About

A little historical detail about me . . .

Mum in Carthage
Me in Carthage six years ago

I was born in the seaside town of Southport in 1947. At that time, Southport was still a part of Lancashire, but since the county boundary changes of 1974 it has become a part of Merseyside. I went to school in Southport and did my three year teacher training in Liverpool (1965-68). My geology degree came a little later, an extension of my love of physical geography.

 

prefab
A few of the family gathering outside the prefab

 

My earliest memories stem from the first years of the 1950’s when we lived in a ‘prefab’ – a prefabricated house. Life was hard for everyone in those years following the war and, young as I was, I still recall my mother with her rations book . . .

ration book closed
My mother-in-law’s old ration book
Granndma and Grandad's wedding
My parents on their wedding day. The photo is held together with sellotape

. . . and the dreadful state of badly bombed cities like Liverpool, where my mother’s family still lived. My parents were married in 1944, during one of my father’s leaves from the Royal Navy. My dad was from Southport, which escaped most of the bombing, and they lived with his parents until I was born three years later. Then they were offered the prefab. Most prefabs have long since gone, but no one can deny that such temporary housing served its purpose at the time. The population grew rapidly during the peaceful years following six long years of war – and I can claim to be part of that great ‘baby boom’. Yes, I’m definitely a ‘boomer’.

Despite the hardships, I had a really happy childhood. We left the prefab behind when I was seven, and I remember crying over it. I suppose a first home, no matter how humble it is, always stays in the mind. Well, at least, mine did . . . and it really was extremely humble.

Mum, Joan and Linda
My aunt (mum’s much younger sister), my sister Linda and me. I’m the chubby one on the left.

I owe my love of reading to my father, who could always be found with his head inside a book after a hard day’s work. And in the years following the war, the days of most ‘working-class’ men were long and hard. He never missed taking the three of us – I have a younger sister and brother – to the library every other Saturday. I seemed to spend most of my time looking forward to the next visit, especially as the three books we were allowed in those days had generally been well and truly devoured by the first Tuesday. There was something about the library that I loved. The officious librarian, who would glare at anyone who even dared to scrape back a chair on the wooden floor, and the big SILENCE sign, didn’t bother me at all. No, I liked the silence. I would sit at a table and scrutinise book after book before I finally made my choices.

014
The statue of Alfred in Wantage market place

I left Southport to take up my first teaching post in a small mining village near Doncaster in Yorkshire. I had moved from red rose territory to the realms of the white! But I loved my new school and the children I taught (I was a Secondary school teacher). It was in Yorkshire that I met my husband to be. He taught chemistry at a rival school (the rivalry generally referring to all things of a sporting nature). We were married in 1970, so it’s forty four years this year. In 1971 we moved down to Wantage (in Berkshire until 1974, now in Oxfordshire). Wantage is known as ‘King Alfred’s Town’, the site of his birth, and although I can’t claim to have been intending to write books about him since that time, living there did ignite the first sparks of interest in me for the Anglo Saxon /Viking period.

The following years were far too busy bringing up six children (all ‘pink’ roses!) and then eventually going back to teaching, to even contemplate the idea of writing. But the desire was always there, lying dormant just beneath the surface of my everyday life and thoughts.

all of us
The six ‘pink roses’ – 1980’s hairstyles and all!

Our children are all well grown up now and I retired from teaching a few years ago. We have all lived in Nottinghamshire since 1976, and my husband and I now live in a small village on the Nottinghamshire-Lincolnshire border, midway between Lincoln and Newark. Both of these places are full of lovely old buildings, including castles.

Since retiring I’ve been putting my newfound free time to good use. I’ve recently published my first book on Amazon, and the second is presently nearing completion. The novels are part of a trilogy, ‘Sons of Kings’. Book 1 is entitled, ‘Shadow of the Raven’, and Book 2 is ‘Pit of Vipers’.

My books are historical fiction (what else would they be?) set in the Anglo Saxon/Viking era. The protagonists throughout the trilogy are Alfred, son of King Aethelwulf of Wessex and Eadwulf, son of King Beorhtwulf of Mercia. It is set primarily in the Anglo Saxon and Danish lands.

Denmark is a beautiful country, its people warm and hospitable. I can honestly say that I saw no sign of the brutal, savage Viking temperament during my visit a few years ago! Not that I expected to, of course. I’ll talk about some of the excellent sites we visited in a future blog. Memories – and the help of a few notes and photos – really helped me to focus on the settings of various scenes whilst I was writing ‘Shadow of the Raven’.

shutterstock_207901348

So, this is me – or rather, a very brief synopsis of my life and a little about what I’m doing now. I’m sure further details will emerge as I continue to write my blog. I’ll try to make them interesting!

