# Patsy Collins

> Stories, photos, adventures


## Posts

- [Wednesday word of the week - Perilymph](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-perilymph/): I spotted today’s word whilst looking up last week’s. Perilymph is the liquid inside your ear which sloshes about and makes you dizzy if you spin round really fast. (Come on, I never actually said these posts wold be useful, did I?)    
- [Kindle Unlimited](https://patsycollins.co.uk/kindle-unlimited-2/): If you’re not already subscribed to Kindle Unlimited, the next time you attempt to buy a book included in the scheme, such as this one, or any pictured in this post, there’s a very good chance you’ll be offered a three month trial at a very low fee. I’ve just paid a total of 99p for three months! For that, as well as being able to ‘borrow’ as many of the included books as you like, you can also subscribe to up to 50 magazines.
- [Wednesday word of the week - Peril](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-peril/): I’ve always thought of peril as being a mild sort of trouble – the kind of thing you’d face with your chums before going home for lashings of ginger beer. The variations of perilled and perilling appeared even more benign. I thought wrong.Peril actually mean serious and immediate danger. Don’t know about you, but I’d rather avoid any and all forms of perilousness.
- [This is a test](https://patsycollins.co.uk/this-is-a-test/): Hello! I’m trying to set up the blog in such a way that it’s easy for people to read any comments made by other blog readers and   to make comments themselves.
- [Wednesday word of the week - Swish](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-swish/): To swish something (a rejection slip perhaps) is to move it through the air, so that it makes a sound. Helpfully my dictionary describes the noise produced as ‘a swishing sound’.
- [Number one!](https://patsycollins.co.uk/number-one/): My little free short story collection, Not A Drop To Drink is currently an Amazon.uk ‘bestseller’ in the category for British and Irish anthologies! Strictly speaking it isn’t an anthology, as I wrote all seven of the stories (anthologies are collections by various authors). I’m also not entirely sure you can describe something that’s not on sale as a bestseller – but don’t let those little pedantic details put you off downloading a copy. Get it, for free, here.
- [Wednesday word of the week - Magnaminous](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-magnaminous/): To be magnanimous is to be nobly generous rather than petty in feelings or actions. Hmmm, I do try to behave with magnanimity, but sometimes I get annoyed and fail to react magnanimously. Do you like this word? It’s a bit of a tongue mangler, isn’t it? Decidedly tricky to illustrate too. Umm… Aha! If someone who’d annoyed me fell into the sea I’d probably be magnanimous enough to throw them a life bouy – if I didn’t have to go far to find one and I wasn’t busy or anything.
- [True Romance](https://patsycollins.co.uk/true-romance/): True Romance is the title of my short story in the current issue of Ireland’s Own. I got the idea for this one whilst sitting in my local library, waiting for the rest of my book group to arrive. It’s amazing how fast you can scribble down an idea when you know you’re going to have to stop writing and start talking about reading at any minute! If you’d like to read some of my romantic short stories, you may like to take a look here. I have four collections of love stories, each with 24 stories in. As well … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Overdrive](https://patsycollins.co.uk/overdrive/): If you’re able to access Overdrive via your library membership, you can now read all my books for free. The ones with mauve bands at the top and bottom are single short stories – the others are novels or short story collections. The complete books should also be available through over services, such as Borrow Box, Odilo and Cloud Library, but you may have to request them through those services.
- [Subscribe option!](https://patsycollins.co.uk/subscribe-option/): You can now subscribe to this blog and get new posts by email. At least, I hope so – technology isn’t my strong point. If you’d like to give it a try, enter your email address in the turquoise box over on the right. Here are a few random photos, just to let you know the kind of thing you’d be letting yourself in for.
- [Wednesday word of the week - Tribulation](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-tribulation/): A tribulation is a great affliction or oppression, or the cause of that. The occupants of many abbeys suffered tribulations during the reformation ordered by Henry VIII. It’s a good thing I looked it up before using it anywhere as I’d always imagined it meant a minor source of annoyance. Perhaps I was associating it with trivial? Did you know what the word meant?
- [Sisterly Unity](https://patsycollins.co.uk/sisterly-unity/): I don’t have a sister, so had to use my imagination for parts of this story about sisterly relationships, which is in the current issue of Take A Break’s Fiction Feast. There’s quite a lot about cake too, so I was writing what I know there!
- [Wednesday word of the week - Rootle](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-rootle/): To rootle is to dig with a snout, to poke about or search. Whilst you’re doing it you’re rootling and afterwards you’ll have rootled. Somewhere I have a photo of pigs rootling, but when I rootled through my hard drive I got distracted, so here are some steps instead. Do you know where they are? Have you climbed them? What were you looking for last time you rootled – and did you find it?
- [BOO! Bargain BOOks!](https://patsycollins.co.uk/boo-bargain-books/): All of my collections of slightly spooky stories are currently on sale for 99p (or 99c on the US).
- [Wednesday word of the week - Estimation](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-estimation/): Estimation is the process or result of making an estimate, an opinion or judgement of worth, or an old term for esteem. By my estimation it’s time for another plug for my books. You’d all go up in my estimation if you bought one 😉 (perhaps one of these which are currently reduced to 99p / 99c)  Same applies if you read it on Kindle Unlimited, or borrow it from the library …
- [Morning people!](https://patsycollins.co.uk/morning-people/): I don’t tend to get up really early, unless there’s a good reason, such as taking a sunrise shot of the lighthouse on the Mull of Galloway. That was quite a few weeks ago (we’ve been so busy exploring, photographing and writing that I’ve found it hard to keep up with blogging). If I’d done it today it would have been much easier, thanks to it now getting light later, plus the clocks going back. I don’t think we’d have had such good weather though.
- [Wednesday word of the week - Keep](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-keep-2/): The word keep has a variety of meanings. To keep is to retain or preserve – I keep food fresh by keeping it in the fridge. Or it can mean detain or prevent – Don’t let reading this blog keep you from writing. Or to guard or protect – keep yourself safe on the internet by keeping your passwords secret. It’s also part of a castle! There are other uses for the word, but I’m not going to keep on typing as that’s kept me away from my stories long enough. Maybe some of you would like to keep on with the definitions or examples?
- [A wee Scottish story](https://patsycollins.co.uk/a-wee-scottish-story/): Not long ago, on a dreich day, we walked along the Ayrshire coast towards Greenan castle. On the way, we met a charming lady (I think she may be called Morag) and her delightful Scottie dogs (or dugs as they’re known round here) called Hamish and Robbie. Each had a tartan collar and bow. As we went our separate ways, Morag called the bots away to their porridge – apparently they like some every morning. I ‘stormed the castle’ (OK, scrambled up the steep path), had a look round, then Gary and I went back to the van for tea, … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [A Place For Two](https://patsycollins.co.uk/a-place-for-two/): We’re still away in our campervan, and that’s definitely a place for two. A Place For Two is also the title of my story in the current The People’s Friend Special. That’s not my original title – that was A Good Judge Of Character. As quite often happens, someone at the magazine changed it. There can be all sorts of reasons for that – they might already be using something similar, or have done so recently, a different one might fit better on the page, or felt to be more suitable. I don’t mind, although on this occasion I much … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Wednesday word of the week - Tantamount](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-tantamount/): Tantamount, which is almost always followed by ‘to’ means equivalent. Clicking on my blog is tantamount to agreeing to see more of my photos!
- [1001 nights](https://patsycollins.co.uk/1001-nights/): We’ve slept our thousandth and first night in the ‘mobile writing retreat’ along the Ayrshire coast. Those nights have been spent in England, Scotland (and many Scottish islands) Wales, both northern and souther Ireland, and France. I’ve not kept a record of precisely what has been written in the van, as opposed to home. It’s probably not over 1,000 individual stories, but the figure will be in the hundreds. Large parts of some of my novels were also written in the van, usually parked up in the location that part of the story was set. When Arnold from my Little … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Tea time!](https://patsycollins.co.uk/tea-time/): If you know anything about me at all, you’re probably aware I like a cup of tea (with cake, obviously). The campervan teapot and kettle are currently getting plenty of use.Tea isn’t just a refreshing hot drink, and accompaniment to the necessary writing fuel, it can also be a source of inspiration – as with this story of mine in the current Take a Break Fiction special.
- [Wednesday word of the week - Staffage](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-staffage/): Staffage is the visual arts equivalent of minor characters in a novel. They’re animals or people in the background. Part of the scene, but not the subject. As I can’t draw, I’m attempting to illustrate this through photos of a crow. In one he’s the central character, the subject – in the other he’s really just staffage. See what I mean?
