The trouble with men is that they're an alien species, they absolutely have no idea how women work or how their minds think.

However, they are extremely good at making you think they understand what you have said and that they wholeheartedly take on board everything you've pointed out.

Men can actually be very clever and somehow always manage to get their way, but equally, they just as easily be extremely stupid. For instance; you could tell them that you think honesty is the most important thing in a relationship, they'll agree with you, but in the very next breath five perfectly formed lies will trip off the tongue as if nothing had happened.

You're then left thinking that he's either an idiot or doesn't care.

So, why is it these things happen?

It's like I said before, men are from another planet.

A very famous book on this subject once taught me, the reason men and women always have the argument which ends in women saying; "You're not listening." is because that statement means a different thing to a man than it does to a woman.

This is definitely something I have found to be right in my life. As an example, in response to that statement my husband would almost certainly respond with;

"Yes I am, I've heard everything you've said".

Now the women amongst us will know that when I say "You're not listening" what I actually mean is "you're not taking in and considering what I'm saying before acting on it".

The term 'listening' means different things to each of us and the confusion which leads to frustration is in this misunderstanding.

So, I'm back to where I started, men are an alien species and they don't speak our language.

So in my current novel in progress, I'm writing a part of the book where the main character, Anna, falls asleep on a train and has a strange dream.

We - the readers - follow Anna into this dream and experience it with her. Now, without giving away any secrets, I can tell you that the dream is quite significant to the story line and is a clue to a later development.

Hmm, that's all your getting, otherwise I'll give the whole plot away!

But the whole thing about writing this dream sequence got me thinking about dreams in general and the strange things our subconscious mind show us when we sleep.

So, with this in mind, I'd like to know what the strangest thing you've ever dreamed is?

Don't worry I won't put it in my book, I've already finished the dream scene.

Get thinking and let me know what strange thing your mind has told you.

I'm so excited, I just had to tell you all.

I am in the process of starting an online shop dedicated to everything and anything to do with WW2 and the 1930s/40s.

Anyone who knows me well will know that I am obsessed with the period and anything connected with it. I even wrote my final year University dissertation on the era and the amazing biography of Helen Forrester.

The new site is primarily going to be a bookshop and information source for anything to do with the period. The shop part has been created on an affiliate basis with Amazon.

I decided to do it this way as being an online independent bookseller competing against the likes of the mighty Amazon would be a very great battle indeed.

This way, I can categorise everything great Amazon have to offer on the subject and put it all in one useful place.

You will be able to buy books from the site through your amazon account, so you can be certain that anything you purchase is coming directly from them in the same safe, secure way they always deliver.

The site is also going to feature some other interesting things like WW2 inspired clothing, music from the era and Art Deco jewellery (all the rage at the time).

However, it is primarily an information source and I aim to build it into a site with lots of articles and material from the era including; interesting stories, academic research, historical facts and events going on around the UK.

I will make another announcement when the site is ready to go live.

I hope you will come and visit and let me know your thoughts. I am always interested in hearing feedback and suggestions.