My Next Big Thing

Posted on November 13, 2012 | 33 comments

Oh yes. My Next Big Thing. Are you ready? It’s going to be big. Huge. Fantabulous. If I say so myself!

Preamble: I was invited to take place in The Next Big Thing by several lovely people in the past few months, and I had to regretfully pass on each invitation as I was in the throes of launchig Sophie’s Turn. You know who you are and you know how much I appreciated your invitation! This most recent invitation came at the tail end of my blog tour and therefore I couldn’t resist taking part and shouting about my WIP. Thank you for your understanding, my friends!
🙂 xxx

Last week, my Romantic Novelists’ Association friend and writer of family sagas and historical novels, Freda Lightfoot, tagged me in her post The Next Big Thing ~ and this week it’s my turn! The idea is that I answer ten questions about my current Work in Progress (my Next Big Thing!) and tag five other writers to tell you about their latest work next week!

So here goes:

What is the working title of your next book?

~ Sophie’s Run ~

Where did the idea come from for the book?

Sophie’s Run is the sequel to Sophie’s Turn. The ideas inside the book have been inspired by events in my own life, whether they happened to me, were witnessed by me, happened to others, or were a fancy flight of my imagination based on something I read, heard or saw on television.

What genre does your book fall under?

The obvious answer to this question would be that it is a contemporary romance, or even chick-lit. However, the entire trilogy is also so much more than that. There is a big element of self-discovery going on here, especially in Sophie’s Run. And undeniably, Sophie travels a lot. So I’d say it’s romance with a twist!

What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

Her famous star remains her rock while life takes her on a little detour…

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Neither, nor. The book will be published by my wonderful publisher, Sapphire Star Publishing (how many ‘publish’ words can you fit in one sentence, Nicky?) but we have a direct relationship without an agent involved. Oh, and before I forget: release date is 7 February 2013 ~ not long to go!

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

Fourteen weeks exactly. 🙂

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Do you know, I don’t know how to answer this questions. There are elements of Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones in there, just in terms of the bizarre situations Sophie finds herself in. Obviously the rock star theme likens it a little to Public Secrets by Nora Roberts. But the Trilogy as a whole charts Sophie’s life over a period of almost ten years so that reminds me of some of Maeve Binchy’s great works. So ~ a tough one to answer.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Evidently, Sophie’s Run being a sequel, this inspiration arose from the first part of the story. However, I can pinpoint the impetus for actually writing it very precisely. It was 12 July 2011, a few days after I launched Sophie’s Turn onto the world (in indepenedent publisher format). I had temporarily exhausted all promotional avenues, or so I thought (little did I know!) and when I had a bit of a tearful conversation with my long-time friend, Shirley Mukisa, she had only one answer to my conundrum. “The next logical thing will be to write the second book.” So I did. 🙂

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Apart from being fun, sexy, wildly romantic and an absolute page-turner, Sophie’s Run also is a story about keeping the faith when life takes you down its long and winding road. I hope it inspires faith and patience in everyone whose life, like Sophie’s, doesn’t seem to work out to plan. Sophie’s message is that you are in charge of your destiny, ultimately, and if life doesn’t follow your intentions, you have to make it so. (Goodness, that sounds deep!)

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Ah, Sophie’s Run, the movie! This is obviously after we’ve made Sophie’s Turn, right? So… the dream cast would be:

Dan the Rock Star…. Played by Ewan McGregor! (Or Jon Bon Jovi, but he’d have to adopt an English accent!!!)

Sophie… Played by Keira Knightley!

Rachel … Played by Emma Watson!

And that’s my Next Big Thing. Here are the writers I’m tagging: rock on!

The amazing Jen Tucker, who writes hilariously funny biography giving amazing insights into family life and parenting.

The fabulous Jane Risdon, who posts some very intriguing articles-with-a-difference on her blog, who’s acting as my chief adviser on all things to do with rock-star lifestyle, and who’s been secretely slaving away at her WIP: I’m dying to see what it’s all about!

My brilliant Sapphire Star Publishing sister,  Jane Lark, who writes historical fiction and has just started a brand new author’s blog.

Wonderfully candid ‘scarlet woman’ Tanith Davenport, who I met through Freda Lightfoot and whose blog has me thoroughly intrigued.

The fifth spot… is open for YOU, if you want to take part. Don’t be shy, go on, I’d love to hear about your WIP! 🙂

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What I Call Romance

Posted on November 12, 2012 | 6 comments

It’s Music Monday!

Happy Monday, my friends! Today is a very special edition of Music Monday indeed. You see, I had a post all planned, written, and scheduled. All done and dusted. And then I went out with my husband on Saturday night. We had been invited by our new neighbours to come along and see a fabulous singer-songwriter, or so they said. We quite fancied a night out, so we went along with no particular expectation of anything, other than to be out and meet new friends.

Well, we were blown away by the singer-songwriter in question. His name is Paul Bell and he is simply fabulous. He played an acoustic set of beautifully lyrical songs with fabulous tunes, strong vocals and a wicked sense of humour. I chatted with Paul briefly afterwards…

…and yes, I begged an autograph! It’s a long time since I’ve done that, I can tell you. Hubby was well amused. Anyway, I chatted with Paul and gained his permission to post one of the songs that captivated me most for you right here, right now, today. I really encourage you to listen to it; every word has meaning, glorious, funny, totally true meaning, and it is What I Call Romance.

 

Find out more about Paul on his website! And now I’m keen to hear: what is your favourite line in this song? And do you have any local independent artists in your area who you think deserve to rise to the very top of the charts?

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In the presence of illustrious guests~my Midweek Drive debut on Siren FM

Posted on November 9, 2012 | 10 comments

Co-hosting a radio show for a couple of hours?

