Archive for September, 2009

Congratulations Kristin

September 21, 2009 | 1 Comment

I know I haven’t been blogging much – that’s because I’ve been writing furiously – but I just had to shout about this great piece of news.

The fabulous Kristin Chenoweth has won an Emmy (TV equivalent of an Oscar) for her role as Olive Snook, in Pushing Daisies. Just in case you don’t know – and apologies for those who do, but there may be the odd person from Outer Space who doesn’t – Kristin is starring as EJ/Emma, the heroine of 12 Men of Christmas – the movie version of my debut novel, Decent Exposure.

Kristin has been nominated for an Emmy before and has won a Tony (the Broadway ‘Oscar’) but this is her first Emmy win. I thought she shone out in Pushing Daisies – she was funny and poignant and sharp. I loved the character of Olive Snook and it was a great pity the show was cancelled. We met her on the set of 12 Men and she was both warm and witty – with a wicked sense of humour. She made me and my family feel totally at ease.

I can’t wait to see the film which airs at 9pm on December 5th on the Lifetime channel. Lots of people have asked me if/when they can see the movie outside the USA. The answer is I don’t know. I really hope (and this is just *my* opinion) that it will be shown in the UK and elsewhere next year and also I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a DVD.

It was a good night for the Brits too. The BBC Dickens adapatation, Little Dorrit won seven Emmys.

Now, back from Hollywood to the keyboard for me!

PS From November I’m going to be running a competition and an online charity auction to win/bid for some signed goodies related to 12 men of Christmas and Kristin Chenoweth. The proceeds will be going to The Langdale & Ambleside Mountain Rescue team, who helped me with research for Decent Exposure. Watch this space!

Writers united

September 15, 2009 | 1 Comment

I’ve had a lovely day today when authors and friends, Elizabeth Hanbury and Nell Dixon, came over to my ‘patch’ for lunch. Naturally, there was non-stop and enthusiastic talk of books and current projects – I saw an old lady staring at us in the normally sedate Cathedral coffee shop. I was probably waxing lyrical about naked hunks in the movie of Decent Exposure at the time!

After a visit to our stunning cathedral (which I don’t venture into often enough) we tempted Nell into buying a fabulous scarf from a lovely shop selling boho clothes and accessories. Then it was onto an Olde Worlde Cafe for tea. I expected Mrs Overall from Acorn Antiques to serve the cakes at any minute!

Sand in my shoes

September 12, 2009 | Comments

(A bodyboard hides many sins…)

Mr Bennet is hoovering out the car, I’ve been unpacking the cases and we’ve hung the wetsuits on the line to dry. Yes, we’ve just got back from a glorious week in Cornwall. Ms B is heading off to a new university to start her PhD in a couple of weeks so it was time for a family break before she flies the nest again.

I started the week by doing some work on the new book which is going really well. It’s quite a bit different for me and I’m loving the challenge of trying something new. There was a window seat in our cottage, that overlooked Falmouth Harbour which was an inspirational place to write. But it *was* a holiday – and the past few days have been so sunny and bright that we’ve been out all day every day.

I’ve also had my first taste of bodyboarding at Gwithian and Godrevy Towans and I absolutely loved it! We went back twice, it was so much fun and you don’t get cold at all in a wet suit and boots. Plus there’s a really great cafe on the cliffs called the Sunset - how I’d love to sit in there with a latte and my laptop, writing away… now all I have to do is to finish a best selller and buy a chalet on the cliffs.

I’m looking forward to a writerly lunch with some RNA friends so the week ahead can’t be too bad, even if I can’t be by the sea.