Sharing her five photos with us today is author Katharine Johnson. I first came across Katharine’s work when a friend recommended her book, Lies, Mistakes and Misunderstandings. I thought it sounded intriguing so I downloaded it. I really, really enjoyed it, and you can read my review here. (But read this post first!) I’m delighted, therefore, to welcome Katharine to the blog today, and I’m looking forward to seeing what she’s sharing with us.  

I was really excited to take part in this series as I’ve loved seeing and reading about the pictures other people have chosen. But I must admit selecting my own has been a lot harder than I thought it would be – there are so many to choose from and yet the best snapshots I want to use exist only in my head. Still, it’s been a lovely excuse for a good old rummage and here’s what I’ve come up with.

Dobbin

Here’s me outside my home in Bristol with my horse Dobbin, which my mum made for me. He might  look a bit odd but we had some adventures! I was a middle child so usually had someone to play with but also enjoyed being in my imaginary world with my imaginary friends.

Mystery

I’ve always been drawn to old photos, the stories they suggest and the secrets they hold. My grandpa is the little boy in the striped blazer in this picture – but who’s the lady standing in the middle and why has her face been scribbled out (and who did it?)

Family Holiday

My family mean the world to me and this picture taken at a theme park a few years ago calls to mind  some of the fun times we’ve had together in Italy where I’ve set two of my books including The Secret which has just been published. I met my husband Mike when we were both trainee journalists at Benn Publications in Tonbridge – this week we’re celebrating our 25^th wedding anniversary which I find quite hard to believe!

Coffee

My perfect day has to include a coffee stop in an interesting town where I can people-watch and do some writing

Monty

My four year-old sprocker spaniel Monty is always happy to accompany me on walks, usually in Windsor Great Park, as I think about my writing. He’s my daily inspiration to be more dog!

Thank you, Katharine. Some great photos there. I’m particularly intrigued by the old family photo, and the lady with the scribbled-out face. As you say, it’s a mystery who did it and why? There has to be a story there!

Katharine Johnson has been a journalist, magazine editor, stately home room guide and school dinner lady. She writes about ordinary people in extraordinary situations, and loves old houses, flawed characters and cake. When she’s not writing you’ll find her reading, playing netball, drinking coffee or walking her dog around the lake near her home while plotting her next story.

You can follow Katharine on Facebook

Or on Twitter

Or visit her website/blog Katy’s Writing Coffee Shop  

Katy’s latest novel The Secret was published in June 2018. It’s set in the same Tuscan mountain village as The Silence which came out last year and is about another secret harboured by the beautiful but cursed Villa Leonida.

You can buy The Secret here

The Silence 

Lies, Mistakes and Misunderstandings