Margaret Mayo

Exciting news

2011-05-17T11:01:00.000+02:00

My website is having a makeover.

The wonderful Heather at hrwebconcepts.com has been busily working on it and any time now it will change. It's in one of my favourite colours so keep checking.

I hope you'll all love it as much as I do.

Contest

2011-05-15T18:28:00.002+02:00

I've just spent a few computerless days away and was disappointed to see that no one had entered this second week of my contest - so I'm going to run the same question this week.

Where did Blake whisk Kara to in my book A NIGHT WITH CONSEQUENCES? Or - different question, same answer - in which country was the conference held where Blake took his PA? The answer can be found here on my website.

A copy of this book is the prize for the winner - so you know what they say - you have to be in it to win it.

I'm now going to look forward to a whole rush of answers... Send them here

BIG MISTAKE! I think my mind was on other things when I checked for contest entrants. I've found you - those who entered. But as there were only a couple of entries I'm going to add your names to this week's list. And then I'll pick two winners so all will be fair.

1st week May contest

2011-05-09T09:06:00.000+02:00

And the winner is...

LACEY DEVLIN

Congratulations, Lacey. My DH picked your name out of the hat (well, a little plastic bowl actually but a hat sounds so much nicer) - so if you'd like to email me your address I'll make sure a copy of A NIGHT WITH CONSEQUENCES will soon be on its way to you.

Commiserations to those of you who didn't win but you can always enter again for the second week of my contest. This time the question is:

Where does Blake take Kara for a few days holiday? As before the answer can be found on my website - http://www.margaret-mayo.com/

Good luck everyone!

Foto Friday

2011-05-06T09:03:00.000+02:00

I couldn't resist snapping these unfolding ferns in my garden this week. I know they're not terribly good photos but I think ferns are so pretty at this stage.

And a reminder - it's the last day for entering this week's contest.

Contest answers

2011-05-04T13:23:00.000+02:00

I forgot to mention that all answers to my question should be emailed to me at margaret_mayo@yahoo.co.uk

Thanks to Lacey for pointing it out.

Contest 1

2011-05-03T12:25:00.000+02:00

Well, wasn't the royal wedding fabulous? I was glued to the television the whole morning on Friday. And then I went to the local garden party. Very few people guessed who had painted the postcards. Most got none right. Quite a few got one. And one lucky person managed five. Neverthless it was a lot of fun.

So - to my May contest.

Four books, four weeks.

This week's question is - What are the christian names of my heroine and hero in my new book A NIGHT WITH CONSEQUENCES which is in the shops now in the UK. The answers can be found on the books page of my website - http://www.margaret-mayo.com/

At the moment my website is being updated - by the lovely Heather at hr web concepts but I think you'll still be able to access it. If not then I'll happily extend the contest time. I'm quite excited about the new look it's going to get and can't wait for you all to see it.

This and that

2011-04-27T09:56:00.000+02:00

I missed wishing everyone a Happy Easter because my computer was playing up. But I do hope you all enjoyed it and didn't eat too many easter eggs!

I've been busy trying to sort out Rafe and Holly because they're not particularly behaving themselves. And I've also painted a 'picture on a postcard' for a fun competition being held at our local pub for Prince William and Kate's wedding. A garden party is planned with all sorts of events (as well as big screens for the occasion of course) and my art group is having a display of paintings. The postcards won't have our names on and people are going to be asked to pair them up with the original artists. It will be fun to see if anyone gets them all right.

At the beginning of May I'm going to be running a new contest to win copies of my latest book A NIGHT WITH CONSEQUENCES. So do keep a look out for that. I have four books to give away and I shall pose a different question each week during the month.

Heroes and blood pressure

2011-04-20T13:37:00.000+02:00

Some time ago I told you I was having my blood pressure monitored and I blamed it on my current hero. Well, the machine stopped working so I've had to wait until now when they had solved the problem to have it checked again. And - good news - it's fine. Poor Rafe didn't send it as high as I'd thought.

Actually I'm having to re-write the first chapters of my current book again. My editor pointed things out and as usual she is right. But at least it means I get to spend more time with my hunky hero. I'm really getting to know this guy.

But I mustn't talk about him too much because I can feel my blood pressure rising...........

Weather

2011-04-18T10:51:00.000+02:00

We've had beautiful weather again over the weekend and it seems set to continue for a further day or two. DH and I did some tidying up in the garden yesterday - it's amazing how a combination of sunshine and rain has made the weeds grow quicker than the plants. We have one or two shrubs that have died because of our harsh winter and have had to dig them out. We waited and waited to see if they would spring back to life - but no such luck.

We have fish as well but luckily all of them survived - every time we go near the pond now they pop up their heads and ask for food.

And today is not going to be a writing day either as I'm going to the hairdressers this morning and then helping a friend sort out a new card programme on her computer this afternoon. So poor Holly and Rafe will have to wait a little longer before I join them again.

Foto Friday

2011-04-15T12:07:00.000+02:00

A few years ago my DH and I spent Christmas in a hotel in Ilfracombe on the north Devon coast. And so on Boxing Day morning we set off on a three hour trek along a coastal footpath with the Atlantic Ocean crashing on the shore far below. It was a cold but beautiful day and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We ended up at a tiny pub with open fires and a festival atmosphere. But I couldn't face the thought of another three hour walk back - it's not as though it was all on the level - so we returned to our hotel by taxi. It was an experience I shall never forget, though. Our one and only time when Christmas hasn't been spent with the family.

And why am I thinking of Christmas when summer is on the horizon? When my H&H are in sunny Spain? I just love looking at old photographs, though, don't you?

Weather

2011-04-13T14:27:00.000+02:00

We've had lovely weather here these last few days but now it's gone cold. It's actually the right temperature for the time of year, but we've been lulled into thinking that summer was coming early. So I'm cocooned in my study with the central heating going full blast trying to write about sunny Spain. The picture's in my mind, but when I glance out of the window there are grey skies and not much else.

Thank goodness for imagination, that's what I say.

weekend

2011-04-11T11:57:00.005+02:00

Every now and then I give myself a computer free weekend. This was one of them. We've had our eldest grandson to stay and we've been out and about so I didn't really miss it until last night when he'd gone home. I found it very hard not to come into my study and press the switches and turn on the screen, then sign in....

But somehow I managed it - and it's now eleven in the morning and I've just switched on. After a sunny and hot weekend it's still unseasonally warm outside so I have washing on the line and my DH is out there doing some garden maintenance - which is never ending. He's actually taken over some of the weeding which was always my domain. Leaving me more time to write. More time to sit on my butt at the computer - and get fat!