- [Still on our travels](https://patsycollins.co.uk/still-on-our-travels/): We’ve reached Scotland! Actually we’ve been here a while, but not as long as you’d expect considering when we left home – but then we did stop off at quite a few places in England and do a detour through Wales on the way. Here I am not in any of those countries. I’m way up in the air on the Chirk aqueduct. Behind me is a sign saying welcome to England, and ahead is one saying welcome to Wales (and croseo i Gymru too, of course) but where I’m standing is neither. Are there other places in the world … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Wednesday word of the week - Zymology](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-zymology/): Zymology is the scientific study of fermentation. I don’t do this, but I do sometimes study the results in a very unscientific way. Cheers!
- [Wednesday word of the week - Hobbledehoy](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-hobbledehoy/): A hobbledehoy is a clumsy or awkward youth. I was one of them a loooong time ago, though I don’t recall being referred to as such. Is there a term for a similar adult? If so, that’ll be me now.
- [I won a literary prize! (sort of)](https://patsycollins.co.uk/i-won-a-literary-prize-sort-of/): I haven’t won a prize for my own writing (not lately anyway, although I have entered a few competitions so maybe I will). Instead I’ve won a selection of books by Margaret Holbrook, who ran a draw on her website. When Margaret offered to post the books to me I explained we were on our travels in the mobile writing retreat / campervan. We realised I’d be passing fairly close to where Margaret lives. As that’s near RHS garden Bridgewater that seemed the ideal place to meet – they don’t just have plants, but also a coffee shop with cake. … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Wednesday word of the week - Misremember](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-misremember/): To misremember is to remember incorrectly or imperfectly, or to forget. I misremember if I’ve shown you these pictures before …
- [Wednesday word of the week - Mellow](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-mellow/): Something which is mellow is soft, rich and free from harshness, particularly where our senses are involved. If we’re mellow, we’re either softened by age and experience – or by alcohol! (A nice mellow shiraz, perhaps?) When describing fruit it meand soft, sweet and juicy. Mellow soil is rich and loamy. I took this picture of my and Gary’s shadows in the mellow evening light. (That’s not snow but chalk – the light breeze was mellow too.) I *may* have drunk some wine when we returned to the van after our walk.
- [Very friendly!](https://patsycollins.co.uk/very-friendly/): I currently have a story in both The People’s Friend Weekly magazine, and the special. In all the remains Louisa wants to do one last thing for her old friend and discovers the old lady had felt much the same way – although her nephew feels very differently. Heart and Home is set in the fictional Moitlet Hall. Isn’t that illustration lovely? It’s even prettier than my own vision of the place! Did you spot that Moitlet Hall is almost an anagram of Little Mallow?
- [Wednesday word of the week - Tumultuousness](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-tumultuousness/): Tumultuousness is a long word, so I’ll build up to it … A tumult is an uproar or noise, an angry demonstration or disturbance or a conflict of emotions in the mind. Tumultuous is disorderly, noisily agitated or making a tumult. If you’re being those things, you’ll be acting tumultuously and demonstrating tumultuousness. Waterfalls are a tumultuous torrent of water. Can you imagine the tumult of emotions the pixies experienced when Gary knocked on their door? He only tapped gently, but to them it probably sounded like a tumultuous racket.
- [Wednesday word of the week – Yegg](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-yegg/): Go on, guess what a yegg is … It’s a travelling burglar or safe breaker. Didn’t get it, did you? We do a lot of travelling, but just about the only thing I take is photos. I like to think I do that with flare 😉
- [Just Two Months](https://patsycollins.co.uk/just-two-months/): I’m very pleased to have a story in the August 22nd issue of Ireland’s Own. It features women making enormous cakes – it’s so hard to know where I get my ideas from!
- [Wednesday word of the week – Flintlock](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-flintlock/): A flintlock is an old type of gun which requires the spark from a flint to fire.  It can also mean the device used to produce that spark. There were flintlock rifles as well as much larger guns which could fire shots weighing up to 32 lb on board HMS Victory during the Battle of Trafalgar. I didn’t get to keep any description of gun (nor that hat, sadly) but I do have the jacket and a piece of flint just like those which would have been used in a flintlock.
- [Wednesday word of the week – proclivity](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-6/): A proclivity is a tendency or an inclination. For example, I have a proclivity to eat cake and wear purple. So much so that I even did both at our wedding – which was a little over thirteen years ago! Doesn’t seem so long. I was able to stand unaided, we were just pretending that even wearing heels I’m considerably shorter than Gary. Why we were doing that I have no idea. Perhaps we just have a proclivity to be daft? Care to share any of your proclivities with me?
- [Lee lit fest](https://patsycollins.co.uk/lee-lit-fest/): I was one of 12 authors involved in the first ever literary festival in my home town of Lee-on-the-Solent (Hampshire UK) yesterday. Here I am watching the mayor and The Bookshop owner Sarah, open the event.
- [Wednesday word of the week – Concretize](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-concretize/): Concretize means to make something concrete rather than abstract. Concrete in this case meaning ‘existing in material form’ not a mix of sand and cement. Actually getting on and writing your story, as opposed to just day dreaming about seeing it in a bookshop, will concretize your brilliant idea into something you can submit for publication. Concretize may also be spelled as concretise. (This is an old photo of the booksigning for my first ever published book. It’s now available in a newer edition.)
- [Lee-on-the-Solent Literary festival](https://patsycollins.co.uk/lee-on-the-solent-literary-festival/): The first ever Lee-on-the-Solent literary festival is taking place this Saturday, 9th August. Here’s the programme of events – There will be books to buy – quite a few authors (including me) will have stalls and of course the bookshop will be open. Please come along if you’ll be in the area. Entry is free and the sun is almost guaranteed to shine!
- [Special offer](https://patsycollins.co.uk/special-offer-2/): Two of my cosy (cozy) crime novel ebooks are reduced to 99p (99c) for the next few days. Disguised Murder and Community Spirit in Little Mallow is the first book in my Little Mallow cosy crime series. Each book is a complete story, but the character’s lives carry on one from another. ‘plenty of twists and turns … a clever plot that keeps you guessing until the end’ 5 stars‘Patsy’s humour comes through in bursts throughout’ 5 stars‘moves along at a good pace and was a joy to read.’ 5 stars‘characters who you care about … as well as concocting … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Wednesday word of the week - Selective](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-selective/): Selective means, using or categorised by selection, or able to select. It can also mean able to tune into a particular frequency without interruption from others. I’ve been selective in compiling this set of photos – and if anyone says they don’t like them, I shall employ selective hearing!
- [My, My Weekly Stories](https://patsycollins.co.uk/my-my-weekly-stories/): Some of my stories, which have previously been published in My Weekly are available to read for free on their website.
- [Wednesday word of the week - Sphinx](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-sphinx/): A sphinx is a creature with a woman’s head and lion’s body. Sometimes it has wings too. Sphinx-like means an enigmatic or inscrutable person. When people refer to The Sphinx, they generally mean this one at Giza.
- [Wednesday word of the week –](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-5/): Altruism is unselfishness, concern for other people or regard for others. An altruist is a person who behaves altruistically. Btw, running this website isn’t simply an altruistic action on my part. You’re supposed to be suckered into buying my books!
- [Listen Up!](https://patsycollins.co.uk/listen-up/): That’s quite a bossy post title, but I have a good excuse – it’s also the title of my story in the current The People’s Friend Special. It’s about someone who gets nagged to eat his vegetables. Eating vegetables is good for you, so whilst I’m being bossy, I’ll tell you to make sure you eat at least a few. And drink some water. It’s for your own good!