246 thoughts on “About”

    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and the follow. I really do look forward to more of your work, and I envy you all that sunshine and colour. You certainly live in a beautiful place.

      Reply

  2. Hi, young girl! Enjoyed very much your “About”! Always loved history and serious attitude! The very best to you and your loved ones! Is there any way I could read your novel without buying it?
    Unfortunately, our budget does not allow us luxury.

    Reply

    1. Hi to you, JF. It’s lovely to meet you and I hope you’re keeping as well as you look and sound in your blog. I’ll look forward to reading more of your posts and to being inspired by your positive attitude to life. What good did moaning ever do anyone? About my book – I’d be more than happy to email you a copy. I could send a Mobi file or an ePub, depending on your e-reader. Mobi is for Kindle. I’d also be thrilled if you’d review it, too, if you read it.Honest reviews are what I realy need, particularly as a first-time author. Thank you for even wanting to read it!

      Reply

      2. It would be my pleasure to send you the file. I know that many people are a little reticent about reviewing, so I do appreciate it. Thank you.

  3. I have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog award. Your site is very real and personable. I hope you accept. There is a logo you can put on your blog if you like and suggestion to post a post about it if you want. This isn’t associated with any organisation that I know just something bloggers are doing to recognize blogs they like. Please let me know and I can get everything over to you 🙂

    Reply

    1. I really don’t know what to say to this wonderful gesture, Elsa, other than to give you my sincerest thanks. (I hope that didn’t sound too fuddy-duddy, but I’m really lost for words right now!) I’d be very honoured to accept and write something in response – once my brain starts functioning normally again.

      Reply

      1. I am so pleased Millie. send me an email at elsa@ elsaholland.com and I’ll email you the badge. You can just put that on your page or you can also give seven things about yourself and nominate any blogs that you really like and do the same for them 🙂

    1. Thank you for the compliment! I’m just in the process of browsing around your interesting-looking blog. You cover a number of issues which I shall enjoy perusing from now on.

      Reply

  8. Hello Millie! You have very beautiful and interesting blog! Also I am delighted with your operation! I enjoy reading! Blog really interesting! The Best Regards!

    Reply

  9. Hi!
    I have nominated your blog for the Sisterhood of World Bloggers award!
    If you choose to accept the nomination you simply follow this link:

    Sisterhood Of The World Bloggers Award #2. 🙂


    The rules are:
    1) you must put a link back to the blog that nominated you
    2) answer the 10 questions I wrote for you.
    3) nominate 7 other blogs you think are awesome 🙂
    4) ask them 10 questions of your own!
    5) you must add the logo of the award to the top of your post.

    should you choose to accept or not, I chose your blog because I think it’s great 🙂

    Reply

    1. I am honoured that you should even consider me for this award! I’m overwhelmed and flattered – along with many other emotions right now. All I can do is to humbly accept with an enormous thank you! I should be able to start on things tomorrow. Today we’re visiting a sick aunt up in the Lake District and won’t be back until tomorrow afternoon. My thanks, again.

      Reply

    1. Thank you, Jacob. I’ve just had a look at your blog and like what I see! I’m glad you like history because most of my posts are connected to it in one way or another!
      Have a great Christmas.

      Reply

    1. I am also honoured (I’m English, so that’s not one of my frequent typos!) to have found you, Tony. That you also write is great. I’m sure we’ll chat a lot more in future. You sound as though you love writing as much as I do, so 2015 is going to be a busy year all round.

      Reply
  13. Pingback: Millie and “Pit of Vipers” | PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

  14. Well, what else would you expect from a Historical Writer but a Historical About. I had forgot about the war of the roses and love the term ‘Pink Roses’. I just may make a trip to Amazon.

    Reply

    1. I’m sitting here right now wondering how to reply to that wonderful comment, Ted. I do love historical fiction – probably because I’ve got a few years behind me myself! I love history set anywhere in the world. And yes, it’s always the Wars of the Roses round here – even though we now live in Nottinghamshire. Thank you so much for liking my own liitle bit of history.

      Reply

    2. Yes, I think it probably would make a good prompt. Old photos always do – and wartime could lend itself to many tales. Even funny stories have stemmed from that time. Dad’s Army and ‘Allo ‘Allo spring to mind.

      Reply

    1. I agree, it’s very important to create good and happy memories for our children. My eldest daughter hates that photo, by the way. She was twelve and had had an awful perm the day before. She hated it – after pleading with me for weeks to let her have a perm in the first place. When she got back from the hairdressers she sat with a tea towel on her head for the rest of the day! I remember that every time I look at the photo. 🙂

      Reply

    1. Do you mean would I do a guest post on your blog? If you do, I have to say, I’ve never done a guest post, so I have no idea what’s involved. I’d be happy to hear what you mean, though.

