Here’s a story I have never shared publicly.

I moved from Paris last year. This part you know. It had become unbearable for me for so many reasons: health, lifestyle, expense. But one of the major reasons I needed to leave was sexual aggression. I have never in my life lived somewhere where I was so inundated with harassment from men.

(Before anyone goes there, I don’t mean any shade to Paris or France, this is just my own experience. I’ve also lived in KL in Malaysia and parts of England. In Paris I was in the 19eme).

As someone who spends weeks at a time isolated in my flat because of chronic health issues, I have a few tips for keeping up morale for those of you experiencing this for maybe the first time! These apply to remote working too. I hope they help! 🤗💕 1. Routine. Sounds boring but absolutely essential. Allow a day or two of slobbing, but then try and implement a light schedule to give your days shape: alarm, music and dancing with breakfast, set lunch and dinner times, bit of evening yoga, etc. Whatever works for you!

One of the most infuriating things when you write a YA book that deals with sexual abuse and abusive relationships is parents telling you this is inappropriate content for teens. YES I agree it's not for all teens, and these parents are fully entitled to their opinion. HOWEVER Shielding young people from abuse and violence in books doesn't stop them from coming across it in real life. Whether through direct experience, seeing it happen or hearing about it through friends etc. These things DO happen to young people. They DO talk and hear about it.