Actually I'm down to my lowest weight in a long time. I'm only one stone heavier than before I had the children over forty years ago. So I'm feeling pretty good about myself.

Back to the writing.....

Foto Friday

2011-04-07T16:18:00.003+02:00

Wildlife today. Enjoy!

Spain

2011-04-06T12:45:00.001+02:00

I've taken my H&H off to Spain - though I'm not sure of the exact location yet. It's a business trip so it will need to be near to one of the big cities. I'm open to suggestions....

Health risk!

2011-04-04T15:41:00.006+02:00

I've been to the doctors this morning because I've been monitoring my blood pressure for the last month as it was on the high side. And now I'm going to have to wear a monitoring system for 24 hours to give a more accurate reading - and then they will probably decide to increase the dosage of my tablets.

I think it's my sexy heroes who make my blood pressure rise. I cannot think of anything else. I had no idea writing romance was a health risk!

But Rafe is enough to send any woman's BP sky high. Here's a reminder of what he looks like.

Foto Friday

2011-03-31T17:02:00.005+02:00

I'm taking you to Wales again today. You've probably realised by now that it's one of my favourite places to visit - that's because it's only an hour's drive before we're across the border. Then another couple of hours and you're on the west coast. It has stunning countryside - and lots of sheep! I think the ones on the first photograph are heading for a confrontation, don't you? It's not uncommon to find sheep on the road - and they have priority! They're never in a hurry to move.

Busy

2011-03-29T11:50:00.003+02:00

Have you ever been totally busy and then cannot think what you have done that has taken up all of your time? Well, the last few days have been like that for me. I've either been out dining with friends, giving a dinner party for another friend for her birthday, finishing off the curtains in the bedroom, or trying to find time to write. The bedroom's finished now and very nice it looks too. The first three chapters of my revised book have made their way to my editor, so it's fingers crossed while I wait to hear. I've finished a painting I've been working on for ages and prepared the background for another one which is to be a birthday present for a relative. So I'm finally feeling on top of things. The sun's shining as well today so that's a bonus. How has your last week been?

Names

2011-03-22T22:42:00.004+01:00

My hero and heroine finally have names. My gorgeous hero is now known as Rafe. I just kept looking at him pinned up on my wall and one day he told me his name.

And my heroine (aka Keira Knightley) is no longer Eve. She is Holly. I have a beautiful photograph of her that I tore out of a magazine. I think it was taken at the recent awards because she has her hair short.

They look a perfect couple.

Disappointment

2011-03-21T12:41:00.003+01:00

I spent all day yesterday shortening the new curtains for our bedroom. Correction! I shortened one pair. (There are two windows in the room). Thinking it would save time I'd bought ready-made curtains - in the past I've always made them myself. They weren't cheap, they had a designer label on them, but believe me they were not well made. The hems were wavy, and one curtain was over an inch longer than the other - which I didn't discover until I compared them after cutting the same amount off each and finding they weren't the same length.

I still have the other pair to do. And I don't plan to interrupt my writing time with sewing, so they might have to wait until next weekend. Except that they're still sitting on the dining room table - waiting!!! Looking at me!!! Telling me to get on with them!!!

I don't care. I'm in an Italian restaurant with my hero and heroine at the moment. It's far more enjoyable.

Hardbacks

2011-03-17T23:37:00.003+01:00

I forgot to mention that the hardback covers are now blue also - matching the new-style paperbacks. Pink has gone.

My earliest hardbacks had loose covers but those disappeared in 1983 and the covers then matched the paperbacks which were all different colours.

Then in 1996 came the pink covers which have reigned ever since, though they did change the style slightly in 2008.

It's interesting to see the changes over the years.

Books

2011-03-14T12:46:00.003+01:00

I've had two deliveries of books this morning. My new book A NIGHT WITH CONSEQUENCES (May 2011 in the UK) - both the hardback and the paperback copies. Usually I get the hardback first so it's exciting to see them both together. They smell nice, they look nice, and they sure are going to look nice on my shelves.

In the other parcel was a Japanese edition of MARRIED AGAIN TO THE MILLIONAIRE. I'll put the cover up on Friday - it's very beautiful. I feel so sad that a beautiful cover has come at such a time when so much tragedy is happening over there.

Heroes

2011-03-11T09:36:00.004+01:00

I thought you might like to take a look at the inspiration for my latest hero. In the flesh his name is Matt Bomer, in my book his temporary name is Adam. I'm waiting for the right name to come along.

Exercise

2011-03-08T15:48:00.004+01:00

I'm being good, this week I've started using my treadmill again. I was feeling lethargic and heavy after the winter and eating all the wrong kinds of food. The weight I'd lost last year was creeping back on so I decided to do something about it. Even after only two days I'm feeling revitalised. And surely it must help my brain - get the creative juices flowing faster?

The treadmill is in my study so I'm keeping it plugged in ready for action, no excuse then. At the moment I'm doing ten minutes after my morning's writing session, and then ten again when I finish for the day. The plan is to increase it to fifteen minutes each time. A half hour of exercise per day for five days a week is our government's recommended exercise plan. I wonder if I'll ever manage half an hour all in one go?

How many of you have started exercising again after the winter? Or have you not been a couch potato like me?

Decorating and writing

2011-03-07T16:44:00.002+01:00

We've finally finished decorating our bedroom. I'm not sure whether my DH was unhappyor not when I didn't like the first coat of paint he put on. It was so much paler than I had expected. But, bless him, he didn't complain and once I'd chosen another colour he brushed that on the walls and now I'm happy - except that it looks a bit pinker than I'd thought - but I daren't say anything more. And it's growing on me. We're back in the room and all I need now is new curtains - it's proving a bit tricky to find a coordinating colour. At least we have blinds, so there's no rush.

And as this blog's supposed to be about writing I have to tell you that I've started again on my latest book. It wasn't working out as I expected - but now I have a clearer idea where I'm going so it should all be plain sailing from now on. And I won't have the disruption of choosing paints and colours - only curtains!

Cottages

2011-03-04T11:02:00.007+01:00

I'm in the Isle of Wight today, which is a small island off the southern coast of England. It has beautiful scenery and charming cottages as you can see. These were taken in Shanklin which is the main town.

And the last small photo is of Osborne House which was the country retreat of Queen Victoria.

Art

2011-03-02T09:42:00.002+01:00

I'm looking forward to this morning as we're having a demonstration at our art group entitled Loose Painting in Acrylics. Now I am not a loose woman, never have been, so this will be interesting. My own personal style is very detailed and takes me ages to do in either water colours or acrylics. So who knows, I might be inspired to finally become a loose woman.

