Archive for April, 2007

April 23, 2007

Who likes Monday Morning? Not me, usually, but I don’t mind today. On the rollercoaster ride of my writing life, the past few days have been one of the peaks. On Saturday, I met Nell and Allison for lunch and I don’t think we drew breath. We talked non-stop about projects, books etc and Nell, who has a wealth of experience, was very reassuring and informative as ever.

Last Thursday, I discovered that not only can you get your Little Black Dress books from Tesco, but they are also in WH Smith. I think they are BOGOF in both stores right now. If you visit the LBD site you also just have time to enter the competition to win 4 months supply of Galaxy chocolate.

I am going away next week for a special trip. Mr Bennet and I are celebrating our 20th anniversary with our first ever ‘exotic’ holiday, island hopping between Grenada and St Lucia (see above). I know they have gorgeous beaches, wildlife and scenery – I just hope they don’t have too many mosquitoes as I am a mozzie’s favourite snack. I heard that eating Marmite puts off mozzies… and also everyone within a five-mile radius. This is supposed to be a romantic holiday too!

Last year, we had a family holiday in Corsica and on that note…when I come back, I’m going to run my first contest to win one of the limited edition hardbacks of Wish You Were Here which are available from June 14th. I hope someone enters…

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April 20, 2007

I’m delighted to announce… I’m writing a new book. Now this may not be earth-shattering in the grand scheme of things but I’m very excited. I’ve done about 9,000 words and hope to have more news about it soon.
The new novel is called Just Say Yes and the premise was inspired by a link to a video clip sent to me some months ago by a friend, who is the owner of the cool www.richardarmitageonline.com. The moment I clicked on the link, I had a light-bulb moment, started thinking ‘Yes, but what if X had happened…‘ and I’ve been developing the story ever since.

Tomorrow, I’m off to meet Allison and Nell for lunch and a gossip. Nell has been nominated for the RNA Romance Prize and needs cake. Really looking forward to it, guys.

Celebratory and totally gratuitous picture below. In honour of ‘A’, it’s of John Thornton and Margaret Hale indulging in some serious snogging in North & South.

PS Good Luck to Flairyflairy who is running the London Marathon on Sunday! Hope you fly round, S. x

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April 15, 2007

This Radio Four programme is an absolute must-listen for anyone who wants to be a published author or is perhaps (cough) newly published.

Mariella Frostrup talks to publishers and authors about how they work together to create the best possible book on Open Book.

She investigates publishing houses, and how they work with authors to nurture and develop their talent. She talks to veteran publisher Anthony Cheetham, Stephen Page of Faber and authors including Tracy Chevalier and Rose Tremain.

In this special programme Mariella also uncovers the secrets of tactful and helpful editing and finds out why Quarantine author Jim Crace thinks writers should be more cheerful.

(This last part being perhaps the most useful bit of advice for me!)

Thanks to Thomasine for the link.

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April 14, 2007

For anyone with the impression that shopping and drinking Costa are my sole leisure time activities, I do occasionally indulge in a spot of culture. We have just got back from a fabulous day out to Haddon Hall, Derbyshire where the recent BBC series of Jane Eyre was filmed. Jan, CJ and I went along to meet my secret internet friends. We had coffee in the banqueting hall and then had a special tour of the hall, parts of which date back to the 12th century.

The weather was perfect and the hall more than lives up to its billing of one of England’s oldest and most romantic houses. It was hard to choose a highlight from gargoyles swallowing people feet first; ghosts of sadistic kitchen staff; medieval wall paintings; the gardens; the scenery and much more. There were no madwomen in the attic just a few, slightly mad women touring the hall.

To the ladies who were so kind about Decent Exposure, said they fancy Will and insisted there wasn’t too much naughtiness in the boardroom scene: you rock!

Thanks CJ for the pictures. x

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April 11, 2007

The last episode of Life on Mars, the wonderful BBC drama, ended last night. We have used up the tissues. Sob. If you don’t live in the UK, I hope you get to see this series. It’s hilarious…. until the very end. I just heard the series and the hero, John Simm, have been nominated for a Bafta.

In my dreams, if I could have written a screenplay, I would have chosen this series, even though I’m not old enough to remember 1973 (cough). My only claim to (reflected) fame is that our thespian friend, Phil Darling, was an extra on the first series and spent a day hanging out in an alleyway with Gene Hunt’s cops.

PS Talking of life on another planet, romance author, Liz Fielding, invited me to be her friend on My Space. I will come out to play, Liz, really – when either I or my daughter has worked out how to join you!

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