- [Wednesday word of the week – Stray](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-stray/): Stray can mean to wander from the right place (e.g. don’t stray off the path) or to deviate morally (she promised to be faithful, but strayed with at least three of his golfing buddies, a caddy, the chaps in the pro shop and the club barmaid). In that case she could be described as straying or having gone astray (and no doubt called worse things by her husband!). It can also be a person or thing which has strayed or become lost (I think this dog was a a stray). Stray is also some weird sciency thing which interferes with radio reception, or it can be something isolated or unusual (e.g. most bluebells are … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Murder in a hospital!](https://patsycollins.co.uk/murder-in-a-hospital/): The former Royal Navy Hospital Haslar, just down the road from me, is being converted into rather nice (and expensive) apartments. On Saturday they had an open day, so I went for a nose round. Sarah from The Bookshop at Lee-on-the-Solent told me there was a library which served cake, so obviously I had to investigate that! The library is lovely – very comfortable and relaxed. Did I mention the cake? They have an interesting selection of books, many by local authors and including my Little Mallow cosy mystery series. Sarah tells me she’ll also be running a book club … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Wednesday word of the week - Browse](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-browse/): Browse can mean either to read in a rather unmethodical manner or to look through items for sale or a collection in a similar fashion. Imagine you’re in a bookshop which has a massive sale on and you keep flitting between titles by your favourite authors and pretty, shiny notebooks. Another meaning of the word browse is vegetation eaten by animals and their method of consuming it. A browser is someone who browses. So, you could browse the library for a book on browsers browsing on browse, to browse through. By now you maybe raising your eyebrows!
- [Wednesday word of the week - Heath](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-heath/): A heath is an area of flattish, uncultivated land with low shrubs. Heath can also be used to describe those shrubs and is generally used for Erica or Calluna (types of heather).
- [I'm back!](https://patsycollins.co.uk/im-back/): The website has been down for a while – due to me not understanding how technology works and losing the domain. That means the associated email was also lost. Both are (hopefully) up and running properly now with a new domain. I’m gradually updating all the links everywhere. Please let me know if you spot anything which doesn’t look right. Here are some photos from our most recent campervan adventure – can you guess the country we visited?
- [Wednesday word of the week – Suilline](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-suilline/): Suilline simply means of the pig family. You know, like feline for cats, caprine for goats, equine for horses and supine for blocked writers.
- [Uphill Struggle](https://patsycollins.co.uk/uphill-struggle/): I’m happy to have a short story in the current People’s Friend Special. This one was inspired by my writing friend Sheila who, just like my lead character, survived cancer and an amputation.
- [First in series free!](https://patsycollins.co.uk/first-in-series-free/): Disguised Murder and Community Spirit in Little Mallow, the first book in my Little Mallow cosy mystery series is currently free to download – but only for a couple of days. Get it here!
- [Coming soon...](https://patsycollins.co.uk/coming-soon-6/)
- [](https://patsycollins.co.uk/6254/): Today’s the last day to download my books A Year and a Day, and Paint Me a Picture for free. If you’d like to get emails telling you about my offers, freebies, competitions and new releases then sign up to my newsletter.
- [Free love!](https://patsycollins.co.uk/free-love/): My romance novel, A Year And A Day is currently free to download. Here are some of the 5 star reviews – A year and a day skipped along rapidly in this tale of destiny littered with promises and secrets. Patsy’s books are easy to read because she writes about real people. A great read, full of emotion. What a wonderful read this book was. I thoroughly enjoyed the ups and downs of two friends flirtations with life changes and was taken in by the twist at the end. The novel is fun and entertaining, and it keeps the reader’s … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Wednesday word of the week - protractile](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-protractile/): My tongue is protractile. I’d stick it and prove it, but that’d be rude, so here’s a tulip instead. The term usually refers to body parts and simply means they can be extended or protruded. Another word for the same thing is protrusible. Which do you like best – protractile or protrusible?
- [Wednesday word of the week - Wellnigh](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-wellnigh/): Wellnigh is an old fashioned word meaning almost. It’s most often used in the phrase ‘wellnigh impossible’. It’s wellnigh impossible to keep finding excuses to post pictures from my travels – but somehow I manage it!Update – The concise Oxford dictionary gives this as one word, but other places list it as two, or even hyphenate it. All variants seem to have the same meaning. Nigh on its own means near.
- [Wednesday word of the week – Dissentient](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-dissentient/): Dissentient can mean a person who dissents (or a dissenter) or can be used as an adjective for disagreeing with an official or majority view. The book buying public don’t seem interested in my novel  Firestarter, but a few dissentient voices have given it good reviews.
- [I tagliatelle, you're gnocchi going to believe it](https://patsycollins.co.uk/i-tagliatelle-youre-gnocchi-going-to-believe-it/): Sorry to do your noodle in, but I like a good pun. And by good of course I mean terrible! You might think they’re pasta their sell by date, and even I cannoli take so many… Anyway, it seems the judges of Best magazine’s love story competition quite like them, as my high carb effort is the runner up. (I won more than a penne!) If you fancy having a go at a writing competition, then visit my Womagwriter blog. I post about at least one free to enter contest every week.
- [Wednesday word of the week - ceramist](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-ceramist/): A ceramist is a person who makes ceramics. I had a go at school – I wasn’t anything like as good as whoever made this and my efforts didn’t last anywhere near as long.
- [Wednesday word of the week – Substantial](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-substantial/): Substantial means, of considerable importance, size or value. It also describes something strongly built or made (in the case of my cakes sometimes both meanings apply!) Another meaning is concerning the substantial points of something. Substantially either means to a great extent, or for the most part. To say that the substance of my substantial (100,000 words!) novel, Paint Me a Picture, concerns Mavis’s relationships with her family and colleagues is substantially correct.
- [Release day!](https://patsycollins.co.uk/release-day/): Deadly Words and Innocent Gossip in Little Mallow, the third book in my cosy mystery series is out today! Here’s the blurb – Muriel Grahame has kept a secret for seven decades. It’s protected her and loved ones, given them freedom and opportunities. She’s grateful for the chances, the happiness, she’s had. Her wish is to give those gifts to others. Crystal Clere has mysteries to solve. Some are fun, like the test her police colleagues set to celebrate her move to CID. Others, like Adam’s belief he’s discovered vital information, and friend Ellie’s non existent love life, are just … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Wednesday word of the week - Quadragenarian](https://patsycollins.co.uk/6024/): A quadragenarian is someone who’s between 40 and 49 years old. I used to be one. Some days that feels like a very long time ago. Most days I act as though I’m nowhere near!
- [Another thrilling episode of 'What's In The Box?'](https://patsycollins.co.uk/another-thrilling-episode-of-whats-in-the-box/): I’ve created another unboxing video for my latest novel, Deadly Words an Innocent Gossip in Little Mallow.I had help, but my partner in crime has a reputation to uphold and so declined to be credited with the camera work! As is often the case, the book is much better than the film!
- [Emotional with a pinch of hope](https://patsycollins.co.uk/emotional-with-a-pinch-of-hope/): I’ve had a rather wonderful review of the audiobook version of my novel Paint Me A picture. Paint Me A Picture by Patsy Collins is like a burst of sunshine on a rainy day! This story is deep and emotional with a pinch of hope. This story feels so real, so raw, and so relevant nowadays, I can’t believe it was first published in 2012! The main character Mavis… oh my, all I wanted was to give her a massive cuddle! There wasn’t a reference to autistic trades (and in 2012 there wasn’t kind of enough awareness out there) but … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Wednesday word of the week – Blurb](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-4/): A blurb is a short description of a book or film for promotional purposes. They’re devilishly difficult to write (though not as bad as a synopsis!) Talking of blurbs here’s the one for my latest cosy crime novel, which will be released later this month and can be ordered here.   Muriel Grahame has kept a secret for seven decades. It’s protected her and loved ones, given them freedom and opportunities. She’s grateful for the chances, the happiness, she’s had. Her wish is to give those gifts to others. Crystal Clere has mysteries to solve. Some are fun, like the test her police … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [I was on the radio!](https://patsycollins.co.uk/i-was-on-the-radio/): I was interviewed on Soundart radio by my friend and regular presenter Anne Rainbow – talking about my cosy crime series and all kinds of writing related stuff. If you missed it, you can listen here.
- [Wednesday word of the week - Evince](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-evince/): Evince means to reveal the presence of a quality or feeling, or to make clear and plain. I believe this photo of our front garden evinces my love of flowers. Evincing is also a word, evinced by its presence in my dictionary.  
- [Rainbow (and me) on the Radio](https://patsycollins.co.uk/rainbow-and-me-on-the-radio/): I’ll be on Soundart Radio on Monday morning (10 – 12), talking to my friend Anne Rainbow about different aspects of writing including my cosy mystery series, travel, and probably other things too. There will also be a selection of songs which we like and feel tie in with my work, or our lives and writing in general. Anne has a Facebook group associated with her show. If you’d like to join that you can post questions for her to ask me live on air (eeek!) You can find out about her other shows there. Her guests include artists of all descriptions. The photo … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Getting Warmer](https://patsycollins.co.uk/getting-warmer/): No, not the weather – that’s decided to stop being calm and mild, as it was for our Christmas trip in the campervan, and to behave more as we’d expect for this time of year. Perfect staying in and reading weather! Getting Warmer is the title of my short story in the January 2025 issue of Take A Break’s Fiction Feast.