Church again

2011-02-28T11:59:00.002+01:00

Just for interest I've found a link to the tiny church I featured on Friday. I have an interior photo in my file but this is so much better.

http://www.walesdirectory.co.uk/tourist-attractions/Churches_and_Chapels/Wales7478.htm

church

2011-02-25T09:02:00.002+01:00

This is the tiniest church imaginable. It's in Wales and there's no seating, just an alter. But it's a must to visit every time we're in the area.

Time

2011-02-22T16:59:00.003+01:00

What happened to Monday? Where did it go? We had another weekend spent with our eldest grandson - we went to the cinema this time to see PAUL. It's not somethig I would have chosen to see but in the end I actually enjoyed it.

And yesterday we went shopping for paint for our bedroom. It's badly in need of redecoration and new curtains. I do plan to make my own but have yet to find any material I like. And I wouldn't like to hazard a guess as to when the room will actually be done! We've been talking about it for so long...

Adam & Eve are not yet true best friends.....

Book covers

2011-02-18T00:27:00.006+01:00

Compare these two covers - my very first one and my latest! It's almost as though they've gone full circle.

Names

2011-02-16T13:35:00.002+01:00

My new hero and heroine are taking shape and becoming real people even though I seem to have been doing anything but writing recently. Believe me, though, the new story may be out of sight but it's never out of mind. I still don't have names for my H&H - they're temporarily called Adam & Eve. But I'm tossing the idea around of Dendra for my heroine. It's the name of a small Greek island but also a friend of a friend, etc, knows someone of that name and said it came from the Greek word for rhododendron.

What do you think?

St Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T15:58:00.003+01:00

Do you know, I'd almost forgotten it was Valentine's Day today so I'm coming in a bit late wishing everyone a Happy St Valentine's Day. Perhaps the reason I'd forgotten was that we've had a full weekend with our eldest grandson staying here. We took him shopping (he's at the age when he likes designer clothes), we intended to go to the cinema but the film he wanted to see had finished two days before! And we went to one of our local Chinese restaurants for dinner. Which was a treat. So this morning I had a lie in and then while my DH hoovered I polished the furniture and cleaned the windows - and consequently forgot all about blogging and Valentine's Day.

So I hope you all enjoyed it and that you had cards from your loved ones - even cards from secret admirers (those are the best kind).

Book cover

2011-02-10T16:21:00.004+01:00

I've just found the cover for my latest book A NIGHT WITH CONSEQUENCES. It's not going to be released until May here in the UK, but Amazon have the cover up already. Isn't it just gorgeous?

I'll tell you more about the book a little nearer the time of publication. Or maybe Kara or Blake will tell you theselves if they get too impatient.

Memories

2011-02-08T19:58:00.005+01:00

I think I mentioned some time ago (a long time ago actually) that I had come across the first manuscript I had ever written. Well, I found time today to take it out of its box. It didn't start out as a HM&B, it was just going to be a love story to please myself, I had no thought of trying to get it published. But the more I wrote the more I realised that I wanted to do something with it. The thing was I didn't know how to go about it.

I found out there were such things as Writer's Circles and I joined my local one. By this time I'd written about 25,000 words and I was lucky in that the lady who ran it was a HM&B writer - or just M&B as it was in those days. Her name was Norrey Ford, I don't know whether any of you have ever heard of her? Don't forget this was in the 70's, so she must have been writing in the 60's, maybe even earlier.

These were her first words:

This is a promising beginning, but you will realise it is a beginning, and not yet anything like submitting to a publisher. Most writers, even experienced professionals, do 2 or 3 drafts before a book is finally polished sufficiently. However if you are prepared to work like a galley slave, through blood, sweat and tears, like all professionals do at the beginning, you'll make it - possibly in a couple of years, though some take at least three. Writing is not an easy profession and I would never encourage anyone who didn't have what it takes - that would lead to too much heartbreak. I do think you have what it takes, but only you can tell if you have the stick-to-it-ness and the will to succeed. By your reaction to this first critique on the manuscript you will find out for yourself what you can take, and I shall certainly know.

The date of this was September 1974 and my first book was published in January 1976, less than the 2-3 years she prophesied. So I guess I did have the stick-to-it-ness and the will to succeed.

That first manuscript was my learning curve, it didn't get accepted but I knew by then what I wanted to do and which direction I needed to take. Just for fun here is the first paragraph. I called it Live For Tomorrow. (which I realise now sounds like a James Bond film!!)

Trina sat with her head buried in her hands. The sunlight slanting through the window enhanced the golden tones of her long silken hair. Unaware of the picture she made, the glow of the evening sun givining her an almost ethereal appearance, she lifted her head. Her clear blue eyes and wide, generous mouth gave the impression of sudden determination.

This isn't so far off the style I write now - and I could almost use this paragraph as an opening to a new novel. In fact it's given me an idea...

Foto Friday

2011-02-04T10:51:00.005+01:00

I'm in the Cotswolds today.

Isn't the car cute on a hotel forecourt?

Then there's the little village of Bourton on the Water where the river runs through. This is a lovely place with lots of little individual shops and in the summer time it's always crowded.

And a cottage to die for!

The Cotswolds is one of my favourite parts of England.

Slowly, slowly.

2011-02-02T13:36:00.002+01:00

Wednesdays are supposed to be about the progress I've made so far this week. The short answer is not much. I'm busy plotting. And as I haven't yet found names for my new hero and heroine they are being temporarily called Adam and Eve.

Midnight jottings

2011-01-30T23:18:00.003+01:00

A funny thing happened to me last week. Funny ha ha, not funny peculiar.

I've mentioned before that I always keep a notepad and pen by my bed. Well, one night a piece of conversation came into my head and I knew I had to write it down. I always write in the dark for fear of waking my DH. I line my thumb up on the side of the pad and move it down as I write so that I know where each row starts. It's never let me down. The rows might be a bit crooked but I don't overwrite anything.

That night it didn't work. But not in the way you might think.

My pen ran out! I had the first line very clear, the second faded a little and by the third and fourth I could read nothing. I hadn't even pressed on hard enough for an imprint.

And I can't remember what I wrote!

The moral to the story is - always use a pencil.

Castles

2011-01-28T13:09:00.005+01:00

Today I'm travelling to Wales. These are photos I took of the ruins of Montgomery Castle which was built in Norman times. The views were truly gorgeous once we'd climbed up there.

Heroes and heroines

2011-01-25T20:18:00.004+01:00

I've been trawling through photos of gorgeous men and their equally as attractive counterparts looking for inspiration for my H&H. Nothing yet. Perhaps I'm being too fussy. I really ought to keep a folder on my computer. I have the odd one or two but they're ones I've already used and I don't like using them again in case I inadvertantly write the same description. I never used to use photos - I let my imagination run riot. And it hasn't done me too badly all these years. How times change!

