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.

We have lift off.

Friday afternoon, one chapter finished, and it’s taken me a laborious three days. I’ve been trying to weave in the back story little bit by little bit so that it doesn’t take anything away from the present. I believe it works, though I still have more to do in the next chapter.

I can’t believe it’s the end of February already. It seems like only yesterday that we were all wishing each other a happy new year. Where does the time go? It must be because we’re having fun. I certainly am. Writing can be both frustrating and fun. But it’s always the fun part that wins out.

The weekend is here so I will not be writing for two days. Roll on Monday I say.

Contest

I've started my book - slowly - only twelve hundred words yesterday, but at least it's a start. Still not sure of names, but it's early days.

And don't forget, only two more days left if you want to win a copy of either of my latest books.

Visit me here and look for my contest page.

What's in a name?

I’ve just finished an energising game of Wii Tennis with my DH. Did I say energising? I mean exhausting. Because, for the first time ever, I beat him!

We’d both eaten too many pancakes – yummy with sugar and lemon – and needed the exercise. But for me to win? Wow!

While I’m on a winning streak I’m going to start my new book tomorrow. I’m still debating on hero and heroine names. I’m toying with Dominic, Cristian, or Blake for my hero, and possibly Bella for my heroine. On the other hand it might be none of these. I’ve given them temporary names of Adam and Eve (yes, I know it’s corny) until they adopt names of their own. I've been adding to my character profiles over the last few days, but now I'm raring to go. I don't have a middle and an end to my story yet, but that's nothing new. I always write into the mist.

New plot

In a week where I have had ideas for two new plots, and submitted one of them to my editor, I have already been given the go ahead. So it will soon be all systems go. I don’t have names for by hero and heroine yet and I still have a little work to do before I start writing, but the urge is there…

Part of the fun of writing is creating new characters and new situations. Sometimes I find it difficult, sometimes my editor doesn't like my suggestions, but this time everything came together beautifully.

What I need to do now is create myself a New Plot folder. Because - when I was tidying my desk recently I came across some scraps of paper with ideas on them which I must have jotted down months (or dare I say years?) ago. I've not used any of them this time - so my next project is to locate them (again!) and put them safely into a new folder.

Reminder

I’m busy working on a new plot at the moment, but thought I’d remind you that there’s only just over a week left before my current contest comes to an end.

So if you fancy a copy of either my current book, The Italian’s Ruthless Baby Bargain, or my earlier book The Billionaire’s Blackmail Bargain, then here is the question.

What is the name of my hero in The Italian’s Ruthless Baby Bargain?

You’ll find the answer here and you can email me your entries here

Good news!

Elena and Vidal's story has been accepted. It's coming out in December this year under the title of The Twelve Month Marriage Deal.

Needless to say I'm delighted. For some reason I struggled with this book, nevertheless I shall be sorry to let Elena and Vidal go. Elena does have a sister, though, and Vidal a brother, so they might turn up in another book some time.

I'm having lunch with a writer friend tomorrow, both to celebrate and to toss around new ideas. I'm feeling quite excited about starting something fresh.

No news

Did I tell you that The Italian's Ruthless Baby Bargain is in the shops now?

Just thought I'd ask!!

I thoroughly enjoyed my four days in London. It was c-c-cold, but mainly dry. I thought snow was going to prevent us going, but apart from an initial hiccup we got there safely. We did lots of walking, saw two shows - Billy Elliott and Stomp - both excellent, and also celebrated my birthday!

No news off my editor yet, but it's nearing that time of year when I have to do my annual accounts so I'll have plenty to keep me busy.

The revisions are done. Vidal & Elena’s story is back on my editor’s desk.

And I’ve just received an excellent review from CataRomance on The Italian’s Ruthless Baby Bargain.

So despite the fact that there’s thick snow on the ground and it’s freezing cold I’m feeling very happy.



Nanny Penny Keeling knows that working for Santo De Luca is going to be anything but easy! Not only does the autocratic Italian expect her to be on call seven days a week and twenty-four hours a day, but he also makes it quite clear that he does not like his staff to have boyfriends!

Romance is the last thing on Penny’s mind! After getting her heart shattered by a philandering boyfriend, Penny vowed to invest all of her time and energies into her job and to forget about men for the time being. But one forceful glance from Santo’s penetrating brown eyes and Penny starts wondering whether she has been too hasty in turning her back on the male of the species! But a man like Santo, a billionaire who is frequently photographed by the paparazzi with stunning supermodels on his arm, could surely never be attracted to an ordinary girl like her? Could he?

You can read the rest of the review here, but this is what the reviewer said:


I couldn’t put The Italian’s Ruthless Baby Bargain down! Margaret Mayo has written a terrific contemporary romance featuring a sexy Alpha hero and a feisty and independent heroine which readers will just adore. The Italian’s Ruthless Baby Bargain is the latest in a long line of captivating romantic tales by a writer who never fails to deliver sexy, sparkling and spellbinding contemporary romances!


On that high note I’m going to pack ready for my London trip.