Lucy Ashford

There's a poem I can't get out of my head at present - it's 'Dover Beach' by Matthew Arnold. This is how it ends:
'We are here as on a darkling plain,
Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight,
Where ignorant armies clash by night.'
Written in 1867, but sadly still so apt.

I never realised these hats were so useful for draining off the rain! (Maybe we should bring them into fashion) 😀

Great idea. There's still a lot of love and hope out there, and we mustn't forget it - otherwise we truly are lost.

Thanks for bringing some us some fun in these difficult times.
I always adored the stories of King Arthur, and I think his knights would have had a good laugh at this 😃⚔️

Congratulations! Good luck with your book 👍👏

That could be me. Nearly fell off my chair the other day when I nodded off. Love your words - keep writing ✍️😉

Yes, I love it when a new book comes out! (My next one is due in June.) Enjoy yourself!

Some historical thrillers I've written in the past, as Elizabeth Redfern (Be warned!They're dark!)
#writing #writer #historical #thrillers #author

I buy books I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy - and borrow the ones I'm taking a gamble on! At least in the UK we authors get PLR, which is useful. Good luck with your book 👍 ✍️

Many congratulations! This scholarship sounds great. Older women writers have great stories to tell - but publishers (and reviewers too) love to 'discover' young ones - better for photos, no doubt! 😒📝

Looks a fascinating book. Hope you find loads of good info in it!

Thank you. I'm hoping desperately that my agent likes it. (I see you're a Forest fan too?! ☹️)

I've just spotted you here on Bluesky, Heba - great cover. I've written a few books for M&B Historicals myself, and I'm so sorry to hear they're closing down. I wish you all the very best with other publishers ❤️ 📝

I've written historical thrillers, historical romance, and I'm trying historical 'cosy crime' now for a change! Yes, fantasy is big - good luck if you have a go.

I hate having to do cuts! It really hurts. Whatever the required word count, I always exceed it. (I guess I spend too long on the first part of the book, imagining that this time, I'll get it right ☹️)

Good luck - it's a really tough time out there for writers. I've been at it for some time now, and I've switched genres from time to time (though my agent has stuck with me and offered advice, thank goodness)

Funny, me too. My degree (long ago) was in English lit, and I've devoured no end of novels of all genres since then. But you have reminded me: i truly must read it 📖

I don't understand either how AI can create writing of true worth. But I've just had several novels stolen by Anthropic, so could you call me bitter and twisted? The answer is - YES😠👊

Huge congrats - I hope your editor likes it. I've just sent a completed ms into my agent and because it's a new genre for me, I'm nervous, and also tired out! (Those final revisions are always a killer) 📝 Good luck to both of us

So true. I remember once attending a talk by Bernard Cornwell. Some poor innocent asked him how he coped with writer's block - Bernard's reply was similar to yours, but considerably harsher! 😐

Like it! 😀

;The luck you work hard for' - so true! For every book I've had published, I leave a trail of many, many discarded pages (all recycled, though, one way and another) 📝🗑️

Excellent advice. Writing can be exhausting as well as rewarding.

I've just sent my latest historical ms to my lovely agent - and I'm doing a bit of painting while waiting for 'the verdict'. Trouble is, I find that painting can be just as strenuous as writing... 😮‍💨🧑‍🎨📝 #historical #Regency #painting #writing

beautiful watercolours 🎨

Amazing! Love your 'loose' style and use of colour 🎨👍

Love your posts! A tonic for me after yesterday, when I had to spend two hours with a book group who find J.A.'s novels 'boring' 🙄

Beautiful. I've tried oil pastels, found them really tricky. But you make it look easy

Beautiful image

I've been a writer for a long time, but there's always something new to learn!