11th Day of Birthday

On the eleventh day of my birthday, I would like sent to me...

Tom Hiddleston

I would love to meet this guy in the flesh! My obsession started when I saw a YouTube video of him dancing, and it was instant love for the man! (I then stalked more YouTube videos of this man!) Nothing sexier than a man who can dance - in my opinion anyway.

Brilliant actor, fun guy (or at least he comes across that way). Blue eyes and blond hair! Love love love!

I have a Pinterest Board just for this guy too! He's on my inspirational hero list for writing.

Another Year Older...

Maybe still not any wiser... lol!

Yay! It's my birthday! I have been celebrating all week, but today I get to open presents!

Think I'll be having champagne for breakfast. As you do.

I'm not expecting too much today, however, if I were to have a party, my ideal party guests would include...








Henry Cavill, Tom Hiddleston and Bradley Cooper, to name a few very quickly off the top of my head...

(By the way, I keep telling Tom he needs to put come clothes on!)

And maybe Adam Levine could sing for me. :) 

Yeah, my list hasn't really changed much. 

And if anyone would like to buy me one of these for my birthday, I'd much appreciate it! 

Yes I would like it in this colour too. :) 

My Secret Obsession With Short Men

It's not much of a secret, but the title sounded good.

Now, I'm 5'6". Not particularly tall, but not particularly short either for a woman. I'd say I'm average really.

I prefer tall/taller men. However, the man I married (now my ex-husband) was 5' 6" - actually he'd argue he was half an inch taller because that made all the difference. How did this happen, when I prefer taller men?

Actually I've learnt over the past couple of years, I don't really have a 'type' as such. They do have to have something appealing, and the chemistry, obviously, but it doesn't really matter if they're short or tall, I'll still fancy them - as long as they're not shorter than me! But it's hard to put a finger in my type of guy.

I've always preferred taller men, thinking they should always be that bit taller than their girlfriends/wives. And when writing, my heroes will always be tall, and taller than the heroines.

For me, I do like guys around the 5'10" mark or taller. Brad Pitt is 5' 11" - PERFECT!

Too much taller than 6' and they'd scare me I think. Bradley Cooper is 6' 0.5" (1.85m) - even better! So, basically, I'm looking for a guy between Brad Pitt and Bradley Cooper :)

But what is it with short men, because I really like them too... yet the one needs to be tall. Please be tall!

I mean I just LOVE Martin Freeman but he is only 5' 6.5" tall (1.69m). (Arguably as tall as my ex-husband).

And then there is Richard Hammond in all his 5' 7" (1.7m) greatness. He is the only reason I watch Top Gear!

Tom Cruise is the same height as Richard Hammond.

However, in comparison, the lovely, delectable, Tom Hiddleston is 6' 1.75" tall (1.87m) - Another reason why I am in love with Tom. He's tall, he can dance, act... he has blond hair, blue eyes... What is not to like about Tom Hiddleston.

Opps, sorry, was supposed to be talking about my obsession for short men...

My Online Dating Tips

I have decided to put together some online-dating tips. In the last three years of dating on and off through on-line dating sites, this is what I've learnt so far, (and will probably continue to learn when I decide to go back on-line, but for now I've taken myself off...).  It will be going into a book fictionally at some point. But I will share for fun.

In no particular order:

1) Most men on their profile will ask for someone genuine to get in touch. Sadly, this doesn't necessarily mean they are genuine in their hunt for a relationship. (See point 10).

2) Their pictures may not always match their true identity. And they can lie about age, height and weight... Make sure they've got plenty of pictures up and avoid profiles with hardly anything about the guy. If he can't be bothered to fill out a profile page, then he's not really serious in looking for love.

3) If you're looking for a relationship - usually this is why you're using on-line dating because if you just wanted a shag you would go out and get that on a night out, right? You'd think! - guys who state 'looking for a relationship' aren't necessarily being honest in that too. Really, they should have ticked the 'interested in only casual dating' button, but they know that doesn't get them a lot of interest. So just be warned....

4) If the guy doesn't show his teeth when smiling in his pictures - like in ALL of his pictures - it probably means he hasn't got great teeth... or he doesn't have any! If that's not a problem with you then fine... but if you've got a thing about teeth (I know I have!) try to get him to send a picture with him smiling, showing off his pearly whites.

5) Never, and I mean NEVER, interact with a cock shot. If his profile displays his jean-clad buldging cock (or pictures alike) do not interact. Even if you think it will be really funny to because you've had a few glasses of wine on a lonely Friday night. He is a dickhead, and you should not (pardon the pun) rise to it. You are just feeding the little prick. Ignore! Ignore! Ignore! And block him...

