1) I spent my childhood in Lincolnshire and went to Art College in Leicester before enjoying the London scene in the sixties. After a chance day trip to Brighton I knew that Sussex was where I most wanted to spend my life and I have been here ever since!
Judith Thomson
2) The only thing I ever really wanted to do was writing I have always written stories, even as a child. When I was 10 years old I sent one to Girl comic in the hopes of getting it published.! Alas, they turned it down - my first rejection, and it was hard to take. I realise now that they had grownups writing the stories for the comics, not children! I continued to buy the comic, however and I continued writing.
3) I was always an avid reader and, as I grew older, I particularly loved historical novels - which was strange since I hated history as a school subject! After reading Forever Amber as a teenager I became so interested in the 17th century that I wanted to learn more about it and found myself reading history books instead of fiction.
4) As my knowledge of the period grew so did my ideas for a story. Originally it was the Monmouth Rebellion which sparked my interest. Philip Devalle, my lead character, popped into my head around the same time. Well, when I say 'popped', in reality he more like insinuated himself into my head! The more I researched the Rebellion, however, the more I became fascinated by the plots and intrigues that led up to it. Philip fitted right in to that scenario, far better than he did into a failed Rebellion, and so I began to write about his life and adventures in my first two books, Designs of a Gentleman - The Early Years and Designs of a Gentleman - The Darker Years. My new novel High Heatherton continues his story and brings him fresh challenges!
5) One of my favourite places to visit is Versailles, especially since parts of all my books are set in France. I particularly love the gardens of the chateau and if I could choose to meet one person from the past it would be King Louis XlV, without a doubt!
6) I really enjoy research. When I first began to write my three children were small and I could not afford to buy many books so I would bring reference books home from the library and patiently type up notes about events and characters. I still have those notes!
7) I have built up quite a collection of books now, mainly, at the start, through scouring Brighton's second-hand bookshops. I have spent many hours sifting through piles of old books, often immerging triumphantly with an obscure volume about the very person I wanted to get to know better!
8) As well as the history of the period, I also love the music, particularly the music of the French Court by Lully and Rameau.
9) As well as historical novels, the genre I most read is Science Fiction. I love it, from Star Wars and Star Trek to Stargate Atlantis and Dr. Who. I guess it is the pure escapism that appeals to me!
10) I like to paint, enjoy boating on the French canals and scuba diving in the Red Sea. I have helped on a local archaeological dig and enjoy exploring the ancient landscapes of Britain, as well as following Native American trails in the deserts of Southwest U.S.A.
