I came into computers when they were something of a mystery, pre Amstrad days! I saw they would be a boon to writers but I knew writers who did not agree – ‘They’ll never take over from the typewriter.’  How they have been proved wrong. To me computers were magic because they erased the half of my mind that was concentrated on not making a mistake on the typewriter; now all my thoughts could be concentrated on the writing. It was so easy to correct mistakes. That was bliss. Now there was no ripping the paper out of the typewriter and starting again. Now it was a simple insert and delete. Magic. But now, many years since I tapped my first computer key, the magic has expanded to make the key-board, the monitor and all the hidden bands of versatility, readily available to help the writer’s cause. I never thought the day would come when I could send a 100,000 word manuscript to my publisher at the press of a button, that I could do research so much quicker and obtain information from all corners of the globe by a few simple taps on the keyboard. I can do away with reams of notes and store them – where? That remains mystery to me but I know they are somewhere waiting to be used by me. In an instance I know which shelf a particular book is on in my library. Oh yes, I still use books. They are the core of my writing world but now the are linked into the technological world that makes writing even more exciting. I could go on and on, but you can see how I believe a writer must keep up with the times. However, there is one other thing to remember, this box of magic tricks cannot write the novel for you. At the beginning and the end and all in between, you, the writer, are the creator and entertainer.

I have recently placed on my bookshelves DAM BUSTERS FAILED TO RETURN by Robert Owen, Steve Darlow, Sean Feast and Arthur Thorning, published by Fighting High. Many books have been written about 617 Squadron that was formed especially to destroy vital German dams in the Second World War and went on  beyond that to continue carrying the war to Germany. This book, which is beautifully produced, concentrates on some of the men who did not return from that famous raid on which  the Lancasters had to attack their targets at 60ft, at night, in the face of enemy fire. This book follows the lives of some of these young men who came from around the world, why they joined the RAF, how they trained, what took them to this special squadron when it was formed, what happened during the raid, where they crashed and where they lay at rest. These are moving stories, delicately handled by the authors after a great deal of research, with each of them supported by a wealth of photographs. An important book for anyone interested in the Second World War and especially in the role played by Bomber Command on the road to victory.

I recently watched on TV Appointment in London starring Dirk Bogarde and Dinah Sheridan. It was released in 1952 after being filmed at RAF Upwood. 

While appropriate in one sense, its title gives no hint that this film is set on a Lancaster bombing station during the Second World War. The story-line is good, the romance pleasantly done, the background of life on a Lancaster bomber station at that time is authentic and holds the interest throughout. I can vouch for that because I served as a Bomb Aimer in Lancasters of 44 Squadron, 5 Group, Bomber Command.

That time led to my first published novel in 1959; I used my knowledge to write a war story with a RAF background. The writing bug had got me and many more books, fiction and nonfiction have followed. Though I am really Bill Spence my novel output since 1992 has been under the name of Jessica Blair. These are  historical sagas mainly set in the nineteenth century but include three with wartime backgrounds THE RESTLESS SPIRIT, WINGS OF SORROW and IN THE SILENCE OF THE SNOW, all published by Piatkus an imprint of Little, Brown Book Group. 

I came into writing in the early 1950s, articles etc First book published in paperback 1959. What a journey since then! Always exciting and interesting. And what a technological advancement there has been. For much of my time there has been no internet; no easy connection with any part of the world as there is today. My nearest library was twenty miles away. One way out of the dilemma when seeking information was by letter and that took time if I sought a contact at the other side of the world. In order to compile the book I was working on  I had to be patient. (I must say in corresponding all over the world I only had one person who was not helpful). This lack of easy access to information led me to build up a library of my own. What a boom that became and still is even  today when so much technology is at our fingertips. I would always want books readily available. And that leads to bookshops especially those that deal in second-hand books. What wonderful explorations that leads to and what excitements while tracking down books.  And how good it is today to be able to bring information in those old books up to date. Writers to day have so much to be thankful for,  but has some of the excitement of the search disappeared?

I have just read and enjoyed GIANTS OF STEAM by Jonathan Glancey

We would not be able to stand in awe of the great steam locomotives that once powered their way along the tracks that trellised the world had it not been for the inventors and the men who saw the potential of steam on our lives. It makes an interesting story, an intriguing history and, in the way that Jonathan Glancey takes on the journey through these pages, a pleasurable experience. Inevitably the pioneers of steam locomotion came up against opposition and Glancey weaves their experiences and how they triumphed in spite of political and military hostility. These giants of steam are not mere ugly sights of power; thought and expertise were put into their design so that there evolved machines of  matching beauty giving us extra pleasure when viewing those that still exist or remembering how we once stood in awe of them. This is a book that sets the history of these intriguing machines before us in a readable way and enables us to picture them hauling carriages and goods wagons across the land and see the cooperation and rivalries of their inventors.

It made a recent visit to the National Railway Museum in York more meaningful and left me in admiration of the vast collection that is housed there.  Bill Spence

I have just put on to one of my bookshelves KIND REGARDS,  by Liz Williams, sub-titled The Lost Art Of Letter Writing.  It is a pleasant, entertaining, factual book,  as you may guess it is about letter writing. It looks at the letter and its reason for its existence; it offers advice on the various forms of letter and how to write them and it looks at how we can learn from examples of letters from the past, love letters, letters in war time , letters in literature, farewell letters and so on. Lovely to dip into. For me it evoked memories of my father. He was the letter writer in the family. His letters, which he used to write weekly to several family members, were beautifully handwritten and were always full of news. He love penmanship and, as these were the days before computers and he ignored the typewriter, his handwritten letters were a joy to behold. I should try and emulate him and take up the pen but I could never match the beauty of his writing. I have to compose my letters on the computer otherwise they would be almost unreadable but I think I could match him with the dispersal of news. Thanks Dad and Mum for stimulating my interest in words so long ago. It led me into the wonderful world of writing books.