- [Wednesday word of the week - Undulatory](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-undulatory/): Undulatory is a great word, isn’t it? It means undulating or wavy, or due to undulation. And undulation means a wavy motion or a gentle rise and fall. There are days when my hair is as undulatory as this wave lapping gently against the breakwater. Happy New Year!
- [Wednesday word of the week - Yule](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-yule/): Yule-tide is an archaic term for the festival of Christmas. Yule is just a shortened form of that. A Yule-log is either a real log, or one made from cake and covered in chocolate. Guess which is my favourite! (Coincidentally, the next word in my dictionary is ‘yummy’) Traditionally a yule-log really big piece of wood, which would be set alight on Christmas Eve to signal the start of the festivities, and would hopefully keep burning until twelfth night, when the feasting and frivolity would stop. I don’t have any kind of yule log this year, but I do have … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Two freebies](https://patsycollins.co.uk/two-freebies/): My short story collection A Clean Bill Of Health and romance novel Firestarter (with firemen and a few flames!) are both free to download until 23rd December. I hope you enjoy them. If you do, I’d very much appreciate a review!
- [Wednesday word of the week – Logorrhoea](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-logorrhoea/): Maybe you’ve heard, or even used, the phrase ‘verbal diarrehoea’ for someone who talks too much? Logorrhoea is actually the correct word to use as it means an excessive flow of words. It’s prononunced log-oh-ree-a.
- [Wednesday word of the week – Couloir](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-couloir/): A couloir is a steep, narrow gully on a mountainside. It’s also a marvellous excuse to post yet another picture from my Scotland trips (only 7,346 to go and you’ll have seen them all) It might not actually be of a couloir, but it’s definitely a mountainside. Or a hill. Anyway, there was steepness involved.
- [Cover reveal!](https://patsycollins.co.uk/cover-reveal/): This is the cover for the third book in my Little Mallow cosy mystery series. It will be available early next year. If you’d like to receive a free review copy a couple of weeks before the official release, please get in touch
- [Free ebook](https://patsycollins.co.uk/free-ebook/): My short story collection Keep It In The Family, is currently free to download. Offer ends 7th December. I hope you enjoy it. If you do, a review will be greatly appreciated. Here’s the blurb –  Alec thinks he’s suffered a medical emergency, Dr Kuttemopen says the same about his patient, and Jake and his granddad will be at risk from one if they carry on as they’ve been doing. With the support of loved ones, they could all put these predicted and suspected health problems behind them. Uncle Boris’s condition will never go away, but neither will Aunt Jonna, … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Wednesday word of the week - Gaff](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-gaff/): A gaff can be either one of two horrible sounding fishing implements, or a slang term for a person’s home. Gaff can also mean a plan or secret, most often used in the phrase ‘don’t blow the gaff‘ which is similar to not letting the cat out of the bag. (English is fun, isn’t it?) Don’t make the gaffe of adding an e – that’s a different word. Threave castle was once the gaff of Archibald the grim. (Upsetting him was way more than a gaffe) I wonder if he used a gaff to catch fish in his moat?
- [Wednesday word of the week – Quadrifid](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-quadrifid/): Quadrifid means to have four divisions or lobes. This akebia quinata has three parts to the flowers and five to the leaves – so that averages out right. It also smells quite nice and grows like a triffid.
- [A few words on AI](https://patsycollins.co.uk/a-few-words-on-ai/): I don’t use AI to write my books. My readers are real people and I don’t think it’s fair to ask them to buy a book and spend time reading it if I can’t be bothered to write it myself.If you’d like to read any of my novels or themed short story collections, you can request them from libraries, order through bookshops, or buy them here.
- [Wednesday word of the week - Catchword](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-catchword/): This book is ‘Display of Heraldry’ which was published in 1660. Back then it was only the very rich who could afford books (the kind of people who had heraldry to display). It wasn’t uncommon for workers, even skilled ones to be illiterate. You can imagine this had to potential to cause problems when some of those skilled workers had the job of binding individual pages into a book. To ensure the pages were stitched together in the right order a catchword was used. The last word at the end of a page would be repeated at the start of … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Judged to Perfection](https://patsycollins.co.uk/judged-to-perfection/): I attended a book fair yesterday. It had been hoped some of the authors could give readings of their work. Unfortunately the acoustics in the building made that impossible. As I’d printed out my story and nerved myself up to do it, I decided to have a go at home. It’s actually much harder to talk to a camera than real people especially when, without your glasses, you can’t see whether the thing is on or not! (I can’t read them on, just in case you were thinking I’d overlooked an obvious solution to the problem, which admittedly I sometimes … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Purple scissors!](https://patsycollins.co.uk/purple-scissors/): I‘m attending a book fair on Sunday (if you’re in Portsmouth, please come and say hello – it’s free entry and there’s a cafe selling cakes).  That means I need some books to sell, and I therefore ordered some. Feeling pleased with myself for having remembered to do it in time for me to unpack and check them prior to the day I got a little bit carried away and decided to make an ‘unboxing’ video. I’m not sure when or why these became a trend, but from the ones I’d seen I had the impression it was an easy … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Wednesday word of the week - Monogene](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-monogene/): A while ago I wanted a one word alternative to ‘only child’ and discovered monogene. The word isn’t in my dictionary and doesn’t seem to have one clear definition, but being the only begotten child is one alternative. It can also mean unique, special and one of a kind. Much as I love my brother now, there were times whilst growing up when I’d have preferred to be a monogene. (I can’t give examples as he’s got as much on me as I have on him!) Monogenesis is in my dictionary. It refers to the theory that all living things developed from … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Do you use Audible?](https://patsycollins.co.uk/do-you-use-audible/): A couple of years ago I experimented with audio books. I got three made, but never did anything much to promote them. I’ve just discovered that the free promo codes for the UK and US sites, which I should have used at the time, are still active. If you’d like one, in exchange for leaving an honest review (Audible/Amazon/Goodreads) then let me know. Please state which book, and whether you want UK or US links. Click on the images above to learn more about each title.
- [Wednesday word of the week – Alpinist](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-alpinist/): An alpinist is a climber of high mountains (generally, but not necessarily the Alps). I’m not an alpinist. I don’t know if there’s a word for climbers of not very high mountains, only when it’s sunny, the path doesn’t look too treacherous and regular stops are permitted, but if there is, I’m one of them.
- [Special offer!](https://patsycollins.co.uk/special-offer/): If you use either the UK, or US Amazon store, you can currently buy the first book in my Little Mallow cosy mystery series for a reduced price.
- [Boo!](https://patsycollins.co.uk/boo-2/): Happy hallowe’en! If you fancy getting into the spirit of hallowe’en but there’s not a ghost of a chance or you reading a really scary book, or you just don’t know witch to choose, then you might enjoy my collections of slightly spooky stories.
- [Wednesday word of the week – Specious](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-specious/): Specious means either misleadingly attractive or superficially plausible, but actually wrong. Custard made with salt instead of sugar would add speciosity to your trifle. An example of speciousness is the specious claim that as chocolate is dervived from plants, a family sized bar of Aero counts as one of your five a day. That’s only true if you choose the orange flavoured one (she adds speciously*) *mint’s a plant, so green centred Aeros are healthy too.
- [Killer New Look](https://patsycollins.co.uk/killer-new-look/): The cover of my romantic murder mystery, Acting Like A Killer, has had a tweak. Do you like the new look?
- [Wednesday word of the week – Monticule](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-monticule/): A monticule is a small hill. Sounds rather friendly, doesn’t it? The sort of place you’d walk up to enjoy a picnic involving ginger beer and home made cake. A monticule can also be a mini mound caused by a volcano. Here’s the view from a hill (quite a big one) I climbed up one summer. Recognise it? Clue … instead of climbing up, you could just swan about down the bottom.
- [Wednesday word of the week -](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-3/): Umbriferous means providing shade. The depth of Lydford Gorge would make it a pleasantly shady place to walk in summer, even without the umbriferous canopy of vegetation.
- [Wednesday word of the week – Compendious](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-compendious/): I hope to keep this post compendious, that is comprehensive yet fairly brief. To write so compendiously would demonstrate my compendiousness, which would be nice. Cakes are also nice (and round here they’re comprehensively dealt with in a very brief time).
