Birds and the human mind:
Inspiration and themes

In writing With Love from the Afterlife,
I wanted to create something fresh, without cliché, something that would make readers ask questions, feel my characters’ pain and joy and experience that “what if” scenario.

After all, who wouldn’t want to talk to
their loved ones after they’ve died? To have the chance to say a final farewell
or say the things you never said in life? With advances in technology, such ideas are becoming a more realistic prospect than ever.

The University of Arizona has worked on studies of the possibility of consciousness surviving after death, and one professor is convinced there is life after death.

After writing the novel, I discovered there was even a real-life case in which a dead man’s friends apparently received emails from him. Whatever you believe, there can be few people who wouldn’t feel a chill up their spine learning of that.

Despite raising questions about life after death, a key theme of the narrative is that contrary to popular opinion, life is long, not short – which, ultimately, is an upbeat message, particularly for an
ageing society.

Feeding our garden birds means nurturing new life, and birds are another theme of the story – how precious they are to us, to our imaginations and to life on Earth.
Not only are birds at the heart of the natural world, but for many of us, they represent total freedom. Perhaps this is why many children dream of being able to fly. We envy them their effortless ability to move from A to B, and marvel at the speed and survival of such small but incredible creatures.

As anyone who takes part in the RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch will know, taking time to observe birds soothes the soul. Researchers at King’s College London found that seeing or hearing birds lifts the spirits, and is linked to greater mental wellbeing lasting up to eight hours.

In today’s biodiversity crisis, feeding the birds is more important than ever. But cleaning bird-feeders, which Anthony’s wife, Maggie, repeatedly asks him to do, is vital. Rain can make food quickly go mouldy, so any damp food should be cleared out. And viruses, which easily spread, kill large numbers of birds every year.

The UK’s bird species are increasingly at risk, with
the Red List of those
under threat growing.
The RSPB has advice here on preventing the spread
of disease.

Alongside the symbolism, the claustrophobic atmosphere, the suspense and the mystery, the story has some dark humour, too.

I hope you enjoy it.