Archive for November, 2008

Quiet hurrah

November 26, 2008 | 4 Comments

I’ve had my head down, trying to finish the new book (I’m getting closer) but I’ve also had some good news in the shape of some real work. Hurrah! It’s for a lovely client. I went to the PEN quiz on Monday and if you go to Janet Gover’s blog there are some pictures. I knew Noddy Holder’s first name was Neville and got Dara O’ Briain’s autograph (he was sweet.) That tells you my level.

Oh, and they’re just playing Here You Come Again by Dolly Parton on the radio – the theme to my next Little Black Dress Book. Makes me go weak at the knees, just thinking about the ending.

RNA Winter Party

November 20, 2008 | 6 Comments

I’m back from the party – and first thanks to Liz Fenwick for the photo of me carousing with LBD author Janet Gover, Judy Astley and Katie Fforde. There are lots more fab pics on Liz’s site.

Earlier in the day, I met my daughter for lunch and an intro to the stores at the younger end of Oxford Street. Then it was onto a Westminster Starbucks where we were more excited than we should have been to find a member of the cabinet who shall remain nameless, sitting nearby. I have been to London nine times this year and only once seen anyone ‘famous’ despite being told by my friends that the streets are daily paved with celebs. This man made up for it by being very famous indeed.

I still recall my first RNA party – first ever RNA function – in May 2006. It was only weeks after I’d got an agent and my first publishing deal. I walked in with my new agent, having only met her for the first time that afternoon and was immediately introduced to dozens of writers, agents and editors. I was totally overwhelmed, to be honest, even though everyone was welcoming.

Fast forward to last night. This time, I walked in and immediately recognised dozens of good friends. It was an exciting evening for me and I’m so glad I went along. Everyone looked glam but especially Liz Fenwick in a gorgeous silver top and a Dubai tan! There was a real buzz after the recent romance programmes on BBC4 and the response in the Guardian – also to the fact that romance novels are proving to be a great antidote to the recession.

I left a little early to be with Duckface, my dear friend, who had sprained her ankle and ended up in A&E earlier in the day. Hope you are off the crutches soon, DF. Love to you and RG. x

Party time

November 18, 2008 | 8 Comments

Actually, with the recession a major worry, I don’t feel in a Big Party Mood but I think I can rustle some party spirit up by tomorrow. It’s the RNA Winter Party – and an excuse to meet up with some dear friends. I wrote 3,500 words yesterday so I don’t feel too guilty for sloping off to London.

Ending on a high

November 14, 2008 | 6 Comments

I’m delighted to end the week on an ‘up’. The jacket cover for my March 2009 LBD – It Should Have Been Me – has arrived this morning. I absolutely love it. Definitely my favourite so far.

Here’s the blurb from the back.

Some things are meant to be, aren’t they?

When Carrie Brownhill’s fiancé, solid dependable Huw Brigstocke, suddenly calls of their wedding, she’s devastated. And the final blow is stuck when she finds out Huw is marrying another woman!

Determined to pick herself up and get away, Carrie jumps at her best friend, Rowena’s solution: a VW van and the road trip of a lifetime. But when Rowena has to pull out and Matt Landor, an old friend of Huw’s, ends up filling the breach, she’s not so sure. Will fate take the pair of an altogether different journey?

‘Fulfils all the best fantasies, including a gorgeous humanitarian hero and a camper van!’

NB Matt is a doctor with a medical charity.

And… I’ve recently had two lovely and unexpected reviews for Wish You Were Here. One was from Annie Burrows, the Mills & Boon author (see her reviews for August 25th) and the other from Little Bookworm.

Ups and downs

November 12, 2008 | 6 Comments

Ah, the ups and downs of a writer’s life.

A few weeks ago I had a rather sniffy review of Just Say Yes, from a website. However, as this site did give me the same number of stars as Persuasion, (the greatest novel ever) I also had to smile. I expect Jane Austen is turning in her grave!

Fortunately, I’ve had some really lovely messages from real readers and yesterday, I received this email from someone I don’t know via Facebook. I just have to share it. I hope this person knows that I’ve attacked my current wip with new enthusiasm because of this and other messages. She really ‘got’ what the book was about, a message I hoped would come through but not detract from the fun of the romantic story.

I finished your book Just Say Yes a few days ago and loved it sooo much.
I’m guessing your readers are older and have had more experiences but I’m 16 and found Just Say Yes inspirational. That it doesn’t take a big job, a lot of money and a famous boyfriend to be truly happy which is very much in the media these days. I can’t wait to read more of your books.

I love that line from The History Boys when Mr Hector says that coming across a thought in a book identical to one of your own is like “having someone reach out and take your hand.”

I’d love to make a reader feel like that, even just once. Isn’t that what writing fiction is all about?