Ring out the old

Today’s a day for looking back. What kind of a year has 2008 been?

Workwise

It’s been great.

• For Modern Heat, I wrote Surrender to the Playboy Sheikh and Playboy Boss, Pregnancy of Passion, plus a little bit of my current one (aka the reindeer/Norway book)
• For Medicals, I wrote The Greek Doctor’s New Year Baby, The Children’s Doctor’s Special Proposal and The Heart Surgeon’s Proposal (in the Penhally series)
• On the nonfiction front, I wrote Scandals, Sieges and Spooks: Norfolk Ghosts and Legends, plus about two-thirds of The Little Book of Norfolk, and am working on two others (the Suffolk follow-up to Norfolk Ghosts, plus How To Explore a Medieval Church for How To Books).

I was also Norfolk’s ‘writer in residence’ for the National Year of Reading 2008, which was a real honour. I had a ball talking in schools and at libraries, and achieved a personal ambition because I actually cut the ribbon and opened the new school library at Wicklewood. (How cool is that? I still haven’t quite got over it.)

But best of all were the two career highlights. The big one was winning the RNA Romance Prize 2008 with Breakfast at Giovanni’s (US title: In Bed With Her Italian Boss). I wasn’t expecting it and it was just wonderful. I was also shortlisted for the inaugural East Anglian Book Awards with Heroes, Villains and Victims of Norwich. That kind of accolade from the publishing world, together with the lovely reader letters I’ve had this year telling me how much people enjoyed my books, nice reviews, and the emails and letters I had over the year from people congratulating me on the award/shortlisting, and the way everyone cheered spontaneously at the M&B party in September when Karin Stoecker listed the year’s highlights and mentioned Gio… that’s really made my year. The fact that I’ve achieved something, and people have been genuinely pleased for me.

Personally

2008 vies with 1986-7 for being the worst year of my life. Not going into details, but I’m very glad to see the back of this year. I managed to smile my way through it, most of the time, pretending that everything was hunky-dory when it really wasn’t at all because one crisis hit after another. This summer, when we had a lot of major things happen in the space of two weeks, was spectacularly horrible. So I’d like to say a special thank you to the people who were so kind and supportive in the darkest bits of the year – those who sent me cards and emails and pictures just to make me smile, those who gave me real and cyber hugs, those who sent me books and chocolate and music to distract me, and those who were careful not to lean on me because they realised I was completely out of emotional resources and just couldn’t give anything more/be a listening ear the way I normally am. I appreciated every single one of you: I truly am blessed with my family and friends. (And I hope the people concerned know I would do the same for them, if the situation were reversed.)

So how did I do with my goals?

The first one was exercise. It was fine for the couple of days until Dad went into hospital – and then, as my life for the next month became “school run, hospital, school run, help with homework and sort dinner, try frantically to keep work ticking over so I don’t end up in a financial mess, rely on husband to do much more than his far share to keep house ticking over”… I really didn’t have the time. And it didn’t get much better after Dad was out of hospital. I spent the whole year running to stand still, metaphorically. (Sadly, metaphors and worrying don’t burn calories. Or I would be fit and substantially thinner.)

Second was weight management. See above.

Third was writing. This was a three-pronged one. Firstly, I wanted to merge my ‘Modern Heat voice’ and ‘Medical Romance voice’ and grow my ‘brand’ (aka hot weepies with a real-world, warm feel to them). I think I’ve managed it, but the reason I hope so is embargoed at the moment. (I will spill the beans, the minute I’m allowed to!) Secondly, the project I really wanted to work on: it fell between the cracks because Real Life got severely in the way, and it was just too much to cope with, even for me in Superwoman mode. (I had to shift deadlines, as it was; my publishers were all very kind and understanding, but I still hated having to be in that position. It felt like failure.) Thirdly, I wanted to sell another local history book by the end of the year – actually, I sold three, and the next three or four years’ books are pencilled in with Breedon. So I think that goal can count as pretty much achieved.

Three goals. Two flops, one achieved. Yup, about the same as last year. Need to set smarter goals, methinks.

adrenaline

Current work: articles/new Medical/tinkering with other projects
Listening to: Corelli (because I'm twitchy and the concerti grossi are very calming)
Reading: Not Quite a Lady, Louise Allen (very enjoyable. A real-life event that sparked the idea – one that would’ve given me a lightbulb, too. All to do with a hoax – an ordinary address made notorious by someone ordering things to be sent to said house…)

Today, I don’t have blood in my veins. I have pure adrenaline.

