Clear out your head… physically and digitally!

I had a Stress recently. A Stress here meaning: I burst into tears trying to fit a short phone call appointment into a day that already had, like, three things happening in it. This may seem a bit dramatic, but actually things had been building up for some time. Fortunately I receive counselling every week, and can unload a substantial amount of Head Mess in that hour, but I still need some pressure taken off here and there. 

So here are some simple, quick tips on how to do that, if you’re like me, and do a Stress now and again… 

(Photo: Erin Veness)

'The Great Gatsby' experience; a review.

I’ve finally cracked it, folks. I have found the perfect solution for the Sunday eve pre-working week woes. You simply need a night of brilliant, twenties-themed immersive theatre! You’re welcome. 

Yes, on Sunday 10^th of March the fabulous Stevie Finegan and I were plunged into the super glam and glittery world of Gatsby, with help from Guild of Misrule and From the Box Office! 

(photo from Stevie)

How, What, Where and When; Lauren James, on 'The Quiet at the End of the World'.

I don’t get soppy that often (hehehe) but nearly every day I take a moment to be truly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had in the past few years, in the book world. I know for a fact that Young Me who read Eva Ibbotson, Hilary McKay and Lemony Snicket novels, not so subtly tucked into her Science textbooks at school, would be properly gobsmacked at what I get to do now – and she’d fangirl over many if not all of my blogger and author pals, too. 

Speaking of Young Me, I know for a fact she’d love this particular author I have been lucky enough to interview for this brand new series. I don’t have favourites, obvs, but this brilliant woman has got to be up there with the very best. 

Lauren James is a UKYA science fiction/romance/coming of age/all of the above writer; she also blogs, edits and coaches aspiring writers. I am so excited to have her as my very first guest on How, What, Where and When, talking about her latest novel with the babes at Walker Books – ‘The Quiet at the End of the World’!

What I watched; sex, stalkers, Sunny.

So you all know my long running series Recent Reads, yes? Well, here’s a TV version of that! Original, I know. Anyway, let’s crack on with my latest recs – and non-recs… 

Harv, loving 'Sex Education'.

An old home.

It’s always different, when I go back to my old home. And I don’t just mean the changes to the high street – clothes store turned fancy restaurant here, yet another hipster cafe there, shiny automatic doors installed in the ancient shopping centre – I mean the way it makes me feel every time I return. Yes, sometimes I do swallow a lump in my throat seeing an old favourite shop is no longer there, but more often than not I don't care. I can feel a distinct excitement when I browse in a certain bookshop, but then other times it's just another branch.

I can always count on certain things, though. Walking through the town's monthly vintage market still makes me smile. Peeking into the cinema bar gives me a smack of nostalgia. And I think walking down the path towards the cathedral, looking up at that beautiful building I sat with when I was sad, explored with family and friends, took countless photos of and eventually got to graduate in, will always make me tearful.

'Come From Away'; a review.

On Tuesday 5^th of February, I was lucky enough to be able to see ‘Come From Away’, a brilliant new musical that’s just landed in London! 

This show tells the story of the people flying over America on the 11^th of September 2001, who had their journeys drastically derailed and ended up landing somewhere very unexpected... 

'How are you?'

I'm fine. 

That's what you say, isn't it? Well, what if I actually answered your question honestly? We'd be here a while. You might need to grab a cuppa. Ready? Here we go... 


I'm restless. 

My 2019 is going to be big. I can feel it. I've made my little resolutions, started scribbling in my new diary, put the changes in motion; I'm letting myself get excited, and hope. 

(Photo: Erin Veness)

I’m impatient. 

My face is still ‘in progress’; it’s healed infinite amounts since my surgery in September, and yet I’m still far from satisfied. I’m self-conscious, I’m sad, and I’m swollen. Every day I’m checking in the mirror, frowning at myself, actually willing wrinkles to appear and dying to see any kind of change. I’m told to wait at least six months. I cannot accept that that’s not now. People tell me they don’t notice, and really, that hurts to hear when it’s not prefaced with a ‘I know you’re not happy/this won’t help’. Because it makes me feel I’m making a fuss over nothing. 

Stub out your smoking habit. *