- [Free cosy mysteries](https://patsycollins.co.uk/free-cosy-mysteries/): Here’s another opportunity to sign up to author newsletters, and download a free book from each of them.
- [Wednesday word of the week – Fatalism](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-fatalism/): Fatalism can mean either a submissive attitude to events as being inevitable, or the belief that everything is predetermined and that we have no influence over anything which may happen. A fatalist is a person who thinks fatalistically. I’m not a fatalist. Some things are out of our control, and luck plays a part, but I believe that it’s generally possible for us to influence the future. What about you?
- [Free reads - and some to buy](https://patsycollins.co.uk/free-reads-and-some-to-buy/): I’m taking part in a few author / book promotions. This one and this one both offer free reads from authors of crime, thriller and mystery books. To claim these you must subscribe to the authors’ newsletters, but you can opt out any time if you decide you don’t want to keep receiving them. There’s also this one which has mystery and thriller books for sale. Finally this one has cosy mystery books which are for sale, or can all be read via kindle unlimited. Hopefully you’ll find something of interest in one of those!
- [Back from a break?](https://patsycollins.co.uk/back-from-a-break/): I haven’t had a story in Take a Break’s Fiction Feast in a while, so I’m very pleased to have two in the current (October) issue. The titles they’ve been given might make it tricky to guess what they’re about. Does it help at all if I mention werewolves?
- [Wednesday word of the week – Rich](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-rich/): Rich means having lots of money, or other items of value. It can mean splendid, costly or elaborate eg richly decorated or patterned. Alternatively it’s used to describe abundance. eg my mind contains a rich supply of story ideas. Soil which is rich contains plenty of nutrients and is very fertile. Richness in our own food comes from fat or spices. Engines can have too rich a fuel and air mix. Sounds, scents and colours are often described as rich when they’re heavy, full or deep. The phrase that’s rich is sometimes used to convey the idea something is considered outrageous, ludicrous or extremely amusing. Do you have any riches?
- [Wednesday word of the week – Brand New](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-brand-new/): OK, brand new is a phrase and not a word and this may be more of a rant than an explanation*, but this has been bothering me for a while … Why do people (particularly those in marketing) say something is brand new? The only definition I’ve been able to find is ‘completely new’. But new is like pregnant, dead or unique – either you are or you’re not. You can’t be slightly pregnant or fairly unique and an object can’t be just a little bit new. While I’m ranting, semi-naked is just as bad. There’s no such thing. A person may not … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Wednesday word of the week – Travail](https://patsycollins.co.uk/wednesday-word-of-the-week-travail/): Travail, or travails, is a situation involving a lot of hard work or difficulty. Eg the travails of book promotion. Apparently just bunging up a link and hoping people will buy it isn’t enough. (But I’m going to try that anyway.) Here’s where you can buy my book! Travels is something different altogether – I hope if you have any trips planned they don’t involve any travail.

## Pages

- [Forum](https://patsycollins.co.uk/community/): [wpforo]
- [Deadly Words and Innocent Gossip in Little Mallow](https://patsycollins.co.uk/deadly-words-and-innocent-gossip-in-little-mallow/): Deadly Words and Innocent Gossip in Little Mallow Book 3 in the Little Mallow cosy mystery series. Muriel Grahame has kept a secret for seven decades. It’s protected her and loved ones, given them freedom and opportunities. She’s grateful for the chances, the happiness, she’s had. Her wish is to give those gifts to others. Crystal Clere has mysteries to solve. Some are fun, like the test her police colleagues set to celebrate her move to CID. Others, like Adam’s belief he’s discovered vital information, and friend Ellie’s non existent love life, are just puzzling. Murder, and further attacks on … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Crime In Mind](https://patsycollins.co.uk/crime-in-mind/): Crime In Mind: A collection of 24 short stories. There are a huge variety of crimes, committed for many different reasons. Those which seem justified or are at least understandable. Others for which there can be no possible excuse. Some crimes are calculated and deliberate, others unplanned or even accidental. More still are planned but don’t happen. Then there’s behaviour so bad it’s against all moral laws even if not technically illegal. There are also multiple ways for the criminal to be caught out or made to pay for what they’ve done. The police, an amateur detective or even their … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Dependable Friends and Deceitful Neighbours in Little Mallow](https://patsycollins.co.uk/dependable-friends-and-deceitful-neighbours-in-little-mallow/): Book 2 in the in the Little Mallow cosy mystery series. The picturesque seaside village of Little Mallow is suffering a spate of robberies. Arnold Stewart, verger of St Symeon’s interrupts a burglary in progress and saves the church’s antique silver. His friend, schoolteacher Ellie Jenkins, is another victim. Who can be responsible? And are they also guilty of other, far worse, crimes? Naturally, police officers Crystal Clere and Trevor Harris are investigating, and young Adam is asking many, many questions. Arnold’s kind-hearted employer Reverend Jerry Grande is praying for answers, and for those involved. Cameron isn’t so much interested … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Little Mallow series](https://patsycollins.co.uk/little-mallow-series/): This Inside Scoop and Stories From Little Mallow This introduction to Little Mallow is available free (and exclusively) to those who sign up to my author newsletter. It takes the form of a special edition of Little Mallow’s community magazine and contains directions to Little Mallow, short stories and a small insight into a few of the characters. There’s also a cake recipe. Be warned – this is not a low calories series! All the books below are available as paperbacks, ebooks and through kindle unlimited. They can be bought online, ordered through bookshops, or requested in your local library. … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Slightly Spooky Stories V](https://patsycollins.co.uk/slightly-spooky-stories-v/): Slightly Spooky Stories V : a collection of 24 Short Stories Ghosts, sixth sense and things not of this world aren’t always scary, though they can be. Some help or warn, frighten or comfort those who perceive them. Others are here for their own purposes, waiting for a chance to move on. We might see, hear or feel them, perhaps they’ll only reach us through our subconscious. Are ghosts memories and echoes of the past, contacts from another time and place, or figments of our imagination? Whether you believe in them or not, ghosts, spirits and mysterious spooking happenings all … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [A Clean Bill Of Health](https://patsycollins.co.uk/a-clean-bill-of-health/): A Clean Bill Of Health; a collection of 24 short stories. Our health is important, we all know that, even if we sometimes take it for granted. There are so many factors which can affect our health. Things we can help, and things we can’t, from infection, smoking, depression and anxiety to excess weight, accident, injury or conditions we’re born with. All can take a toll on our mental or physical wellbeing. Lynne doesn’t seek prompt help due to embarrassment over the position of her boil, George worries the strange rash is a result of being bewitched and Emelie thinks … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Blog](https://patsycollins.co.uk/blog/)
- [Disguised Murder and Community Spirit in Little Mallow](https://patsycollins.co.uk/disguised-murder-and-community-spirit-in-little-mallow/): Book 1 in the Little Mallow cosy mystery series Two murders, a party of disguised suspects, and a seaside village full of cake. Why send invitations to a party in a building which doesn’t yet exist? Why plan and pay for it anonymously and insist guests come in disguise? Police Officer Crystal Clere is only mildly curious, as she has a murder to solve. And cakes to bake, romances to fix, friends and an elderly relative in need of help. When the new hall is built, and Crystal belatedly receives a party invitation, there’s an opportunity to solve some of … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [For Writers](https://patsycollins.co.uk/for-writers/): My Womagwiter blog contains lots of advice, plus all the guidelines needed for submitting fiction to women’s magazines, lots of links to free entry writing competitions, opportunities to share your news and experiences, ask questions and connect with other writers. The Facebook group WritingChat is also a great place to communicate with other writers. If you’re looking for books to help with your writing, you may be interested in From Story Idea to Reader and A Year Of Ideas. A YEAR OF IDEAS – 365 sets of writing prompts and exercises All writers need ideas. We need topics and themes, … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Unearthing The Truth](https://patsycollins.co.uk/unearthing-the-truth/)
- [Other collections](https://patsycollins.co.uk/other-collections/): A Clean Bill Of HealthA Way With WordsCriminal IntentCoffee & CakeDays To RememberDressed To ImpressJust A JobMaking A MoveNot A Drop To DrinkPerfect Timing
- [Slightly Spooky Stories](https://patsycollins.co.uk/slightly-spooky/): Slightly Spooky Stories ISlightly Spooky Stories IISlightly Spooky Stories IIISlightly Spooky Stories IVSlightly Spooky Stories V
- [Family related stories](https://patsycollins.co.uk/family-related-stories/): Can’t Choose Your FamilyFamily FeelingHappy FamiliesKeep It In The FamilyNo Family Secrets Buy them all as paperbacks or ebooks, or read via kindle unlimited here, or order through your local bookshop, or request them at the library.
