Progress

Saturdays and Sundays are non-blog days. I never write at the weekend. If I do go on the computer it’s for pleasure. So it’s Monday morning and I’m back at my desk. I did my full word count of 1500 words on Friday. Most of it, I have to confess, was a scene where Vidal was making love to Elena. Poor girl. This is a marriage of convenience. What is she doing enjoying it? Note to myself: Make sure their pleasure doesn’t last.

Sloth

I must confess that I’m not very good when it comes to exercising. I have a treadmill which I rarely use despite buying it with the very best of intentions. When I do exercise, even if it’s walking, I usually end up with cramp in my legs and feet when I go to bed.

Over Christmas we did a lot of walking – for instance a three mile trek along a coastal footpath which included some quite difficult hill climbs. If ever I’d expected to get cramp it was then. Did I? No, not the faintest twinge.

Yesterday we visited friends, which we do every New Year’s Day, sitting around indulging, the only exercise lifting the odd glass of wine, and last night I had cramp in my toes off and on for about two hours. My usual remedy, apart from walking on a cold floor, is Magnesium Phosphate tablets – which melt on your tongue in an instant – but even they didn’t work.

So I’m making a plea - does anyone have a good remedy for cramp?

HAPPY NEW YEAR

We went away for Christmas this year, staying in a hotel in Devon. We did lots of walking after every meal so neither of us have put any weight on – which has to be good. Therefore no need for a New Year’s resolution to lose weight (except that I really could do with losing a few pounds) And now I have my head down trying to finish Vidal and Elena’s story – still half a book to go and my deadline is the end of January. With my rate of words per day it will be hard going. Nevertheless I’m sure I shall deliver on time.

I’ve also vowed to myself that I’ll try and blog more frequently than I did in 2008. Even if it’s only to tell you my word count for the day. And any time now I’ll be setting a new contest.

So – Happy New Year to everyone, may it bring you peace and happiness.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

May I wish everyone of you a Very Merry Christmas
and peace and happiness during 2009

Writer's block

I had to smile last night when I was watching a re-run of an old sit-com. Mother was sitting at her lap top, staring at the screen. She is apparently trying to write a novel. Daughter comes in. 'Stuck, are you?' Mother promptly answers, 'No, I'm not stuck. I have writer's block.'

Better

I'm feeling much better now and have managed to get back into my writing - which is good - except that I'm not halfway through the story yet and it's deadline is the end of January. I'm facing a big black hole in the middle. I wish the Christmas fairy would wave her magic wand and help me through it. I know how it's going to end but what's going to happen in the middle is still a mystery. At least Vidal and Elena are happy in their m-o-c. Perhaps that's the problem. Are they too happy? I think it needs some deep thought.

Bug

I’ve not been feeling well all the week. I caught a bug that’s spreading across the country, starting off with sickness and a stomach ache, turning into a cough and cold that will not be shaken.

I’ve done no writing so have nothing to report. Poor Elena and Vidal must wonder what’s happened to them. They’re stuck on the second day of their arranged marriage wondering where it’s going to take them.

I must get back to them soon.

It's all or nothing

Some weeks I receive several parcels of books and at other times there are none. Last week was a good week. Together with copies of my new book THE ITALIAN’S RUTHLESS BABY BARGAIN due out in the UK in February I received two copies of BEDDED AT HIS CONVENIENCE in Greek. How I wish I could read their language – it looks so fascinating.

And then on Friday I received a copy of an old book of mine POWERFUL PERSUASION – first published in 1996 – in Japanese comic form. It’s wonderful. My heroine, Celena, has such large eyes – and when I say large, I mean LARGE. And Luciano – a Sicilian aristocrat – is quite dashing although he looks a bit younger than I imagined. It must have taken someone ages to draw all these hundreds of pictures – unless it’s computerised. Does anyone know? I’ve only ever had one book published before in comic form so it’s quite an event.