Why?

Because of this.

And this.


I didn’t sleep well last night, I have enormous bags under my eyes, and… help. Even though I’m not expecting to win (it’s wonderful just to have been shortlisted: and the competition is of a very, very high standard, so I’m hugely pleased to be among them), and I know other people who will be there, I’m hideously nervous. More so, I think, than I was about the RNA awards do.
I have at least confessed to DH about the bag, so I can go with a clear conscience.

But I’m fidgety, so I think I’ll be working on nonfic and/or research for the Med this afternoon, after I’ve spent the morning with Dad.

awards, talks… and why blue?

Current work: articles/nonfic
Listening to: Bach
Reading: Robert Goddard, Name to a Face (not bad – my ears pricked up at the beginning when Sir Cloudesley Shovell was mentioned, as he’s local, but that was a red herring. Wasn’t bad (nice way of spending a Sunday morning, with sheeting rain outside) but my favourites of his are still Past Caring, In Pale Battalions, Painting the Darkness and Hand In Glove. If you’re new to Goddard, you’ll enjoy it; if you’re not… it’s not bad, but sadly not in the same league as my favourites.)

Busy weekend. Friday, visited Dad; Saturday was running errands (I was going shopping in town, but I think DH might’ve been reading my blog as he insisted on accompanying me). Jarrolds has a lovely display of the East Anglian Awards shortlisted books. (Mine’s top left.)

And Borders had a poster for my talk at the end of the month.

Spent the afternoon doing location shots for various books. There's a fabulous wall painting of St Christopher at Paston – this is a detail, but from top to toe it’s most of the height of the wall.

Came across something very interesting at Wroxham: a Norman doorway that had been stained blue in the 19th century.

Very interesting carving, too. (Apologies for the purple fringing.)

What I can’t find out is who added the blue stain and why. It’s not mentioned in the church guidebook, or Pevsner, or Mortlock (or even by Simon Knott, who is INCREDIBLY knowledgeable, as well as having a writing style I enjoy thoroughly). So if anyone can satisfy my curiosity, please do!

it’s really official, now…

Current work: revisions
Listening to: Manic Street Preachers
Reading: next on TBR pile – need to finish my book, first

Lots happening here at the moment.

• East Anglian Book Awards – the shortlist is here, including Heroes, Villains and Victims of Norwich. And my lovely published emailed me to say my tickets are in the post. Colour me overexcited. This will be the third awards do I’ve ever attended (and also the third one where I’ve been shortlisted – am still pinching myself a bit about that). But the nice thing is that DH’s best friends are babysitting for us, so for once I actually get to go to an awards dinner with my other half. Without whom I couldn’t write – especially the nonfics, as he’s my driver on the more awkward field trips (i.e. ones which are further afield or need a seriously good map-reader – the kids do try but son drifts off, panics and ends up in Wales). And without DH being chief parent in the evenings/at weekends, I wouldn’t have time to work.
• Work - I’ve sorted my revisions in my head and know where it’s going, so the second draft of the manuscript now has big chunks removed and little notes all over the place. Now to go through it and fill in the gaps (i.e. follow my instructions in the notes and flesh out the conversations I’ve sketched in).
• National Year of Reading – am doing a talk at a local school tomorrow, and am doing a whole morning at my daughter’s school next week. She’s gutted that it’s only to the top year and not her class (I think she was planning to do that ‘That’s my mummy!’ bit, bless her). But they’ll have more of an idea of how authors work and it's going to be fun.
• The floor problem – my charm offensive clearly worked as the insurance guy was nicer, this week. However… the readings weren’t good. One of the floor areas was reasonable, one was just about there, and one is still almost saturated. So the dehumidifiers are still in place, and the restoration guys may need to do some scavelling (i.e. taking the top layer off the floor – this was a new word to me. Well, hey, you have to get something positive out of it).
• Guitar – picked my way through the rest of the Dowland; Jim helped me work out the lovely opening to ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’ (on the playlist for the current book), though will have to borrow DH’s Fender to do it properly – my guitar has nylon strings, being classical, so you can’t bend it effectively); and this week I’m doing the first line of a Bach prelude (very difficult stretches – I find barre work really tough, and because I haven’t been playing much this year my fingertips are a bit sore). It’s one line because it’s not in first position and I have to think about it; and if I do one line a week, I’ll achieve more than weeks of just not having time to practise a whole piece and ending up doing nothing.