Flowers and things

2011-01-24T10:44:00.003+01:00

I'm posting another photograph this morning because this was the one that inspired the flowers on Friday and I meant to put it up then. I have this picture as my desktop at the moment (I keep changing them) and it was taken in the Isle of Wight around Easter time last year. The primroses were snuggled in a hedgerow and not visible unless you were looking for them - but aren't they beautiful?

I'm busy at the moment doing character studies for my new hero and heroine. I have an outline for a story but it will need a lot of development before I send a synopsis off to my editor. I don't even have names for them yet.

2011-01-21T11:48:00.004+01:00

I thought I'd post photos of flowers today - something to brighten up the frost and fog that we have around this morning.

I spotted this field of poppies from the motorway some time last year and persuaded my husband to get off at the next junction and go find them. The photo doesn't really do them justice.

The pansies and crocuses were taken in my garden.

News

2011-01-19T10:20:00.003+01:00

Not so good news. My editor doesn't think my latest story is achieving its potential and has suggested I put it aside and start something new. So it's back to the drawing board. On hindsight, the fact that I didn't carry on at a pace with the rest of the story while waiting to hear from her should perhaps have told me that I hadn't quite hit the mark this time. Perhaps it was having my wonderful holiday in Florida and then Christmas that affected the flow. At least that's my excuse!

So it's back to the drawing board (another name for my plot file)

And I'm off to my Art Group now which will give me inspiration in a totally different way.

Disappointment

2011-01-17T11:57:00.006+01:00

Still waiting for news from my editor so the writing went very slowly last week. About 2000 words in the whole week! I usually do that in a day - when it's a good day, that is. And today I shan't do much as I have a chiropodist appointment this afternoon.

We were expecting delivery of a new fridge freezer on Saturday, waiting in the whole day, finally phoning to find out where it was, to be told the order had been cancelled!!! By whom? No one knew. And it certainly wasn't us. To add insult to injury they claimed to now have none in stock. We had ordered it by phone and paid by credit card - but had that been cancelled too? No! They promise to deliver when they have new stock next week - but no way. We have cancelled this time and ordered it from somewhere else. But I'm keeping a check to make sure they cancel the credit card payment.

Having got that off my chest I'm going to sit down with a strong cup of coffee and spend quality time with Robynne and Kendel. I know they won't do the dirty on me.

Orkney

2011-01-14T10:39:00.003+01:00

Todays photos were taken in the Orkney Islands which are a group of islands lying off the north eastern tip of Scotland. They have a magnificent history and during World Wars I and II the Royal Navybase at Scapa Flow played a major part.

We spent a holiday there a few years ago and what surprised me most was the lack of trees - possibly because they are very windy islands . Nevertheless they are beautiful in their own way.

The first of the photos is the airport!!!

Slowly, slowly...

2011-01-12T09:17:00.006+01:00

It's a quiet week so far. The writing's going slowly - very slowly - I'm always afraid to really knuckle down and get on with it when I'm waiting to hear whether the first chapters meet with approval.

Last night I cleaned out my sewing box - which was absolutely bulging. I threw half of the stuff away, old buttons, bits of trimmings, bias binding, etc. Stuff you keep just in case! The lid will close now and it's all tidy again. But for how long? I used to do a lot of sewing, I made all of my own and my children's clothes, but I'm afraid I don't do very much these days.

The waiting game

2011-01-10T10:30:00.003+01:00

The first three chapetrs of Robynne and Kendel's story, together with a synopsis, have now gone to my editor. Fingers crossed she likes it. I'm going to catch up with a few jobs around the house while I'm waiting to hear from her - although I might do just a page of writing each day so that I can keep it alive in my head.

Our bedroom badly needs redecorating so I have colour charts propped up on pillows trying to decide which colour I like. At the moment it's in shades of green which has always been my favourite colour - but I think it's time for a change. Maybe browns, or maybe - I've been thinking about this - one wall in a deep purply berry colour. The thing is it's not a very big room and I don't want to overpower it. What are your favourite bedroom colours?

Foto Friday

2011-01-07T09:21:00.006+01:00

Well, here we are, the first Friday of 2011, and as promised here are the first of my photos

taken during the recent snow we had here in England.

Isn't this tree absolutely gorgeous?

Below is the same area without the snow and is home to hundreds of deer. Although you can visit and never see any. This was a lucky photograph.

Working Wednesday

2011-01-05T11:30:00.003+01:00

I finished chapter three yesterday - and now I need to work out the rest of the plot in more detail before I send these first chapters to my editor. I preferred it when I used to let the story develop as I went along - I don't like plotting - things always changed anyway.

Wednesday is usually my art morning - but I had a phone call last night to say that the heating has broken down in the hall where we go - so no painting today. Which means I can get on with my writing. After I've been out to post some letters, and after I've ironed the washing I did yesterday! I was late getting up as well - due to a late night staying up to watch a James Bond film. I'm not a particular fan of James Bond but my DH likes to watch them and I hadn't seen that particular one so I joined him.

Don't forget Friday is now Foto Friday - so I plan to upload one of my 'snow' photographs. I'm glad the snow's gone now and hope it does't come back. It's actually raining today and it's not very warm - except here in my nice cosy study.

New Year Plans

2011-01-02T12:19:00.004+01:00

That's it, another year over. A brand new year to look forward to. With all the hopes and aspirations that go with it. Last year I vowed to blog every day but it didn't work, so this year I'm aiming at three days a week.

Motivating Monday - when I hope to tell you my plans for the next five days.

Working Wednesday - a report on my progress.

Foto Friday - I have hundreds of photographs on my computer so I thought I would share some of them with you.

So - as it's Monday today my plan is to finish my third chapter and get it off to my editor. I'm actually struggling with these first chapters so I hope it doesn't bode ill for the rest of the story.

On the wall in front of me as I work is a quote by John Steinbeck - which says:

Write as freely and as rapidly as possible and throw the whole thing on paper. Never correct or re-write until the whole thing is down. Rewrite in process is usually found to be an excuse for not going on.

Mmm! Rewrite is an excuse for not going on! I rewrite a lot, I like to correct as I go along. Maybe I should change? Just get everything down swiftly.

How about you? What is your writing process?

Christmas

2010-12-21T13:20:00.003+01:00

Wishing You a Merry Christmas

and

A Happy New Year

I don't imagine I will be doing much blogging until after the New Year so I would like to wish all of my readers and everyone else who visits my blog much happiness for Christmas and everything you wish for in 2011.

2010-12-10T17:51:00.002+01:00

The snow has gone in our area - for the time being! The forecast isn't too good, though. And I have completed the first two chapters of my new book - which I am now happy with. Another one chapter and then it will go to my editor.

