Back in 1991, trying to figure out how my new computer worked, I found myself writing the opening of the sort of novel I wanted to read. The thrill of being able to write what I wanted – and then hiding it – was utterly liberating….hence the utter raunchiness of the opening paragraph! Of course, I couldn’t afford research trips so the locations features in Sally are those well known to me – London and also Mull, on the Scotland’s west coast.
I was working in a coffee and tea shop at the time – and my colleagues were all ears to hear how this novel was progressing. The meal that Richard prepares Sally was suggested by Michele – an Italian with whom I worked at that time.
This novel took four years to write. It was finally published in November 1996. I’ll never forget the shock and sublime thrill of seeing it on the shelf of a bookshop. I feel very fondly towards the characters – hence involving them in minor roles in Love Rules – just so I could see what they’d been up to in the intervening years!

Read what happened next to Sally

Read a brief synopsis of Sally

Tags | Love Rules, research, Sally, Titles