The fifth Finchley Literary Festival began today and will offer an array of events and workshops with authors in and around the area over the weekend.

One writer, Catriona Ward from Willesden Green, will be partaking in a panel discussion with her debut book RAWBLOOD. A ghost story of interconnected tales from the same family between the years of 1839 and 1919, and their dealing with a white figure who comes to kill them whenever they fall in love, marry or have children.

The story, she tells me, was inspired by an experience she used to have in a cottage where her family spent their summers.

“I would be woken by a hand in the small of my back pushing me out of bed. It started when I was about nine and carried on until I was about 13 or so and I complained about it a lot. Everyone thought it was a nightmare and maybe it was, but it was extraordinary. What was unusual was the level of fear that experience brought, unparalleled in normal life and removed from rational thought.”

This is an experience Catriona had forgotten about until she decided to sit down and write.

“I think it came upon me unawares. I wanted to write a novel but I wanted to write something rather different, I think I had an idea that I was a slightly different kind of writer. What I found was that this experience that I’d forgotten about just came pouring out and it was very fully formed.”

As well as many opportunities to meet author like Catriona, today, tomorrow and Sunday the festival offers writing workshops, a Dragon’s Pen pitching opportunity, music and poetry events and a literary walk; with an array of books on sale from The Big Green Bookshop.

Details: 020 8346 9449, finchleyliteraryfestival.blogspot.co.uk