I'm busy, yes. But it's nice busy (well, apart from the dehumidifier). As today is the last day of September, am hoping that October will be an even keel.

A bright spot

... in an otherwise sticky day.

I wasn't going to blog at all today because today is difficult (related to the first crisis of the summer holidays) and it's hard to concentrate, but I was loafing with the local paper ten minutes ago, while I was waiting for the kettle to boil, and came across the headline BOOK AWARD FINALISTS.

Uh-huh. Sounds interesting, I thought, so I read a bit further. The story was about the shortlist for the inaugural East Anglian Book Awards. (Sponsored by the EDP - and Jarrolds, at whose store I'm doing a booksigning in November.)


Then I remembered that my eds at Breedon and Halsgrove both said something about entering me for the awards.

So I skimmed down the book jackets.

Stopped.

Looked again.

And I saw...

I'm so very pleased and honoured to be shortlisted. I own some of the others on the shortlist and have thoroughly enjoyed them (and one of my mates has been shortlisted, so I'm very chuffed for her). And this is extra-special for me because it's close to home - actually, no, it IS home. And it's wonderful to have some good news to share on what otherwise is a rather difficult day.

music and ghosts

Current work: nonfic; MH duo book 2
Listening to: Karine Polwart
Reading: The Bride Hunter, Amy Appleton (enjoying so far)

Today’s good news – sorry, trumpet-blowing by me. Or maybe I should say celebrating. Scandals, Sieges and Spooks: Norfolk Ghosts and Legends is still #1 in the Jarrolds list; and I’ve just discovered that Heroes, Victims and Villains of Norwich is #1 in WH Smith’s ‘Norfolk Bestsellers’. That’s rather nice.

Music – sorted out Madam’s guitar lessons. She thought she’d been missed off the list and came home with a wobbly bottom lip last night; I did try encouraging her to talk to her teacher, but she really wanted me to go into the school office and ask for her. Turned out that the guitar timetable was being announced this morning, so she was delighted to find that her lessons start next week.

Had a call from one of the local coordinators re the National Year of Reading – may be doing something with a local school, but we think it’s going to work more on the nonfiction than the fiction side. Actually, this could be a lot of fun, and it could tie in nicely with the one I’m doing for Madam’s school next month. So we'll see.

begin at the beginning – or not

Current work: nonfic/MH book 2 c1
Listening to: Martin Ostertag and Boris Bagger, Nocturne (cello and classical guitar)
Reading: Eileen Ramsay, The Stuff of Dreams plus some nonfic research

I don’t often do craft pieces (mainly because I dislike analysing my own work and why I do things – I’m too close to it to judge, and analysing it always gives me a nasty dose of Impostor Syndrome) but I spent a lot of yesterday dithering about this question. One that normally doesn’t bother me – I usually like the beginnings of books and have problems ending them. (We don’t talk about the saggy middle syndrome – my book and my body tend to share this problem, and although I can fix it in the book… no, let’s not go there.) But yesterday the book refused to start.

So where do you start a book? At the beginning? Or not?

I know the theory. In a romance novel, you’re meant to start

• at a point of change (i.e. the beginning of the journey)
• preferably with something that pulls the reader straight into the middle of things
• and with your hero and heroine on the page together as soon as possible. (The theory there is that your readers are like puppies – they bond with the people they meet first. That’s quite insulting to said readers, but it’s a valid point: readers do expect to meet the hero and heroine first because they’re the most important characters.)

Now, the beginning of the journey isn’t necessarily the same as the beginning of the story. Yesterday, I could have started my book in three different places.

Number one was the beginning of the story (and involved a journey, so that appealed to me) – but it just wasn’t strong enough. I could see big information dumps (things which are better shown by the characters in dialogue and action rather than told by Mrs Omniscienct Narrator – oh, how basic a mistake is that? How many books have I written? Have I learned a thing?).

