STORYWORLD

On a lighter note today, I thought I'd indulge the people who often ask me - "If THE PITMAN'S DAUGHTER" was made into a movie or TV series (which I think would be a blockbuster!!), who do you think would be the best actors to play the main characters, George and Rita? I've thought long and hard about this,  scanned some pictures of actors with the right look, and I came up with this list. I tried to stay away from the really big names, but managed to find some great new up and coming stars. See what you think about the possibilities. Let's start with GEORGE, the ambitious idealist who climbed out from the coal mine and rose up the ranks of the union. #1: How about OLIVER JACKSON COHEN? Latest role is Jonathan Harker in the TV series, DRACULA. He has the cool good looks that make him a great pick! #2: CHRIS HEMSWORTH. This Aussie superstar, famous for Thor  and   Rush, probably wouldn't have any trouble mastering the right British accent to ace th

It's always wonderful to revisit places you've written about, and last weekend I had the opportunity to travel to Durham and wander around some of the places featured in THE PITMAN'S DAUGHTER. Although these places live vividly in my imagination, it's exhilarating to actually stand there and take in the sounds, smells and texture of the actual settings. I revisited the wonderful Beamish museum, one of the places that inspired the novel. It was a grey, foggy day and the smell of coal smoke was in the air - that scent like newly-struck matches. We all had tears in our eyes while listening to the lovely mournful sounds of Houghton Brass Band playing Gresford,  The Miners' Hymn , a tune that commemorates the terrible disaster that occurred at Gresford, North Wales on the 22nd September 1934, when a mining explosion killed 266 men and boys. We visited the old sweetshop and tasted pear drops, midget gems, wine gums and my Dad's favourite - buttered brazils! Hou