“Why I needed to take my book on holiday”

However, as our holiday drew closer and I began to pack I gradually realised - my book needed to come with me!

Our first visit to Carbis Bay was in September 2019. Memoir chapter, Mussel Shell was written in response to my experience of walking on Porth Kidney Sands. It was the very first chapter I wrote for Stepping out of Silence. Our recent holiday home overlooked Porth Kidney Sands with incredible panoramic views and I was immediately reminded of how I had felt the first time I walked there.

It felt very special to be back in Carbis Bay so soon after my book launch event. When I got home after that first visit I typed up notes I'd made thinking it would just be an interesting record of my experience on the beach. An essay to share with my creative friends. I honestly had no idea at that point that I would end up writing a memoir. 

Although Mussel Shell was the first chapter I wrote, it is not the first chapter in my book. This is because for a long time I was honestly just writing about how I felt and had not appreciated that I had begun to write a memoir. Only when I got close to knowing my memoir was complete did I begin to consider how best to organise the content. My aim was to ensure that the various chapters flowed well rather than being in a random order. This was far from easy!

Mussel Shell begins on page ten of the paperback, so fairly early on. This was important because what happened on Porth Kidney Beach signalled a change in me that felt both dramatic and positive. 

I packed up my copy of the book very carefully in its original cardboard mailer and put it into a zip lock plastic bag to fully protect it. My plan was to put the book in my rucksack on a day when we were heading for the beach and take its photo there. The weather was erratic that week, sunshine and intermitttent heavy showers, also very windy. I needed it to be dry for my photo shoot or my book would be ruined. 

Fortunately the weather obliged and I got several good photos. It felt important to record this special moment and I was surprised how emotional I felt afterwards. Nearly seven years has elapsed since I was inspired to write about Porth Kidney Beach. 

It has proven to be an unexpectedly life changing experience. 

If you have enjoyed this blog post please consider joining my mailing list for occasional blog and other writing updates. Be the first to know when Stepping out of Silence is available for purchase online.  

10th June, 2026