Number two skipped over that beginning and was probably going to end up being a love scene by the end of page two. Too much, too soon?

Number three was definitely a strong, dramatic opening – but it was the storm and I want the calm first. I want the readers to know my characters before seeing them tested.

And then there's the whole question of viewpoint. (Am dithering on that one, too.)

It doesn’t help that I watched a film with DH this weekend which I enjoyed hugely and set all kinds of ‘what if’ threads running through my head. A little bit of self-discipline is required. Which means getting on with what I’m supposed to be doing and not letting myself be distracted by new exciting storyline here. Especially as I know said distraction will wait: I’m putting off starting this book because I’m scared it’s going to go pear-shaped. It’s planned, it’s doable, it’s something I want to write. Bu-u-ut- I’m having one of those sticky moments where I wonder if I’m up to the challenge.

Or maybe authors change the way they work from time to time without realising it. I used to rush through a book and then the ending was like treacle. Maybe it’s going the other way round for me now, because at the moment I seem to be writing the endings first and putting off the moment where I have to write the first words.

Right. I need some trumpet-blowing to bolster me. So. Apologies in advance for this. The University of Leicester has done me proud with their press release (and I’ve had some nice emails about it); this weekend saw me in the local bestseller chart for the sixth week running with Heroes, Villains and Victims of Norwich; and One Night, One Baby is still in the e-harlequin top 10 ebooks. (That’s been ages – about a fortnight now.)

Thank you SO much to everyone who’s been buying my books. I will do my best to write a new story you’ll really enjoy. (And thank you, Jan, for passing on comments to me about Breakfast at Giovanni's (aka In Bed With His Italian Boss). Maybe I should redo my tagline as 'warm, realistic romance' or something like that...)

Plan for today: school run, guitar lesson, work, school run, evening meeting at Madam’s new school (where I get to hand in admission forms etc). And then a bit more work.

bad puppy and exciting stuff

Current work: nonfic
Listening to: Medieval Baebes
Reading: Sharon Penman, The Sunne in Splendour (gory in places but am enjoying it, especially as she’s unashamedly pro-Yorkist *g*)

I cracked. Bad me. I just realised Kate Harrison’s new book is out… and I thoroughly enjoy her work (sharp writing, rounded characterisation). And I did promise Madam some more Jane Blonde books, as she’s just started #2 and this means she’ll be looking for #3 in a day or two. (Recommended by the brilliant children’s section Waterstone’s, Castle Street, Norwich. And they were spot on. The difference a good bookseller can make…)

While I was there, I picked up a teensy bit of research material. And… This is a hangover from the book before last, where my doctor hero plays the cello. I discovered Boris Bagger and Martin Ostertag’s gorgeous version of Chopin’s Nocturne in E flat (Op 9, no 2) on YouTube – cello and guitar. Even though I’m listening mainly to 15th-century stuff at the moment (research), this is beautiful and I needed to add it to my collection.



Am still feeling lousy. On Friday, the cough was atrocious and I actually considered going by train to the RNA conference on Friday. However, that would mean:

• Calling in a favour from a friend at school so she’d see Madam in for me (which she would – but it also means Madam not going clingy on me. Chances of that happening = very low, because even though she’s a Daddy’s girl she’s a bit, um, possessive of me as well);
• Trusting that I can get a ticket so I’m facing the direction of travel (if I sit with my back to the engine, especially if it’s hot, I will go very green around the gills);
• Trusting that there will be no delays, especially as I have to…
• … change trains at least twice each way (four times on the way home) – not to mention getting taxis from home-station, station-conference, conference-station, station-home. And that isn’t good because I will have to…
• … lug lots of stuff about (including a very heavy bag of books needed for my talk);
• And, the clincher – home journey involves a bus trip between London and Colchester. I don’t take buses, for the same reason that I don’t sit with my back to the engine.

So I’m sticking to Plan A and driving. (My sister and stepmum both think the infamous cough is stress-related. Even Dad noticed it. And no, I’m not blogging about why this weekend was fairly stressful, out of respect to him – all I will say is that Parkinson’s is a lot more than just a tremor.)

Madam had a major wobbly lip after Dr Who on Saturday. ‘Whoever wrote that was really nasty. David Tennant has to keep being Dr Who. He has a REALLY NICE SMILE.’ Hmm. And I’m away next Saturday so I’ll miss it.

