Hello Charlie, so glad you could drop by, first can you tell us a little about yourself, and what drives you to write?
I am wife to Dave, mum to Cole, an incurable romantic, incredibly sentimental, loyal friend and devoted daughter.
As soon as I was old enough to wield a biro I started writing stories. I still have a tiny book I wrote, smaller than the palm of my hand, that I recently discovered in my musical box in our loft. My childhood ambitions were to be a ballerina, a writer and a Victorian (I loved the dresses!) I did train as a ballerina and when I finally packed away my point shoes decided to fulfil my dreams of writing a book. I went to dancing boarding school as a child and started keeping a diary. My passion for writing journals and recording all that has inspired, annoyed and amazed me over the years has continued throughout my life and so it seemed fitting that it was my diaries that I chose to turn into books. I now have three published true diaries that follow my milestone moments - getting married, being pregnant and having a baby.
I am wife to Dave, mum to Cole, an incurable romantic, incredibly sentimental, loyal friend and devoted daughter.
As soon as I was old enough to wield a biro I started writing stories. I still have a tiny book I wrote, smaller than the palm of my hand, that I recently discovered in my musical box in our loft. My childhood ambitions were to be a ballerina, a writer and a Victorian (I loved the dresses!) I did train as a ballerina and when I finally packed away my point shoes decided to fulfil my dreams of writing a book. I went to dancing boarding school as a child and started keeping a diary. My passion for writing journals and recording all that has inspired, annoyed and amazed me over the years has continued throughout my life and so it seemed fitting that it was my diaries that I chose to turn into books. I now have three published true diaries that follow my milestone moments - getting married, being pregnant and having a baby.
My drive to write is totally centred on my desire to recount and savour precious moments in my life. With my first book The True Diary of a Bride-to-be I remember thinking that if no one else read it I was still proud of the achievement. In reality lots of brides have read it and I have been fortunate to receive some lovely reviews. All of my friends know me as someone who loves to help others and so within my books I have also included useful tips and advice I’ve discovered along the way.
I'm in total agreement with your friends, your generosity is boundless. Do you have a particular role model?
My parents. They have always supported me and made me feel anything is possible. They are my number one fan club, my advisors who are always available on the end of the phone and truly lovely people.
That's so wonderful, and I've no doubt you're following in their footsteps. Can you tell us your proudest achievement?
Undoubtedly becoming a mother. Being proud just scrapes the surface of the multitude of emotions I feel at being Cole’s mum. Every day I count my lucky stars at how much joy and purpose he brings to my life. He makes me strive to be the very best I can.
Being the very best you can, that's something we can all aspire to! Do you have a secret secret ambition? You can whisper it here!
I would love to sell enough books that my hardworking hubby could give up work so we could have more quality family time.
The True Diaries series have been an amazing success, I’m sure you don’t mind me saying this, mainly because readers enjoy reading about people like themselves. It is such a refreshing change from all the superstars leading lifestyles we couldn’t hope copy. Yet mixed in with all the common sense advice, there’s also an abundance of tips and advice on making your own special events extra special. I’m sure everyone’s wondering how you manage to not only organise your own life so well, but also find time to write about these life changing events.
Thank you so much, when you put it like that I do sound super organised! I have always loved reading diaries, The Diary of Anne Frank left a resounding mark on me as a child and whilst my life is, thankfully, nowhere near as tragic or dramatic, I see my writing as a legacy. My advice comes very much from a lay person's perspective and sometimes it has come through trial and error rather than experience as a professional wedding planner or baby expert. When I do come across a hidden gem of wisdom I simply have to share it with my readers.
I have a long to-do list and many late night lock-ins with myself to squeeze extra hours into my day.
I'm sure there's many a bride to be and expectant mother who bless your name and regard your diaries as a treasure! And now there's Baby's First Year to add to the growing family of "Charlie's Dairies" - frankly I'm in awe of your achievements. Thank you so much again for dropping by, and I wish you every success.
To discover more about Charlie and her true diaries, visit Charlie's blog, author page, or click any of the links below to sample or download the diaries to your kindle. All titles are also available in paperback.
I'm in total agreement with your friends, your generosity is boundless. Do you have a particular role model?
My parents. They have always supported me and made me feel anything is possible. They are my number one fan club, my advisors who are always available on the end of the phone and truly lovely people.
That's so wonderful, and I've no doubt you're following in their footsteps. Can you tell us your proudest achievement?
Undoubtedly becoming a mother. Being proud just scrapes the surface of the multitude of emotions I feel at being Cole’s mum. Every day I count my lucky stars at how much joy and purpose he brings to my life. He makes me strive to be the very best I can.
Being the very best you can, that's something we can all aspire to! Do you have a secret secret ambition? You can whisper it here!
I would love to sell enough books that my hardworking hubby could give up work so we could have more quality family time.
The True Diaries series have been an amazing success, I’m sure you don’t mind me saying this, mainly because readers enjoy reading about people like themselves. It is such a refreshing change from all the superstars leading lifestyles we couldn’t hope copy. Yet mixed in with all the common sense advice, there’s also an abundance of tips and advice on making your own special events extra special. I’m sure everyone’s wondering how you manage to not only organise your own life so well, but also find time to write about these life changing events.
Thank you so much, when you put it like that I do sound super organised! I have always loved reading diaries, The Diary of Anne Frank left a resounding mark on me as a child and whilst my life is, thankfully, nowhere near as tragic or dramatic, I see my writing as a legacy. My advice comes very much from a lay person's perspective and sometimes it has come through trial and error rather than experience as a professional wedding planner or baby expert. When I do come across a hidden gem of wisdom I simply have to share it with my readers.
I have a long to-do list and many late night lock-ins with myself to squeeze extra hours into my day.
I'm sure there's many a bride to be and expectant mother who bless your name and regard your diaries as a treasure! And now there's Baby's First Year to add to the growing family of "Charlie's Dairies" - frankly I'm in awe of your achievements. Thank you so much again for dropping by, and I wish you every success.
To discover more about Charlie and her true diaries, visit Charlie's blog, author page, or click any of the links below to sample or download the diaries to your kindle. All titles are also available in paperback.
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