      Reply

      1. Yes that’s what I meant. To the best of my knowledge you write a post on the said topic and I put it up on my blog with a link to yours. Credit for writing it all goes to you. Its like reblogging a post only this time I asked specifically for your ideas on the topic in form of a post. Don’t know if that makes sense.

      2. Yes, it does make sense, and it sounds like a really good idea. You’d just have to let me know what you’d like me to focus on. 🙂

      3. Am glad you like the idea.Phew! Can you write on how important it is to create fun memories for kids? or On how important it is as women to stay focused on our dreams even as we raise a family. it could be a story with that as the theme or a direct informative piece.As long or as short as you like. Thank you so much for doing this.

      4. I’ll keep your suggestions in mind and have a think what I could do best. It won’t be this week, though – I’ve already got that planned out and I’ll be invaded by everyone on Sunday because it’ s Mother’s Day in the UK. Is it OK if I get back to you with a suggesstion or two early next week?

  18. Hi Millie, thanks for the follow. I am about to come to London for a visit in a few weeks and then on to a tour of Europe. Big trip for a boy from down under. I also downloaded you first novel, something to read on the plane trip. Thanks again look forward to your future visits.

    Reply

    1. Wow, Michael! What can I say? Thank you so much for following me back, for a start. I really like your writing, too. I found out only this evening that my daughter, Louise (afairymind) already follows you. As for downloading my book, I really thank you for that. I just hope you enjoy it! I also hope you have a wonderful trip to Europe. My husband and I came to Australia a few years ago. We did all the touristy things along the Gold Coast.

      Reply

      2. It seems we do have a lot in common, whichever subject(s) you taught. think I’ve taught every subject under the sun. I’m interested in so many things and studied in various areas, so schools used me in all departments, including P.E. Six children, too. How strange to meet someone so like me! Yes. they are all wonderful in their own ways, aren’t they? I wouldn’t be without mine for the world. Our youngest is 31 now, the eldest 42. Thank you for sharing this,
        Michael. It’s always good to find someone with similar interests on WP. I’m quite new to blogging, especially the FF challenges, so I’m still finding my way around. 🙂

      3. I was a Drama/ English teacher inan academically selective school for my last 19 years in the classroom, before that I worked in comprehensive school around the state of New South Wales. My kids are 39 – 28. My second son is coming to London conincidentally on the same day as i arrive, though he is travelling business class. He is a ‘famous’ artist. Here is a link to him as he appeared on our national TV a week or so ago.
        https://open.abc.net.au/explore/90204

      4. Your son has amazing talent, Michael! I’ve just watched the clip about the cyclone’s fury and how he built the mural up. It was wonderful. I hope you’ll all have some time together when you get to London. I imagine he’ll be in demand elsewhere, though, for most of the time. Thank you for sharing the link.

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  20. Fascinating reading, Millie. I’m from Northumberland and was born in 1951 and remember the prefabs. An aunt and uncle lived in one and some friends of a neighbour. There was a TV programme not so long ago about the prefab estates. A lot of people missed theirs after being relocated to high rise blocks. At least with the prefabs, you had a garden and space round you. And a sense of community. Our first house was rented from the C of E and if you put the lights on in the dark, the floor would be swarming with cockroaches from the working men’s club next door. Those were the days! I’ve downloaded your book (Shadow) onto my Kindle. 🙂

    Reply

    1. The 50s was an interesting decade. I remember so much about it, and often think I could write a novel set at that time. Perhaps one day, I will! Your memories sound just as vivid as mine, too. Cockroaches were around in many buildings in those days. I’m glad to say I never saw any in our prefab but I did see some in some of the working class areas in Liverpool. And yes, our prefab did have a big garden, as did they all.
      As for you downloading my book, I can only give you a huge thank you! 🙂

      Reply

  22. can’t put Book One down – eight chapters in and it just gets better… poor Eadwulf, wretched Aslanga, wise Sigehelm, unfortunate Cynric, lovely Aethelswith, naughty Halfdan…brilliant characters, I even like the way you portray Ragnar. not to inflate your head but I have to admit the book is very well crafted, beautiful written. vivid. informative. sad. funny. the pace is good. never a dull moment. fine descriptions. the language is just what I enjoy reading… really loving it Millie… I know I’m not done yet and have book two to read after but what a start. i just had to mention. i encourage everyone to read your work. it’s exceptional…

