story and verse: Tinsel Street

When Kitty O'Brien moves into Tinsel Street with her daughters, just before Christmas, she throws a drinks party and invites her neighbours. But while Kitty is bringing the community together, her own life is falling apart. (Part of the blurb from Tinsel Street)

Tinsel Street is a story about community, friendship and love. Let's face it, gone are the days when people knew who their neighbours were. We might know them by sight, but do we know their names? Do we know anything about them? Apart from the two friends in Tinsel Street, Vera and Alison, Tinsel Street is much like any other road where people pass each other and maybe say hello, but that's it. Kitty wants to change all that. It's what she does, and it's a distraction from her own problems. Yet in the end she has to confront them.

Tinsel Street is set in a fictional town called Willesby, near to the city of Peterborough in Cambridgeshire. Some of the scenes in the book take place in Peterborough. I spent a few days in there checking my locations and taking lots of photos. Why did I pick that city? Well, I was going to choose Ipswich, but I already had a story located near there, so I plumped for Peterborough. I really liked the city when I visited. There is lots to do, and it has a river (always a plus with me as I love rivers). Suddenly my characters came to life more when I could see where they walked, even though only a handful of scenes are set there. It gave me a feel for the area, and I had time to explore Flag Fen Archeological Park, a 3000 year old Bronze Age settlement, as well as other places in the city itself.

Flag Fen (replica building)

The book took five years to get to publication, including three years in the writing. I began it in the run-up to Christmas and then ran out of steam after festivities, and didn't return to it until the next Christmas. In the end, I had to bite the bullet and write at non-Christmas times to get it finished. Otherwise I might still be writing it! Then there was the editing, rewrites and more editing before sending out into the world. And here we are. Finally, a book in my hands. Actually, a box of books! It was the most exciting thing to open that box and see my story in book form. It is something I dreamed about for years, yet never thought would actually happen.

So, who are these characters of mine who have become my friends? Here is a little about the major characters of Tinsel Street:

I've already mentioned Vera and Alison. Alison loves to bake and thinks it is the cure for all ills. The two friends spend time together and often frequent the local cafe for cake and teacakes!
Arnold is retired, but has a special job at Christmas....which he hates! He is grumpy and dislikes the dog next door with a vengeance. He keeps himself to himself, but someone wants to change that.
The owner of the dog, called Mitzy, is Sally, and she has her own problems. Something that happened in her past is both a struggle and a delight, and she doesn't know which way it will go.
Jamie is the paperboy, a kid with his head firmly on his shoulders, except when it comes to Keya, the daughter of Mr Patel, the corner shop owner.
Mr Patel sees all and has his eye on Christmas for making extra cash and having a traditional English Christmas dinner with his wife, his parents and his children. They have other ideas.
Ellie works at Drayton's Department Store and is in the doldrums after a break-up with her boyfriend. She is not looking for a new love interest, but with all the parties suddenly happening, will she find someone?
Jo has lost everything. Can he fall much lower? Well, this is Tinsel Street and maybe people are learning from Kitty as the residents are beginning to pull together.

Some other little nuggets:

My favourite characters to write were Vera and Alison (Alison in particular) and Arnold.
One of my bete readers really loved Sally's story.
There is a lot of humour throughout.
Each character has a story.
This is a feel-good contemporary Christmas story.

The book comes with a playlist (see my Publishing History page for the link, or if you come to my book launch on 12th November, the bookmarks have a QR code).

I hope you have enjoyed this delve into Tinsel Street. I've tried not to give any spoilers. If you want to know my characters' stories and whether Kitty sorts out her own problems, you'll have to read the book!

A few photos of Peterborough from my trip in May 2023: