Don't Mention The C Word

I know, it's not even October yet, and I don't like thinking about it too much until after my birthday, but yesterday I made my Christmas cake! There I said it. The C word.

I like to make the cake early, so I can feed it sherry leading up to, you know, the time.

I don't really eat it, but I enjoy decorating the cake. It makes the home feel festive with a bit of **** cake. I did only make a small one this year.

I've also booked the panto for Me, Dad and the monsters! It has to be done early to get the best seats. I will mention The C Word no more.

In other news: Today I am over on Annalisa Crawford's blog, so please pop over and say hello to me. You might learn some new gossip about me if you go take a look.

Come back Wednesday for Hump Day Hot Seat with Wendy Lou Jones! 

Hump Day Hot Seat: Annalisa Crawford

Thank you Wendy Lou Jones for the blog post title. I've got authors ready to feature (including Wendy) and didn't know what to call it. I decided to post this feature on a Wednesday, and Wednesday is National Hump Day. If you haven't seen the advert it is here 

Today I have Annalisa Crawford, the first to be in the Hump Day Hot Seat. Annalisa and I have been internet writing pals for a couple of years now, so it's lovely to be able to invite her on to my blog. 

1)      Annalisa, have you always wanted to be a writer? 

Yes! For as long as I can remember, and probably a bit earlier than that too. I used to write stories and throw them away, so unfortunately I don’t have any stored away.

2)      Did you manage to get the first book you wrote published, or is it tucked in a drawer somewhere? 

My first book was a YA story about a girl who discovered she was related to a member of a famous boy band. It was basically what I wish my life was like… And it’s long gone, thank goodness!

Summer Holidays Are In Full Swing

Therefore I will be a little quiet on my blog. The boys are playing late, while I type away - it is the holidays! I'm trying to decide whether to take them out tomorrow or not, but they seem happy to stay at home. So I'm wondering if I should save the day trips for later on in the holidays when they are bored of the house.

In the meantime, to keep myself busy on my blog, I am trying to line up some awesome authors to come visit my blog.

Here's my guest list so far:

Rachel Brimble, who is the organiser of my RNA Chapter group. Rachel Lyndhurst who has become a good writing buddy of mine. Annalisa Crawford said she'd pop by too. I've just got to pull my finger out and send them over some questions.

In the meantime I await my line edits for my début novel.... which actually might get a name change. After three years of calling it The Wedding Favour, it may get something a bit more chick-lit-ee.

I even have a publication date we're aiming for, so it's all getting exciting. I won't announce anything just yet... just watch this space!

Enjoy the sunshine! I'm sure it won't be around for much longer...

Another Blog Award!

I have been meaning to blog for a couple of days now, but I'm so desperate to get the last few chapters of The Wedding Favour edited, I've sort of put all else aside.

Yesterday, however, I was awarded by Annalisa Crawford over on her Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep blog the Dream Launcher award! Thank you so much.

I won't lie, Annalisa did the research. Apparently the award was instigated by Doctor Faerie Godmother to thank people who'd made a difference in their writing/blogging. So I feel quite honoured that Annalisa has awarded me this. Not sure how I've helped... maybe all those hot men, inspirational photographs did it.

It's not obligatory, like some awards, but I would like to award the Dream Launcher to a couple of bloggers/writers who've inspired and encouraged me.

So drum roll please. 

Firstly, I would like to award the Dream Launcher to Becky Black, because I just wouldn't be here without her help, encouragement, support and general honesty to me as one of my Beta readers. I just wouldn't have the confidence to do this.

Another is Morton Gray. I met Morton through the Mills and Boon New Voice competition in 2010 and then physically met her at the RNA Conference last year. And even now I remember her saying, we must try to get into the RNA New Writers' Scheme - this will be us next year. And we both did! On 1st January 2012, the pair of us were messaging each other, saying our emails were ready and at 1 minute past midnight, turning the 2nd January, we both pressed the send button!

Morton also has a competition going on, so get in fast and have a go! You have until the 16th March.

