The wait is almost over...

The shortlist for The Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller is upon us and all successful authors will be informed by tomorrow. There are a range of emotions currently circling my body in the rather tense wait to find out. The butterflies rampaging in my stomach are flitting between excitement, nerves, fear, and then back to excitement again. I've tried to distract myself. I've tried to tell myself that the odds of being shortlisted are very slim. One kind author, who was shortlisted last year, said to me that 'a handful of people out of thousands is a tough call' and not to be disheartened if I'm not chosen. Another lovely author said: 'you are in control of your writing journey'.
Both have encouraged me to keep going until I see my dream realised.

You all know what it would mean to me to be in the next stage of the competition, but I know that my dream won't stop here if I am not successful this time. Ive already got great opportunities lined up in the coming weeks and my novel is the closest to completed it has ever been.

So, watch this space. I know some of you are as eager to read 'Meet Me in the Treehouse', as I am to see it published.

Remember: "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream..." C.S.Lewis


KT x

Read Me When You’re Older…

To my son,

You are almost five.

Being your mum has been the best and hardest journey I’ve ever been on. No one tells you just how much you will worry when you have a child. No one can make you see or feel how much you will love them. It’s hard to remember a time before you existed, or how I possibly filled the hours in a day without you to look after.

I love that you have your own ways and that your personality already stands out. I love your thirst for knowledge. You try and figure out how everything works around you with questions and probing. I encourage you to never stop doing that. Learn all that you can and use it to be a good man. A wise man that’s compassionate and successful.

I love how we already know each other- a connection between mother and son. I Love how we make each other laugh. How we drive each other slightly crazy when we’re both tired (there’s more of that to come over the years). Remember, when I’m driving you crazy it’s because I love and believe in you. I want what’s best for you, and for you to be all you can be in this life. I want you to be safe, and most of all happy. I will try and remember that you won’t drive me crazy forever, that all the things I’ve taught you will one day see you through.

Don’t ever try to be someone you’re not. I love who you already are and who you have the potential to be. Choose good friends, because the people in your life will influence you more than you know.

Remember that I am always your mum and I’m always here. I don’t always get it right. In fact, as you grow up you will see how wrong I do get things sometimes. One day If you have children of your own you will know why. Being a parent isn’t always easy, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.

You have made me prouder in the past five years than I’ve been in my entire life. I look forward to the rest of this journey as you grow up.

Let’s have fun and keep learning together.

Love always,

Mum x