The Militiverse

  Good evening my gothic friends. We are in the final days, the last nine days of September, it is crisp as bacon outside, and Lady Cora cat that loveable tuxy tyrant is hogging the fire. So pull up a chair wriggle the toes shake the fingers and have a cup of tea with me and we’ll have a cosy chat. The Seasonal Contradiction You know September is a month of rebellion isn’t it? It still spoils us with warm sunshine one moment, and then followed by sharp crisp frost, at least that’s how it behaves here in the Militiverse . But I have to admit, I love the fickleness of it all. Only last weekend, the café air was filled with the aroma of pumpkin syrup. yes, it is the season of pumpkin spice lattes ( I get excited by it, can you tell?) It reminded me of Vienna some years ago, sipping hot chocolate from a Christmas mug, one of those that you get to keep, painted with elves and lights. I digress, as usual. Last year in the café where I usually go, I bought some pumpkin syrup, o...

 My Gothic Inspirations Good Evening Dear friends, September already and believe it or not, last night I had the fire on, toasting my feet in front of it, Lady Cora cat curled up on my knee lapping up the atmosphere. I mentioned before that I adore Autumn. It is my favourite season. The beginning of open log fires, hot chocolate, smooth jazz drifting from the record player, candles and dimmed lights. Mmmm yes please. Autumn is also the time when I really get down to writing. My characters feel the season in their arcs and their bones. It’s also the time when I sneak in a cheeky trip, either a city break or a little holiday by the sea. City breaks always lead me to secret almost undiscovered book shops, cafes that leave you wondering if you stepped back in time, or through a portal and into another dimension.   Whispering Walls: The Places That Speak to Me Last year, I holidayed in Dubrovnik, Croatia . A city so beautiful, and steeped in history. The old town with i...