A very British Blog Tour- 2013

Welcome to A VERY BRITISH BLOG TOUR 2013 – a collection of blogs, books and authors who are surprisingly very British.

Author Paul Anthony http://paulanthonys.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/a-very-britsh-blog.html began the tour with the help of Clive Eaton http://www.cliveeaton.com/averybritishblogtour2013.html and they have invited me, and a hand-picked group of British authors, to take part in ‘A Very British Blog’ by visiting and supporting the websites of authors involved in the tour, and who are dedicated to turning out some of the finest books available in Britain today. Each author, has been asked the same questions, but their answers will obviously all be different.

A Very British Blog Tour 2013.

It began as follows; We British have certain conventions, traditions and procedures that are expected. There is a dress code in the reading of this British blog and you are expected to comply with it. For example… Gentlemen will wear suits, white shirts and dark ties (military ties are expected where possible). Ladies will wear dresses (one inch above the knee, no higher, no lower) and floral summer hats. A break for tea and cucumber sandwiches is expected at some stage, and is permissible. The list at the bottom of the page is not a queue! We British hate queues, and will accept them no longer. It is an invitation, and you are expected to accept that invitation and support the home-grown product. Now then, let us proceed in an orderly fashion. As you know, we are all very boring and staid in Britain, aren’t we? Well, there’s a myth about the British and your starter for ten is stuffy, class conscious, boring, staid! But is this still relevant in today’s world? Let’s find out from our wonderful writers what they feel about it.

I’d like to thank Rachel Amphlett who is my host for the tour, please check out her answers to the tour http://www.rachelamphlett.com/blog.html

The Very British Blog Tour Questions;

Q. Where were you born and where do you live now?

I was born in Hampshire and still live in Hampshire, it’s a lovely county.

Q. Have you always lived and worked in Britain or are you based elsewhere at the moment?

Yes I’ve always lived and worked in Britain. I’m a true Brit!

Q. Which is your favourite part of Britain?

I love the county of Dorset with it beaches, rural villages and Jurassic coastline.

Q. Have you “highlighted”, or “showcased”, any particular part of Britain in your books? For example, a town or city, a county, a monument or some well-known place or event?

My first book is based around a fictional English Village and pulls in traditional events like harvest festival, Shrove Tuesday and Maypole dancing, plus the children go on a school trip to Derbyshire. The sequel which will be published soon continues with some English traditions and the children set off to Dorset. I’m also in the process of writing a farming related book which is set in Devon.

Q. There is an illusion – or myth if you wish- about British people that I would like to discuss. Many see the “Brits” as having a “Stiff upper lip” is this correct?

Oh there are all sorts of characters out there and I’m sure I know several who show signs of that, doesn’t it add to the humour of life?

Q. Do any of the characters in your books carry the “Stiff Upper Lip” or are they all “British Bulldog” and unique in their own way?

I love making making my characters have names which hint at their character. For instance I have Pru and Patrick Plimpton-Smythe (Stiff Upper lip) and Glenda Glossop (British bulldog).

Q. Tell us about one of your recent books.

I self published my first book in July 2012 it called “Talk of the Playground” and is a humourous book about life in an English village school. There is gossip and mayhem in the playground which threatens to spiral out of control.

Q. What are you currently working on?

I’m writing a book which revolves around this question; Are you a farmer’s wife or the wife of a farmer? There is a difference for the British farmer and my book is a year in the life of that wife.

Q. How do you spend your leisure time?

I love reading! Last year I joined the Goodreads site and smashed my reading goal. This year I have set a goal to read 100 books. I think I might have to up that number as I’m 22 books ahead of my schedule at the moment!

Q. Do you write for a local audience or a global audience?

Originally I wrote for the British school Mum market, but I can see the appeal of the British scene to a wider market.

Q. Can you provide links to your work?

Here we are;

http://tinyurl.com/cv5ak94