Monthly Archives: November 2023

This is a book full of delightful characters in situations which demand inventiveness and determination. It is also a book filled with humour, kindness and understanding.

Jenny Sanders is a master at bringing characters and situations to life with imaginative detail. Some of her characters are cosy and approachable, yet delightfully eccentric. They often have names which link perfectly with the image we have of them. Dame Vera Wobblington is a famous soprano opera singer (of course). I think my favourite character is Shaun Scattergood, who tries so hard to save his grandfather’s reputation with impromptu wine-tasting session. This is hilarious, and what he puts into the mixtures would make a true wine-buff cringe.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes ‘leaning on gates and watching the sunset’, as  Queen Adelaide of Slopingsideways said. 7-11 year-olds will be entertained and delighted by these stories, and adults will love them too.

Charlie Peach’s Pumpkins and other stories is Jenny Sanders’ second collection of six humorous tales. Both are published by The Conrad Press. The first collection is ‘The Magnificent Moustache…’

Author Jenny Sanders

It’s the busyness, really. Yes, retired people like me can be unbelievably busy, too. That’s what stops me writing. It’s the magnificent weeds in the garden, jollying along together, sharing the soil , fighting it out sometimes. It’s the chilly mornings with the plates and dishes left from last night, and the bathroom to clean, and the washing to get dry, and the meals to plan, and the shopping to do. It’s the day I usually go to… and it’s always fun or interesting. The family will be round on Saturday, or friends have invited me to dinner.  Amazingly lovely things for which I am very grateful. And let us not forget the articles I suddenly find myself reading on the web. I could go on… and I think you could, too.

Here’s a tiny piece of advice I’m giving myself, and possibly you, this morning.

Write something, even if it’s only in your mind.

Go outside and dig up the weeds, and find words to describe something you can see. The last rose of summer perhaps. The cheeky robin waiting patiently for a worm. Relax. One beautiful adjective is something to make you smile. And don’t stress if nothing comes. When you get inside, you might like to find that old notebook and read the kinds of things that used to pop into your mind.

You will write again. Even if it never leaves the computer, it will make you feel you still have something to say.

You are welcome to leave encouraging comments. I need all the help I can get.