Blurb:
Two’s company…
If you asked Mollie whether she struggled as a single mum, she’d have to cover her daughter’s ears before answering. Surrounded by friends, watching Esme grow into the sassiest eleven-year-old in North London, and building her name as TV chef Mollie Makes, Mollie’s never been happier. Well, that’s what she’d tell you. But as her best friends pair off, and Esme starts getting into trouble at school, Mollie wonders whether life would be different – not better…but easier – with a team mate.
Three’s a crowd?
But Esme’s dad, Jamie, would be the last man Mollie would team up with. After all, he made it clear eleven years ago that he wasn’t interested in playing the family game. So when he suddenly reappears, Mollie can’t believe her eyes. And soon, she’s got to ask herself the hardest question yet: she knows she can succeed as a single mum. But what if her daughter doesn’t want her to?
What I’ve learnt from writing the House on Camden Square Series.
As Be My Baby is released into the world, it’s time to take a breather. At least, that’s what I thought. This is my eighth book in four years. There have been deadlines, stresses, excitement and a few too many celebratory bottles of prosecco.
But the more you write, the most you learn. And here is what I’ve learnt from writing this series:
* Try something new. I never thought I’d write a series. I don’t often read series, and I didn’t think I’d have the patience or attention to detail to write something that had crossing over perspectives or storylines or histories. But I loved it.
* Know your process. I panicked after I finished this book. I thought I’d never have a good idea again, never come up with anything. I was blank. And so I got on with reading, and breathing and living life. One day...I had an idea. A couple of weeks later, I wrote a few sentences. A week after that, I wrote two thousand words of something new I was passionate about.
* Be proud of your achievements. Sometimes you write something you’d love to read, something that makes you happy. Maybe it says something important to the world, or maybe it makes you snort attractively whilst you’re laughing. Whatever you do, be proud of it.
* Don’t sweat the bad reviews. Not everyone likes everything. We’ve all had something that’s not for us. Doesn’t make it bad, doesn’t mean it’s personal. You are not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. And that’s okay.
* Accept that you’re a liar. I’m a liar. And a thief. There are bits in my books that I haven’t even realised I’ve taken until someone mentions an anecdote they overheard, or uses a funny phrase in the office. Writers are magpies, always looking for the shiny words and sparkly ideas. And that’s okay, as long as you make it your own.
- Know when to say goodbye. Some characters have stories that could go on forever. Sometimes it’s right, sometimes it’s not. I feel like I could write the girls on Camden Square for years, watching the girls go about their lives and creating big dreams. And on the other hand, it’s time for new stories.
Links:
If you asked Mollie whether she struggled as a single mum, she’d have to cover her daughter’s ears before answering. Surrounded by friends, watching Esme grow into the sassiest eleven-year-old in North London, and building her name as TV chef Mollie Makes, Mollie’s never been happier. Well, that’s what she’d tell you. But as her best friends pair off, and Esme starts getting into trouble at school, Mollie wonders whether life would be different – not better…but easier – with a team mate.
Three’s a crowd?
But Esme’s dad, Jamie, would be the last man Mollie would team up with. After all, he made it clear eleven years ago that he wasn’t interested in playing the family game. So when he suddenly reappears, Mollie can’t believe her eyes. And soon, she’s got to ask herself the hardest question yet: she knows she can succeed as a single mum. But what if her daughter doesn’t want her to?
Guest Post:
What I’ve learnt from writing the House on Camden Square Series.
As Be My Baby is released into the world, it’s time to take a breather. At least, that’s what I thought. This is my eighth book in four years. There have been deadlines, stresses, excitement and a few too many celebratory bottles of prosecco.
But the more you write, the most you learn. And here is what I’ve learnt from writing this series:
* Try something new. I never thought I’d write a series. I don’t often read series, and I didn’t think I’d have the patience or attention to detail to write something that had crossing over perspectives or storylines or histories. But I loved it.
* Know your process. I panicked after I finished this book. I thought I’d never have a good idea again, never come up with anything. I was blank. And so I got on with reading, and breathing and living life. One day...I had an idea. A couple of weeks later, I wrote a few sentences. A week after that, I wrote two thousand words of something new I was passionate about.
* Be proud of your achievements. Sometimes you write something you’d love to read, something that makes you happy. Maybe it says something important to the world, or maybe it makes you snort attractively whilst you’re laughing. Whatever you do, be proud of it.
* Don’t sweat the bad reviews. Not everyone likes everything. We’ve all had something that’s not for us. Doesn’t make it bad, doesn’t mean it’s personal. You are not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. And that’s okay.
* Accept that you’re a liar. I’m a liar. And a thief. There are bits in my books that I haven’t even realised I’ve taken until someone mentions an anecdote they overheard, or uses a funny phrase in the office. Writers are magpies, always looking for the shiny words and sparkly ideas. And that’s okay, as long as you make it your own.
- Know when to say goodbye. Some characters have stories that could go on forever. Sometimes it’s right, sometimes it’s not. I feel like I could write the girls on Camden Square for years, watching the girls go about their lives and creating big dreams. And on the other hand, it’s time for new stories.
About A.L. Michael
A.L Michael is a writer and workshop leader from North London. She has a BA in Creative Writing with English Lit, an MA in Creative Entrepreneurship and is starting an MsC in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes. She likes learning and hates essays. She's a fan of cheap wine, expensive chocolate and still wants to be a secret agent when she grows up, but she'll settle for lying on the page.
Links:
Website: http://www.almichael.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/almichael_
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/A.L.Michael.writer/?fref=ts
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