Some you win, some you lose

I'm having to relegate the two chapters and numerous synopses that I've written over the last weeks to the waste paper basket. And start again.
I wish I could say it's been angst free but it hasn't. But I'm resigned to the fact that my story wasn't going anywhere.
So now I've made a fresh start with fresh characters. I ran it by my editor today and she approves, so let me introduce Blake Benedict, a hotelier, and Robyn Diamond who lives in a small Scottish castle which is facing ruin. I wonder who's going to help whom?

Contest

A quick reminder that there are only three days left if you want to win a copy of one of my books. Just hop over to my website and let me know the title of my very first book.

Tips

It's back to normal now. I wish I could say that I've got my head down writing, but it is not to be. My ed promised me an email outlining her thoughts on my two chapters, 'cos she still has reservations, and I'm anxiously waiting before I carry on. At least it's my art group tomorrow. I love going there because as well as painting I get to talk to lots of other people - quite the opposite to my normal days spent in isolation. Actually I do have gorgeous heroes to keep me company so I shouldn't complain.

While I'm waiting I thought I'd share a tip with you. It was given to me by my sister in law and works perfectly. To stop bananas ripening too quickly wrap each one individually in cling film and store in the salad drawer of your refrigerator. They last at least two weeks, often longer.

Go on, try it, and let me know how you get on. Meanwhile has anyone else any tips they would like to share?

Celebrations

I’m back from four days in London, exhausted but happy. I seem to have done nothing but eat and talk – though I did a lot of walking as well and amazingly when I weighed myself this morning I’d lost a couple of pounds. I definitely need to keep up the walking!!!

DH came with me but he did his own thing while I sat through three very wonderful meals. The first night ten of us had dinner in the hotel, which was Victorian built and full of elegant splendour. The wine flowed and most stayed up until one thirty chatting – but I had a man in my room! – so I left about 11.30.

The next day was the annual AMBA luncheon (The Association of Mills & Boon Authors) where again it was excellent food in a very atmospheric setting, (thankyou Michelle and Sharon for organising it). Which was followed by a champagne toast to the authors where Karin Stoecker presented me with a very beautiful silver Tiffany key chain in recognition of my 75th book.

And on Friday, Karin took me out for another celebratory lunch in Richmond with my editor Meg and my previous editor Emily (who still edits some of my books) We went to an Italian restaurant and the food was superb. I left feeling like a queen. It was a wonderful few days.

To top it off DH and I went to see Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych Theatre on Friday evening. A superb show which followed very closely the theme of the film. I loved Patrick Swayze in the film – such a shame he is no longer with us. He was a fine actor.

And that’s it. It’s now back to reality. To fighting with a book that is refusing to be written.

Damson jam

Rafael says thanks to those who chose his new name. He likes Rafe. He's now waiting for his surname.

I've been making damson jam today, religiously stirring it every quarter of an hour or so. Until Rafael held my attention for far too long and it boiled over. Just minutes before a gas engineer was due to arrive for an annual service of our appliances! I managed to clean my cooker with seconds to spare.

He made me smile, though. He said that he was one of six children and when they were young they had to take it in turns to clean their mother's cooker. He hated it. But it stood him in good stead today because he (yes, the male) cleans their cooker now after every meal.

OK, so you're all going to shout at me and tell me that your husband cleans your cooker!

Rafael's plea

This is Rafael here, Margaret’s new hero. At least that’s the name she’s given me. She decided I was going to be Spanish but I’m not, I’m English, and I want an English name. She has written two whole chapters calling me Rafael and I hate it. So I need some help, guys.

I run a global chain of hotels and initially I was Raphael De Souza. But I think she told you that De Souza is already the name of a hotel group. So I not only need a Christian name, I need a surname that will look good and impressive on all of my hotels.

Can you get your thinking caps on for me? I’ll be eternally grateful.

Eureka!

We have a network system for our computers so that either DH or I can print without having to change plugs. This was the last task for DH’s new computer. I’ve always had someone else to do the networking but this morning I DID IT! I was so pleased with myself because I spent ages on it last night without success. It was quite simple in the end, just a case of knowing where to look. And possibly because I'd got a fresh mind. After a day struggling with my hero and heroine, sorting out something like that was the last thing I wanted to do.

So now I’m settling down to my writing again with a smile on my face.

Success

I had a better day on my book today - at least I worked this afternoon. This morning was spent with the technical guys again when I had trouble setting up AOL and McAfee on DH's computer. Fingers crossed all is now well. Why does he always leave it to me? Don't tell him but it makes me feel good when he thinks I know these things better than he does.

Changing the subject, I'd given my new hero the surname De Souza - and he owns a chain of hotels world wide. The De Souza chain - I thought it sounded pretty good. Until I did a search on the internet and found there's just such a group in Goa. Thank goodness for computers, that's what I say.

Computer

My DH's computer gave up the ghost - at least the mother board did - and it's only three years old! Hence he has a new computer. And now we're having problems trying to set up our AOL Broadband on it. It's very time consuming, so again another day without writing. I'm beginning to feel that this book is doomed.

Pampering

I managed to make a few notes over the weekend and looked forward to starting Chapter 2 tomorrow - until I remembered a chiropodist appointment and a hairdressing appointment. Do I prefer being pampered from top to toe? Or would I rather carry on with my book? I'll leave you to guess.

It's a start

I've managed 1000 words today. Not a great deal but it's a start and I've finished the first chapter.

Sadly it's the weekend and I never work weekends - so all I can say is, roll on Monday.

I was annoyed yesterday. The gas service engineer was supposed to be coming for our annual check - any time between 12 and 6pm. I telephoned at six to complain and made a new appointment for a couple of weeks time. They tried to contact the engineer but for some reason he wasn't answering his phone. We left at 6.20 to take our grandson home and then visited friends, returning home finally at about 11.30. And guess what, there was a note from the engineer saying he had called at 7.00. 7pm! What sort of hours does this man keep? My question is, why couldn't he have phoned and said he was running late? Arrgh!

Back to work

Peace reigns in the Mayo household. Grandson number two came visiting today – he’s 17 months old. So between my two grandsons there wasn’t a moment’s peace – not that I’d have it any other way. But now it’s bliss, and tomorrow I’m planning to spend the whole day writing. I need to get this book off the ground.

My fear is that the best laid plans, etc.

Life

Sorry I haven’t blogged recentl;y. We have our grandson staying with us and as usual when he’s here life’s pretty hectic. He’s going home tomorrow so hopefully things will get back to normal. I’ve done about three pages of my new book and I’m beginning to panic. I feel withdrawal symptoms. I like writing, I like sitting at my desk and creating. I hate it when life gets in the way. Does anyone else find when they have a break from writing that it takes ages to get back into it again?