WELCOME

Welcome to the ramblings of a pre-published saga writer

Sunday 25 November 2012

What I'm up to

Hello everybody thank you for dropping in.

I know it looks as if I haven't written my blog for two years but I have. although it was the other one My-writing-life-and-other-adventures. that I have been concentrating on. Enough waffle.

This is going to be my writers blog page from now on so here goes.
What have I been up to lately? Well, I've managed to bag myself an agent and a publisher - get me! And there are some very exciting plans in the pipeline so watch this space.

I attended the Romantic Novelists Association winter party in London last Wednesday; my sister and I decided to stay over in London the following day and indulge in a bit of retail therapy - wonderful.

The party was fab and I got to meet my new agent and editor but more of that later I really must not talk about the up and coming events just yet. Oh the intrigue!

It's a busy busy time at the moment and I am in the middle of edits - and then there is the RNA lunch at Southport next week - like I said busy busy - my family can't get a word out of me that doesn't involve writing - wonderful

Speak soon
love
She xx

Saturday 28 August 2010

Yahay!!! The wip has gone off for appraisal - but only by the skin of my teeth, I hasten to add. My only hope is that, as I made a last-dash attempt to finish it, the story didn't suffer. As I said earlier I only intended to have a quick scan to see if I'd dotted the i's and crossed the 't's, as you do, and then the middle bit sat there like misery at a birthdy party - totally out of place - and I knew I had to get rid of it!

I began to cut and shape, chop and change. The story started taking a completely different path altogether.
 I worried that I had bitten off more than I could possibly digest in the short space of time I had left. Would I get it done in time? But I did. For better or worse.

It's in the lap of the God (the reader) now and there's nothing I can do about it for the time being.

So what to do now?
Well, there's no point in walking the floor wringing my hands whilst waiting, impatiently, for the esteemed to enlighten me with their expert words of wisdom - I'll just lose myself in a bit of research for the next one.

But, before I could even entertain the idea of starting a new story I had to tidy away the research for the last one. And what a lot of research there was! Boxes of books - I could open a library! But I justify the expense by telling Him Indoors that they will be needed for another book. He's a tolerant soul, though, and only has little moans when he can't find a seat because there is a six feet stack of history books tottering on it.

But would I change it? Never. The only problem I have now is which story I should write next. There are at least three vying for attention at the mo. All different. I have written the outlines of all and will give myself a couple of days off to see which one plays on my mind. But then... No, I must have a few days off and show my family a bit of TLC and catch up with the 21st century. Watch this space...

A smile a day keeps tears at bay... 
 

Tuesday 20 July 2010

the-writing-ladder

http://the-writing-ladder.blogspot.com

Hi Ho.

Last week was the RNA conference, which I couldn't attend due to family commitments, boo-hoo! I've had a look at the photos on the RNA blog and, as always when writers get together it looks as if everyone is having a fabulous time catching up, and talking about our greatest past-time - writing.

My wip is going through it's final polish before it goes off to the NWS and guess what? It never fails - I cannot refrain from tinkering!

And now the story, from about chapter four has taken a new twist and I didn't see it coming. This has changed the complete wip and I only have about four weeks before my deadline!!!! If I don't eat or sleep I might just manage it - failing that I'll send off what has been done. So, off to work I go. Hi Ho.
Speak soon

Thursday 20 May 2010

What a beautiful day!!!! The Sun-Gods smileth.

Mind you, it's just as well we usually have wet summer days each year because I just love pottering in the garden when the sun is out, and, if I take my laptop out there I find I tend to play the tunes on My Music rather than write.

Yesterday I had lunch with the RNA writers, swapping writing gossip and enjoying a lovely, lunchtime glass of white - my one indulgence (she says paraphrasing the postmistress in Larkrise to Candleford played by Julia Swahala Sp?)

I digress as I am wont to do when offering my freckled skin to the warm elements.

Oh I think I'll go and have something long, cool and maybe slightly (harrumph) alcoholic.

Ta Ta for now.

Sunday 16 May 2010

Hey ho.

Good morning Blog Spotters, and what a nice A.M it is - through the window, anyway.

I haven't posted for a couple of weeks as I have been busy with the wip and the research - have I mentioned my love of research before? Have I...

I am now the proud owner and wearer of my new 'you-can't-break-them' designer goggles, and I've adopted a shorter new hairstyle and guess what? A young assistant in Asda, on giving me my change said; 'there you go, Chick, thank-you,' Chick???
Chick!!! I am old enough to be her... older sister!

 Chick! I was thrilled to little mint balls! I haven't been called Chick since I was about four - a good few years ago. It was much better than being looked upon as Mother Hen, which is what my darling family think of me and - get this - my younger son said they take years off me. Walking on sunshine just didn't cut it!!!

Max, my enormous, two and a half year old German Shepherd is lying quietly by the open door trying to stay cool and my tiny, ancient, female cat is tormenting him by sashaying past him and flicking her tail in his face, he gives her a weary, eye-half-open look of disdain that sent me scurrying to catch the moment, when I find out how to get the photos off my phone - I will post the pics.

Oh well, time for coffee.
speak soon
Ta Ta for now.

Tuesday 4 May 2010

The Eyes Have It

 I spent most of the day shopping for new specs; not one of my favourite past times I can tell you. Nothing seemed to suit me, it used to be so easy to choose, pay, wear. But now, it's all... varifocals, lense thinning (for me anyway) scratch resistant finish and on and on...

However, do you ever have one of those moments when you just know that something is for you?

Well, I had one when I wandered over to the designer range. Oh, be still my beating heart!

I told the assistant that I would just try them on for the hell of it... They beckoned me, I swear!

Once on I could not resist. I was sure they would be outrageously expensive and I was right when I saw the escalating numbers the assistant was keying in for the various 'needs' as above.

My heart began to bongo in my chest and I even had thoughts of doing a runner - not a gainly sight for a woman of my age - however, and I do buckle under flattery I can't help it I'm shallow, she said;

'Let me try them on you once more - Look at how they bring out the sparkle in your eyes - They were made for you.' Flannel? Yeah. How could I resist?

And they did knock off nearly a hundred quid for the 'free' sunglasses I didn't want. 

I justified the expense by thinking that I need to be kind to myself more often, and because I need them for work, and because I can't see a thing without them and, like a good haircut, a good pair of specs can do the power of good for your confidence - and they were (marginally) cheaper than plastic surgery! ;-)

And, surprise of the century, Him Indoors thought they were great and offered to pay half.
Now what's he after? Suspicious? Moi? You betcha!

speak soon, ta ta.