I started this blog as a place to offer advice to parents. The internet is full of judgement and I wanted to create a space to let mothers and fathers know they were doing OK. My motivation was mainly sparing my friends from my unsolicited opinions but also, with over a decade working with families, I knew I had learned a lot. Over the past few years, I’ve ended a marriage, thrown myself into the dating world and learned a lot about love. I have many, many thoughts on love. So many thoughts that I wrote a book about it.
My novel, The Reinvention of Martha Ross, was published by
Transworld last month and charts the messy weeks after Martha ends her
marriage. Martha decides to look for love and creates a ten-point list of the
qualities she wants in her ideal man, so I thought I’d share ten reasons
why you might want to read her story.
1. Martha’s list was inspired by my own. Encouraged
by my friend and love guru Nina, I put my romance goals on paper before I re-entered the dark waters of the dating pool. A little of my list made its way on to Martha’s
but exactly what, I’ll never tell.
2. The story is set in Brighton, a beautiful place
to fall in love. Also, a great place to get drunk and make a show of yourself –
there’s a lot of that in there too.
3. Martha’s life becomes pretty chaotic and many of
the scenes were inspired by true events. One of Martha’s mishaps is borrowed directly
from my life and it was as awkward as it reads.
4. My journey as an author began when I applied for
Penguin Random House's WriteNow scheme, a process designed to promote the writing of
underrepresented writers. The project created an online fracas when Lionel Shriver implied that diversity could lead to a decrease in quality – I’ll let
you be the judge.
6. The book is dedicated to my ex-husband who was
super supportive about the fact that I was writing a novel about a divorce.
That being said he has no plans to read it.
8. The first version of the book didn’t include
the final chapter and it’s totally cool if you want to stop there.
9. Bestselling author Jane Fallon described the book as one of the best and funniest debuts she’s read in a long time and Sara Lawrence for the Daily Mail described it as beautifully written and emotionally intelligent.
9. Bestselling author Jane Fallon described the book as one of the best and funniest debuts she’s read in a long time and Sara Lawrence for the Daily Mail described it as beautifully written and emotionally intelligent.
If you’ve got this far and you think you might like to read
Martha’s story, this is your opportunity to win a signed copy; it’s also my opportunity
to spout more of my thoughts on love. To enter, leave a question about love or
relationships in the comments. Two winners will be chosen in two weeks. Your question can be about breaking up or making up, dating
or divorce; make it personal or philosophical – there are no rules when it comes to love.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Honesty is always My policy - how can you get someone to open up
ReplyDeleteRelationships must have trust and communication.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on publishing your novel. They said years ago in English class to write what you know - your work is a perfect example of that! #MMBC
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to fall in love more than once?
ReplyDelete#MMBC
Your book sounds wonderful. I wonder which parts are true? Do you think friendship or love should be the priority in a relationship?
ReplyDeleteThey are never straightforward! Thanks for running this comp and congratulatons on your book
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the novel. Hope it does well #DramTeam
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the novel.
ReplyDeleteHow to you keep the romance alive in a relationship when you have 2 kids and little time?
How can you get your partner to communicate more?
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to have a novel published, congrats! My comment on love would be that in order to feel well loved, you need to love well. #coolmumclub
ReplyDeleteOh wow how amazing! I would LOVE to win and read a copy...everything crossed!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to #CoolMumClub
Congratulations on your novel! I'd like tips to keep your relationship alive too. #POCOLO
ReplyDeleteGood job on your novel. Well done you! #POCOLO
ReplyDeleteTracy www.viewfromthebeachchair.com
Congrats on getting the novel published. Very nice. #PoCoLo
ReplyDeleteI've just discovered your blog! Congrats on the release of your novel! It sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like my type of book! Congratulations on your novel! For me, personally, there's a little gap in the market for something funny, charming, witty and sensitive. So I'm really looking forward to giving this a read. What exciting times. Thank you for joining us for the #DreamTeam linky - my question would be: do you really think that opposite types attract, for the long haul?
ReplyDeleteHow exciting and good for you! I don't know how you found the time! #MMBC
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great read full of emotions and down to earth truths - plenty of answers for me
ReplyDeleteDo you believe that everyone as a soulmate
ReplyDeleteHow do you truly know you are with your one true love x
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the book and for sharing with #PoCoLo.
ReplyDelete- Do all relationships have a best before date?
Congratulations!!!! 💗 💗 💗. Love us blind.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the book. Love is so much more than s*x! xx
ReplyDeleteIs anything before the relationship that brings the most love you've ever felt, real love at all? (Also congrats on the book, I've been stalking your Insta and saw it was released. If I do't win then it's going on my Christmas list,I've enjoyed your blog since I first found it. xx
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. Where is the best place to find a new partner? I'm coming up to 40 and back on the market but it's so hard to find genuine people x
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the publication of your novel! I am extremely lucky in that my husband and I have been together for a long time, and are still soul-mates. We are still best friends, have lots of laughter, fun and the most important thing is honesty.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great read full of emotions and truth and hopefully plenty of answers for me and my husband 😛
ReplyDeleteOoh err :D
DeleteCommunication is key in a relationship and having interests outside of a marriage so you can come back together to discuss. Oh and an early bed time for a little one so you actually get some adult time together! :-)
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else find themselves wondering why a partner cheats and then blaming themselves? The last FOUR bf's I've had all cheated and I am now wondering if it's my fault.
ReplyDeleteHow can you trust a man when you have had horrible previous relationships? (Ruth Wollerton)
ReplyDeleteCongrats! How can you tell when it's time to give up on a relationship?
ReplyDeleteIve always said without honesty you have nothing - but sometimes you think someone is being honest with you then after years you find out you never knew them at all.
ReplyDeleteScary but true!
DeleteCommunication is the key x
ReplyDeleteCommunication
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else ever get confused at how you can see people "completely in love" like a month after breaking up with someone? Can't have been "completely in love" before?
ReplyDeleteThis book looks super! I think the key to a long lasting relationship is humour and having fun (Commenting as Jacqui Rushton)
ReplyDeleteOooh how exciting hun! Sounds like a great book - good luck with it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to #pocolo
Wow how exciting, you wrote a book and have your name on the cover, you must feel amazing, especially to get such good reviews! A very belated #bigpinklink comment sorry!
ReplyDeleteAccording to reports of survey, it is confirmed now that three out of every four student seek online assignment help from professionals in Australia. It also indicate that students who avail assignment help for their assignment or homework from professionals improve their grade by 20% than those students, who do not take any help.
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