Tomorrow night we're going to eat out Chinese style - celebrating my DH's birthday. It won't be his actual birthday but it's close enough. I've bought him something he's always wanted - a telescope. I guess he'll be praying for clear skies when he's allowed to open the box. Every day since I bought it he says, 'Can I open it now?' He's still a little kid at heart - and I love him for it.

Weather

2010-12-07T12:14:00.002+01:00

Every leaf on every bush in the garden is rimmed by frost this morning. And now the sky has turned blue and the sun has come out and it's like a winter wonderland. Cobwebs against the fence, draped over the bird table, all thick with frost. The snow on the garden glistening.

It's very beautiful but I'm glad I'm tucked up in my nice warm office contemplating some hot climes spent with my hero and heroine.

How about you? What's the weather like in your part of the world?

Festivities

2010-12-03T11:15:00.003+01:00

Aren't I a good girl? I went on my treadmill yesterday for the first time in months. I need to get down the excesses of Thanksgiving ready for the excesses of Christmas! The snow seems never ending here in the UK, though it's blue skies today and although it was well below zero overnight our weatherstation says that it's now 5 degrees centigrade outside. I've not tested it, though my DH has ventured into town - well wrapped up I hasten to add.

We decorated the house indoors yesterday evening - I couldn't believe we did it so quickly. My DH fetched the box out of the loft and in no time everything was done and the box put away again. I wasn't in the mood - but I'm glad it's done. The only downside is that the tree lights - which are an integral part of it - have stopped working. They were OK when DH tested it, but after I'd trimmed the tree they didn't work. So whose fault was that???

Thanksgiving

2010-11-29T17:43:00.004+01:00

I've just experienced Thanksgiving for the first time. My son now lives in Florida and DH and I made a quick trip over there to join them this year. Wow! I am not used to seeing so much food. I'm now on a diet!

We returned from 80 degree heat to below freezing. The snow this year in the UK has come early. I'm going to hibernate!

I've been reading through the first few pages of my new book, making copious alterations. It's amazing how time away can make you see things in a different light. (Memo to myself - when you've finished the book put it away for a couple of weeks and then re-read before sending it to your editor)

Weather

2010-11-16T13:45:00.003+01:00

We woke this morning to a hard frost but beautiful blue skies. It's still very chilly so I'm happy to stay snug in the house. My new book is slowly taking shape, I say slowly because we've been out to the shops quite a bit lately - not that I'm doing as well as I'd hoped with my Christmas present shopping. The easy ones are all sorted - it's the hard ones - the ones where you don't know what to buy the person who has everything which I'm finding more difficult.

Does anyone really like Christmas shopping?

Rainbows

2010-11-11T19:19:00.006+01:00

Don't you just love rainbows? It's been a showery, blustery day today and as my DH and I were travelling along a straight, main road there in front of us appeared a rainbow, almost as though it was straddling the road a little way ahead. And then - this is the best bit, another rainbow appeared - higher and wider. It was paler but it was well defined all the same.

Was this a reflection of the first rainbow? Or is there sometimes two and I've not noticed? I'd love to know if this is a rare phenomenon.

Which in turn leads me to book titles again - RAINBOW MAGIC. This was my fifth book - published in 1977 - and here is the blurb:

Taryn's great-aunt had always prophesied that if a member of their family saw a rainbow in a certain spot, there would be a drastic change in their lives from that day. Taryn never took her aunt seriously until she herself saw the rainbow - and met Luke Major for the first time. It was a nasty shock for her, for Luke was the exact double of Mark, the man who had only recently broken her heart.

Was it his likeness toMark, or was it for himself that Taryn found herself, albeit reluctantly, more and more attracted to Luke? And where would it get her since he was a married man?

And the price of this book - in hardback form? £1.95.

Heroes and heroines

2010-11-08T19:08:00.002+01:00

I didn't get as big a response as I would have liked for my hero/heroine names, so I'm afraid, Laney4, Lacey and LA that I won't be using any of your suggestions - though I have made a note of them and who knows, I might use them in the future. (L.A., thanks for finding me and I hope you continue to follow my blog - who knows you might win of my future contests)

My new H&H are currently Robynn and Kendel, though I have been known to change names mid-book. I think I mentioned it in a blog some time ago, I can find myself calling them something else without even being conscious of it - which means that as I got to know them better they developed their own names, ones they were comfortable with.

I haven't actually started writing yet, I'm still filling in more background details to my H&H. But I shall definitely start this week.

Contest

2010-11-01T13:01:00.002+01:00

My editor likes my new plot so it's all systems go. I have names in mind for my hero and heroine but I thought I'd run a quick contest to see if you can suggest any names I might like better.

My hero was a bit of a rebel in his younger days but now runs a very successful internet trading company. And my heroine comes from an aristocratic family. And they're both English.

If you're fortunate enough for me to use any of the names you suggest, a copy of one of my latest books will be on its way to you.

Good luck!

Autumn

2010-10-29T22:53:00.004+02:00

It's Autumn here in the UK and the colours are stunning. The very cold winter we had last year did everything good. The spring and summer blossoms have been outstanding and now the autumn colours are breathtaking. I wouldn't be doing them justice if I called them red and gold and brown. There's scarlet and crimson and damson, apricot and mustard and honey, copper and ginger, as well as olive and lime. And wouldn't you guess it, I never seem to have my camera with me when I need it. The one in my phone doesn't do them justice either.

My second book, published in 1976, was called Shades of Autumn. For the simple reason that it took place at this time of year. It's my favourite season - although when Spring comes around and we have all the fresh shades of green I like that too. Do you have a favourite season?

The Waiting Game

2010-10-25T16:51:00.003+02:00

While I'm waiting to hear from my ed about the new synopsis I've been doing very little as far as writing is concerned. I've been catching up with other stuff instead, like visiting relatives, and doing a little Christmas shopping. Yes, I know it's early, but all I've done is pick gifts up as I've seen them instead of traipsing around the shops wondering what to buy for a particular person. If only I could do them all that way? Do you enjoy Christmas shopping? Do you do it early, or wait until the last minute when the shops are busy and everyone's in the holiday mood?

Foreign editions

2010-10-19T13:01:00.004+02:00

I've just received copies of my book The Wife Seduction in French. This book was first published in 2000 so it's exciting to see it once again.

I've had a lot of foreign copies in the last few weeks - my postman always smiles when he hands the boxes to me. He has no idea that the books are actually ones that I have written.

