Palin 'writing her memoirs'

The father of Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska and US vice-presidential nominee, says his daughter is steering clear of the media spotlight to focus on writing a book of memoirs.

Chuck Heath, in Idaho campaigning for a Republican congressional candidate, said Mrs Palin had been away from her Alaska home for more than a month.

Mr Heath told the Spokesman-Review he frequently had emails from her, seeking trivial information for her book - like how many points she scored in a basketball game or when the family attended the Boston Marathon.

Mrs Palin resigned as Alaska's governor in July. She has made no public appearances but has voiced opinions on issues via social networking websites like Facebook.