Archive for May, 2008
May 30, 2008 | Girl from Mars
Well, I got the call from my agent, and all is well. *big sigh of relief*
But I’ve got some tightening up to do. So my task is to print out the thing again, and then arrange it by chapters. Chapter-by-chapter, I have to pinpoint the major high point of that chapter, and then adjust things as necessary so that the focus is on that high point.
Sounds easy, huh? (not)
May 27, 2008 | Spirit Willing Flesh Weak
This is my cover for Spirit Willing, Flesh Weak in Italian, where it’s been retitled Tubino Nero (or, “Little Black Dress”). Cute, isn’t it?
May 26, 2008 | about me
I did an interview recently, over the phone whilst at the park with the Fecklet. I answered questions whilst pulling him out of flower beds, preventing him from launching himself into the scummy fountain, confiscating his collection of cigarette butts, etc.
“What are your hobbies?” the interviewer asked.
I laughed aloud. “Hobbies? I have a seventeen-month-old son, a husband who’s on tour most of the year, and I write two 90,000-word books a year. I don’t have time for any hobbies.”
“Yes, but what do you do in your spare time?” she persisted.
“What’s spare time?” I asked, snagging the Fecklet before he plunged headfirst into a rosebush.
However, for the past few days I have been experiencing this odd “spare time” phenomenon. No phone call from agent means I don’t have to do any work. I actually read the Sunday paper yesterday. Bliss!
And I took the Fecklet to one of his father’s gigs, where he got to play the drums, strum the bass and sing in the microphone!
May 22, 2008 | about me
Ohhhh I have been such a bad blogger.
I’ve been very busy, and very tired. Mostly, I’ve finished up my first round of revisions for Girl from Mars and sent the whole thing off to my agent, who will probably get in touch today to tell me what she thinks. Am I scared? Well, yeah. Of course I’m scared.
I went through several stages of crows with this ms. When I’d finished it, I was convinced it was complete and utter crap. I left it while I went to the States, and then I came back and changed the ending a bit, and I read it over and suddenly, I was totally in love with it.
I’m not sure if this is a dangerous thing or not. Am I correct in loving it, or am I instead utterly, utterly blind?
Anyway, I expect revisions–I always get revisions. There’s one place I’m not convinced I handled the best way I could, and I’m looking forward to feedback about how to do that better.
While waiting, I’ve taken out and beaten all the rugs, mopped all the floors, hoovered up every single cobweb and cleaned the former disaster area of my back passage, which is what we call the covered-in area off the kitchen where we keep the refrigerator, washing machine, and tonnes of assorted crap. You have never seen so many spiders.
I’ve also done some reading, which I will blog about in a bit. And my creative writing session at the library went really well, which as always was down to the great group who did all I asked them with nary a complaint.
Now I will go back to biting my nails and waiting for the phone to ring.
May 14, 2008 | parenthood
The Fecklet’s new activity is picking up a book, giving it to me, and sitting himself on my lap ready for me to read it. He does this pretty much ad infinitum, going through his stack of books again and again.
He does have his favourites. I have been reading Dr Seuss’s ABC, on average, five times daily. I am very pleased he’s chosen such a classic work of literature, as I’ve now memorised it cover-to-cover.
May 13, 2008 | writing
Creative Writing Workshop with Romance Author Julie Cohen
Date: Saturday 17th May
Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 noon
Location: Thames Room, Windsor Library
This event is open to all adults, no creative writing experience is necessary.
“My books are all character-driven, and my workshop will be about creating a character from the ground up. You’ll come into my workshop with a blank piece of paper, and you’ll leave with a brand-new, three-dimensional character, which you can use in your own story. Or, you can take away the characterisation techniques we’ll be using, to apply to your own creative writing project.” (Julie Cohen)
Places are limited, so sign up now at Windsor Library. Call 01753 743940 or email windsor.library@rbwm.gov.uk
For more information, contact Kathy Dolan at Maidenhead Library, 01628 796974, or Windsor Library, 01753 743940.
(Sorry I’m late posting this…hopefully it’s not too late if you’re interested.)
May 12, 2008 | Honey Trap, covers
For Honey Trap, out this July:
Gorgeous, isn’t it?
Here’s the blurb:
Sophie Tennant is used to sticky situations…
Because Sophie used to be a private investigator, setting honey traps for husbands and giving wives ground for divorce. But these days she’s an aromatherapist–an aromatherapist who’s going on tour with a rock band, baby! Which is all good, until she recognises the band’s bassist, Dominick Steele: her first honey trap, and the man who taught her she has a lethal attraction to bad boys. But her attraction’s not half as lethal as the vengeful spouse who suddenly seems to be following her!
Will there be a sweet ending–or a sting in the tale?
May 9, 2008 | Uncategorized
Today is my mom’s birthday. I haven’t been able to get in touch with her because she’s been busy with her sisters, being appropriately and deservedly pampered.
So I’m wishing her a happy birthday on the world wide web. If you’ve got a moment, wish her a happy birthday in the comments because she would be tickled!
May 6, 2008 | about me
And I have spent the last 13 hours sleeping as I didn’t get a lot of sleep while I was there. How I wish I could say that was because I was partying all night, but it had more to do with jetlag, sharing a bed and with helping with the night shift looking after my grandmother.
For my mother and my aunt, and all those who care for the terminally or chronically ill: I salute you. It’s a hard job, every minute of every day.
I’m spending today reading over my draft of Girl from Mars and hopefully my brain will be de-fuzzed enough to be able to figure out what I need to do for revisions.
