November 18, 2007
I got back from London on Friday night. The upshot is, I had a wonderful time. This visit marked a watershed for me. Not so much because of external events, but because of a sea change within me. In the past I’ve always felt an unsettling sense of unreality about going to the RNA/meeting publishers etc. As if the whole thing was a fantasy/dream/happening outside myself. Does anyone out there understand that?
This time I felt grounded and almost in control.
At the party I met up with my agent aka The Fairy Godmother as well as Biddy, Liz Fenwick, Fiona Harper, Kate Lace and of course, my eds from Headline. Can I say I also chatted with the Transworld team and Joanne from Mills & Boon? Am I allowed to do that? There’s nothing going on, honestly!
Then I went to dinner with my friends. The company was warm and witty and DF’s hospitality was, as ever, legendary apart from me having to watch Christopher Biggins and the bugs on I’m a Celebrity.
On Friday I met Liz F for coffee before going to lunch with my agent and eds. They told me they sometimes read this blog. Gulp. Thank you for making me feel so welcome and for the fish pie too. Last week, I had the go ahead for my fourth LBD which involves a no-nonsense ER doctor, a turbulent drama queen (can’t think who that’s based on, of course…) and an unusual mode of transport. The book is going to be called It Should Have Been Me.
More of that later.
Posted by Phillipa in Uncategorized @ 6:35 am
Nell Dixon Says:
Sounds like you had a wonderful time, can’t wait till Friday!
Debs Says:
Sounds like you had a wonderful time at the party. Am so jealous that I couldn’t come. Looking forward to reading your interview, the one in the Writer’s Forum and the other one - can’t wait to see who you interviewed.
Ray-Anne Says:
Everytime I hear ‘It should have been me’ I think of the Vicar of Dibley montage. Thank you for putting a smile on my face on a wet and windy Monday morning.
And for the vacarious dip into the lifestyle of the published writer! Long may it continue.
LOL Ray-Anne
Phillipa Says:
Nell - can’t wait either. Hope we don’t have snow.
Debs - my fingers are crossed on Mystery Interviewee but *if* I get him, it would be next year.
Ray Anne - LOL I had forgotten the VoD montage. How appropriate. P x
Michelle Styles Says:
I know all about the air of unreality. I think it is because inside you don’t change. YOu remain the same you as you were before all these wonderful things happened.
YOur latest LBD sounds fab.
liz Says:
It was brilliant to see you and have a great chat
Phillipa Says:
Micehlle - thanks for the empathy. maybe it is just getting used to the whole idea of being published and ‘normalising’ the experience - and thanks for the thumbs up for ISHBM. Now all I have to do is write it!
Liz - waves at Dublin.
Rosy Thornton Says:
ISHBM is a brilliant title!
Rosy x
Duckface Says:
Hi you are welcome. It was great fun and very relaxed. Sorry about the bugs !! DF x
Phillipa Says:
RT - thanks. You know there isn’t another book on Amazon.co.uk with that title which amazes me somewhat.
DF - Don’t worry. I didnt have nightmares!