Festival Countdown – ‘hands on research’

October 18, 2011

You know I said I was just going to the Festival of Romance to relax and listen to other authors and meet readers? Well, the organisers asked me to join in the Research Session, and some voice within me started saying ‘yes – can I talk about the Mountain Rescue and surfers er… surfing?

So I’ll be at the session on Friday afternoon:

3.20-4.10pm Research Club
Expert authors share their knowledge on subjects from their books in a whistlestop of bite-sized low downs! Medical- Roger/Gill Sanderson; Horses- Hywela Lyn; Theatre- Jan Jones; Buildings- Nell Dixon; Outdoor/action sports- Phillipa Ashley; WW2- Pamela Strange

Am now slightly worried that I’ll be asked to show the audience how to abseil, carve a gybe or winch down from a helicopter to rescue a stranded romantic novelist. Actually, I’m only talking for five minutes about some of the hands on research I’ve done and how I used it in some scenes, rather than offering expert advice as such.

Sadly, the best bit of ‘hands on’ research I ever did was for It Should Have Been Me aka Carrie Goes off the Map but sadly, that never made it into the finished book. It involved a Sea King helicopter but more on that story later…

I’m about to gather together some books to take to the bookstall so if you’re going along and would like to buy a signed copy of some of my UK or US editions, this is your chance. We’ve been asked to hover around the bookstall so look out for me. I’ll be the one struggling with an ice axe and a surf board…

Comments

1. On October 18th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
   ChrisCross53 Says:
   

   Phillipa it sounds fascinating… good luck!

2. On October 19th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
   Debs Says:
   

   I’m sure it’ll be great fun. Wish I was going too!

3. On October 20th, 2011 at 7:23 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   One day, Debs, our paths will cross!

   Chris – will tell you all about it over lunch next week?