Being a writer, a mum and a gran

Hello Lesley....my ambition in life was/is to write a book or short story and I rather like the idea of a local `broadsheet`type of thing however my greatest `hang-up` is confidence and I cannot ditch the idea that whatever I write someone else has already written it,so then I begin tothink of plagiaism.I know that you will think that these are just excuses not to write and to some degree you would be right I have written short stories during my employment in work hours and been told that I can make an interesting story so perhaps one day before my time runs out I may yet achieve my ambition.

Great, Lesley, Just started and jumped out to get touch of the outside world by breaking limitation of our own small world by using the internet, this is the first blog I read about the advice given from you, you books are on my list and I would like to read them soon, I am sure I'd like to rad more about your works. Thanks very much. '

Well Lesley you must really enjoy your writing thats all I can say because thats sound like you are trying the impossile. So as said you must be getting something good out of it.

I tried to juggle writing and other stuff but did not achieve it which is why I say you must really love it to make time for it. best wishes to you and your book

Thanks Cari

Hi Lesley, I follow you on twitter so you know by now that I love your books,can't wait to read this new one. Lovely having a beautician as a daughter everyone needs one of those. If you are on twitter follow Lesley she has a great sense of humour and has us all in stitches at the day to day things that happen around her.

Hello Lesley
This is the first time that I have ever contributed to a blog but your books give me such great pleasure. I am 82 and don't get out a great deal so I read to pass the day. I am at present in the middle of reading Till we meet again.
It sounds like you have a lovely family with some very useful skills. Enjoy!

Thank you for all the enjoyment I have had reading your books. I have read them all and look forward to reading the latest. I envy you having a daughter nurse as it must be wonderful to discuss all the little health niggles that seem to sneek up on us grans. I have always hankered after having a computer technician and car mechanic in the family. Also a few more grandchildren would be good - I have one 7 year old who I don't see too much since she started school.

I think books like yours are sorely needed! We need insite on others feelings.I myself remember when my son was little.I was so caught up in being a good mother I never stopped to think of the grandparents,my husbands parents,need to see their grandchild more than they did. I was immature at 22 and as I look back didn't think of others as much as I should.They were too kind to complain.

I too enjoy your books, and one that made a lasting impression on me was "Trust Me", about the children who were shipped off to Australia. There was a film about this on TV recently, "Oranges and Sunshine". My older grandchildren, who live locally, are 18 (and at university) and 15 now, and my two younger granddaughters , 5 and 3, live 60 miles away with a large family group nearby. So I'm not needed to look after them, but when I do see them all the time spent with them is precious.

I love your books and have read them all. My favourite was Remember Me. It shocked me to the core. I try to have a balance, looking after my granddaughter a couple of days a week. Now that she's nearly 13 months she's easier to care for, but I have to watch her like a hawk as she's into everything. We have another grandchild due any day. I love being a gran!

I love your books Lesley, they are always well researched and well written. I have had lots of historical insight by reading them too, especially the novels about Australia. I am a budding author myself and always feel that I need access to a PC. Why not treat yourself to a laptop to take to your daughters and then you can still write whilst you enjoy your "further away" Grandchildren. I know how you feel as my Grandson is 100 miles away and I would love him to be nearer, hopefully when he is a little older he will be able to come to stay more often at his Grandmas if she cant go to him. Thank you for your marvellous stories xxx

Dear Lesley

Thank you for giving an insight into just how much hard work it is to be a successful writer and how you and your daughters support each other.

I enjoyed getting on to your website and thinking about your advice:

'need...some natural talent to start with, you also will have to be prepared to train. I mean by this working at it. Writing and rewriting until it is pleasing, not just to you, but for others. Ok it might not be physically demanding to write, but you have to put long hours in, without much encouragement from anyone. You need passion, and you must be able to cope with criticism and disappointment. It’s a long old haul, and very often a lonely one. '

I am hoping to write my memoires for my grandchildren. I was caring for my mother aged 100 until she died last year so I am now trying to get reorganised and deal with all the family business. I have a little notebook and have started folders for topics and will attend a writing course in August after which I hope to make a regular commitment to getting on with the book!!!

It was great to read your blogg.

Thank you

I don't know how you fit it all in Lesley (cleaning windows - ugh!! )I should imagine it must be very difficult to tear yourself away from your writing though if you get really absorbed in it.I'm like that when reading books.The housework can wait is my motto but I do have to limit myself to a chapter or two.It's sometimes good to have grandchildren to pick up and sort out to focus the mind.

Nice to read you are like the rest of us Lesley !

A mothers place is in the wrong! The daughters will get their turn at being grannies eventually. I found it best to have advice ready when asked for and not until. I am happy to help out and babysit whenever possible but not afraid to say no when it is not convenient for me.

Wow Lesley you really do have a varied and busy life. I'm very envious of the free beauty treatments. I often think I have got it in me to wite a book but now that you say it's not all about long lunches and relaxing with a box of Dairy Milk maybe I will put it off until next year
My grandson went off to school in September, I pretty much looked after him full time whilst my daughter went to work. Just as I think I have a little time to myself she has announced a baby is due in August, not that I'm complaining
it will be great to do it all over again. Funny though isn't it? after all that they still think they know more than us on the child rearing front, so paint on a smile deep breath and keep it zipped Nan!

PS good job we all get on very well and have a good sense of humour!!!!

Reminded me of my xDIL . When her first baby was born wouldn't let us take her out for a while in the pram. That was in case we put the pram into the road first whilst waiting to cross!!!!
Now we have had the two children full time for 3 1/2 years while she builds a career. So perhaps that vindicates our child rearing skills.

Sounds to me as if you've got it 'sorted' Lesley! A bit of grannying, but not too much; writing when it suits, visiting the daughters who are not too far away, free beauty treatment and NHS counselling when required, all in all the life of Riley! I rather think you are like the rest of us on GN and have to cook the dinner, walk the dog, clean the loo, shop in Tesco, weed the garden, fend off the outlaws.......... On 'normal' days, do you shut yourself away at any set time and write until you have completed a chapter or does it come in fits and starts?