I have just written the fourth in the Home Front series, set in a North East pit village during the 2nd World War. My mum was born in a northern pit village, I spent much time there as a child, staying with my Uncle Stan. As an author I keep returning to the north, wanting to honour the people I came to know, and of course, my Mum.

Perhaps that’s what writing means to me? To be able to unpick my past, and my parents’ past, and weave it into a novel to say – hey look, this is the world then, here is the stoicism, the courage, the community, the uncomplaining strength of the women, and the men.

Certainly my first novel was based on incidents in my mother’s life. My first book was taken so I had to learn the craft on the hoof and in public. That first book was flawed, but driven by the theme of courage and endurance it kept on course. I would say that about ten years later  my understanding of the craft was in place: the required structure, with the novel opening in the main character’s normal world, but at a point of change, the rising arc of tension, the crisis point two thirds of the way through, and then the last third of the book. Keeping  in one point of view in a scene to encourage reader empathy, have a theme – the message if you like, and antagonists to thwart the main character on their ‘journey’.

I learned that writing is a team effort. First try and find an agent. Which means having at least the first three chapters written. I was so lucky, and found Vivien who was willing to take on a raw writer, with four children, and a giddy personality. She happened to know that Catherine Cookson was about to leave her publisher, and here was MG with a novel about the north east. Into that slot I went.

When taken by a publisher there is a team behind the book: the jacket designer, the marketeer, the Publicity Dept, and crucially the commissioning editor, add to that the copy editor, and the proof editor. What they need from the writer is a novel delivered on time, a willingness to listen to the commissioning editor who can see flaws in the book, ones which need to be rectified – to a deadline.

Nowadays, there is the option of self-publishing, which given that the PR department of a publisher expects a great deal to be done by the author is certainly a feasible option, but do use the services of an editor to sort out the book.

But is that all there is to being a writer?

Not for me. Perhaps it’s the way I was brought up: if you have a skill, share it. So  I do. I began to teach creative writing ages ago and perhaps I gain more from this than those I teach. On the whole those eager to learn are  so interactive, such amazing fun that every group I have ever worked with has just ‘rocked’. Some haven’t gone on to write, but the discipline of organising their thoughts, and planning their work has allowed them to decide what it is that really appeals to them, and off they go, setting sail in a different direction.

I have set up a charity, Words for the Wounded, which uses writing competitions to raise funds, (not this year, just in case Covid side swipes us and we can’t continue, but back next year) and through which I also edit veterans’ novels, and work with them, page by page. We are a small charity, run by four of us, Dick who does IT, Jan Speedie, a book reviewer, and Penny Deacon, a crime writer. Every penny raaised goes towards helping the veterans. We’ve done a Mud Challenge, a sky dive and all sorts of things. Next year Hadrians Wall.  Would I have had the confidence to get that started unless I had an understanding of the writing world – NO.

I am editor of Frost Magazine where we have a great team of writers, and of course our managing editor, and owner, Catherine Balavage, a fount of wisdom, and not a slouch as an entrepreneur, writer and actor herself.

Being a writer for me, does not mean shutting yourself in a garret and writing in isolation. It is important to be out in the everyday world, which  is grounding. In addition you are observing endless fascinating scenes, you are prevented from being precious. And just perhaps you are writing books and magazine stories that give pleasure, and importantly, helping other writers  some help along the way.  Not a bad way to earn a living …

The latest Annie Clarke: Christmas on the Home Front is available on Amazon.co.uk

2020 will go down in history there is no doubt about that as the year when, because of Covid-19,  we were told to work from home for a period of time in order to manage the virus. Steadily things improved but sadly the R rate has risen again. Like many others throughout the country I am wondering what Christmas will bring. but of course, things are what they are, and everyone is doing their best. So what can we do to cut the effort and cost?

So here are some very successful prompts I have used in the past :

1. Set a budget per person and stick to it. You will have to apply a lot of self discipline here because it is so easy to choose something that you know someone would love but which may not be in your price range. If this is the case put it back, or if shopping on line, move on .
2. Make your own Christmas cards. This is a great fun and such a lovely festive activity and one that the children can help with. I like to let my children draw a festive picture and I then scan it and print onto card. My relatives love getting a little work of art far more than a generic store bought card.
3. Secret Santa: I have a sister, a brother in law, a brother and a sister in law. Instead of buying presents for everyone we like to arrange a Secret Santa which is great fun, we set a price to stick to and exchange our gifts on boxing day, if we can meet up under these strange circumstances of course. It is great fun to participate in and no one is left out.
4. Frozen food. Let’s start with the big bird – the turkey. For the past few years I have substituted a frozen turkey crown in place of a fresh turkey. I have done this because they are so much cheaper, there is no waste and they are easier to cook as you can pick up a pre basted one – so no more dry turkey. Then there are the trimmings. Frozen vegetables are cheaper and you do not have to worry about doing the last minute dash to get the fresh sprouts. Additionally  you only cook what you need and can chuck the rest back in the freezer for another day. However I prefer not to  buy frozen Yorkshire puddings or roast potatoes, as I prefer to make the my own.
5. Start stocking up now. Put on that mask, use the hand wash and pick up extra non perishables to store away for the big day. I like to stock up on wine, biscuits, crackers, sweets, chocolates and pop. Of course, online outlets have been wonderful at delivering gifts and food over the past few months, so explore all the  options available.
6. Make your own presents. This isn’t for everyone but I find that homemade gifts are a lot more personal than bought ones. And this can vary from homemade jam, chutneys, cakes and pickles to bath bombs, face masks and wax melts. And for those who are crafty a homemade bookmark or notebook will always come in useful and for the ultimate wow factor you could try making jewellery.

I hope that you can find some help and reassurance from some of these tips that I have used in the past and will certainly use again this year –  depending on circumstances . As we slide into November, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a merry, and safe Christmas.