Archive for September, 2008

TV highlight of the year?

September 21, 2008 | 8 Comments

I had to remove the You Tube embed of Lost in Austen as it was making my blog go haywire – but you can still click this pink link to enjoy Mr Darcy’s wet shirt!

Je reviens

4 Comments

I can reveal now that we whisked CJ off to Paris for two days. We had a wonderful time but the whole trip nearly didn’t happen due to the Channel Tunnel fire. We didn’t know until last Sunday evening, whether we could still go – eek!

We drank Champagne on the Eurostar train, ate dinner in Montparnasse, had lunch in a creperie next to Notre Dame and then went on a Batobus trip on the Seine to the Eiffel Tower. And what’s more, we also had glorious weather. After the suspense over the train schedule, I think we deserved it.

Since then, I’ve been working on my edits for It Should Have Been Me which will soon be done. Then it’s back to my new secret, guilty pleasure…

On that note, there is a simply brilliant post here on Keeping the Love once you are published. Please check it out, whether you’re already in print or want to be.

Special week

September 15, 2008 | 5 Comments

I’ve got a special week planned. I got my edits for It Should Have Been Me at the weekend – only ‘tweaks’ (huge sigh of relief) and rather looking forward to doing them. The blurb for ISHBM is also up on Amazon here! I’d better get cracking then, but the edits will have to wait a few days because

Tomorrow, my daughter, CJ, is 21!

I can’t believe she’s 21. I’m now going to embarrass her by saying she is lovely, kind, witty, brilliant and the untidiest person in the world. Without her honest and insightful help and support I’d have probably given up writing ages ago.

My books have lots of input from CJ including a clubbing scene in the next one that my ed loves – but it was all down to CJ as I haven’t been near a club since she was born. She helps me choose names and clothes for the heroines and is a wizard with plotting – and always tells me honestly if a scene’s not working. She can also write (but she needs to finish her degree first!)

So CJ, for your birthday, here are a few of your favourite things…

Double act

September 9, 2008 | 8 Comments

Head down. Work work work… until Thursday when:

Ashley and Dixon, the new LBD double act at Burntwood Library, Staffordshire at 2pm.

Drop by if you’re in the area… there might even be a cup of coffee and a biccie in it.

LOL. Jess’s comment has got me thinking…
What do you think? Gentle lady sleuths or kick-ass cops?

And of course, every female crimefighter needs a hunky but slightly inferior henchman… (I’ll have Lewis, thanks though I wouldn’t refuse to make Martin Shaw a bacon butty either.)

Good writing vibes

September 4, 2008 | 2 Comments

I had a really great time last night joining Nell at Wombourne Writers (whose name sounds like the Wombles and they are just as friendly, well-organised and fun.)

I got hopelessly lost on the way to Nell’s in the pouring rain and had to head straight to the library – but it was so worth the effort. They were such a lively, welcoming bunch and I was hoarse from talking when I got home (nothing new there.) Got to see some RNA members, Liz Hanbury and Lizzie Lamb too.

There are a few things about this business that get me down sometimes but a good old gossip with Nell and Liz has sorted out a few things out for me. This morning I feel like a new woman and remotivated again. There’s a book in progress that I’m loving writing and I’ve also been given the chance of some exciting new copy work.

Nell is coming to me for the return match next Thursday Sept 11 at Burntwood Library at 2pm. All welcome!

And I’m also delighted that there are now three LBDs in the Romance chart Play.com Top Ten – and one of them is mine!