Notebooks, Newsletter and Robert Burns

I saw a strange idea on a little video on FB the other day about a new type of notebook that seemingly can be re-used by putting the notebook in the microwave to erase the words. If you’re anything like me and all other writers I know, that is NOT a good idea!

I love my notebooks. Even when I have too many, it’s reassuring to know they’re ready and waiting in my drawer when I find the right use for each one. All those blank pages and beautiful covers – lovely to look at but practical too. So, no, I don’t know any writer who will be rushing to try a reusable one!
Before January is over (gulp!), I’ve sent out my latest newsletter. As always, if you wish to receive a copy, you can pop your email address in the box on the right hand side of the blog. There’s the chance for subscribers to win a copy of a wee book of Robert Burns poems to mark Burns Night on January 25th.
I’ve written a few articles about Burns over the past few years that were published in the American magazine The Highlander and a long-time fascination was with Highland Mary, one of the many females associated with him - and he had many! But several of his poems were dedicated to Mary Campbell, seemingly with a sense of remorse at how things ended.
That was the main reason I wrote The Highland Lass, so I could tell their story from 1785-6 in Mary’s fictionalised voice. She is buried in the cemetery of my hometown and I had passed her grave since childhood. Obviously, she got under my skin until the day I finally wrote her story!

However, the contemporary part of the novel is as much homage to Inverclyde with its beautiful scenery beside the river. And of course their story takes my modern couple on a journey of their own to other parts of the west coast. This was truly the book of my heart.
Happy Burns Night on Wednesday!
Rosemary