RAMPART BOOKS
Remarkable Stories By Remarkable Authors
Carol Marshall-Hall
I’m a late-comer to writing fiction. Most of my life seems to have been spent writing reports, and blurbs! I lead a writing group at my local theatre, not literary, but often therapeutic.
I am now working on a second novel, (Baby, Baby), which uses the same protagonists, Jenny and Yvonne Dale, mainly set in a country primary school, and a nearby travellers’ encampment.
Author Charlie Laidlaw's The Days Of Our Birth republished
A FORMER national newspaper journalist has turned his hand to writing a story of a different kind.
Charlie Laidlaw worked for the Sunday Post and the Sunday Express, but has now penned a tale following two youngsters who share the same birthday growing up.
The Days of Our Birth was first published more than two years ago but has now been re-released.
The pair grow up next door to each other in North Berwick and the story unfolds from Peter and Sarah’s childhood over 20 years around their joint birthdays.
Over the years, they navigate their feelings for one another, set against Sarah’s placement on the autism spectrum.
The novel explores how two very different people can grow up as best friends, but never quite understand why they’re best friends and what they really feel about one another.
The author, who lives in Gullane, said: “It’s humorous and poignant, and just a little bit different.
“I wanted my romance story to be about real people, with all the messiness of growing up.
“Having one of the main characters with a neurodevelopmental condition only adds to the depth of story.”
Charlie was delighted to see the book back on the shelves and available for sale.
The 72-year-old said: “I think it a lovely story and a positive story about neurodivergence.
“I think there are very few books about neurodivergent people on the shelves.
“I think it is an important addition to that.