I've just received my advance paperback copies of THE ITALIAN'S RUTHLESS BABY BARGAIN which is due out here in the UK in February. I always love to look at new books and to feel them and smell them. And of course the excitement is increased when they're actually mine! Books that I have written and slaved over and hopefully brought the characters to life...

This is the story of Penny & Santo. Penny begins working for him as a nanny but it isn't long before he has seduced her - and got her pregnant! You can read more here

Devon

We’ve just spent an amazing few days in Devon. Before we went I thought, Devon? In November? What’s the weather going to be like? On the day we went and the day we came back it poured with rain. While we were there – the sun shone! Totally amazing. It was sometimes windy, and a bit cold, but it was fantastic weather for the time of year.

Most evenings I tried to work on my book. If you remember I sent the first four chapters to my editor and although she liked the story she had reservations about how it began. So before we went away I did a revised version of Chapter 1. Chapter 2 would be easy, I thought, I already knew where I was going – but for some reason I couldn’t work out how to get there. I made copious notes and I even wrote some dialogue between Elena and Vidal (without thoughts or descriptions of any kind). I was very disappointed in myself.

But as soon as I sat down at my computer here at home it began to flow again. The dialogue became real and I’m back in my stride. I guess it’s the familiarity of my computer. I feel comfortable and happy here.

I was working on an Alpha Smart. I’d heard so much about them that I borrowed one off a friend – but I couldn’t really get on with it. I’m the sort of person who has to constantly read back over what I’ve written and with such a small screen it became too much of a chore.

I really do need to knuckle down now, but with Christmas fast approaching and no presents bought as yet, I fear the book will have to go on a back burner once again.

Slowly does it

I’ve finally reworked the first chapter – only three more to go to get back to where I was in the beginning! My deadline is the end of January but what with Christmas coming up and a few days holiday we intend taking as well it’s still going to be very tight to get it finished on time.

Vidal is a much stronger character this time round I’m pleased to say. And Elena, well, although she knew him when she was growing up she is finding him a very different person now. It’s fun to watch the sparks fly between them.

How I wish I could write more quickly. A very good day for me is 2000 words. But the norm is more like 1000. Sometimes the book will flow, at others I deliberate over almost every word, reading it through time and time again before I’m satisfied.

Spanish book

I now have the story for my new book sorted. Originally it was going nowhere, but having submitted the first four chapters and a synopsis to my editor, and having received her comments - (it looks like being a fantastic story – but!!!) - I am back to working on chapter one again. But I’m very hopeful and upbeat about it now so I thought I’d introduce you to my characters.

My hero – Vidal – who is absolutely gorgeous. I’m already in love with him. He’s a banker – but he’s not stiff and starchy – he’s human and sexy and I’m going to have great fun getting to know him better.

And this is Elena. Also a banker’s daughter but running her own wedding planner company.

The problem is her parents bank is in trouble and the only way out is with a merger – and marriage. Elena to Vidal.

Is she happy about it?
Is he happy about it?

I’ll leave you to guess.

First Book

My DH went up into our loft the other day, looking for the box of – wait for it – outdoor Christmas lights! Who needs to be reminded that it’s galloping up on us with the speed of a scared rabbit?

Actually, it’s not such a bad idea. He always puts them up before the weather has turned really cold. Wise man. Then we have a grand switch-on nearer the time. He usually gets a famous romantic novelist to do it! (His words not mine)

But – this is what I really wanted to tell you – he came down with a box labelled:

MANUSCRIPT OF FIRST BOOK EVER WRITTEN

It’s 35 years old and still here after three house moves. It is the one rejected by HM&B (and Robert Hale) and the box is now sitting in my study looking at me, daring me to open it – and to actually read it!

I will, one day, I promise. And I’ll let you know what I think of it.

Meantime back to the current WIP which is proving very non-co-operative.

Contest winner

My contest for October/November is now closed and I’m happy to announce that the winner is:

Carol Thompson

Carol, many congratulations. A copy of The Billionaire’s Blackmail Bargain will be in the post to you this week.