Bird feeders

2010-10-14T12:45:00.005+02:00

To foil the pigeons who keep eating the food we put out for the smaller birds we bought a stand with three hanging feeders which are too narrow for the pigeons to perch on. The pigeons looked a bit dismayed to start with, studying it hard, trying to land on the perches, but without success. We're not being cruel you understand, we do throw stuff out for the pigeons separately, and they do eat the food that the sparrows and finches, etc, drop.

So all was well.

But - my DH was watching them the other morning and could hardly believe his eyes. A sparrow was on the perch, a pigeon below. The sparrow looked at the pigeon, picked up a seed or a nut, and deliberately dropped it down to him. Not once, but several times.

How clever is that?

Synopses

2010-10-12T12:23:00.004+02:00

I don't find writing a synopsis easy. When I first started writing I used to know how my hero and heroine met, what the conflict between them was going to be, and perhaps one or two things that might happen along the way. And that's as far as it went.
Now my editor likes a synopsis of the whole story - I have a feeling she doesn't like surprises. (sorry, ed, if you're reading this) And I find it very hard to develop a full version in these early stages. How do I know what is going to happen? Characters have a mind of their own, sometimes going in way you never expect. It's part of the excitement of writing.
Does anyone else feel this way? Do you like writing synopses? Or do you prefer to let the characters write their own story along the way?

Foreign editions

2010-10-07T13:03:00.003+02:00

I've just received a copy of The Italian's Ruthless Baby Bargain in German.

Don't you just love the cover?

And the title?

Good news

2010-10-04T20:14:00.003+02:00

My latest book has now been accepted and is being published in May 2011 here in the UK under the title of A NIGHT WITH CONSEQUENCES.

The consequences were the night Kara spent with Blake - her boss. She had been working for him for nearly twelve months before he discovered that beneath the drab clothes she wore for work was actually a beautiful woman. It happened when she reluctantly accompanied him to Italy for the company's annual convention. I expect you can guess what the consequences were!

I am now supposedly taking a rest from writing to spend quality time with my long-suffering husband, but already my mind is busy working out a new plot. It's very sketchy yet but I keep adding. Very often I go to bed before my DH and then I'll sit up with a notebook and pencil and scribble down ideas. Often they get erased but there's always something that excites me, something that I can expand on.

This part of the process is the fun part. Creating new characters, giving them a history, leading them into the ups and downs of their new life together.

Workplace

2010-09-29T20:55:00.004+02:00

The clearing of my desk went something like this:

I have a three tier filing tray. The top tray is for anything pending, filing, something interesting I want to keep, etc.

The middle one is for anything connected with my website.

The bottom one is for my current work in progress (though usually this remains sitting on my desk right in front of me)

The top tray was about four inches thick - it is now about half an inch. So that is good.

The middle tray has halved in size as well. A lot of stuff has been shredded. In fact it's a wonder my shredder hasn't stopped working due to overload. I was thinking about this - my shredder must be about twenty years old. It's a Rexel - so three cheers for Rexel!

And the bottom tray is empty - oh, that's because I've put everything to do with my book behind me on our grandson's high chair (The chair lives in here with me because there's nowhere else to put it. Ditto his box of toys. Ditto the treadmill.)

This is the most cluttered room in the house, but it's also the one I feel most comfortable in. If I turn around and look behind me, my three bookcases are overloaded. Every now and then I send some books to charity but they still keep piling up.

This is my work room and I'm entitled to get it a little untidy when I'm working on a book. Which is most of the time. At least that's my take on things.

Am I the odd one out here? Does everyone else keep their workplace as tidy as the rest of the house?

Revisions

2010-09-27T11:18:00.003+02:00

The revisions are finished and are now with my editor. So once again it's clearing out the office time. How does so much paperwork accumulate? The answer - I'm a procrastinator. My DH is just the opposite. If something wants doing it's done immediately - and sometimes I'm the one who has to do it - so how does that work? Me - I leave things until the last minute. They say opposites attract - I guess it's true in our case, but it happily works.

The Lake District

2010-09-21T00:01:00.006+02:00

Last week I stole a few days away from my revisions to visit the Lake District and I thought I would show you a few photographs of this incredibly beautiful and diverse part of England .

This is Hardknott Pass which was a particularly exhilarating drive. I'm thankful my husband is a very good driver because it was windy and raining - and very exciting! You can see the winding road shining as the light glints across its wet surface.

In contrast a serene scene of Coniston Water where Donald Campbell once raced his jet-powered boat Bluebird.

And finally a farmhouse nestling in one of the valleys.

Revisions

2010-09-14T22:38:00.002+02:00

I'm deep in my revisions at the moment but all is going well. So if you don't hear from me for a few days you'll know why. And I'm not sorry that I'm stuck in the office because the rain is howling down outside. It seems that our summer is well and truly over.

Spreadsheets

2010-09-10T00:22:00.004+02:00

I've recently changed to Microsoft Office 2007 - have I told you this before? I find some things work better than the old edition and some don't, but I've got used to the word processing side of things.

For the last two days, though, I've been working on a spreadsheet and I found this very different - certainly not so easy. I've actually been tearing my hair out - no, that's not true - but you know what I mean. Why won't it do this? Why won't it do that? How do you this? How do you do that? Do you know, I much prefer reading instructions from a book than using their on screen help.

Does anyone else think the same way?

News

2010-09-07T23:01:00.002+02:00

I've heard from my editor - just as I was starting my paperwork! She likes the first half of Blake & Kara's story, but the second half needs some work doing on it to make it stronger. I'm leaving it, though, until everything else is in order. If I don't I can see the jobs never getting done.

We've had some terrible downpours of rain today and our electricity went off for a few minutes - luckily I'd just saved the work I was doing on a spreadsheet. Because we live in the country we often have power cuts, usually only lasting a few minutes, sometimes seconds, but it can be annoying when I'm working on my computer. I've got into the habit of saving my work every few sentences. But you can bet your bottom dollar that if I forget to save because the muse is working well then that's the time the electric will go.

Life

2010-09-06T10:19:00.003+02:00

Life is back to normal. If it ever is normal! I have a mountain of paperwork to cope with - the main one being my annual accounts which I've kept putting off until I can put them off no longer.
And while we've been enjoying ourselves with our grandson the weeds have sneaked back into the garden - so that's another job to be done.

Also - I'm still waiting to hear from my editor. In one respect I want to hear, in another I'd like the time to get all my jobs done.

The Waiting Game

2010-08-18T18:02:00.002+02:00

I hate playing the waiting game. I know it's been less than a week but already I'm anxious to know what my ed thinks of my book. Fortunately we now have our eldest grandson to stay with us for the rest of his school holidays - so, I'm going to take a break from my computer, and blogging for the next couple of weeks (she says hopefully) and really enjoy the time we're spending with him.

