What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger…

It’s been another exciting week in our crazy world but I have a feeling the best is yet to come.

On Wednesday 23rd July, Beyond the Past will have been a published book for a whole six months and what a period it has been. The year started with a very harsh lesson. Whilst people were being super supportive to my face, they were ripping me apart online and printing some very vile and nasty stuff, which other people have believed in spite of them never knowing or getting to know me. Calling them out led to a backlash of being accused of stalking even though the police and Bullying UK advice is to take screenshots for evidence. It got much worse until it reached the point where I had to contact Twitter and the Police.

All this contributed to a prolonged episode of Menieres, the longest I have ever had to endure and trying to go about normal business like school runs, school activities and promote the book was very difficult at times. It was the darkest hell that anyone could experience. You do start to think you have done something to deserve the backlash. However, it is only recently when I went through the evidence with a third party that a pattern formed of ‘nice, friendly’ emails, followed by vile messages online. It is then I realised the enormity of what I had been through.  When it all happened, my first reaction was to become a recluse, more out of self-preservation but as my very wise son pointed out, they would have won and that was, I believe, their ulterior motive. Instead we stood firmly together and whilst it still resulted in Wes being bullied out of Wetherby (just FOUR days before the start of his GCSEs), it proved to us how strong we actually were. The lowest point for me was not them discussing online whether I'd told DVLA about my illness but when they contacted the Sheffield Eagles scholarship, not once but twice in an attempt to blacken Wes's name but we'd already taken their advice. 
It takes a lot to get over what we went through believing people were friends when really they weren’t but we are much stronger because of it, or is it in spite of it? DON’T let bullies ruin your life! Talk to someone, get help!!(For free advice you can go to @StopWebBullying(twitter), @bullyinguk (twitter) or their website - http://www.bullying.co.uk/. The local police station also have free advice.) I am very proud of who I am and how we are as a family. I am more confident than ever to move forward. It’s amazing what you can learn from adversity. Setting aside the problems forced on us, this period has truly been a life changing six months. In fact, we smile now that the sadness of having to leave Wetherby has been far outweighed by Wes now playing for a Division Two side and we have met some lovely, genuine people. He has slotted straight into the side and it’s lovely to see a beaming smile on his face. It has taken some time to get used to four trips to Sheffield and driving past Hillsborough but I’m getting there!
  Finally, I actually feel I have achieved my ultimate career change and I couldn’t be happier – well I could be I suppose if a certain knight in shining armour rode into my life offering kindness, peace and a whole lot of loving. Maybe, maybe not but either way it won’t stop me in my quest to write.
Anyway, back to the writing. I am overwhelmed with the response for my first novel. Every day I remind myself how lucky I am to have had my very first, ever novel published especially when I read about so many famous authors having their first book turned down. I had my first work published and no one can ever change that. I did that, little old me! Beyond the Past is my legacy to my children and their children, if they have any. 


Embedded in that is my eternal support for the #JFT96, whom I have dedicated this work to. I have also dedicated to anyone who dares to have a go at anything just like I have. You can do anything if you have will power, determination and a great work ethic.

Book SigningHow ironic that on Wednesday I am hopefully meeting to discuss a book signing in Wetherby, the town is the base for DCI Fisher and DS Davies in the book. I am really excited about this event, mainly due to its venue. All will be revealed next week…
Wetherby High School – Things Literary!


As most of you probably know, I spoke to 125 Year 8 pupils and staff at Wetherby High School about life as an author and my journey so far. I am really pleased with the feedback to my first ever talk.
Unfortunately there was a technical issue with the photographs, probably just as well if I was in them!Although nerve-racking at the time, I look back with pride and relief that it went so well.




On the 14th October 2014 I will be talking again in Wetherby at the library between 6pm and 7pm. I’d love to see lots of you there.

All this positive feedback and the fact that my Dad loves the book has given me bouts of goose bumps this week and I am really loving life. 
After the success of Wes securing his Academy place, we have a break from rugby league for three weeks and I’m missing it already after week one! Then again I am not the one having my body battered week in, week out. Mind you, I know Wes relishes it, which is a little concerning really!
Paul’s fundraising
I want to personally thank Paul Kilbride for giving me the honour of sponsoring his fundraising campaign and for tirelessly talking ( a trait he has perfected!!) about Beyond the Past. I wondered why on Saturday evening there was a peak in Kindle sales and blog viewings. Paul attended an event in St Helens and in true Killer fashion, spent the night talking about my book rather than his incredible year of raising money for the SCT and RL Benevolent Fund. Thank you Paul from the heart of my …. I mean the bottom of my heart!!
You can give on Paul’s Justgiving page for the Sick Childrens Trust and the Rugby League Benevolent Fund at http://www.justgiving.com/teams/givingplentytotwentyYou can donate through JustGiving or text SICK66 £1 TO 70070 or text TRYZ77 £1 to 70070 (or more if you would like).
School’s out…
Speaking to parents in the playground, it appears I am the only one genuinely excited to have the boys at home but I am, GENUINELY excited. School holidays for me consists of 4am or 5am starts and I’ve actually done a days work before the boys even surface from their pits. We then have the day together, which has to be the greatest perk of the job. Yes, the job is lonely at times ; yes, it is hard work for very little immediate reward BUT, and it is a huge BUT. I get to spend time bringing the boys up, creating fabulous memories that will stay with us forever. That is PRICELESS.


My favourite tweet this week was: 


Have a great week and enjoy every moment you have to positively influence your children and the people around you. This evening I am going to WetherbyHour to enjoy networking with the finest businessmen and women. I have a feeling it might be hot one!!

You can purchase my debut novel, Beyond the Past from 
Pegasus Publishers  
Amazon UK  
Amazon US
Kindle

OR ORDER FROM YOUR LOCAL BOOKSHOP.

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