Oh, and the exciting stuff?

• I’m still in the bestseller list with Heroes, Villains and Victims of Norwich (yippee);
• my lovely M&B Modern Heat stablemate Robyn Grady emailed me to let me know that One Night, One Baby was in the e-harlequin top ten bestselling e-books (this changes minute by minute so I might not be there now, but I was there all weekend);
• and I had a great interview with lovely Maggie Secker at BBC Radio Norfolk on Sunday (thanks, Maggie).

really, really on a roll

Current work: nonfic
Listening to: Bach
Reading: various research stuff

So there I was, thinking (which invariably means displacement activity) and I came across a newspaper cutting in the Evening News. About Heroes, Villains and Victims of Norwich. And lovely Derek James says that hundreds (note that word – hundreds – that’s so humbling and thrilling at the same time) of people entered the local paper’s competition to win my new book.

And then the Evening News rang me (while I was in the middle of rewriting my RNA talk about local history for romance novelists) to speak about romance and the RNA award and my latest local history books. Serendipity or what? There may be new photographs involved (ah, so there WAS a good reason for me to tidy my office this week). But am doing a little happy wiggle here.

This week is turning out to be a FANTASTIC week. And I appreciate every second of it.

Truly, Radley, Deeply

Current work: Final readthrough of Modern Heat duo book 1
Listening to: Vaughan Williams
Reading: Fiona Harper, Saying Yes to the Millionaire (plot includes two fabulous ideas I wish I'd thought of first - lovely characters, and a bit that made me cry - recommended read)

Had planned lunch out with my two best buddies from school on Friday (and to celebrate birthday) but the lurgy nixed that. The lurgy also nixed the plans for the weekend, when my best friend was coming down to stay. And of course I’m on deadline. So I was fairly down in the dumps. (Even discovering hot new hero material – which, being mean, I’m not sharing yet – didn’t cheer me up.)

But some very, VERY nice things happened this weekend. In chronological order:
1) I had a big box of lovely HC choccies delivered (courtesy of said lovely best friend, to cheer me up – and the note said expressly that I did not have to share. Though of course I did; am not *quite* that greedy)
2) Saturday’s paper showed I was #1 in the Jarrolds Local Book chart with Heroes, Villains and Victims of Norwich (so I can bask for a bit in being a bestselling author – think my publisher will be pleased)
3) DH treated me to something nice. A clue is in the title to this post (which is also the title of the gift, and very similar to the title of one of my top three all-time favourite films)

Oh, yeah. And I finished my book. So today’s plan is final readthrough of book, email said book to my editor, print out the book for Dot (while I tidy my bearpit of an office – multitasking at its best), and then… switch projects for a day or two. Post Office and library on the way home, and I might even take the evening off (unless it shocks DH too much *g*).

Winner of the book in the draw: Ellen. Please email me with your snailmail addy (kate dot hardy at btinternet dot com) and I'll put The Spanish Doctor's Love Child in the post.

the stuff of fantasies

Current work: Modern Heat duo book 1
Listening to: Coldplay, Viva la Vida (is growing on me – the last track is fantastic, the rest I’m getting used to. DH hates it)
Reading: not – am VERY busy writing :o)

One of the things I love about writing is the setting. Most of my Modern Heats are set at least partially in London (actually, I have a feeling all of them are bar the last one), and this one is no exception.

But I have fallen in love with my hero’s flat.

Given that my dream home is a 16th-century house in Norfolk (which is the basis for the house in Sold to the Highest Bidder - sadly, last time it was on the market, it was £1m more than my house is worth, so the chances of me living there are pretty much zero), you’d think I’d run a mile from the idea of an ultra-modern place. But… I do have a thing about glass and light. I really like the Forum in Norwich (see here, top left) because it’s so light and airy, and I love the Millennium Court at the British Museum (pic taken Sept last year)

for the same reason. (Don't get me started on churches and stained/painted glass. This is my current nerd obsession. The chances of me being able to have a wall painting restorer as my next MH hero? ... ha!)

