Me John and a Bomb - Background

See also Me, John and a Bomb: Extract | Reviews | Synopsis and Other books by Debi Alper

As I was writing Me, John and a Bomb in 2004/5, I was very aware of the contemporary issues. Writing a book set in London where the main character (Sky) is a woman obsessed by explosives, meant I always knew that events in the real world might suddenly overtake the narrative and force me to adapt the book.

So when I made my way into work at Aldgate on 7th July 2005, the implications – for my book at least - were clear as soon as we all knew what we were dealing with; bombs on the tube and on London’s streets. Nothing would ever be the same again.

On the personal front, I was already struggling with the different strands of my life. I had tried to de-stress where possible, giving up the wedding photography and resigning as shop steward at work, but still felt I wasn’t able to give the appropriate amount of attention to the most important things in my life – my children and my writing.

In mid July, I took a year’s sabbatical from Lasa.

Over the following four months, I

spent the first ever whole summer with my family
finished Me, John and a Bomb
worked on the content for this site
began the process of self-promotion
sorted all our files
cleared the children’s bedroom
fixed the fridge drawers and the washing line
helped my sons with their homework
went on every school trip
was available to support various friends with various crises
drank lots of coffee …

You get the picture. It’s bliss!

See also Me, John and a Bomb: Extract | Reviews | Synopsis and Other books by Debi Alper