Archive for November, 2007

November 21, 2007 | 2 Comments

After last week’s excitement, I’ve been settling down to work again for my customers and on the ‘tweaks’ to Just Say Yes. Yes, they really are tweaks and I’m actually enjoying doing them. I’ve also noticed that Amazon now has a clever trick that shows the ranking of a book within a specific genre on the actual book page… not that I ever check it, of course. I also noticed some very *unusual* books are ordered by Amazon romance readers… ohh er, missus!

After I’ve done my work on JSY, I’m going to start writing It Should Have Been Me. I’ve got a detailed synopsis and I’m doing some research, while also getting inside the heads of the characters, Matt and Carrie.

November 19, 2007 | Comments

…just received a *very* excited phone call from A Contact to say she is in Oxford, watching the gorgeous Laurence Fox and lovely Kevin Whately filming ‘Lewis’.

November 18, 2007 | 10 Comments

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.

November 15, 2007 | 3 Comments

Oh Lord. Reviews. They are probably the scariest part of being published and of course, the most fascinating. I’ve had some good ones, and one that was totally yeughhh - I still shudder at the thought. This morning I’ve had a most unexpected review from the rather erudite Vulpes Libris. Goodness knows how Decent Exposure ended up on there.

When you publish a book, you walk naked through the world…

I’ve also been interviewed for the December issue of Writers Forum. It’s a really well-written article (much better than I could have done) and shock horror, it gives my ‘writers tips’ (i.e. join the RNA and look at other writers’ tips.)

I just wish I wasn’t so fat and that I’d worn a less revealing top. And covered the tops of my arms. And not been pictured full face on. Yuk. My visits to the pool and gym clearly aren’t working.

November 14, 2007 | 2 Comments

I’ve had a rush of blood to the head after a period of inertia and an attack of The Crows (only novel inertia - I’ve been doing lots of real work for a change.)

The great news is I’m now really looking forward to starting my new LBD. Hurrah! I’ve found I am not a pantser after all, but much better off planning the story/characters out for a few months before writing.

I’m looking forward to the RNA party and seeing my friends, agent and editors. Then at the weekend we’re off to see my dd at uni.

And I’m hot on the trail of trying to get an interview with one of the UK’s biggest acting stars. It’s not RA…