My current hero happens to live in a fantasy flat that’s all about glass and light. Floor to ceiling windows. The best room? His shower room. It’s a wet room. And I’ve had immense fun this weekend furnishing that room… (yeah, of course there’s a love scene in it). I’d dearly love a room like that, but as the shower and fittings alone (excluding the actual plumbers’ fees for putting it in) are the best part of £5,000 - and we’d need a new floor and it wouldn’t work anyway because our en-suite happens to be next door to the airing cupboard - it’s a no-no. (I did sort of mention it to DH, who loved the idea until I mentioned how much That Shower cost...)

But I can fantasise.

I think this is the bit where my ed is going to fall for the hero in a big way. (Well… if I can get my lovely nerdy science stuff through, but I’ve bound it up with his emotions so hopefully it will stay put.)

He’s a sheik. How can he be a scientist? Easy. He’s a Kate Hardy hero. Or, as my lovely former ed Tessa Shapcott put it, 'A clever man with a heart.' I'm supposed to be blogging elsewhere about the squishy side of heroes... Later. I have words to write first.

Oh yes - nearly forgot. Am at #2 in the local best-seller charts again this week with Heroes, Villains and Victims of Norwich. And Waterstone's had a really lovely display of my new book IN THEIR WINDOW yesterday. (Didn't have camera with me. Smack on head to self.)

fabulous review and a radio interview

Current work: Modern Heat duo book 1
Listening to: George Harrison
Reading: various nonfiction (research)

When you’ve had a slightly tricky week, it’s very gratifying at the end of it to discover a nice review of your book – especially when it’s from someone whose opinion you really respect.

Derek James from the Norwich Evening News gave me a fantastic write-up for Heroes, Villains and Victims of Norwich. ‘A cracking new book by a woman who is fast becoming one of our best-loved authors… It’s one of those books that makes you think: “Well, I never knew that.”’

Excellent. Because what I said in the intro is: ‘I hope you’ll discover tales of people new to you – tales of people who made a difference, both to Norwich and wide the wider community. People who were heroes, villains, victims – and sometimes all three because, in Norwich, we “do different”.’ Thank you, Derek.

And the radio inteview? That’s live on Radio Norwich with Keith Travis this morning at about 10.30 GMT. (99.9 FM or http://www.999radionorwich.com/ - there’s a link on the right-hand side of the masthead if you want to listen live online.) It’s with my Pamela Brooks hat on, so we’ll be talking history (though, as one of my HVV happens to be Amelia Opie, of course we’re going to talk about romance as well!).

Oh, and as we had a rather nice sunset last night... I caught it late, so that is indeed the moon you see in the top left:

new book…

Current work: going back to work today
Listening to: Sheryl Crow
Reading: thinking about the next on my TBR pile

Exciting post this morning. I was busy making breakfast/the children’s packed lunches when the doorbell went. Son raced to the door, signed for the parcel, hefted the box and informed me it had to be a box of books. Not the usual courier for M&B (and I’m not expecting any paperbacks until next month in any case). Second edition of How To Research Local History, perhaps? But no… it was this one! (And it deserves a screamer.)



I’m really pleased with the final production. Looks great – and it’ll be out on the shelves in a couple of weeks. The kids had their signed copies this morning (seems to have become a ritual that they get the first two out of the box – quite flattering that they actually want copies) and son was even happier when I flicked to p171 and showed him the photograph’s caption, i.e. his name in the credits. He wanted to take the book in today to show his friends, but I’ve suggested it’s better to wait until after SATs when they’re all less stressed.

Oh, and one bit of personal good news. Since we got Wii Fit, 10 days ago, I’ve lost 6lbs. Actually, that figure needs adjusting as the initial weigh-in was after dinner and I prefer to weigh myself before breakfast, but even so that’s a huge loss for me – usually I struggle to lose 1lb a week. But it proves this new healthy lifestyle (ha – says she, who’s had the lurgy for nearly a week) is working.

Back to work, a new cover and some nice publicity

Current work: TCVB and coding website
Listening to: various
Reading: Nicola Marsh, Purchased for Pleasure (enjoyed it); Ian McEwan, On Chesil Beach (I like his writing, but at the moment I can’t sympathise with either main character and there is a very odd tone to the book)

Lovely weekend with two of my oldest friends. Much consumption of food, bubbly and coffee. Even more talking. Lots of laughs. And a lovely walk down to the river on Sunday as the weather was glorious (unlike today, which is FREEZING).