And last but not least, (I would award Annalisa as she's equally as supportive but she already has this award and was the one to give it to me), I would like to award Sarah Pearson as she is always commenting and supporting my blog. And it sounds daft, but we all like to see comments on our blogs, it confirms that it is in fact being read for a start!

So these are some flowers for you all - my miniature daffs that are out at the moment!Next blog post I promise hot men inspirational material.

Thank you to everyone who leaves comments on this blog, and supports me with my writing and blogging. This award is for everyone really. Without you I wouldn't have the confidence and determination to continue writing.

Annalisa Crawford's Cat and The Dreamer

Today I have Annalisa Crawford on my blog. I’m not really sure how, but the two of us started following one another and Annalisa always leaves comments on my blog, so I couldn’t refuse when she asked to do a blog tour.

Annalisa Crawford is the author of ‘Cat and The Dreamer’, released by Vagabondage Press on 14^th February, 2012, and she’s here to tell us a bit about it. I queried the title, having been given the blurb, I wondered who the ‘cat’ was, and Annalisa replied, “Basically Cat is the nemesis of the main character, and the Dreamer is the main character who's actually called Julia. She's the dreamer because her day-dreams are an important part of her story.”

The Hero: Adam

Annalisa didn't want her profile picture posted, and I know other authors who feel the same. So, I asked for an image of inspiration for her hero, Adam. (It's in keeping with my blog, after all).

So, here were Annalisa’s five questions:

 

Q: Give us your elevator pitch (to the reader) for what your book is about?

A: When Julia survives a suicide pact, she's left confused, guilty and isolated. Her life shudders to a halt, and she hides away in her daydreams, seeing her life the way she thinks it should have been. Then, one day, Adam walks into her life and changes everything. He's everything she's ever wanted, so this is her chance to be happy... right?

Q: My 'Twitter' question - Describe your heroine in 140 characters. (you can always check it on Twitter rather than count the 140 characters lol!).

A: Julia is the girl we all were at fifteen – a shy, awkward, day-dreamer, waiting to blossom. And when she does blossom, she does it in style!

(Oh dear, she doesn't come across well in 140 characters, but I think the before part of Julia's story is more important than the after).

Q: Obviously you're in love with your hero - you wouldn't have written him otherwise - but why do you love him, and think your readers will too? No character limit this time lol!

A: Taking the fifteen year old shy girl comparison further, Adam is the lad we all wanted to meet at that age. He's not taken in by the 'cool' girl that everyone fancies, he's nice when he needs to be and very naughty when he wants!

Q: Having read your blurb, a suicide pact is a dark theme to consider. What inspired you to include this in your book?

A: I'm generally drawn to darker subjects - I hope I write stories that make people think 'what would I do?' In this case, there were a number of news stories about suicide pacts, and my mind naturally wanders towards 'what if...?' What if one person survived, how would they cope with that responsibility? So that was the start, the rest of the story just flowed.

Q: And can you prove that all published writers are really human? i.e how do juggle writing with real life?

A: I'm not sure I am completely human! I think I write to make sense of emotions. And I don't juggle real life - if I'm writing, that's all I can think about. Luckily my hubby cooks, or we'd be living on beans of toast. I have to be physically dragged back into family life sometimes. So sorry, I can't prove your argument :-)

Cat and the Dreamer – Released by Vagabondage Press 14^th February 2012

As a teenager, Julia survived a suicide pact, while her best friend Rachel died. Julia’s only escape from her guilt, and her mother’s over-protection, is her imagination. When Adam arrives in the office, Julia’s world takes a startling turn as she realises reality can be much more fun than fantasy. Finally she has someone who can help her make the most of her life. But can she allow herself to be truly happy?

Good luck with the book, Annalisa. This storyline sounds intriguing. I can imagine your heroine has some hurdles to overcome before she can find happiness. Another book I've got to add to my 'to-read' pile. Oh, and I'm loving the name Adam - That's the name of my hero, too. 

You can buy the book at Vagabondage Press. 

You can follow Annalisa on her blog Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep and this is her Facebook page.