Tewkesbury

So, I'm off again. This time it's not too far away and just for a couple of days. Tewkesbury this time, more research and also to get some author pictures taken by a real bona fide photographer. Hopefully this will avoid any more embarresing incidents where my agent, publishers etc ask for a picture of me and I produce one which shows me with a flower growing out of my ear. My lovely fellow author, Cally Taylor, who has some gorgeous pics recomended me to her cousin Jacqui - the photographer responsible for her nice pictures and she's kindly agreed to help me. I almost missed the announcement that Animal Instincts had won Love Story of The Year because I was too busy cringing at the picture they used on the large screen at the awards. Everyone else had a beautiful professional authorly portrait. I had a snap taken at a book signing in Waterstones - sigh.
In more writerly news, I'm so looking forward to the RNA summer party. Me, You and Him is going well, I'm at 52k now and on target for my deadline. I love, love, love this book. Not sure if this is a good sign as I'm completely rubbish at judging my own work as you know. My cp has given me the thumbs up and my agent loves the bit she's seen so fingers crossed.

To pee or not to pee?

Sorry, couldn't resist the pun. Ahem, so how have I spent the Easter bank hol monday? Yep, doing stuff for the day job. Namely visiting camping stores to buy a chemical camping toilet for an allotment project. The project is a new local community venture and primary school children will be working on there but there's no toilet. Since portable toilets and new builds are way out of there budget we have an eco friendly chemical toilet, a shed and a wind up eco light. It'll be great for what the project wants and if they get more money later then they can look to getting a more permanent solution.
Writing wise I've been storming along with three chapters in three days. I wish sometimes I had the luxury of a bit more time so I could write like this more often but then I'd miss out on the joys of camping shops. Did you know you can get a velour covered inflatable sofa?

Home for the holiday

I'm off from the day job now till after Christmas so hopefully I'll be able to catch up on my writing deadlines in between the festivities and Christmas preparations. I'm almost into the final third of Just Look at me now and I've a good idea what I need to rewrite in the first third to make the book much stronger. Not as much as I'd first feared - just the realisation that I'd revealed some information too early and that it weakened the plot. I'm also hoping to tackle a nice big chunk of You, Me and Him.
I've the final lot of cleaning and tidying to do in the house - cleaning out the family room and the belles bedrooms. I've also got all my local cards and parcels to deliver to various destinations. I'm hoping to do some nice things with the belles too and see some of my oldest friends. Of course if we get snow then I'll be in front of the fire watching old films on the telly!

Getting into the groove

My writing time this year has felt quite fragmented. I finished Crystal Clear - edits etc, made a false start with A Scattering of Leaves, lots of edits on His Darling Nurse, and have a third done on Just Look at me Now and now I've almost 15k done on You, Me and Him. Normally though by now I would have hoped to have been almost to the half way point with Just Look at Me Now and at 20K for You Me and Him.
Still, we've one more college to look at and eldest has to get her applications in this week. The cloakroom is still untouched as surprise, surprise the bathroom people can't get the sink! Dance show will be out of the way after Sunday and then just maybe I can get a head of steam going on my writing before the festive capers strike up. Whatever happens I need to get my groove on again!

Writerly stuff

Last night I had the enormous pleasure of seeing my good friend, Phillipa Ashley at a party for the launch of her new book for Little Black Dress. My eldest daughter came with me as Mr Nell was working and we both had a wonderful time. It was lovely to meet so many people whose names I'd seen on the net, but of course didn't know in person.
Wish you were here looks like a wonderful read so grab your copy as soon as you can. I think some shops may be experiencing delays in getting their supplies as I've had problems finding it in the shops, so go and order a copy so you don't miss out.

The other cool thing I did yesterday, again accompanied by my eldest dd, was to attend a writers workshop. My local writing group had invited the Lethal Ladies, two published crime writers to give a talk at our local library.
It was very interesting to see how similar and how different crime writing and romance writing can be.
I don't think I want to be a crime writer even though some of my books have an element of crime or suspense in them. Crime writers are very dark and serious and listen to serious music while they work.
I listen to Disney Channel and Scooby Doo.
The authors gave a very good talk and eldest and I had a good time.