Fi Phillips

Spring starts this month (20th March in the UK) but there are already daffodils and crocuses in the garden, and birds chasing each other around in an amorous fashion. I like spring. Seeing the buds on the trees and petals poking through the earth makes the world seem a happier place to live in. With the milder winters in the UK, I'm not sure if any of our animals hibernate anymore, but spring always feels like the land (and my motivation) is waking up. Writing Not a great deal to report here except that I'm getting on with what I was doing in February. I initially had a plotline for the whole trilogy but after making so many changes to novel 1, I had to rethink the entire story arc. I discussed part of the process of doing this in Cut, Paste, File Away and now I'm dipping back into novel 1 to make sure all the clues needed for the big reveal at the end of book 3 are in place. Literary Agents I'm still waiting on hearing from a couple of agents. The latest ...

I've never blogged on here about Mother's Day. I've mentioned my own mum on her birthday each year because in my eyes she deserves to be celebrated for the wonderful, often infuriating, always loving individual she was. Mothers Day, by comparison, can seem a little generic and exclusive too. I know of so many woman who are not biological mothers and yet are incredibly supportive and caring to those they know. Who celebrates them? Today I will be spoilt by my husband and children but I'll also be thinking about the women who have touched my life who haven't been mothers themselves and yet have made a difference. Some are still with us. Others are not. Auntie Betty - cantankerous, naughty, got through three husbands. My godmother, Kath - 86 years old, still living in the house she was born in, never married. Despite her health not being good, she's always laughing and joking. Her hips don't work as well as they did but she still enjoys a dance. J...

Another Mothering Sunday has come around. My husband and children are making it a lovely day for me - lie-in, breakfast in bed (made by the children), cards (also made by the children) and chocolates. I got all the housework and chores done yesterday so today I can relax. A disadvantage of having this downtime though is that it gives me time to think and the more I think, the more I remember that my Mum isn't here. Maybe good times are always tinged by sadness. Maybe that is what makes them so important. So today I'll not only enjoy the day for my own sake but I'll also remember the times I had with my mum too. Happy Mother's Day to all the mums, those still with us and those we have lost. You all have a place in our hearts.