    Reply

    1. Oh Heath … I take it you’re enjoying it, then? hahaha! I have no real answer to this except that if you were here, I’d give you a great big hug – and possibly take you out for a meal, buy you a bottle of wine … or two … Thank you, so much! 🙂

      Reply

      1. ha ha… that would’ve been great 🙂 maybe one day… when I adapt your books for screen… i’m just proud to associated with great talent

      2. Well, If my books ever get that far (!!!) the job’s all yours. I know you’re an excellent playwright, so adaptong a book for screen should be right up your street. Your kind comments are really making me blush. 🙂

    1. What a great comment, Christina! I admit, I adore writing – but I think most people on WordPress would say the same. I’ve just had a peek at your blog, (and intend to hop back in a moment for a better look) so I know you’re busy writing books, too. I’m on the third of my trilogy now. I hope your are coming on well. 🙂

      Reply

  24. Mill, I’ve nominated you for the Liebster Award. Congrats on it and please do continue it 🙂

    Reply

    1. Hi Suganiya. Do you know, I didn’t realise you were Rachaelsbooks, and thought you’d unfollowed me! I even called you Rachael on that ‘Love is …’ post! What an idiot I am. I’ve been looking out for your posts as Rachael, you see. I’ll hop over to your blog laeter and see what I’ve missed. 🙂
      Thank you so much for the nomination. I’d be very happy to accept, although it may be almost two weeks before I can do it, if that’s OK. We’re off to Southern Spain on Wednesday – just for a week, so I can do some research for Book 3 of my trilogy.
      Also, I have more than 200 followers now. I know some of the Liebster Awards say that nominees should have between 200 and 300, so it should be alright.
      Thank you, again! ❤

      Reply

      1. Wowee Spain. I would love to visit there one day, in fact I would love to go all around the world. I wish that you have fun there. Ah, the great name confusion. My name is both Rachael and Suganiya but friends know me back home as Suganiya so because it started to confuse everyone, back again I went to my known name.
        Btw, I nominated you because I love your blog. I love reading the stuff you have posted and I thought this would be a good way to get a few of my friends to check out your blog.
        Anyhow, take your time sweet, have fun 🙂

      2. Thank you for clesring up my confusion about your name, and for the nice things you’ve said about my blog. Right now, I don’t feel it’s going anywhere, but I may cheer up about it tomorrow. I’ll do the post when I get back from Spain. I’ve already got a post planned for Monday, so I know I’ll not manage it then. Have fun, too. 🙂

  25. Hi Millie
    Thank you for the follow. You have such an interesting ‘About’ page and the rest of your blog is wonderful! So many interesting topics. I’m looking forward to reading more.
    (based on the review by I of July I’m going to download Shadow of the Raven onto my Kindle as soon as I get home – I can’t wait to do some reading 🙂 )

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much for the lovely compliments about my blog. I only started it at the end of last July and took a while to get going! And thank you so much for wanting to read my book. It’s the first of a trilogy and I’m off to Spain tomorrow to check up a few things about the Moors in Andalucía. A section of Book 3 is set there.
      Heath (I of July) lives in South Africa and writes poetry. It was so generous of him to say all the nice things about Shadow. I’m very grateful to him for that. 🙂

      Reply
  26. Pingback: Award Nominations Part 1: Liebster | A Simple Life

    1. Thank you so much for the nomination, Yinglan. 🙂 I accepted another Liebster nomination before I left for Spain, and said I’d do it when I get back. So I’d be very happy to accept your nomination too and refer to you both in the post. 🙂

      Reply

  27. What a brilliant introduction you have here. It reads like a poem, a song and a wonderful story, with so many snapshots of a life well lived. You seem to be quite content with leaving a larger footstep for all to consume over a cup of tea! Wonderfully written young lady. May you continue to flourish with all the happiness surrounding you and your family!

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much for those lovely comments! I have often wondered whether I should shorten my About page. Most others I read are far shorter, but I tend to be a garrulous type! Yes, I have had a good life and am enjoying retirement immensely. Thank you again, kind sir.

      Reply

      1. My pleasure! I would leave it as is because it is a great reason for those finding interest in how you write, as it all comes out on basically, page 1. We have the option to decide to follow at that point. I look forward to reading more of your works. Continue enjoying retirement as your love for words compliments how much retirement is soothing your mind and pen!

      2. Yes, I do tend to write as things come into my head! Retirement is very good… I’ve wanted to have time to write my books for so long. Thank you, Alan.

    1. Thank you for reading it! I know it’s long for an About page and I have thought of shortening it. But I’ll leave it as it is for now. The pictures are all old now. My eldest daughter would have kittens if she knew I’d put that picture up with her hair all fuzzy.