Friday the 13th

2010-08-13T18:20:00.003+02:00

Is it dangerous to send off a manuscript on Friday 13th - because that's what I've just done?

I've spent all day giving Kara and Blake's story its final polish and now it is in my editor's inbox.

I feel drained - but happy. I think I might open a bottle of wine this evening.

I'm nearly there!

2010-08-12T00:04:00.003+02:00

The first draft of my latest book is finally finished and over the last few days I have been busy reading through it and making alterations - sorry, I mean improvements. I now have only two chapters left and then a final read through before Kara and Blake leave me to sit on my editor's desk. I hope she enjoys their story as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

Titles

2010-08-05T16:11:00.003+02:00

I love the way the titles of our books change when theyare published in another country.

I've just received two copies of The Italian's Ruthless Baby Bargain in German with the title:

Die Nanny und der romische Millionar

Perfect!

Writing

2010-08-04T12:49:00.001+02:00

I had hoped to finish my current book before the school holidays and visits by grandchildren. But it hasn’t worked out like that. It’s proving quite a slow book to write. Not that I’m complaining, I love the storyline and I love Blake, my hero, he’s totally gorgeous. But whereas writing is sometimes like swimming with the tide, on this occasion it’s like crawling through mud.

Must get on...

Grandchildren

2010-07-30T00:30:00.005+02:00

I might be quiet for a few days as we have grandson number one staying with us. Yesterday - just for the day we had grandson number two. And guess who tires us out the most. No 2. Two years old and lively and loud - and wonderful. No 1 is fourteen - and old enough to amuse himself. He's probably loud and noisy too when he's with his friends, but with us he's quiet and polite and has a wicked sense of humour - just like his grandad. Between the two of them my life is not worth living!!! But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Help!

2010-07-28T16:42:00.000+02:00

Does anyone know how to overcome a problem I have with Microsoft Office?

After I have used Find and Replace, whenever I try to scroll through my document for other reasons it keeps jumping pages using Find again. I can’t fathom out how to knock it off without actually turning my computer off and on again.

Any help would be appreciated.

Sitting or standing?

2010-07-27T13:26:00.002+02:00

I read an article in the newspaper the other day stating that no one should sit down for more than six hours a day - for health reasons. And that even getting up and exercising frequently did not count. Six hours is the max!

So how about office workers? Eight hour days. How about authors? I worked ten hours yesterday. Not the norm I hasten to add, but I always work about seven hours. And even after work I sit down and watch TV - or go out for a meal and sit down. So many people have sitting down jobs.

Fortunately I can't remember what the dire consequences are - and the newspapers were collected this morning so I can't check back.

Thank goodness. Because I shall carry on doing what I've always done.

Writing analysis

2010-07-21T16:10:00.003+02:00

I've been reading about other authors having their writing analysed to see who they write like - so I decided to give it a go myself. It was surprisingly quick. I entered a whole chapter and in seconds I was told that I write like:

James Joyce

Mm.......

Food, food, glorious food...

2010-07-20T10:47:00.002+02:00

We went to the wedding on Sunday of the son of some very dear friends of ours. Why do I always cry at weddings? The bride looked absolutely radiant. Everything was perfect. The whole day, the food, the venue, the disco (maybe the disco was a bit loud but we stayed until the very end anyway).

We actually stayed the night at the hotel which was once some old farm buildings which have been splendidly converted into a hotel/restaurant. It's a rambling place with secret corners and a perfect place for weddings.

Yesterday we went straight from the venue to some friends for lunch who happened to live in the area. And last night we visited some other friends who we see on a fortnightly basis and usually go out with them for a meal. But we had a light buffet supper at their house instead. Thank goodness!

Today I had fresh fruit for breakfast!

Rain, rain, go away...

2010-07-14T18:27:00.002+02:00

After all the hot weather we've had it is now raining. Not continually, thank goodness, at least not in this part of the UK, but it's enough to keep me indoors. Enough to keep me writing without thinking that I'd like to be out there soaking up the sunshine.

I had a lovely surprise in the post today. A photo of my two year old grandson taken at the nursery he attends. He'd just had his hair cut (boo hoo, he had lovely curls) and it's very short and makes him look older. More like a boy than a baby. OK, he's not a baby any more, but I'm sure you know what I mean. He's totally gorgeous, not that I'm biased or anything like that. He lives a little too far away to see him as often as I would like, so this photo is extra special. It's already sitting in a frame on top of my bookcase.

Bought for Marriage

2010-07-12T15:35:00.004+02:00

I was talking about holidays with a friend yesterday and she said, ‘I know who I’m going with next time.’ It didn’t sound as though she meant her husband so I kind of frowned and asked who.

‘Theo,’ she said.

It took only a couple of seconds for it dawn on me that she was talking about Theo Tsardikos in Bought For Marriage. I’d given her a copy of the Greek trio book that I mentioned here recently. And she’d fallen for Theo!

I was both amused and flattered.

Actually I fall for all of my heroes so it was good to hear that someone else had as well.

Here's the cover so that you can feast your eyes on him too.

Nicola Marsh

2010-07-09T13:08:00.005+02:00

Nicola Marsh has a great post today on her blog in her The Write Whisper series. It's all about The Story Question. Why don't you go take a look?

Dieting

2010-07-07T16:28:00.001+02:00

Disaster has struck.

I've been dieting since April because I'm going to a wedding in a couple of week's time and I've bought a very close-fitting dress for the occasion. I even bought new scales when I started to diet and have been losing about a pound a week. Now the scales are refusing to work!

Last week we ate out so many times that I know I must have piled it back on - but I have no way of really knowing. I'm going to take the scales back but I can't find the receipt. I'm a hoarder where receipts are concerned, I have them dating back to the year dot. But the one I want? Nowhere in sight!

I've yet to try on the dress!

Am I a coward? Or very brave?

Writing

2010-07-05T16:47:00.004+02:00

My DH and I have been out and about this last week or so taking advantage of our lovely weather (although it has gone much cooler today) but I have managed at least a half hour on my book each evening. So it is progressing, although somewhat slowly. Kara has lost her virginity to Blake, something she had no intention of doing. And little does she know that she's going to find herself pregnant later on in the story. I can't wait to get there. Hope I haven't given too much away? Though by the time the book's published I guess you'll have forgotten.

Football

2010-06-27T12:53:00.002+02:00

The weather's sweltering here this weekend - as it has been all the week and I'm glad to sit indoors and watch the football. I'm writing this before England play their game with Germany this afternoon. Fingers crossed that England win.

My fourteen year old grandson is here so my DH has someone to cheer England on with - me, I supply the refreshments!

