Archive for April, 2008

April 28, 2008 | 1 Comment

I always feel better in the country and the fresh air and I’ve just got back from an interview with the remarkable 89-year-old Mr William Podmore OBE of Consall Gardens. Over 50 years, he’s turned 70 acres of colliery pit spoil heaps into an amazing garden and what’s more, he helped Sir Frank Whittle to develop the jet engine. He also zips about on a quad bike!

And some LBD readers have messaged me on Facebook. Real readers who like my books. There is *nothing* more encouraging than people enjoying your books. It gives you a boost like nothing else. Thanks! Come along and say hello to us on Facebook.

April 25, 2008 | Comments

PS If you write for LBD, want to write for LBD or just like reading LBD books, come and say hello to us on Facebook.

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In the interests of my sanity, this weekend I’m going to schedule in an activity called Having A Life. Nothing exciting but not working in my business (writing) or the other thing I do (writing).

Later today I’m going swimming in the outdoor pool at the leisure club. Tomorrow I’m going to visit my garden for the first time in 6 months, get out the BBQ and patio tables and maybe even grill a few sausages. I want to see 21 at the cinema and spend money I don’t have on stuff I don’t need.

On Monday I’m looking forward to a feature I’m doing for a newspaper - visiting Consall Hall Gardens and on Wednesday I’m off to London.

This is not my garden - it’s Consall Hall.

April 24, 2008 | 9 Comments

I’ve not really felt like posting because I’m thoroughly fed up and knackered.

But there is glimmer of light on Barbara Hannay’s blog - read Secrets of the Bestselling Sisterhood. More about going your own way, writing what pleases you and protecting yourself from outside influences.

Does this really work?

Update: Since I had half a glass of Pimms and found some new friends on Facebook, I’m feeling slightly better.

April 22, 2008 | 1 Comment

There’s a very thought provoking post on Emma Darwin’s blog today. Emma is the renownedauthor of The Mathematics of Love (shortlisted for the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year) but the post is actually taken from a Write Words forum.

It’s called Are Creative Writing Rules Gendered?

This post expresses points I’ve often thought but not dared to voice (as a new author) It basically says (I think) that while we shouldn’t ignore the ‘craft’ of writing, rules shouldn’t be followed slavishly and that the individual voice is precious above all else. But there’s more… this post links Creative Rules to Gender and makes a wonderful case that waffling is a feminist issue!