Archive for November, 2006

November 27, 2006 | 6 Comments

Have just got back from a relaxing weekend in the Lakes. We went to the Ambleside Lantern Parade and The Ulverston Dickensian Festival. We ended up in a cafe having lunch next to Gerald Dickens, great-great-grandson of the man himself. Will post a pic when camera connected to PC.

Also saw Casino Royale. OMG Daniel Craig. OMG A knotted rope and a chair. Ohhhh…errrr.

Besides that, I just dropped by the blog of Nell Dixon, whom I have met in the flesh three times (consuming lemon meringue pie on one occasion). I also follow her exploits in cyberland. I wish I could be like Nell. A Good Person, always enthusiastic about writing and doing a tough day job I envy and admire greatly because it helps people.

November 24, 2006 | 2 Comments

‘Viola’ from the Richard Armitage …’literary’ messageboard has posted this pic of Decent Exposure in Borders Melbourne. Thanks Viola!

November 13, 2006 | 9 Comments

I am about to be a Bad Girl. And because of that I’m going to post a pic of a Bad Guy. Any excuse but here we are. I like Villains.

Ok - tenuous link over. I am in the Twilight Zone. Newly published yet still vividly recalling being unpublished. Lately I’ve been thinking of things I vowed to remember when I was unpublished. Things that I’d seen published authors do that I’d found erm..unhelpful.

1. Dis ’shippers’ ie. writers of fanfiction. I remember reading (recently) one romance author’s contemptuous post on a blog really laughing at the genre. Um…er… I know of two authors at least who might disagree. I also know of some very talented fanfic writers who aren’t published yet.

2. Complain about their editorial revisions or that they have none.
3. Say you have more to worry about after you’re published than before. Yes there are stresses but personally, they are nothing compared to wanting something very badly and not having it with no prospect of having it.

4. Tell unpublished writers there is something wrong if their characters aren’t ‘talking to them’. Characters often talk but not always. If yours don’t, it may not be anything to worry about. You may have to manipulate them (painfully) and sometimes you do, actually, need an external plot.

5. Make didactic statements about writing and expect people to listen just because you are published. By that token, I advise anyone looking for writing tips to ignore the four previous statements. Breaking the rules can be a very good thing.

What I am trying to say is be sceptical, be critical, experiment with writers’ tips. I found many of them incredibly useful and I still do. Others shook my fragile confidence and actually tempted me into going against instincts that have since been proved right. In the end, you can only go with what feels right for you, never feel inadequate because you don’t agree with an author’s ideas (especially mine). And above all try to enjoy…

November 12, 2006 | 1 Comment

Have recently got back from a great weekend in Cambridge where I was at a book launch to celebrate the publication of More Than Love Letters with a group of friends from the Richard Armitage/books/general gossiping messageboard of which I’m a member. The launch was in a beautiful room in a Cambridge college and I even dared answer a few questions about Decent Exposure too.

Tonight, some of the ladies from the book launch have gone on to Shepperton Studios to see Richard Armitage starring in the Vicar of Dibley Christmas special. I am so not envious (wahhhhh!!!!)

Visit here to find out more:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2006510256,00.html.html

November 8, 2006 | 2 Comments

Oh… I’ve had the hardback (swoon) jacket cover for my second novel, Wish You Were Here, today. It’s going to be published by Little Black Dress in June 2007 and it’s luscious, chic and utterly gorgeous. Like a new handbag-you-don’t-really-need or a pair of impractical heels or a box of very naughty truffles.

I keep stroking it… sorry. I’m getting carried away as usual but I lurrr-vvee it! Will post it when I get the go-ahead.

 

PS IF anyone reads Meg Cabot’s blog (Thanks CJ). I’m eating an elephant right now. Round about the hind quarters.