Bought For Marriage

2010-06-24T23:52:00.006+02:00

There's a three in one book sitting on the shelves in the bookshops at the moment. It's called The Greeks' Bought Brides and my contribution to it is Bought For Marriage. In this story Dione was compelled to marry gorgeous Greek billionaire Theo Tsardikos to help her father out of his money problems. It actually created problems for herself.

This was a book I really enjoyed writing (don't I say that about them all?) and I'm so glad to see it's been re-issued. I'm teamed up with Julia James and Lucy Monroe so I'm in very good company. The book is also on sale here either as a hard copy or an e-book.

Italy

2010-06-21T21:10:00.002+02:00

I forced myself to have a computer free weekend and found it very hard. I couldn't even check my emails! It was Father's Day here on Sunday and my daughter came with our lovely two-year old grandson. What fun we had and how lively he is. I was actually glad to get back to work today.

Blake & Kara's chemistry is sizzling so I hope it continues under the hot Italian sunshine. Blake is only half Italian and he lives in England (they're in Italy on business at the moment) - but he nevertheless has a bit of the hot Latin lover about him.

Harlequin

2010-06-16T15:38:00.003+02:00

I watched a movie on TV last night called The Waiting Game. It was advertised in the TV paper as coming from the Harlequin stable - so I just had to watch. It was from the book of the same name written by Jayne Ann Krentz and was published in 1985 under the Intrigue label. It certainly intrigued me. There was not much romance in it, there was more mystery, but it kept me watching till the very end to find out who the goodies and baddies were. Has anyone else seen this film and if you have what did you think of it?

I looked Krentz up and what a very profilic writer she is. Her output puts me to shame.

Milan

2010-06-11T12:15:00.002+02:00

Another week's gone by. Where does the time go? It's virtually mid June and it seems like only yesterday we were celebrating Christmas. Kara and Blake are beginning to get to know one another really well now. The story started in England but we're now in Italy, in Milan actually, so I'm looking forward to exploring that city with them. Blake does have Italian blood in him but he's never lived there - and I've never been there either. Does anyone have good memories of Milan?

Weather

2010-06-08T15:31:00.002+02:00

I have a few alterations to the first chapters of my new book but other than that it is all systems go. So I've been working hard and forgot to blog. Sorry!

Last night we had a BBQ. The weather was not promising but because we'd invited friends we decided to go ahead anyway. Then the rain came, but undeterred my DH pulled out the awning, set everything out beneath it, switched on the patio heater (yes, in June!) and a good time was had by all. The sauce that I mentioned in one of my earlier blogs went down a treat.
And DH even washed up afterwards. I told you it was a good night!

Red

2010-06-01T11:19:00.006+02:00

I went to a funeral last week and because red was his favourite colour we were all asked to wear something red. What a difference it made. It looked lovely to see such a bright colour mingling with black and the odd flash of white. There were no flowers, just one wreath of red carnations from his immediate family. As far as funerals go this was one that struck just the right note between sadness and a celebration of life.

Now, completely changing the subject but keeping to the red theme, I have an Australian copy of my latest book Married Again To The Millionaire up for grabs. I'm keeping the contest in the UK this time, so the first person who comments from the UK will be the winner.

Bank Holiday

2010-05-27T11:56:00.004+02:00

The hot weather seems to have disappeared into the ether, it is so much cooler now. Actually it's the right temperature for the time of year. But we're still hoping to have a BBQ this weekend - a treat after gardening. A very kind friend of ours has given us 4 trays of bedding plants to put in - with 50 in each!! I reckon I'll need a drink or two after that. It's Spring Bank Holiday weekend - so it might rain. It always seems to rain on bank holidays. Or is that just here in the UK?

On the writing front I'm now on chapter six - while I'm still waiting to hear from my ed about the first three chapters. I hope she doesn't ask for too many changes. None would be nice. Fingers crossed everyone.

Barbecues

2010-05-25T10:25:00.003+02:00

Did you all see Marilyn's absolutely fabulous recipes yesterday? My mouth drools simply thinking about them. And here is my promised one for a divine sauce to go with cooked chicken, chops, sausages, etc. I had it out of an old cookbook years ago, which has since disintegrated from much use.

1 oz (25g) butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 tablespoons tomato ketchup
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 level tablespoons mango chutney - chopped
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon French mustard

Melt the butter in a small saucepan, add the onion and fry gently until tender without colouring. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to the boil. Simmer gently for two to three minutes and serve hot or cold with any simply cooked barbecued food.

It is much cooler here today in the UK - so BBQ weather it is not. But writing weather it is. Blake and Kara still haven't even kissed - but it might happen today!!!

Weather

2010-05-21T01:07:00.002+02:00

It's been barbecue weather here today - while I've been stuck inside sat at my desk. Not that we had a BBQ - but DH did shift it out on to the patio. So that's a start. Last year we did not have a single one.

Has anyone got any good BBQ recipes they'd care to share? I have an excellent one for a BBQ sauce/dip that I'll dig out and post next week.

Happy weekend everyone.

Writing

2010-05-19T17:53:00.002+02:00

No writing done today. I went to my art group this morning - where I've started a painting of a castle rising out of the mist. A bit tricky this. Maybe I ought to imagine Kara and Blake there - except that it's in ruins. But a scene in the moonlight? Mmm - food for thought.

And this afternoon I 'attended' a webinar run by Harlequin on the subject of - blogging, which was both interesting and enlightening. You'll have to let me know whether I improve over the coming weeks.

Kara & Blake

2010-05-18T12:27:00.003+02:00

I hadn't realised that it had been over a week since I last blogged. How very naughty of me. My excuse is that I've been having in-depth conversations with Kara and Blake. Kara is Blake's PA and she has personal problems that he knows nothing about and she intends it to remain that way.

We'll see!

The good news is that I've now sent the first three chapters to my editor - so it's the waiting game to see what she has to say about them. I'm pressing on with chapter four and at this precise moment they're on Blake's own personal jet heading to a conference in Rome.

Aren't they lucky?

Another animal story

2010-05-10T15:35:00.005+02:00

Forgive the title of this post. Fish aren't animals. But this happened on Saturday and it was very funny.

We decided to go out for the day into Wales. For those of you who are not aware of it Wales is very much sheep country. In the distance we could see a snake of traffic coming towards us, hundreds of cars it seemed. It was a long winding, hilly road and it was not until we got closer that we discovered the reason for so much traffic going slowly.

A lamb!

Strolling along slowly, looking a little bewildered, but nowhere for him to go. The hedgerows on either side stoppd him fleeing into the fields. Poor thing, he was completely out of his comfort zone. I bet all the drivers in the queue wondered what was going on.

This photo is not of the same lamb, it was one I took a few years ago, but he's very cute, isn't he?