6) If you get into conversation with a guy because at first you thought he was genuine and then he starts asking if you want to meet up for sex, end conversation. Do not reply. Ignore, ignore, ignore. See above. Do not let him get a rise out of it.

7) If you get someone you're really not that keen on, but not sure how to turn him down gently. Start telling him about your baggage, how you've been dumped, hurt, you're still getting over your last boyfriend. They run so fast you can see dust!

8) Make sure you message for a bit on the site before swapping telephone numbers. Don't be so quick to give out your mobile number until you're certain (as best you can be) they're not weird. We can handle crazy, coz that can be fun, but we don't do weird.

9) Never message the guys. Let them message you. Let them make first contact! The boys should do the chasing from the off. This is one way of guaranteeing that they did actually like what they saw on your profile. Whether you like them is a different matter. You do not need to reply to them all. Only reply to the profiles you like. You're only giving the others false hope.

10) (Coincides with point 1) - Afterwards, when you thought you've actually met a genuine, decent guy and you think you've got great chemistry and everything is going fantastic, but he drops a great big bombshell that he is no longer looking for a relationship, or he has issues, or he's not sure what he wants any more, and it's not you, it's him, and quite clearly he's not been as genuine as you thought, but he's happy to stay in touch...

He won't, okay. Why would he stay in touch? He's just said that because he thinks that makes him look better, and he thinks that's what you want to hear. No, us girls would actually rather honesty and you grew a spine!

And he won't text you and say he's made a mistake and please take him back. He just won't. This is called romanticizing and it needs to stop. (It's my new word (which actually does exist in the dictionary) - it's fantasising about romantic ideas that just aren't going to happen, however much you want them to).

11) Stick to the three date rule... maybe even four dates. (Goes hand in hand with point 3 actually). If he likes you enough he'll wait. If he doesn't, well, you've just sifted the wheat from the chaff. And you're going to need to do A LOT of that.

12) Be yourself. If they can't love/like you for who you are, then they are not worth your time or effort. Again it's the old wheat and chaff thing.

13) However much you want to rage like a bunny boiler, always remain calm. Always be the better person. Hell, tell them they've hurt you. If these guys want to mess with girls' hearts, then they need to know what they've done, but always do it calmly and reasonably. You are the better person.

14) If he's telling you he loves you after three weeks, the guy probably has mental issues and is going to dump you in six weeks because he's unstable. He's doing you a favour... let him go! It might be worse, he might wait until you truly love him, then he dumps you... that hurts like hell. I recommend wine and a good dose of close friends.

15) If he goes a bit quite on the texting from day to day, but then texts you like mad just before the next agreed date... he's probably just using you for sex and wants a fuck buddy, rather than a relationship. Nip that one in the bud too, unless you're happy to be a doormat.

16) If it just so happens you've managed to get two dates at the same time. Do not tell them! The one you tell will try to persuade you he's the better guy. It's not necessarily so. Date both until you can make your own unbiased and informed decision - sticking to that 3 date rule of course!

17) And while you're searching for Mr Right, or The One, and it may take some time to find that one actual genuine guy on the internet not carry baggage and being a complete commitment-phobe I warn you, keep a picture of Tom Hiddleston close, to remind yourself of who you are searching for... your next hero... and besides, you can't get much better eye-candy than Tom Hiddleston (in my opinion).

If I think of any more, then of course, I'll do a part two blog post!

No More Internet Dating!

Today is the first of the July, and the first day of the second half of the year. I'm drawing a line under the last six months and starting a fresh.

Yesterday another relationship came to a close. I'd been seeing a guy for just over two months.

One could argue I met him way too soon after #MrAquarius. But at the time, I decided if it fizzled, he had been sent to me by the fairies (as I don't believe in God) to help heal my broken heart. And if it worked out, then #MrAquarius was really not meant to be.

And he did help do just that. He stopped me dwelling on the past and allowed me to start looking forward into the future again. As it turned out, we had a lot of chemistry (or at least I believed we did) and I really, really liked this guy. He was not a rebound. He ticked so many boxes, more boxes than #MrAquarius, and only time would tell if he ticked the really important ones. He told me I ticked his boxes, too. All good right? I think I could have loved him, if he'd let me.

However, it turns out, he is not looking for a relationship like I am.

Why do I always like the guys that don't like me so much back? Is it Karma for the guys that really like me, but I don't like them so much back?

