an aged dog on the brink of collapse. The corgi engineer actually said he couldn’t believe it when he saw it; that the flooding was the worst he’d ever seen.

Added to that, I have a terrible cold. The estimate is that it will be around 2 weeks before we can have a new boiler fitted.

The timing of this is strange and has almost transported me back through the decades. There’s a lot going on at the moment in my personal life (little of it good) but this intensity of cold has served to remind me of when I lived with my mum and dad up in Glasgow.

So I know we’ll survive. We’ll get through this. It isn’t the worst thing that’s ever happened to me, or that ever will happen.

Back then I knew things would get better.

And they will again, this time.