"Why Blackpool, Southport and Worksop? 

Including these three towns in this story was part of my own nostalgic process.

Blackpool was such an important part of my life growing up.

As a child, we spent our family holidays at this popular seaside resort, leaving me with lifelong treasured memories of that Golden period of the 70's and 80's. Later, as a young adult I would visit Blackpool many times with groups of friends, which would usually be in the form of a friends stag do. Then later in life as a proud father, my Blackpool experience came full circle when I would take my three Sons on holiday there, so that they could enjoy the many attractions available too. 

As that child, I used to imagine what it would be like to live in Blackpool, among all the many attractions this colourful seaside town had to offer, and  now, with a combination of my experiences, my research and my imagination, I have created a storyline that is set in those Golden eras of the British seaside holidays, in arguably the best resort of them all. 

When I stayed at Southport in the late 1980's, I stayed in the Scarisbrick Hotel, which at the time, was the most glorious hotel I had  stayed in, and along with the quaint existence of this seaside town, it left a lasting influence in my memory. When I was searching for a town to include in the storyline close to Blackpool, I felt Southport was the perfect place for an extended family to live.

I strongly believe that we shouldn't forget where we came from! 

I was born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire on January 1st, 1970 and grew up in this small, mining and market town. I felt it was important that I represent the place and the people of my home town within my writing as a mark of appreciation of my roots. When I began writing the 'Vinyl Obsession' storyline I had a 'what if' moment engrained in my mind.

I would think 'What if the story I am writing became a success and a TV producer made the book into TV series or film, then they would recreate the Golden Years of Blackpool and  have to include Worksop, which would help put our little town in the limelight for a short time!'

What if?

So, when I wanted to create an extended home for Jude, a place where she could escape to when she needed to, there was only one place I wanted to include.

My Home!

It's never too late to have a dream!"

CP Bell