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HomeArticlesAdvice on Non-Fiction SARAH RAYNER MEDIUM RES – 1816 – R

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LATEST NEWS

Writing workshops in my Brighton home – The half-day creative writing workshop has garnered 5* reviews on AirBnB from every one who has attended so far. Read more…
A new small press, Creative Pumpkin Publishing for non-fiction – CPP will take Sarah’s self-published books to a wider readership, and publish books by other authors under the same imprint …read more
The story of Making Friends with Anxiety – It’s not a long book, or particularly fancy. The subject matter is hardly glamorous. Yet it’s Sarah’s second-bestselling book. Discover why … read more
One Moment wins Silver Bestseller Award – With UK sales of over 250,000, One Moment, One Morning is officially one of the 21st century’s bestselling books, and was awarded Silver at the Specsavers/Nielsen ceremony last month …read more
Introducing Making Peace with Depression – A warm and wise companion for sufferers of depression, co-written by bestselling author Kate Harrison and Dr Patrick Fitzgerald …read more
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Today I went to Wickwoods, the ‘country club and
Today I went to Wickwoods, the ‘country club and spa’ of which I’m a member for the first time since October. They’re opening properly on April 12 but have been allowing customers into the outdoor pool and jacuzzi as of this week. Getting a slot has been IMPOSSIBLE, however, and last night I phoned the club to bleat I’d been on the booking system like a hawk and was miffed, as being able to use the pool was why I resumed paying my fee when given the opportunity. My call worked (their service is excellent, I’ll give them that) and this morning I was woken by their call. There was a cancellation ‘but it’s a bit short notice’, says the receptionist. Here I’ll add not only was I was in bed, but that the venue is seven miles away. ‘How short?’ says I. ‘It’s at 9,’ says she. I looked at the clock. It was 8:30. ‘I don’t think I can make that,’ I wailed. ‘I’m in Brighton,’ (most of their clientele comes from closer by). But then... I thought of that warm pool, that bubbling jacuzzi, and the fact due to government regs I’d be one of two or three people there. ‘What the hell, I’ll take it,’ I said, and threw back the duvet. I ended up arriving at 9:15, but it was worth the rush. And as I was driving over the downs to get there, I thought, up to a point, it’s about what a person chooses to spend their money on, isn’t it? Wickwoods is way too expensive for my husband to think worth the dosh, and I take his point: the pandemic has hit us hard financially, as it has for many of us. Nonetheless I think £90 per month is STILL worth it. ‘I’d rather wear 10-year-old M&S knickers,’ I explained recently, ‘than forego my membership’. So that, my Insta friends, is my rationale, in a blooming huge nutshell. I’m curious to hear if anyone else spends on posh things (good wine, lovely lippy, say) yet cuts back on others?

Woke at what my old boss @brendaknightdesign alway
Woke at what my old boss @brendaknightdesign always used to call ‘the crack of sparrow’s fart’ today, so decided to hotfoot it to the seafront to catch sun-up. There I set myself the challenge of trying to get some shots of the West Pier that were different to the zillions I’ve taken before. It was cold so my fingers made this a mere five minute project, but such is life, and it was a darn sight better for my mood than listening to the Today programme.

Quick, quick before he sees what I’m doing…. L
Quick, quick before he sees what I’m doing.... Laydees and gents, I present a pre post-lockdown-haircut Seb; replete with natural curls that have not been seen since I married his dad in 2013. Would Marc Bolan have been a success with a flattop I ask you? Any yet... ‘I’ve a haircut booked for 9am Monday,’ he’s declared gruffly, allowing those of us who love his natural locks a few days to relish his crowning glory almost exactly as it was when I drew him a decade ago, before it’s smart and shorn once more.

Shiny! Just have to share a post T-cut and TLC pic
Shiny! Just have to share a post T-cut and TLC pic of my MX-5. Micky from round the corner gets 5 gold stars from me, he’s done the rusted wheel arches and everything, bless him.

#tbt The delight of being sent of a long-lost phot
#tbt The delight of being sent of a long-lost photo - thank you @lewescuffy. 🙂 - me 'n my mate @rossyg603 camping in France in 1981. It goes way back, I notice, the inability to dress appropriately for great outdoors. I believe it’s your pic @instacolinhilton, merci beaucoup. X

I’m spending today with my mum, more conscious t
I’m spending today with my mum, more conscious than ever I’m lucky to have her, but also of her increasing fragility. Many have lost their mums this year, others will never be mums, some mums have lost their daughters. My husband gave me flowers yesterday - I never get them on Mother’s Day and I thought that was lovely. This pandemic has hit women hard: we don’t need research to verify that - it’s evident everywhere. And I can’t send flowers to all those women who won’t get them, but I can suggest we pamper ourselves today. A glass of sherry with lunch, a pedicure in front of an afternoon movie, a long walk on a blowy hilltop. Whatever rocks your world, do it and relish it.

2020 and 1980, that's me, travelling the same time
2020 and 1980, that's me, travelling the same timeline as the characters in my new novel, and I have *just* emailed the final draft to my agent. To focus on writing in a pandemic has been both a blessing and a curse, and throughout the process the support of my agent, friends and fellow authors has been crucial, so thank you to all who gave input. I think it's one of the best things I've written, but it's impossible to judge one's own work, and I don't want to spoil the plot for future readers by giving more away. Please send positive vibes and pray it finds a lovely publisher. #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstragram #ilovebrighton #madeinbrighton #igersbrighton #brightonandhove #novelist #me #instagood #smile #fashion #tbt #selfie #makeup #jobdone #iamediting #nowandthen #lifeiswhatyoumakeit #teenager #novelista #1980s #novel #wishfulfilment

'The tide is high,' to purloin Blondie. Wind blowi
'The tide is high,' to purloin Blondie. Wind blowing and waves crashing on the seafront this morning, just what was needed to blow away the cobwebs before the last session of editing The New Novel, which goes off to my agent tomorrow. Have to thank the husband, who notes things like high tides, and drags me out when I'm too 'in my head' to be aware of nature calling.


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