Notes from the Writing Desk...
Two weeks to go!
Well, we’re at that time of year again. Those final days when it feels as if there are hundred million things I should be doing, except I have no idea what they are - I know, that there’s lots done, but it’s that age old feeling, when is enough, enough!
There’s a book written and now sitting on my editors desk which she will hopefully like as much as I do and if she does, it will be full steam ahead for 2026. There’s a whole lot of preparatory work completed for publicity to ease The Women At Ocean’s End out into the world. And, oh, yes, it’s just two weeks away from publication day!
How on earth did that happen?
Two Weeks!
So, who are the WOMEN at Ocean’s End?
Today, I thought I’d share that with you…
The Women at Ocean’s End was going to be a story about just three women – Constance, Heather and Ros. It was these three who were meant to be front and centre, I knew exactly who they were, what they needed and how they fitted together.
But, there was also a fourth woman.
A woman whose life had impacted in such a huge way on both Constance and Heather – it made them into the women they are in the story. In the first draft of the novel, I had kept Dotty Wren very much in the shadows. I assumed the reader would glimpse her through the impact she had on her best friend and her daughter. It turned out that Dotty was not a woman content to stand in the corner! The Women at Oceans End, is therefore the story of four women – it spans across a number of decades because although Constance and Dotty are eventually estranged, it is their childhood relationship that ultimately propels so much of the action in the book.
Constance, in her ninth decade is looking back on a life that was filled with love, hope, tragedy and regret in almost equal measure. Heather, newly divorced, her London-based business sold; arrives on the island to fulfil her mother’s wish to be buried where she spent her happiest times. Ros, rootless and drifting, has finally found a place that feels like home, except that just as she’s made connections, it turns out that the thing that anchors her to Pin Hill is being taken from her.
It is up to Constance, Heather and Ros to help each other and maybe in the process find their own peace and happiness. I loved writing about all of the women, but especially about Constance, because we glimpse her as a girl, a young woman and later, reflecting on all that she has seen and done. There were so many times across the story of her life, when I wanted to put my arms around her and even as she grew older, there was that blend of vulnerability and strength that we all possess, but few of us ever show to the world.
Photo is courtesy of my son, Seán, who says, yes, the water is every bit as cold as it looked! Should I mention that there are one or two other characters that I fell in love with along the way…
Here in Ireland, Easons have the book available to pre-order from their website at a special on-line price. Of course, it’ll be in your local bookshop on Thursday week (June 5th) I can’t wait to get this book into readers hands - I hope it’s exactly the escape you were looking for this summer!
Back soon with more news about what’s coming up for summer among other things.
Of course, feel free to share this email if you can think of someone who’d enjoy it!