I mentioned last Wednesday that son has been making films. He finalised the disk and showed us his films over the weekend, complete with sound effects. DH has an audio tape of himself and his brothers acting out ‘Star Trek’ from about 1975; there are many similarities between that and son’s films. My favourites are the ones where son introduces himself, and tells us with a cheeky grin what his mission is. ‘To eavesdrop on my mum and embarrass her with the film…’ Hilarious. Actually, he did me a huge favour because it made me realise how much of a blob I am. (I know that sounds weird, but I tend to be in my book world much of the time so I don’t notice reflections in shop windows etc.) The scales were not good this morning, though nowhere near as bad as I was expecting. Healthy eating and exercise routines need to go back in place right now.

Today, with term starting again, I should be getting back to my normal work routine. I’d like to curl up and go back to sleep, but that’s not going to help get my book back on track! Tomorrow I have my first music lesson for TWO WHOLE MONTHS – and I am so looking forward to it. Hopefully things will start to settle now.

My newest local history book is up on Amazon – and here’s the front cover (which shows Edith Cavell’s funeral):

It's out in June through Breedon.

Edit: and finally, my friend Michelle mentioned the Publishing Weekly blog to me - guess who's mentioned in today's post? Nip over here to see what Barbara Vey says... and do say hello... :o)

still in dog-with-six-tails mode

Current work: TCVB (honestly, I really will do some writing today – I’ve nearly calmed down enough to work) and proofs of Norwich HVV
Listening to: various cello pieces
Reading: next on my TBR pile

… though life is getting back to normal. (Sort of.) We haven’t yet had the family celebratory dinner – Tuesday evening was parent-teacher consultation (and it seems my daughter is bright but lazy. How? How? HOW can she be lazy, when her mother is a workaholic?); last night I think my lack of sleep was finally catching up on me; and tonight we have a meeting about son’s residential trip (three days away at one of these activity centres that does abseiling and wet, muddy, tough-guy stuff) and need to move furniture ready for the new stuff that’s being delivered tomorrow. If it arrives early enough we’ll go out tomorrow night; and if not it’ll be Saturday.

I did, however, have lunch out yesterday with my lovely ex-PTA friends. (Waves to Jo – thank you for the champagne!) And I have major puppy envy as my friend Sarah has this gorgeous, gorgeous Westie puppy and I met him today…

Ahem. And I did some PR stuff. Here is the official photo, thanks to the RNA. And I love what they put as a trailer in the local paper: ‘Our heroine gets her fairytale ending’. That’s just so lovely!



And I had some GORGEOUS flowers from my agent – the same shade of pink as I was wearing on Monday! (Roses and gerberas and freesias and lilies. Just lovely.)

I’ve been thinking about buying myself something to keep to commemorate the RNA Romance Prize. Most of my friends are convinced that I’m going to buy yet another Radley signature handbag… Well, I thought about it. But actually, I’d like something a little more visual.

I’d like a painting.

A special one.

Something that reminds me of Breakfast at Giovanni’s: so it’ll be compact (as in a 50,000-word book is compact) - and warm and realistic. (I am still really, really pleased about that description.)

And it needs to be made in Norfolk. Just like my book was.

Which means I’ll be moseying round local galleries for a while. I think I know what I want, but the exact painting will choose me. It’s likely to be a seascape (aka North Norfolk, my favourite place in the world). 0r poppy fields, or maybe a windmill and/or sunrise/sunset over the Broads. Whatever: it definitely needs a proper Norfolk sky.

I like David Dane’s work but, apart from the fact his paintings are snapped up the second they go on exhibition, I have a feeling he’s out of my price range. I really like the one at the bottom of this page and lots on this page. I also REALLY like Gerard Stamp – check out the Marshscape exhibition, which has utterly fabulous use of the light - but he’s *definitely* out of my price range, and anyway those paintings are bigger than what I have in mind.

So. Something special. About ten inches by twelve. Quite traditional (my main love is Victorian art). And something that will make me smile every time I look up from my computer screen. Watch this space…

It’s also the M&B party in London tonight to celebrate the centenary. Unfortunately, I can’t make it (DH is busy at work and short-staffed so it’s not fair to ask for another two days, i.e. today and tomorrow because I wouldn’t be able to get a train home). So I’ll be raising a cup of coffee to them all at home, and look forward to a full report from my friends. Am sure they are going to have a BRILLIANT time.