The ever optimist, romance writer in me hopes he might change his mind and come back... but deep down, I know he won't. If someone wants to be in your life, then they'll make it happen, right?

In the meantime, I have decided to delete all (two) of my on-line dating accounts. I need to heal. And I need to remove the temptation of one lonely night going back on-line and unhiding my accounts. If they're deleted, I can't do it. I've been doing this on-line dating malarky on and off now for three years and it's not working. Either I find complete time wasters on there, or there are guys saying they want one thing, when actually they want another, or they don't know what the hell they want! Why be on-line then?

I always avoid the ones who say they want 'casual dates/nothings serious', because that's definitely not what I want. I message guys back who are "looking for a relationship." I do actually read their profile. I am choosy. If they want kids, I avoid. I get that you have to date to see if there is chemistry, and go from there... but I want a relationship to snowball.... gradually. Certainly not at the pace #MrAquarius took it, sweeping me up along... then crashing and shattering me into tiny pieces suddenly at the bottom of the mountain. The relationship I was trying to form with #TheBoyWithTheDragonTattoo was slow moving, but actually ideal for me.

I don't want someone to move in with me. I don't want to move in with them. I don't want any more kids! All I want is to share my time with someone, and do things with them, meals out, cinema, day trips... share a bottle of wine cuddled up in front of the telly. I want to be loved... and to love... I have so much to give!

Until I started dating on-line, I naively believed flawed heroes, ones carrying huge amounts of baggage, the commitment-phobes, were only in books. Silly me.

And so today, I need to empty my thoughts onto my blog, and get it off my chest. This is my healing process. Today is a new day. I'm going to live life on my own for a while with my good friends and family beside me, and see if love finds me naturally. I'm going to concentrate on me.

If the two men who I am referring to are reading this, then I'm sorry, but tough. Don't date a writer. They tend to like to write stuff down. And don't date a romance writer...! But just think it could have been worse - you could have dated a crime writer. (They know how to hide a body).

But what is romance? Do guys really know what it is when they say they're romantic? Sex is not romance. The little text message to make you know you're being thought of. That's romance. The surprise bouquet of flowers, however small... a small gift... a cuddle, a kiss, the wiping away of a tear... Romance is the little things, where you show one another you love/care for each other. Show, not tell. It's too easy to say 'I love you'... much more convincing to show.

Does true love only happen in books and films? Is there such a thing as a happy ever after?

I know on-line dating has worked for a few... but did you have to go through hell and back before meeting The One?

And so, today, my obsession for Tom Hiddleston re-commences....

Advent Calendar - Day 8

It's the 8th of December... only 17 days until Christmas...

Have you written your wish list to Santa yet? What would you wish for?

The boys sent their letters off to Santa a few days ago. We await his reply. Maybe I should write mine?




Dear Santa, 

I've tried to be good all year... honest. Those other times it was the wine's fault.

And my friends led me astray...  

On the proviso that you do consider that I've been good enough to receive some gifts, here are some of the small things I would love for Christmas... if you can fit them on the sleigh...

I would really like; a brand new Range Rover in gold... 






A pair of diamond earrings... Still haven't managed to land myself some of those.

And Tom Hiddleston - now that's not too much to ask, surely? He's a nice man, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to be wrapped up and left under my tree... no?

Okay, if all that's a bit hard to organise at short notice, and I really haven't been that good... then I'd be happy with a few extra book sales... and the film rights sold. Ha ha! (A girl can dream!). 

Otherwise, Santa, may my friends and family be happy, with luck on their side, and for the next year to run smoothly, with continued happiness and none of those little annoying complications and stresses that life likes to throw at us. 

Lots of Love, Teresa x x 

p.s. there will be plenty of mince pies and sherry at this house on Christmas Eve x 

The Count Down Starts

Hand bag purchased - large enough to carry my shoes, dress ironed last night, and today I've had my hair cut and highlighted. I think I'm ready! And Thursday morning, before getting on my train, I will be getting my nails painted... (the gel sort that dry instantly - don't panic!) and then off to London for the RNA summer party I go!

Super excited! And anyone who has seen me in real life, knows how I get excited. :)

I'm meeting my editor and the lovely Sue Fortin at Green Park to go to the Ritz for celebratory cocktails prior. It's all very exciting stuff. Must make sure I don't spill chocolate, coffee or my sandwich or anything basically down my dress when on the train.

If you haven't already gathered, I am a contender for the Joan Hessayon Award with my début novel Plus One is a Lucky Number. And the winners will be announce at the summer party.