- [Romance collections](https://patsycollins.co.uk/romance/): All That Love StuffLove Is The AnswerLots Of LoveWith Love And Kisses Buy them all as paperbacks or ebooks, or read via kindle unlimited here, or order through your local bookshop, or request them at the library.
- [Garden stories](https://patsycollins.co.uk/garden-stories/): Beyond The Garden WallIn The Garden AirThrough The Garden GateOver The Garden FenceUp The Garden Path Buy them all as paperbacks or ebooks, or read via kindle unlimited here, or order through your local bookshop, or request them at the library.
- [Home](https://patsycollins.co.uk/): Hello! Welcome to my website. Here you’ll find details of all my books, plus a blog about our travels and adventures in the mobile writing retreat (campervan) and my writing life. If you’d like even more of that kind of thing, plus competitions, lots of photos of flowers and my adventures as well as a free copy of The Inside Scoop And Stories From Little Mallow then you might like to sign up for my newsletter. And if you’d like more free reading you’re welcome to download either of my free ebooks – Not A Drop To Drink and Unearthing … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Days To Remember](https://patsycollins.co.uk/days-to-remember-2/): Days To Remember: a collection of 24 short stories. There are many memorable days to be celebrated in the course of our lives. Some come round every year – whether we want them to or not. Others are one offs never to be repeated. Perhaps we’ll know from the moment we wake that all will go well. Maybe it will seem things are going wrong, when the opposite is true and we’ll find our way by getting lost. Having our moment of glory snatched might teach us about the real winners and losers in life. Some days are hugely and … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Beyond The Garden Wall](https://patsycollins.co.uk/beyond-the-garden-wall/): Beyond The Garden Wall: a collection of 24 short stories. Mike accuses Chloe of jumping to conclusions, creating chaos and dragging others along with her. Annoyingly he’s right. Geoff’s in no rush to tackle the wisteria. They’ve got all the time in the world for that – which is precisely what’s worrying his wife. Freya’s broken arm means she can’t enter the flower arranging competition herself. Even so, she’s not going to let Celia get away with her usual tricks. Barbara gives her step-granddaughter a gift which just might give her a lifetime of happiness. Hospital rules mean Henry can’t … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Free reads and offers](https://patsycollins.co.uk/free-reads-and-offers/): Everyone loves a bargain or a freebie, don’t they? It’s great to download free or discounted books which an author, or their publisher, are offering. That’s the point of such offers. Please be aware though that sometimes unscrupulous websites will offer vast numbers of books for free. Sometimes these are pirated, sometimes there aren’t any books at all, just the ‘opportunity’ to upload malware to your computer or device. Please don’t get caught out! All of my books (except the two which are free anyway) can be read through kindle unlimited. There’s a monthly subscription fee, but often Amazon offer … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Newsletter sign up](https://patsycollins.co.uk/newsletter-sign-up/):  
- [Slightly Spooky Stories IV](https://patsycollins.co.uk/slightly-spooky-stories-iv/): Slightly Spooky Stories IV: a collection of 24 short stories. Ghosts, sixth sense and things not of this world aren’t always scary, though they can be. Some help or warn, frighten or comfort those who perceive them. Others are here for their own purposes, waiting for a chance to move on. We might see, hear or feel them, perhaps they’ll only reach us through our subconscious. Are ghosts memories and echoes of the past, contacts from another time and place, or figments of our imagination? Whether you believe in them or not, ghosts, spirits and mysterious spooking happenings all provide … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Making A Move](https://patsycollins.co.uk/making-a-move/): Making A Move: a collection of 24 short stories No matter if it’s taking a walk, catching a bus or jumping out of a perfectly good aeroplane, the way we move can get us where we want to be. Our journey could be on land, sea, by air or all in our mind. We might travel with others, get there by ourselves, or need help to make the journey. The moves we make aren’t always from A to B. We may change direction, take steps to improve our lives or start a relationship. We could be the driver, passenger or … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Criminal Intent](https://patsycollins.co.uk/criminal-intent/): Criminal Intent: a collection of 24 short stories There are a huge variety of crimes, committed for many different reasons. Those which seem justified or are at least understandable. Others for which there can be no possible excuse. Some crimes are calculated and deliberate, others unplanned or even accidental. More still are planned but don’t happen. There are also multiple ways for the criminal to be caught out or made to pay for what they’ve done. The police, an amateur detective or even their victim might bring them to justice. And sometimes what at first appears to be a crime … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Acting Like A Killer](https://patsycollins.co.uk/acting-like-a-killer/):  Acting Like A Killer Amelia Watson needs a dead body by tea time. Less urgent, but more important are – time for a life, the chance to solve crime, an uncomplicated romantic relationship, promotion at work, to be less hurt by her parents’ distance. And then there’s Nicole, and the attractive stranger… Of course Amelia doesn’t get all she desires, or appreciate everything that life brings. Along the way her priorities change and she ends up with far more than she’d bargained for. Will the unexpected bonus break her heart? Available as a paperback or ebook here. The paperback version … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Love Is The Answer](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/love-is-the-answer/): Love Is The Answer: a collection of 24 short stories. Love is something that many people go to great lengths to find, and to keep hold of. Willow helps others find theirs through a combination of meticulous programming and random chance, Sal stumbles into romance through a series of embarrassing accidents and Gran discovers love on a protest march. Margaret makes a very practical arrangement to secure her share of love and happiness, Doreen has to call on a friend to help discover it and Nadine uses a dog to track it down. Lorna wins her happy ever after through … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Happy Families](https://patsycollins.co.uk/happy-families/): Happy Families: a collection of 24 short stories. Being a family is about far more than having a surname in common, but that one thing brought Lorna and Lucy Wainwright together. Their new friendship also helped them see their blood relatives in a more positive way. Daniel thought his son’s poor performance in a school play might discredit his own good name in the acting business – until he heard the boy’s lines. Charlotte Yonge felt like a failure compared with her famous namesake, but her brother kindly agreed she was an idiot. Mattie ‘Super’ King has no intention of … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Coffee & Cake](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/coffee-cake/): Coffee & Cake: a collection of 25 short stories We eat and drink for more than mere survival. Food comforts and reassures, connects us with others. A mug of coffee wakes us up in the morning. A cup of tea can calm us down. Cakes are great for celebrations, birthdays in particular. Making one specially for someone shows how much we care. The same applies to learning to make their favourite dish, or passing on your signature recipe. The food and drink choices we make expose aspects of our personality. What we give to others, and the care we take … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Dressed To Impress](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/dressed-to-impress/): Dressed To Impress: A collection of 24 Short stories We choose our clothes to help us stand out, make a statement, or to hide inside. They may show who we really are or be our disguise. Perhaps they’ll help us play a part, get the job done, or be a means for revenge. Clothes can warm, comfort and reassure us. We might buy or borrow them, damage or repair, give them away or have them taken. The items in our wardrobe might bring back memories, express hope for the future, or offer a surprise. From glasses to shoes, fancy dress … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Slightly Spooky Stories III](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/slightly-spooky-stories-iii-2/): Slightly Spooky Stories III: a collection of 24 short stories. Ghosts, sixth sense and things not of this world aren’t always scary, though they can be. Some help or warn, frighten or comfort those who perceive them. Others are here for their own purposes, waiting for a chance to move on. We might see, hear or feel them, perhaps they’ll only reach us through our subconscious. Are ghosts memories and echoes of the past, contacts from another time and place, or figments of our imagination? Whether you believe in them or not, ghosts, spirits and mysterious spooking happenings all provide … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Slightly Spooky Stories III](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/slightly-spooky-stories-iii/): Slightly Spooky Stories III: a collection of 24 short stories. Ghosts, sixth sense and things not of this world aren’t always scary, though they can be. Some help or warn, frighten or comfort those who perceive them. Others are here for their own purposes, waiting for a chance to move on. We might see, hear or feel them, perhaps they’ll only reach us through our subconscious. Are ghosts memories and echoes of the past, contacts from another time and place, or figments of our imagination? Whether you believe in them or not, ghosts, spirits and mysterious spooking happenings all provide … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [A Way With Words](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/a-way-with-words-2/): A Way With Words: a collection of 25 short stories. We may choose our words carefully or use them without thought. They might be employed to get our message across, or hide what we’re feeling. They can be tools, gifts