Archive for October, 2008

Win every LBD title for a year!

October 20, 2008 | 1 Comment

Now, this is a great competition – check it out:

The Little Black Dress Jingle Competition!

Your mission should you choose to accept it, is to come up with a fabulously catchy LBD jingle, you know the sort, one that people will find playing on loop in their minds and yet have no idea how it got there!

The best one will receive the ULTIMATE in LBD prizes…

WIN EVERY SINGLE LBD THAT IS PUBLISHED FOR A WHOLE YEAR!

Yes, that’s right, you will have every new title that LBD publishes – delivered to your doorstep every month for 12 whole months, starting the moment the winner is picked.

What’s more 3 runners up will receive a copy of an LBD of their choice, PLUS a gorgeous LBD mirror, absolutely free!

So come on LBD fans pop on your thinking caps and start singing!

Visit www.littleblackdressbooks.co.uk to enter

Fanfiction writing to build your career?

October 17, 2008 | 2 Comments

I had a brilliant evening of research last night at a Screen West Midlands short film evening. I made some great contacts and learned lots for my current wip. I’ll tell you more next week because something bizarre has happened.

The fan fiction writing exploits of the North & South community have been featured in a book. Here it is. I even get a mention on page 16 with Rosy Thornton! How cool is that?

Spooks and Royalties

October 16, 2008 | 5 Comments

Gratuitous hot bloke news

(Pic from richardarmitageonline.com)

The BBC Spooks trailer featuring Rupert Penry Jones and Richard Armitage, is on You Tube.

This episode airs on BBC 1 at 9pm over October 27 and 28th.

What is interesting is that RA’s character, Lucas North, has some spectacular tattoos – as does Matt, the doctor hero of my next LBD. I know not everyone likes tatts on a guy – let’s face it I wouldn’t really want to see a unicorn rampaging over Mr Bennet’s torso – but Matt’s (like Lucas’s I suspect) aren’t the usual variety and he has them for a very special reason.

Writing news: There’s an excellent – and very funny – post here on Christina Jones’ blog about how royalties are paid. Or, rather – often aren’t! If you’ve ever wondered how authors are paid – or not – this will tell you all you need to know.

Update #2 : Julie’s talking about Revisions today – self-imposed ones. How lovely they are! I’ve added my bit FWIW.

Tension

October 15, 2008 | 5 Comments

Since I read Julie’s great post about conflict, I’ve been ramping up the tension in every scene of my new book. It’s not difficult as I’ve got intense emotions bubbling under the surface of each encounter at this point. All the major players have just ended up ‘on stage’ together and I’m building up the tension ready for an explosion then a revelation.

I’m also trying to avoid the ubiquitous tea/coffee drinking scenario – which in Britain, happens a lot. Revelations are often poured out with the tea!

The revelation could have happened during a tea scene but I decided to have it take place while the heroine and friend are decorating a room. This will require research. I rarely decorate…

Is it really me?

October 14, 2008 | 3 Comments

Writing can send you slightly loopy. I’ve had a week where all I’ve done is write my novel. I’ve now got some work so that will stop. But for a week, largely, I’ve been inside, alone, just writing about an imaginary world.

I don’t know about other writers, but I start to lose touch with reality. I mean, all I do is sit here making up stories! I can see why some authors take themselves off to the coffee shop to work. However, I live in a quiet village. We have no pub or coffee house. I’d have to drive 3 miles to find one. I often do.

Then comes publication day, and you’re thrust into the spotlight (if you’re lucky.) It’s weird. It’s not a proper job and I need to get out more. Which reminds me, I’m going to order my ticket for the RNA Winter Party. Anyone else going?

Now, a tenuous link to another person who’s been suffering from being locked away for several years. Richard Armitage makes his debut on BBC 1 next week in Spooks as Lucas North. just an excuse for a piccy really!