I feel nervous, thrilled, and at the same time I know it will be an experience of a life time. I can't wait to meet lots of lovely authors and their pretty shoes. Good job I'm not shy :)

How many times can I use the word exciting/excited in one blog post?

I think I need Tom dancing to help me celebrate and wish us all luck, don't you?

My Blogging Tips...

I decided, as I haven't blogged in over a week, that I would share what I have learnt over my years of blogging.

1) Keep blog posts short. 

Tom Hiddleston! Phwarrrr! 

I know for a fact that if I visit a blog and the post is too long, I won't read it.

2) Always have a picture or a photo. 

It breaks up the text and is a bit like 'white space' on the internet. Easier on the eye... Here's an example --->

And Tom Hiddleston is always going to be easy on the eye, let's face it.

3) Always reply to comments. 

It's just common courtesy.  If you want these readers to leave more comments on more blog posts, then reply to them. They might be asking a question. Blogging is another form of social media and requires networking after all.

4) If you feature on a blog, always reply to comments. 

See above (Point 3). The easiest way to monitor comments on a blog you're featuring on is to actually go in and leave a comment (thanking the host for having you, like you'd thank someone for having you if you'd gone to dinner etc) and tick the 'let me know when someone else comments' box.

5) Presentation is key.

A bit like with point 2, on the internet the eye needs some white space. Short paragraphs, and put a gap between them. I think I learnt this from posting fan-fiction on the internet long ago and so it's stuck. But preview your blog post before publishing - make sure you're happy with it. If a blog post looks too busy, point 1 is taken, and it won't be read.

6) Also use hyper-links. 

It's good to share links of whatever you're talking about. It makes it easier for the reader, and the website/blog you're sharing will be grateful too. i.e. I would like to share that I am over on the Romantic Novelists' Association's blog... Romantic Novelists' Association Blog: Plus One is a Lucky Number for Teresa F Morgan Come say hello to me over there, too! I'm talking about how I was published by Harper Impulse.

See, easy!

7) Always try to leave a question at the end to get your readers to comment... 

I hope you find these tips useful! If I've forgotten anything important, then please leave a comment below. Is there things you hate or love seeing on a blog?

8) Always leave a random hotty picture... 

Okay, that's not essential but it does help ;-) And Henry was getting jealous that I'd posted yet another picture of Tom.

The Dating Game...

Pomegranate or broken heart?

Now, maybe I'm being terribly old fashioned here and need to get with the 21st Century, but I believe a girl should be asked out by a boy, and shouldn't be the one doing the chasing.

But maybe I'm wrong, and so I wondered what others thought. Because, now in my single state, I sometimes feel I'm failing miserably at this dating game...

I put it to you: should the men be asking the women out? Or do the men like to be asked out too? Or is that a big turn off?

Any excuse to post a picture of Tom Hiddleston

Now from a woman's point of few, us girls have some insecurities. Us normal girls don't want to appear like bunny boilers. To ensure the guy really is interested, we like to be asked out. If the guy is doing the chasing it means he's interested. We don't want to appear too heavy by texting too much, or needy, we want them to make the first move. And what if the guy really isn't interested, and you're texting, calling etc. Are you just being a pest?

This is what runs through us girls minds. Or at least mine...

I know when I write a hero, he always does the hard work. Okay, so my heroine might let on that she likes him, and gives him the green light, but it has to come from him. The man pursues the woman. He makes the realisation that she's the one for him etc.

Favourite scene ever in Love Actually

I believe men should open doors for women. It's nothing to do with equality. It's about manners, about being a gentleman. However, it being the 21st Century, on a date, I don't actually expect the guy to pay the whole bill, but when he does, it's rather nice.

And what about flowers? Do you like receiving flowers (if you're a girl) and (as a boy) do you like sending/giving flowers?

Are girls playing it too cool and losing the guy's interest, or is it a sign he's not really all that interested if he doesn't make the first move and doesn't contact?

What about mobile phones and texting, and even social media, are they making us lazy? I laughed out loud at this line in Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy. Bridget is comparing texting and Twitter in the 21st Century to letter writing in Jane Austen's era, and Talitha puts her straight...

"Bridget. Sleeping with a twenty-nine year old off Twitter on the second date is not 'rather like in Jane Austen's day'." 

What are the new dating rules?

I want to know... answers on a postcard please... or just leave in the comments below.

I need this information so that I am prepared for the day when Tom Hiddleston calls me for a date. I'll know exactly what to do!