Author: Debbie Ward

It’s a Mad World

Debbie Ward

Well, who would have thought that 2020 would end up like this. A worldwide deadly virus that has paralysed everything that we take for granted. I don’t think even Stephen King could have done this justice! After the rubbish time we had last year, this year promised so much. We had so many things planned. Holidays, weekends away with the new caravan, concerts, theatre trips and much more. Now, the most excitement we get is on the weekly trip to Tesco (making sure we stay two metres apart!).

We had also planned to put the bungalow on the market in readiness for the start of our caravan adventure, but even that’s had to be put on hold for now. At least the decorating has been done and we are starting to have a major de-clutter, so once this is all over we should be ready for the estate agents.

The one good thing about this whole lockdown thing is that the jobs that you never really have time to do, are now getting done. I’m also writing a lot more, which is great as I was beginning to think I’d never get the time to write another book. I said in my last blog that I had three books started but I seem to have gravitated towards one of them and can concentrate solely on that one now. It will be of no surprise that this latest work is set in Greece and once again on the lovely island of Zakynthos. I will let you have a few teasers as I progress with it!

I am really hoping that this dammed virus will abate soon and we can all get away on our long awaited holidays. I have a fortnight in Zakynthos booked at the end of August, when I will be taking all the family away. We are all willing this to happen but I think it has to be left in the lap of the Gods. Let’s hope they are smiling on us!

Until my next blog I hope you all stay safe and, God willing, this madness will soon be over.

What a year!

Debbie Ward

Once again I apologise for not keeping up with this page, but unfortunately, last year was not on of my greatest.

My Dad, who had been poorly for some time, was finally diagnosed with late stage Parkinson’s disease and I had to arrange for him to go in a care home. I then had the onerous task of trying to sell his home in order to pay for his care and, as anyone with ailing parents will know, dealing with the Local Authority in this regard is stress enough in itself, without then having to deal with estate agents! After only a short time in the home and several hospital admissions later, he sadly he passed away in May of last year. I then had to apply for Grant of Probate so that I could actually complete the sale of his house, which happened at the beginning of this year! Not surprisingly, I really haven’t had the time or the inclination to write anything for quite a while.

However, I think I can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel and have started writing again. At this moment in time, I have three books on the go, one of those being a Christmas novel. The second one is a book I have been working on for some time and features one of the characters from “It’s all Greek at Sea”, although you will have to wait and to find out who that is! The third one is another Greek based story (what a surprise) that I only started writing a couple of weeks ago. Not sure what one I’ll get done first though!

Dave and I recently made the decision to buy ourselves a caravan and at some point in the not too distant future (once we’ve mastered towing, sold our bungalow, etc., etc.), we will take off and travel around Europe. Once the shackles of work and day to day living are lifted, I am looking forward to doing some serious writing, as well as some blogging and vlogging about our adventures. Good times ahead I hope and maybe a fourth book about caravanning in the pipeline!

I really am going to try and keep this page updated from now on, even if it’s a few lines here and there. I have also updated my web page, although this is still a work in progress!

If you’d like to follow our caravan adventure, then please follow us on Twitter and Instagram or sign up to my other Facebook page called Tow and Behold (@towandbehold).

Back Again

Debbie Ward

Apologies for not going on this site for a while. Time just runs away with me sometimes. One minute I’m looking forward to summer and going on holiday, the next autumn has arrived and those long, sultry days are just a memory. So, what’s been happening while I’ve not been on here? Well, the new book is published, which is very exciting.

“A Nice Day for a Greek Wedding” is set on the beautiful island of Zakynthos and is about a couple who travel to their favourite hotel to get married. As they look forward to a blissful couple of weeks in the sun with family and friends around them, things don’t always go to plan. With skeletons coming out of the cupboard and surprises galore, will the wedding even go ahead?

I am now in the process of writing book number three which is something a little bit different and I’ll update you on that as time goes on.

There have been two holidays abroad since last talking to you, a cruise to the Norwegian Fjords, which was absolutely stunning, something that I would definitely recommend and most certainly do again, and my annual two weeks in Zakynthos. Although this time it was a bit more special as it co-incided with Dave’s 60th birthday. It was great having the family out with us and I think a good time was had by everyone.

As I said Autumn is upon us and Christmas is, once more, fast approaching. This year we are doing something completely different and are going on a cruise to the Baltics all over Christmas. As there is normally only the two of us at Christmas, we got fed up with the normal two weeks of rubbish television and eating our own body weight in chocolate and decided to do something a bit more exciting.

Right, I will try and keep this page updated in future, even if it’s only a couple of lines or a picture or two.

Until next time xx

Finally!

Debbie Ward

Apologies for my lengthy absence, I know it’s long gone but I do hope that everyone had a good Christmas. Looking at the weather outside, I could almost imagine that I have gone back in time to the festive season. Why does it wait until winter is almost over before it tips down with snow? Hopefully this will be the last cold snap before it starts to warm up and we get taste of spring and then look forward to those lazy, summer days.

Anyway, enough about the weather, at last I have good news – I have finally finished my second book. Well the first draft anyway. I’m now ploughing through it finding huge chunks to change before it goes off for editing. It has taken a lot longer than I had hoped but I got there eventually. I already have a working title and a cover design so now it’s all systems go.
To mark the launch of the new book, I will also be doing a special offer on “It’s all Greek at sea”, for those who have not yet read it.
Once the new book is published, it will be back to the grindstone to start writing book 3. I already have the outline of the story and my characters are well developed so it’s just a case of knuckling down and getting pen to paper.
I will keep you informed of progress.

Winter’s Coming

Debbie Ward

Now that summer is a distant memory and the shops are twinkling with the lights of Christmas trees, I seemed to have made quite a headway with the next book. Maybe it’s losing myself back into that relaxed and carefree feeling that I get when I’m in Greece, I don’t know but I’m not knocking it. All being well, I should be on track to finish before Christmas – but please don’t hold me to that as, all best laid plans and that!

I have started immersing myself into the wonders of Twitter and Instagram – something that was completely alien to me not so long ago, but I seem to have got the hang of it now and am collecting followers at a rate of knots. If you are not already following me then find me on Twitter as @doriadeb or Instagram as zantechick63.

Only another 3 weeks and myself and Dave will be off on another little jaunt. This time on a mini cruise to Belgium. A great excuse to over indulge in chocolate and to seek out new characters for future books. I do quite like a little break before the craziness of Christmas begins. Talking of which I really must get my head into gear and start thinking of buying some presents. I haven’t even written a present list yet, which is very unusual for me, but I really can’t think of anything that I want or anything to get other people – beer and chocolates from Bruges it is then!

So, before I finish the next book, I thought I’d have a little pre-Christmas sale on “It’s all Greek at Sea”. For the next 4 days, on Amazon, it will be selling at the bargain price of 99p so, if you know of anyone who wants a bit of winter escapism to the shores of Greece, please share this post.

Until next time xx