      Reply

  33. Hi, thanks for the kind comments you left on my blog. I really enjoyed reading your biography/about page. It is always interesting to read about someone’s life, even if it makes me feel a little nosey admitting this! I really enjoy reading memoirs and gaining insight into how people have chosen to live their lives. I look forward to reading more of your posts, Kristina x

    Reply
  34. Pingback: Apparently, I have a Real Neat Blog! | A Smith's World

    1. I’d love to participate in this, and will see what I can ome up with! Thank you! We’re off to Wales for a week tomorrow but, as usual, it will be a cse of ‘have laptop will travel’. I’ll have a look at the rules. 🙂 Thank you for thinking of me for this – it’s very much appreciated. Have a great weekend yourself. 🙂

      Reply
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  39. That was a beautiful walk with you through the decades. I really enjoyed the subtlety and grace with which you told a magnificent story. The journey from a child in a prefab to soon-to-be author of 3 books is worth admiring. Each picture you posted has so many stories to tell. I spent a few minutes on each of them and loved how you preserved a lovely memory by cello-tape 🙂
    Also the unexpected tinge of humor here and there made this story perfect. A much needed boomer for the world you are 😀
    The innocence of childhood depicted while moving to a new home and the sweetness of enjoying silence in library made me smile. 🙂

    Reply

    1. That’s a really lovely comment, Prateek. I have many stories I could tell about growing up in a poor family in the 50s and 60s. I might put a few on my blog later this year. I’m never sure whether people really like personal stories, though. We’ll see. My priority right now is to finish my book! (I’d better stop going away on little holidays! lol.) I already know what I want to write once this trilogy is done. From what I’ve read on your blog, you love writing as much as I do. Just keep going. It will be so much better to start young. I left it far too late – but life just got in the way. 🙂

      Reply

      1. And that is why your stories are so engrossing and a treat to read. 🙂
        I was just going through the link of your book on amazon and will be reading it soon.
        I thank you for encouraging. Your words really matter much more than you think 🙂

  42. Pingback: Thoughts on Blogging and Random Facts | The Snow Melts Somewhere

  43. Millie, thanks for your kind note! The “hermitage” is finally finished after 5 years of living in rubble (guess I can change that “About” page now!) and I’m in heaven. I’m a retired Registered Nurse, about half a long career in Trauma&Neurosurgery and the other half in Psychiatry, so you can imagine how happy a thing it is to be retired. As a secondary ed teacher (my hat is off to you) our career experiences might have plenty of commonalities:0)).

    I enjoyed your post on Andalucia. I’m a little anxious about doing the Camino, but excited too. If I have extra days on the end of the Camino, I was thinking about training down to see Seville, Granada and/or Cordoba. Did you enjoy one of those over another in case there isn’t time to see all three?

    Reply

    1. I loved so much about Andalucia, Beth. The Moorish architecture is stunning. I loved the city of Seville, but I think if you’re doing a flying visit, the Alhambra Palace in Granada is an absolute must. I’ve wanted to see it for years. I needed to visit Cordoba because part of the third book of my trilogy is set there (which I’m writing at the moment) And I needed to check a few thing – any excuse for a nice holiday, really. 🙂 There are some fabulous buildings in all three of those cities. We only had a week, but we spent some time in each. I hope you have a wonderful time, wherever you go. (That you’re off to Santiago de Compostela caught my eye because it’s mentioned in Book 1 of my series.)
      I really hope you enjoy your retirement. I have a few nurses in my family – my mother, sister and one of my nieces included. I was the odd one out – my love of geography took me in a different direction. I can imagine how stressful working in Trauma & Neurosurgery must have been. Secondary teaching has it’s stressful moments, depending on the school. I worked in a great schhol for my last six years (I retired at 62). By ‘great’, I mean ‘easy’! Most of the students were high fliers, so wanted to do well. So different to some inner city schools I’ve worked in. It’s all the work at home that makes teaching a bit of a killer. I had no time to do anything else but school work. I’m making up for it now. 🙂
      Five years of living in rubble sounds like fun. Now it’s time to see the world! 😀

      Reply
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    1. Thank you so much! I really enjoyed looking at a few of your excellent posts a little while ago, and hope to pop back soon and have another browse. You are a great photographer, and I love the way you give us so much Interesting information to go with them. I love Ireland (my dad’d father was Irish – a Higgins). We hope to visit again in the near future. Talk agin soon… 🙂

      Reply

      1. Oh that’s sweet! Sure you will visit again.
        I love historic books, and definitely will read your Sons of Kings. I would love to live in the future, but I like to know the things of the past too 🙂
        Have a nice Sunday!

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