May
- leeklovesbooks
- May 5, 2025
- 5 min read
Ciao a tutti,
Spero che stiate tutti bene! (Hello everyone, I hope you are all well).
Feeling inspired, I thought I’d share my morning with you today. Less than a year ago, I
decided to learn Italian as we were off to Lake Maggiore for two weeks and I had absolutely
no knowledge of the language, other than ‘pizza, pasta and spaghetti Bolognese!’ Suitably
driven, I signed up for Super Duolingo and off I went. Ten months later and I have already
finished all the topics and am limited to daily refresher exercises, which appear to have a
common theme of things I apparently struggle with but have no idea why?
Whilst taking over a stall inside the Leek Butter Market on Saturday, I met a lovely lady who
asked me what I was currently reading. “The Enchanted April, Abroad in Japan and a book
of Italian short stories,” I replied. Having explained my Duolingo dilemma, she revealed that
she went to Italian lessons at the local U3a. Perfect! “But you’re too young.” She declared.
(I’m not).
I went today despite being a little anxious and soon felt confident to attempt to read a
paragraph from an Italian newspaper article to the group with a ‘well done’ from our tutor.
“Now, what does it mean, Sam?” “I haven’t got a clue!” was my honest response, however, I
was encouraged to give it a go, and I have to admit, I was pretty pleased with my attempt. I
came home feeling enthused to continue and pondered other things that I have recently
‘given a go’ – organising a large event, for example!
Now, what on earth has this got to do with the Leek Loves Books Festival? I hear you ask.
Well, I wanted to share the feeling of giving something a go, despite not really knowing if you are good enough. This year, I also gave a creative writing workshop a go with a lady called
Alison Boyle and author and creative writing mentor based in Leek. I didn’t get too far on the
day, but I had an idea about what I wanted to write, but never did in that precise moment,
other than jotting down my ideas and a limp attempt at the first sentence. What’s the point of going then? Well, I gave it a go. Afterwards, I continued to assemble ideas in my head, but last week had a flurry so strong that I had to scribble them down furiously in my pristine
notebook. Suddenly, I had penned a reasonable four pages of my original idea formed at the exObjects creative writing workshop.
So, my message to you is even if new things don’t come naturally, or even immediately, one
day, you might just have a glimmer of hope. So, have a little browse at the variety of
workshops we have on offer at this year’s festival, and don’t worry about whether you’ll be
good enough or feel embarrassed if nothing is produced on the day. Embrace the
opportunity and HAVE YOUR GO!
Hope to see you soon
Sam & The Leek Loves Books Team
Here’s a snapshot of what you can have a go at (full list click on link) https://www.leeklovesbooks.com/upcoming-author-talks
Upcoming Events
Author Interview Author: Carrie Weston
How do you know when a story is "finished" and ready to be published?
The truthful answer is I'm never 100% happy i could review and edit my manuscripts until there's nothing left. It's partly impostor syndrome. I feel I can always do better but then again as we grow we learn and I have definitely grown into my voice lol. More than anything I want to transport my readers and give them a break from reality. A friendship with my characters and a story they truly feel apart of.
What inspired the main idea or premise of your current book?
I am currently writing Frigga a sweet small town romance. The idea behind this book stems back to Norse mythology. I remember hearing a tale about mistletoe being the tears of a Goddess who lost someone dear to her. So I wanted to recreate a modernistic meeting between the Goddess Frig (frigga) and her lover Odin. To base this in reality I've made Frigga an interior designer (i studied interior design for a time) and her lover a historian at the local museum. Research wise a past trip to the Yorkshire viking museum has come in very useful. I truly love mythology, fantasy and folk tales so weaving them with modernistic reality is a true pleasure.
Is there a character in your books that you particularly relate to or have a special connection with?
I generally relate to most of my characters but I have a deep love for Blaze from the Xander Chase trilogy. She originally appears as a crazy mass murderer but as you read through you hear of her harsh upbringing, her partners betrayal, her best friends betrayal and learn that she is a Doublicorn (a unicorn shape shifter) who will do anything to recover her daughter and keep her safe even if that means dieing. In relation - i have suffered with depression, experienced a break down. I had cancer in my 20's leaving me with crps ( complex regional pain syndrome) this is an extremely painful condition that often feels like torture which is where I resonate with my characters physical pain. Most of us have experienced betrayal of some sort and I am no exception. But most of all I resonate on a parents level- i would do anything to keep my child safe- just like Blaze. (Except I'm not psycho lol).
How do you deal with criticism, especially when it comes to negative reviews or feedback?
Negativity hurts but I always try to learn from it. If I make a mistake and no one tells me about it I can't fix it so I won't learn. My readers opinions mean so much to me. I write for their enjoyment as well as mine. So when my readers talk I listen.
If you could go back and give your debut author-self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Don't be afraid to let the world see who you really are. You're unique not a freak. You're eccentric not weird and most of all not everyone in the world will like you and that's OK there are twice as many people in the world who will. Be brave, be strong, be you.
Do you have any exciting projects on the horizon?
I will be releasing a Paranormal Romance series. This series has been maturing in my mind for some time now and I very much look forward to introducing you all to Alpha Tiego and his pack.
If you could collaborate with any author, living or dead, who would it be and why?
There are a few people I would love to collaborate with ; Mary Shelley of course she is just amazing her mind is so forward thinking. P.C.Cast- is my favorite modern go to author. I love her books as they twist time travel, dimensions, fantasy and realism. Larisa Ione and Patricia Briggs are also in my top few.
Before we wrap up, is there anything you'd like to share with your readers or potential fans about your work or upcoming projects?
To all of my readers and yours thank you for reading, supporting and most of all joining me on my adventures through literature. For those that read my books and leave a little review there is a chance at having a character named after you. Details on my newsletter- all my links can be found here my books are all on amazon https://linktr.ee/Carrie_Weston?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=bea409b9-cac2-4887-8bf0-e36dfd3e8cbe
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