Lucy Hall – Life of Cri.me

12806203_10153454804127844_4926448534519071057_n — Click the pic to buy…

So back in September we had #TeaWithLeigh, where a few of us bloggers got to sit around, drink champagne and talk all things Geraldine Steel and Ian Peterson.

This time around the character up for discussion was Lucy Hall, and not being one to do things by halves Leigh had several events to celebrate the launch of Journey To Death. Her soirée at The Sherlock Holmes Hotel on Baker Street London was the one I was lucky enough to be invited to attend.

It was a fabulous event and there was a great buzz to the whole evening with everyone there to celebrate everything Lucy Hall.

12805801_10153456859122844_3753239265371921196_n — Cutest most delicious burgers ever!

There was of course wine, but not only that there was some great food too with delicious canapés abound although my favourites, by far, were the mini burgers.

12790987_1173887935955844_21177297764542850_n — Sue, Leigh & Me

There was some great company, (yes I know that’s me), but I also got to meet up with some fellow bloggers and writers, many of which were already known to me, but equally and delightfully almost as many who weren’t. My address book and follow lists have increased to include the intriguing new contacts I made that I look forward to hearing from in the future.

12799355_1173887382622566_4577781371898995331_n — Leigh with The Seychelles Minister for Tourism & Culture

On top of that was an amazing guest, the Minister of Tourism & Culture for The Seychelles, who having made a special journey in for the event, gave a great speech and made sure that all of us who want to travel to The Seychelles after reading Journey To Death, now know exactly how friendly the local sharks are.

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And of course there was a fantastic cake, because it’s not an event until there is cake.

Above all the whole evening was one huge success, and I am grateful to Leigh for the invite, it was well worth the effort of a six hour round trip coach ride to attend.

Oh and speaking of coaches, I did at least make it back in time for mine.

Just.

Leigh Russell is the author of the internationally bestselling Geraldine Steel and Ian Peterson crime series. She studied at the University of Kent, gaining a master’s degree in English. She has a Diploma in Specific Learning Difficulties from the British Dyslexia Association, and a Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. For many years she taught English at secondary school, specialising in supporting pupils with specific learning difficulties. She is married, has two daughters, and lives in north-west London. In addition to writing, she guest-lectures for the Society of Authors, universities and colleges, and runs regular creative writing courses for the prestigious Writers Lab in the UK and Greece. She also runs the manuscript assessment service for the CWA.

Her latest novel Journey To Death, the beginning of a new series featuring protagonist Lucy Hall, is released today and to celebrate Leigh has taken the LifeOfCri.me 12 word challenge.

Rules

Answers should be complete sentences, and completed in no more than 12 words (unless otherwise stated)

Contractions count. It’s = 2 words.

LOC: What can you tell us about your latest release Journey To Death?

LR: In the Seychelles, Lucy Hall is drawn into a life threatening adventure.

LOC: What was it like making the change from writing your regular characters and starting a new series?

LR: So far it has been great fun, but Geraldine Steel is continuing.

LOC: How would you describe your writing process?

LR: The process is completely chaotic, frequently exhausting and always exciting.

LOC: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your writing career?

LR: There have been several, including facing a man with a machine gun.

LOC: What’s the best book you’ve read in the last twelve months (title & author not in word count) and why?

LR: I reread The Hobbit by J R Tolkien – sometimes a break from adult fiction is necessary.

LOC: What’s the weirdest sentence you’ve ever written / read? (word count does not apply)

LR: ‘Word count does not apply.’ I feel like a dog let off the lead and free to ramble! I’ve read a lot of weird sentences, and no doubt written quite a few, but one that comes to mind is the opening sentence of ‘The Outsider’ by Albert Camus. The book opens with the words: ‘Aujourd’hui maman est morte.’ This sentence can be translated as ‘Today mother died’ but a more literal translation would be: ‘Today mother is dead’, which sounds more final. The beautiful simplicity of the language is not weird at all. But the bald indifference of the statement, combined with the emotive content, is weird and makes it one of the most chilling first sentences I have ever read. It sets the tone for a disturbing novel.

LOC: *rolls eyes* give an author some wriggle room, and off they go…. 😀

LOC: Describe your perfect day

LR: I have breakfast in bed, before writing all day.

and finally just for laughs……

LOC: Thanks to author Angela Marsons you have just woken up to find yourself on stage in front of the judges of Britain’s Got Talent, with an ironing board, a box of matches and an armadillo. What do you do?

LR: I set fire to the ironing board and escape on the armadillo.

You can keep up to date with all Leigh’s current and forthcoming releases on her website www.leighrussell.co.uk or by following her on Twitter @LeighRussell