A few days ago Christina James visited my local library in Oadby, on the outskirts of Leicester. The weather didn't give her a warm welcome but her audience certainly did. While the rain poured down outside, a small but enthusiastic group sat listening to Christina talking about her writing, her motivations and her childhood memories of houses steeped in the past, and how she has woven so many of these places and people into her novels. Christina writes crime thrillers featuring DI Yates. The action takes place in the Fenlands of Lincolnshire where she grew up. The house that will feature in her third novel was her Grandparent's home in Stutterton. It was called Sausage Hall and this will be the title of the book. Christina explained that the house was built by a butcher who went bankrupt. After the house was sold, it was given the name Sausage Hall and the name stuck. I love it and it's a brilliant name for a novel too. She read an extract. In fact, she gave her book its 'world premiere' just for us and we were hooked straight away.
This is only the third time I've met someone who I've got to know over the Internet. It's a strange experience. We had never met and yet we knew each other as soon as she walked into the library. The others thought we were old friends. It was difficult to explain to them how friendships can grow out of Twitter and blog chats but they do. It was lovely to meet Christina for real and I am now eagerly awaiting the publication of Sausage Hall.
If you want to know more about Christina and her books then pop over and visit her here .
I have met several people I'd got to know via the Internet. Still no surprises. Every meeting has been positive. Glad you enjoyed this one. ~Miriam
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wish I lived near Leicester. Or maybe it's that I want Wiltshire to move, as I'd miss my Downs and my lambs.
ReplyDeleteHi Ros .. that's great to hear about Christina James and her Sausage Hall - what a wonderful acquired name for the butcher's house .. and then for her grandparents to own .. and for Christina to keep it alive with a book.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun being able to catch up with fellow bloggers .. and I hope to do more this year .. cheers Hilary
How lovely for you both to meet up. I love the sound of living in Sausage Hall.
ReplyDeletegreat title and very cool that you got to meet in person. Leicester just seems to be the place to be. Glad you enjoyed a good visit and an interesting talk/read.
ReplyDeleteI've met several people in the flesh that I've chatted to via the blog or Twitter and each time it's been like meeting an old friend. So glad you had a great time.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Sausage Hall is a brilliant title a book!
Having just got back from a writers conference, where i met one of my Twitter pals, I can completely identify with what you are saying here.
ReplyDeleteI've never met anyone from bloggieville. I realize how the feeling of being old friends is possible. I feel that that I would recognize many of the people we blog with. What a pleasure that must have been.
ReplyDeleteWow - going somewhere where real writers get together is one of the things on my bucket list
ReplyDelete