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Your Writing Companion
Oct 2022
When I began to write a novel almost fifteen years ago, I had no idea how to begin. As an avid reader I recognized… -
Writing your own story
Nov 2017
When this quote popped up in my Facebook feed this morning, I couldn’t help but sigh.... -
Writing as a second career - Colette on Book Brunch
Nov 2017
When I’m asked what I do and reply that I’m a writer, people tend to react in one of two ways… -
Top 5 Wineries to Visit in Napa Valley, California USA
Dec 2016
Northern California’s idyllic Napa Valley is home to around 400 wineries and tasting rooms, so choosing just five to highlight...
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Colette on Radio Ulster
Nov 2016
If your job title happened to be a political researcher, then I expect you will be very busy right now given the shape of global politics… -
10 Things I want my readers to know about me by Colette Dartford
Nov 2016
Colette writes a piece for Female First upon the release of her new book Learning to Speak American… -
Spotting ‘Learning to Speak American' in the Wild
Nov 2016
I just love it when Learning To Speak American is spotted in the wild. This was taken at WH Smiths in Heathrow Airport… -
For The Love of Dogs
Nov 2016
Let me start by declaring my allegiance: I’m a dog person. It isn’t that I don’t like cats, just that I prefer dogs. They are loyal companions… -
Envy and Compassion
Jan 2016
I admire writers who claim they never read their reviews. Sometimes I even believe them. I’m not one of those writers and confess… -
Juding a book by its cover
Sept 2015
Being a debut novelist thrusts you onto a scarily steep learning curve and one of the many things I’ve learned is that a book cover is … -
Jugging Act
Oct 2015
Writing, Editing and Promoting Your Books Last week I paid a visit to my writing mentor, Wanda Whiteley. We live around… -
Marketing Your Books
Sep 2015
I find myself in a dilemma. My debut novel, Learning To Speak American, is being published on November 5th and the question… -
First Drafts & Feedback
Sep 2015
I’m not going to lie to you, writing a novel is a long and difficult process. There will be moments of elation and despair… -
A Sense Of Place
Sep 2015
Have you ever read a book that’s set somewhere you’ve never been, but the author makes you feel as though you know it: the way it… -
The Dreaded Task Of Self-Promotion
Aug 2015
I find myself in a dilemma. My debut novel, Learning To Speak American, is being published three months from now… -
The Novice Novelist
Jul 2015
Novice / noun: a person new to and inexperienced in a job or situation. I know the feeling. I had read many novels over many… -
From Enthusiastic Amateur To Professional Author
July 2015
My blog is about the experience of graduating from an enthusiastic amateur to a professional author, and each post will look at…