My Life as a writer - When I'm not scribbling

I love theatre, have done all my life.  There's something so intense and intimate about sitting so close to the performance, embraced by it but on the periphery not an intimate part but a part of the collective with an impact on the performance. It's not always possible to get to the theatre to see the performance you want, I don't live in London so travelling there to see a show is not always possible.  So when I heard that National Theatre were doing a live feed of Kenneth Branagh's Romeo and Juliet I ensured I got my tickets quick smart. Not only do I love seeing Shakespeare performed - that's what it was written for after all, but I'm a fan of Kenneth Branagh.  I loved and studied his Henry V and have enjoyed his work throughout my child hood and more recently in films like The Boat that Rocked. The cast for this production is also a major draw; Juliet Lilly James has been growing as an actress and wowing audiences since playing Lady Rose in Do

I love movies, I mean I really love movies from the script to screen I love everything about the process and the final outcome.  I studied media at university and concentrated on the history of film and theatre. I've always loved movies ever since I can remember, I would spend my weekends watching old hollywood movies staring Bing Crosby, Danny Kayne, Frank Sinatra and Doris Day with my Grandparents.  I would watch 80's blockbusters with my family, horror films with my mam, and  teen slasher flicks with my brother.   I always had my favourites films I would watch over and over again and I think it's partly my love of films which influence the way I write. When I write I see movies in my mind, I have the actors picked out the locations, the camera shots the whole deal and I think it's because I grew up watching some of the most amazing movies of our time. I took a little walk down memory lane this week, I was in the mood for something good, something that would rem

It’s almost Halloween, it’s the time of year the nights draw in, the cosy jumpers work their way back in to your closet and it’s time for those films that make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.   The films that make you look over your shoulder and wonder if someone is lurking in the shadows.    So with all the feelings of what the coming darkness brings I ventured out to see the well hyped Crimson Peak. How could it go wrong? A perfect movie for Halloween if you believe the trailer, ghosts, creaking old mansions, red blood like clay, a harrowed heroine and elegant but sinister leading man.   Unfortunately, that was were the tension and expectation peaked. Initially I thought Del-Toro was on to a winter, a haunted house piece with a great cast and from the initial images and trailers an impressive set.    However, within the first ten minutes the film went downhill rapidly until it crashed and burned to an obvious end. The story follows Edith Cushing, eve

In an attempt to economise my beauty regime, I started looking for a lower price bracket brand which would still give me great looking skin, be organically based, but go easier on my wallet.   I am someone who reads reviews and listens to recommendations and I do have an unhealthy obsession with Pinterest and Youtube, they are great distractions but can also be extremely inspiring.   It was on one of my early evening trawls through YouTube which often help me relax and clear my mind while writing, that I came across a vlog about  hair care routine for growing out your hair, now I know I’m really talking about skin care but there’s a connection I promise.   So I was watching this video and  the product being discussed was from a brand called Andalou Naturals.  Now I dye my hair, I’m naturally very dark but prefer a lighter look, so I’m always battling to keep my hair in good condition despite the colour processes and my love of using hair tongs.   Intrigued by the recomme