And I'll reiterate that I am very proud to write for a publisher that's been going for 100 years and brought so much pleasure to so many people over those 100 years. Congratulations to Mills & Boon. Here’s to the next 100 years.

tying up loose ends

Current work: proofs/admin
Listening to: Sheryl Crow

Yesterday, finished the last chapter and the final readthrough of Norwich Heroes, Villains and Victims before my governor meeting. This morning, I printed it out ready to send to Breedon. (Yes, I was up that early – thank you, DH, for waking me up – and no, I didn’t write it *that* quickly. I run a nonfiction book at the same time as a novel, so I can switch between them depending on my mood/the deadline. Am at the research stage of my next one for Halsgrove, which is my utterly favourite bit of writing nonfiction.)

Plan for today: nip into the city to buy a pillow (I am a bit princessy about this, I admit…); library; do proofs; finish sorting post and go to post office (very important, this!); do something about my terrible office (this might end up being ‘put contents of desk in box to sort out later’). Might start the new Med today (it’s in my head, which is a good thing). And then we’re out for a Christmas meal with friends this evening (foodie pub – and the menu is to die for. Grilled halloumi, traditional turkey roast, and lemon tart – needless to say today is salad for lunch!), and my best friend is up for the weekend tomorrow.

I’m still battling with my new keyboard. I’ve been having moans from DH and the kids for months because the letters had worn off, but I liked my old keyboard so I resisted change. However, last weekend the keys on the left half of the bottom row kept sticking, so I gave in and bought a new one. It’s more solid, less responsive (the amount of time I’m spending adding in spaces between words is really annoying me) and the insert/delete/page navigation keys have a different layout. Ah well. I’ll get used to it eventually. Funny how the little things interrupt a writer’s routine.

and… sold!

Current work: was a bad puppy yesterday doing research; today is definitely PM work and starting new Modern Heat. I am not, repeat not, going to touch Norwich HVV or Norfolk SSS...
Listening to: Nicola Hall, ‘Caprice’ (Paganini)
Reading: Jane Jackson, Dangerous Waters

Excellent news yesterday from my wonderful ed – she read the revised book the second it landed in her inbox and absolutely loved it, then emailed me to tell me so. She particularly likes my Catalan hero – ‘just adorable’ and ‘fantastic’. Excellent. I might also add that this is the book with dance scene (think Antonio Banderas demonstrating the tango in ‘Take the Lead’) and the fencing scene (think Antonio in his ‘Zorro’ role). Should be getting the title some time this week.

So that’s my 31st M&B accepted. Am very pleased. (And – for the benefit of the crows, who have their beady eyes on my archaeologist – I still haven’t celebrated the 5th anniversary of my first M&B on the shelves.)

Was incredibly bad yesterday and did some research on the book with the furthest-away deadline (aka Norfolk SSS) instead of what I should’ve been doing. Discovered something that might just have to push its way into Norwich: Heroes, Villains and Victims. (Tudor politics are rather interesting… especially when we’re talking magic and treasure and… I have to do it, don’t I? But what do I replace? Probably the chapter on the boxers, as it’s hard to get the info I want.) I am becoming seriously addicted to the digitised books on Google. But – there’s always a but – seeing it on screen is NOT the same as handling Victorian paper with coloured plates … so I don’t regret my (expensive) purchases of last year AT ALL. And the ‘snippet’ views drive me insane. Especially if I can’t locate a physical copy of said book.

To do today:

• charge phone


• charge PDA


• charge camera battery


• copy files from PC to SD card for PDA usage on train


• print out rough draft of new Med duo outline for scribbling on train


• print out directions to Oriental Club and photocopy relevant page from London A-Z to get me from Piccadilly to Stratford Place so I don’t have to lug the whole book on the train


• go to post office


• go to cashpoint


• buy lots of tissues and some paracetamol


• send form to local authority re son’s next school (actually that one’s #1 on the list)


• write ‘Dear Reader’ letter for Sold to the Highest Bidder (that’s #2 on the list… and also get someone else to email it to my ed because their email server is being stroppy with my ISP for some reason).

Business as usual, then.