or weapons. We need them for the games we play, the work we do and the excuses we make. Words are written or typed, texted, emailed, signed or spoken. They’re heard, misheard, remembered forever or forgotten in an instant. Strung together they create fact or fiction, tell lies or the truth. Whether compliments or taunts, hard to spell or difficult … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [A Year Of Ideas](https://patsycollins.co.uk/a-year-of-ideas/): A YEAR OF IDEAS – 365 sets of writing prompts and exercises All writers need ideas. We need topics and themes, prompts to get started and a little encouragement to keep going. New writers may be wondering where to begin, daunted by a blank page and want help to transform thoughts into fiction. Even the most experienced have dry periods when ideas don’t flow, or times when they appreciate a push to try something different. Patsy Collins’ methods are proven to work. She’s employed them at workshops where she’s never failed to get her attendees, from brand new and nervous … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Family Feeling](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/family-feeling-2/): Family Feeling – A collection of 25 short stories. Helen’s sister always calls with emergencies, real or imagined, at the most inconvenient times. Tara’s sister rang for help dealing with the consequences of having turned into a crazy cat lady. Katy’s sister is waiting for a call to congratulate her for having the one thing her sibling longs for and can never have. Each of them might hang up, keep quiet or even criticise – but that doesn’t mean they won’t provide help and support when it’s needed. When we love someone we want them to have the best, whether … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Family Feeling](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/family-feeling/): Family Feeling – A collection of 25 short stories. Helen’s sister always calls with emergencies, real or imagined, at the most inconvenient times. Tara’s sister rang for help dealing with the consequences of having turned into a crazy cat lady. Katy’s sister is waiting for a call to congratulate her for having the one thing her sibling longs for and can never have. Each of them might hang up, keep quiet or even criticise – but that doesn’t mean they won’t provide help and support when it’s needed. When we love someone we want them to have the best, whether … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Lots Of Love](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/lots-of-love-2/): Lots Of Love: a collection of 25 short stories. Sapphire thinks she needs to be perfect in order to win John’s affections. Will making a perfect mess of things help or hinder her chances? Fennel’s dad expects perfection from a man before he’ll consider him halfway good enough for his daughter, whereas Elizabeth’s mother thinks accepting ‘nice enough’ and keeping quiet is the best route to happiness. Edna and Geoff are celebrating their thirtieth anniversary. At least it will be a celebration if Geoff will put showing he cares ahead of saving the pennies. Judie and Will have been together … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Are We Nearly Famous?](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/are-we-nearly-famous/): This (usually free) collection of short stories is about journeys; literal, metaphorical and literary. Those both of the characters and the authors. Ailsa travels to Scotland and begins the journey of recovery after life-saving surgery. The Smith family take two trips in one, and their reactions to each bring them closer as a family. Esperanza doesn’t just switch locations but swaps one life for another, each change taking her away from everything she knows and ever closer to the independence she needs to be truly happy. In Italy, Pedro learns about the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Lisa’s journey … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Slightly Spooky Stories II](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/slightly-spooky-stories-ii/): Slightly Spooky Stories II: a collection of 24 short stories. Ghosts, sixth sense and things not of this world aren’t always scary, though they can be. Some help or warn, frighten or comfort those who perceive them. Others are here for their own purposes, waiting for a chance to move on. We might see, hear or feel them, perhaps they’ll only reach us through our subconscious. Are ghosts memories and echoes of the past, contacts from another time and place, or figments of our imagination? Whether you believe in them or not, ghosts, spirits and mysterious spooking happenings all provide … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Perfect Timing](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/perfect-timing/): Perfect Timing: a collection of 25 short stories. Whether we have long hours to fill, or not a moment to spare, time plays an important part in all our lives. We might not watch the clock, but we can’t escape the impact of the seconds ticking away. Time waits for no woman, neither will it accelerate at her command. It’s no more considerate of men, children and teddy bears. Being a little early, or late, can have a big impact; it could mean missing a train, inheritance, or much needed meal. Or help us catch a crook, rescue a neighbour, … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Keep It In The Family](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/keep-it-in-the-family/): Keep It In The Family: a collection of 25 short stories. Alec thinks he’s suffered a medical emergency, Dr Kuttemopen says the same about his patient, and Jake and his granddad will be at risk from one if they carry on as they’ve been doing. With the support of loved ones, they could all put these predicted and suspected health problems behind them. Uncle Boris’s condition will never go away, but neither will Aunt Jonna, so he’ll not just cope, but enjoy doing so. Everyone has problems or concerns from time to time. Some deal with them by always moving … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [In The Garden Air](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/in-the-garden-air/): In The Garden Air – A collection of 24 short stories Dorothy used to hate the noise of lawnmowers starting up, like a kind of horticultural Mexican sound wave, but that was before Luke was the one in charge of the machine. Betsie used to hate the awful Valentine’s gimmicks people used to impress friends and colleagues rather than showing their feelings to one special person. Actually she still dislikes those, but she loves the genuine sign of affection Tim gave her – almost as much as she loves the man himself. Maria is desperate for it not to rain, … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Just A Job](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/just-a-job/): Just A Job: a collection of 25 short stories. Work is a huge part of our lives; from the first time someone asks us what we’ll be when we grow up, until we’re drawing our pension and looking back with relief or regret. Through training and searching for, obtaining them, travelling to and actually being there, to winding down at the end of a busy day, our jobs take up much of our time. Whether full time, part time, or can’t wait for home time, working from home, working away, carer or career, paid or volunteer, we all have a … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [With Love And Kisses](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/with-love-and-kisses/): With Love And Kisses: a collection of 25 short stories. Isabelle was dared to go in search of love, Julia attempts to win it, and Beverly searches in the small print. Anne puts on a lavish dress, Angie dons a nice new waterproof jacket and Tracie removes her clothes. All of them want the same thing – to love and be loved. Others use more extreme methods in their quest for romance; marriage brokers and weird dogs, historic ships, even stolen magic dust. Andrew has proposed to Jemima many times, as part of plays they’ve acted in together. It never … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Leave Nothing But Footprints](https://patsycollins.co.uk/my-novels/leave-nothing-but-footprints/): Leave Nothing But Footprints Jessica Borlase always gets what she wants. From cocktails in the exact shade of her manicure, holiday on Capri with friends, to a spacious apartment, her father’s money makes it possible. She enjoys the luxurious lifestyle and is grateful for his support, but frustrated to always be treated as Daddy’s pampered little girl. She tries to break free, by leaving Borlase Enterprises and studying photography. Now what Jess wants is the utterly gorgeous Eliot Beatty; a world famous photographer who often uses his talents to benefit conservation projects. Her father attempts to bribe Eliot into taking … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Slightly Spooky Stories I](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/slightly-spooky-stories/): Slightly Spooky Stories I : a collection of 25 short stories Ghosts, sixth sense and things not of this world aren’t always scary, though they can be. Some help or warn, frighten or comfort those who perceive them. Others are here for their own purposes, waiting for a chance to move on. We might see, hear or feel them, perhaps they’ll only reach us through our subconscious. Are ghosts memories and echoes of the past, contacts from another time and place, or figments of our imagination? Whether you believe in them or not, ghosts, spirits and mysterious spooking happenings all … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Can't Choose Your Family](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/cant-choose-your-family-2/): Can’t Choose Your Family: a collection of 25 short stories Chloe’s dad wishes she’d talk to him. How can he help her without knowing what’s wrong? There’s a way he can find out, but not without losing her trust. He can’t risk that. Doug’s dad would rather not have heard what his son, or rather step-son, had to say. He’d destroyed his family’s trust; perhaps broken up the family too. Why must an innocent boy and rescue dog suffer for his selfishness? Paula listens to her family, when she can hear them over the TV, but doesn’t like what they … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Can't Choose Your Family](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/cant-choose-your-family/): Can’t Choose Your Family: a collection of 25 short stories Chloe’s dad wishes she’d talk to him. How can he help her without knowing what’s wrong? There’s a way he can