The go ahead

I’ve now heard from my editor regarding the first three chapters, and I’m so glad I sent them in because she has suggestions to make which changes things. If I’d gone on to write the whole story then it would have been a massive re-write at the end. I know some authors wait until they have a complete manuscript, and I used to do that myself, but over the years I’ve learned that it makes life much easier to get an editor’s input in its very early stages.

So its going to be head down now for a little while.

Did I show you a picture of my hero? I know I showed you Sienna – with the hat! I can’t somehow see her having an occasion to wear such a hat, but it’s still going to be the same girl.

In case I didn’t, here he is: Richard Armitage as Robin Hood – oh, those eyes!

To tie or not to tie

How many ties is too many?


My DH bought a new tie on Saturday – chosen by our 13 year old grandson who was staying the weekend. ‘I really must throw out some of my ties,’ said DH as he was putting it away. So we had a clear out yesterday. We discovered that he had 44 ties. (He used to work in a men’s outfitters so always wore a tie for work) Out of those we binned 5 and sent 17 to charity. Which means he now has only 22 in his wardrobe!!!


The thing this is that he only wears a favourite few. I guess it’s like us women with handbags and shoes. We always go back to our favourites.


Does anyone else’s husband have a wardrobe full of ties? Or is he simply old-fashioned?

First chapters

Phew! We’ve had our daughter and grandson staying with us for the last two days. Our grandson is eleven months old now and has totally worn us out. I can tell you I’m happy to be sitting back at my desk.


Prior to their visit I had just finished the first three chapters of my new book so today I’m going to read it through in printed form, add a further synopsis for the rest of the story and send it to my editor. Adam has remained Adam, but Eve is now Sienna. I rather like the name Sienna and it suits my heroine perfectly.


While Adam and Sienna are waiting patiently on my editor’s desk I shall do my VAT returns and I also need to start thinking about my annual accounts. Actually I don’t think I’ll get any further than thinking for the moment! It’s a necessary evil and one I hate. The sensible thing would be to start at the beginning of each tax year and enter items daily, or even monthly, instead of hiding them in an ever bulging folder. Perhaps next time…

Question Time

I’m answering questions this weekend on our fabulous Australian author, Nicola Marsh’s blog, about The Italian’s Ruthless Baby Bargain. This book is on sale in Australia now and don’t you just love the Sexy cover.

Contest winner

The winner of my February/March contest is:

Joy Isley

Many congratulations, Joy, and a big thankyou, as well as commiserations, to every one else who entered.

Joy wins a copy of either The Billionaire's Blackmail Bargain or The Italian's Ruthess Baby Bargain - I'm leaving the decision up to her.

Character versus Plot

What gorgeous weather we’ve had over the weekend. Snow is forecast for later in the week so I guess it’s been lulling us into a false sense of security. Nevertheless it’s nearly 16 degrees in the sun outside my window. Not bad for March. And don’t you think it always makes you feel better when the sun is shining?

We actually spent time clearing up the garden, which is usually unheard of at this time of year. We have a bed where a wayward tree prevented us weeding properly so that’s now been taken out, the whole bed cleared and we intend putting in new shrubs and maybe extending the lawn a little so there won’t be quite so much weeding to do in future.

I’ve also spent time working more on my new hero and heroine’s characters. Nicola Marsh, in her blog, suggested that writing a character driven story instead of a plot driven one – or vice versa – can give your writing a fresh approach. As I’ve never written a character driven story, and as my current plot is very slender at the moment, I thought I’d give it a go.