find out, but not without losing her trust. He can’t risk that. Doug’s dad would rather not have heard what his son, or rather step-son, had to say. He’d destroyed his family’s trust; perhaps broken up the family too. Why must an innocent boy and rescue dog suffer for his selfishness? Paula listens to her family, when she can hear them over the TV, but doesn’t like what they … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [All That Love Stuff](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/all-that-love-stuff/): All That Love Stuff: a collection of 24 short stories Richard’s gone shopping for romance at the supermarket, Sally tries a smart way to get her man, Kirstey turns arty and Natalie just waits. And waits. And waits. Will their efforts be rewarded? Heidi has always known she and Carl are perfect for each other. He’s much cleverer than her, so why does he continue to search the sky for his sign, when she’s standing right next to him? Moths can’t shimmer and dazzle like newly emerged butterflies, people in wheelchairs don’t climb mountains, those who’re different rarely see themselves … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [No Family Secrets](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/no-family-secrets/): No Family Secrets: a collection of 25 short stories. Perhaps Aunty Louise hadn’t wanted to be told the truth about why her bum looked big in that dress. If so, she asked the wrong person; Tracie’s mum never lied. Louise did ask though, that’s why she was told. That’s why there are questions Tracie keeps to herself. Sue’s mother always tells the truth, but people don’t always listen. Jemima tells lies. Well, it’s either that or get a job and pay her way and she’s not really suited to that sort of thing. She’s much better at manipulation, although perhaps … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [From Story Idea to Reader](https://patsycollins.co.uk/for-writers/from-story-idea-to-reader/): From Story Idea to Reader is an easily accessible guide to writing fiction. Whether you are brushing up on your writing skills or starting out, this book will take you through the whole process from inspiration to conclusion. No matter if you are looking to submit your work for publication, enter a competition, or want to self-publish, this practical guide will help you every step of the way. Between them, Patsy Collins and Rosemary Kind have sold hundreds of short stories, written sixteen published books and produced numerous articles for Writing Magazine and similar publications. They’ve both judged writing competitions … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Audio Books and Large Print](https://patsycollins.co.uk/audio-stories/): ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY narrated by Claire Storey Leah is accused of a crime she didn’t commit. Dumped by Adam, the man she planned to marry, she escapes to Aunt Jayne’s smallholding in the Kent village of Winkleigh Marsh. Heartbroken and homeless, she strives to clear her name and deal with her emotions. Jayne treats Leah’s unhappiness with herbal remedies, cowslip wine and common sense in equal measure. In return Leah works hard for the delicious home-cooked meals they share. She wrestles with sheep, breaks nails and gets stuck in the mud – learning as much about herself as she … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Through The Garden Gate](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/through-the-garden-gate/): Through The Garden Gate: a collection of 24 short stories Shirley can’t see the beauty Hugh pictures in the patch of bare earth, but is happy to help him bury the flower bulbs as deep as she keeps her secret. The Adkins always put on a brave face, something Iris is determined to do, even if she doesn’t know why it’s needed. Julie and her cousin are twigs from the same branch, so why does she feel like a sapling in the shade of his mighty oak? Ryan knows he’s good at nurturing plants – can he learn to do … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Firestarter](https://patsycollins.co.uk/my-novels/firestarter-2/): Firestarter Alice has a fantasy. It starts with being rescued by a hunky fireman, involves the kiss of life and ends in him not needing his uniform. At the New Forest Show, Alice is offered an innocent version of her dream. Reluctantly she turns down fireman Hamish’s invitation. Despite Alice’s blameless behaviour, boyfriend Tony’s obsessive jealousy kicks in. Hamish wants to take Tony’s place, but a hoaxer ensures Alice already sees far too much of Hampshire Fire Service. The threat of an explosive sprout surprise, her mum’s baking, sister Kate’s mind boggling pep talks and the peculiar behaviour of Alice’s boss … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Not A Drop To Drink](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/not-a-drop-to-drink/): Not A Drop To Drink: a free collection of 7 short stories. Get it on Amazon here or from other retailers here. Scientists say the human body is around 70% water. We know that’s not true. Oh, we could drink ‘straight’ H20, but usually we don’t. More likely it’s vitamin rich juice or teeth rotting cola. We like a nice cup of tea to calm us down or cheer us up. Perhaps a nice glass of wine to celebrate or drown our sorrows. Two glasses. Too many glasses. Our bodies do contain liquid of course. Never just water. What’s in … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Over The Garden Fence](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/over-the-garden-fence/): Over The Garden Fence: a collection of 24 short stories Sue fills a room with white carnations to celebrate her twenty-first wedding anniversary. Yvonne looks forward to the garden party and gets hot and bothered by charming Dr Mathews’ bedside manner. Maria dreads Valentine’s day with all those red roses to remind her of past hurts. Maddie longs to visit her brother’s wonderful English garden. Dare she go? Luisha Summer was once Lucy Winterbottom, almost everything about her has changed. Does she still love flowers and remember those who aided her success? Old Myrtle promises the kids a trick along … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Up The Garden Path](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/up-the-garden-path/): Up The Garden Path: a collection of 24 short stories Eleanor has a traditional garden her grandchildren will love; won’t they? Mrs Dalrymple’s country home seems the perfect refuge for Daryl and there’s no reason Emma can’t call the big house home, is there? Homes and gardens aren’t always peaceful havens though. Ted’s tranquility is under threat from a BBQ for teenage twins, Penny the Jack Russell is called upon to protect her mistress from a terrifying intruder, avoiding Frances’s annoying neighbour was almost the death of her and Rachel can’t bring herself to step out the back door. A … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Paint Me A Picture](https://patsycollins.co.uk/my-novels/paint-me-a-picture/): Paint Me A Picture Mavis Forthright carefully rehearses her jump from Portsmouth’s Round Tower. She’s existed for over five decades. Lived hardly at all. Will end her misery with a few second’s fall into the cold sea. Except she’s not quite ready to die. A half day’s delay to try a bacon sandwich from the cafe won’t matter. Mother’s no longer there to disapprove. She delays another day to lend Janice a book. Then a week to use her new paints. A month. Until the end of term. Mavis makes new plans; to create paintings full of emotion, to live, … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [A Year And A Day](https://patsycollins.co.uk/my-novels/a-year-and-a-day/): A Year And A Day – a fun romance with lots of food, flowers, friendship and a fortune teller. Stella knows visiting a fortune teller is a stupid idea. It’s just one more daft thing her best friend Daphne persuades her into. Orphaned Stella doesn’t believe a word of the fortune teller’s claims the family she longs for and a tall, dark handsome man are coming her way. The gypsy produces a letter, to be read in a year’s time, which will prove the predictions true. Stella knows Daphne’s fortune will be a self fulfilling prophesy. She’s happy to encourage … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Escape To The Country](https://patsycollins.co.uk/my-novels/escape-to-the-country/): Escape To The Country  Leah is accused of a crime she didn’t commit. Dumped by Adam, the man she planned to marry, she escapes to Aunt Jayne’s smallholding in the Kent village of Winkleigh Marsh. Heartbroken and homeless, she strives to clear her name and deal with her emotions. Jayne treats Leah’s unhappiness with herbal remedies, cowslip wine and common sense in equal measure. In return Leah works hard for the delicious home-cooked meals they share. She wrestles with sheep, breaks nails and gets stuck in the mud – learning as much about herself as she does about farming. Soon … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [About me](https://patsycollins.co.uk/contact-me/): Hello. I’m a novelist and short story writer. My short stories regularly appear in UK magazines, and sometimes in publications in other countries too. My debut novel Escape To The Country was first published after I won a writing competition. I’ve since published three more romances, A Year And A Day, Firestarter and Leave Nothing But Footprints. There’s also the slightly darker contemporary novel, Paint Me A Picture which is set in and around Portsmouth. For Acting Like A Killer, set in Lee-on-the-Solent and Falmouth, I turned to crime! I enjoyed it so much, I’ve written a whole cosy mystery series, also set in the south coast of … Continue reading Wednesday word of the week – Perilymph
- [Short story collections](https://patsycollins.co.uk/short-story-collections/): I write a lot of short stories! Some are available in themed collections. You can buy these, and my other books as ebooks and paperbacks from Amazon,  order them in bookshops (physical and online) or borrow them from some libraries. One, Coffee & Cake, is also available as an audiobook. See the individual pages (available from the drop down menu) for more information on each book.     Family Collections Garden Collections Romance Collections Slightly Spooky Colections Other Collections  
- [Novels](https://patsycollins.co.uk/my-novels/): You can buy all my novels from Amazon as ebooks or paperbacks, or read through kindle unlimited. Paperbacks can be ordered through your local or online bookshop, or requested at the library.  See the individual pages for more information on each book.


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