Talking about Sophie’s Turn live on air to all manner of interesting and awe-inspiring people?

Offering short readings of Sophie’s Turn live on air, right there and then?

Sure, bring it on, I’m game!

In fact, it already happened. On October 24, 2012, I had the tremendous pleasure of hosting the Siren FM midweek drive show from 5pm to 7pm, alongisde chief presenter Alex Lewczuk and co-hosts Katie Grimason and Ed Wellman (and Tom, for a short spell).

Here’s me with Ed (back left), Tom (back right) and Katie (front right) in the Siren FM studio. Dream team!

And it was the most awesome experience. Take a look at the roll call of people who phoned in and chatted about their own projects… and listened to or talked about Sophie’s Turn:

Cameron Tilbury
CEO of Maple Star Music & Media

Sam Owen
MBPsS BSc- Relationships coach, Psychologist

 Arthur Weingarten
Writer/Producer ( Murder She Wrote, Ironside, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Addams Family)

Michele Monro
with another top selection from her Father Matt Monro‘s back catalogue

 Sarah Pinborough
Award winning author whose credits include The Dog-Faced Gods trilogy and Torchwood.

Phil Leirness
with more reflections from LA

I know. Incredible! Here’s your chance to listen. I won’t upload the files as a two-hour programme makes too huge a file, but here are the links to the podcast, in two parts.

Part 1

Lincolnshire writer Nicky Wells makes her Midweek Drive debut and shares rock stories with Cameron Tilbury from Nashville, discusses relationship strategies with ace coach Sam Owen  before heading to new York and premier writer/producer Arthur Weingarten accompanied by Alex Lewczuk, Katie Grimason & Ed Wellman ( original TX for The Midweek Drive on www.sirenonline.co.uk Wed Oct 24th 2012 )

~Also featuring: a reading of Sophie’s Turn by Alex Lewzcuk (at o4.00 approximately)

Part 2

The penultimate Midweek Drive of October 2012 connects Michele Monro with Ed Wellman & Katie Grimason & continues with the welcome return of award-winning writer Sarah Pinborough sharing her thoughts with Nicky Wells about the modern writing process and setting another sight-reading challenge for Alex Lewczuk ( original TX for The Midweek Drive on www.sirenonline.co.uk Wed Oct 24th 2012)

~Also featuring: brief on-air intro to Sophie’s Turn (at 01:10 approximately) another short reading of Sophie’s Turn by me (at 13:10 approximately)

🙂

And the best thing?

I’ve been invited back! I’ll have another chance to do it all again in early December ~ how excited am I?

Thanks for having me on the show, Alex!

So. My strategy for blundering through unexpectedly meeting outstandingly talented, interesting and successful people? Well… I laugh a lot. And I talk a lot.

What’s yours?

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CentreStage with Sue Moorcroft ~ The Attractions of Feet

Posted on November 7, 2012 | 12 comments

Welcome to CentreStage!

CentreStage showcases fantastic authors from around the world. These authors might share with you stories about their lives, their writing, their books, favourite anecdotes or inspiring disasters (yes, we’ve had those too!). Today, it is my greatl pleasure to welcome outstanding novelist and fabulous friend, Sue Moorcroft!

The Attractions of Feet

When I was considering what to write about in this post I thought: feet.

Then I thought: nobody wants to read about feet.

Then I thought: I hope they do! Because I’ve made the heroine of Dream a Little Dreama reflexologist …

Liza Reece has been a reflexologist for a while because she was in All That Mullarkey, the sister of the heroine, Cleo. When I decided to give Liza her own book, because she was just too naughty and fun to leave in Secondary Characterland and readers had asked about what happened to her, I had to choose whether to keep her as a reflexologist or retrain her for a new career. It seemed easiest to do the former but I wondered whether I could make reflexology interesting/fun.

Then I thought about doing the research – i.e. having reflexology treatments – and my mind was made up. Reflexology it was.

I contacted a local reflexologist, Joan Innes of Moulton Therapies, and booked some treatments, during which she would help me with my research. It tested my powers of concentration! I love reflexology treatments and kept finding myself drifting away on passing clouds as Joan worked, having to forcibly remind myself that I was there to learn what Liza needed to know, and how my hero, Dominic Christy would react to having his feet done. Particularly by Liza.

I ended up developing a strategy of going in with a list of questions or emailing them after because during the treatments I really did … just … let … go.

As a footnote – ho ho – after my first treatment, Joan told me that she picked up a reflex in my right eye. I shrugged it off and said I’d had damage in my left eye but she repeated that she’d picked up the right. Months later, it was discovered that I had a haemorrhage in the back of my right eye …

I decided that reflexology could be a very cool career indeed. I gave Liza a practice in the grounds of a posh hotel (which didn’t work out quite as she’d planned), battling to introduce pamper sessions, hen nights and various whizzy ideas that horrify stodgy centre manager, Nicolas. Reflexology suits Liza as she’s a girly girl and likes being in girly environments. She likes seeing people come in looking tense or flustered and float out after their treatment laid back and floaty. Reflexology suits Dominic a lot less, because he doesn’t really care for having his feet touched. Until he meets Liza. Then, suddenly, he’s a regular client.

The other feet-based research I did for Dream a Little Dream was to have a fish pedicure. For anyone who hasn’t tried this, you put your feet in a tank of fish and let them eat the dead skin off. So I booked a session, paid my £10 and put my feet in the water – and it was weird! My instinct was to yank my feet back out and count my toes because the fish (garra rufa) pounced as if they hadn’t been fed for a year. But it wasn’t as if they were piranhas and once I got used to the tingly, tickly, electric shocky feeling, it was quite nice – in a sort of, ‘I don’t think I’ll bother with this again’ way.

For quite how ‘feet fish’ come into Dream a Little Dream … I’ll leave that to you to find out.

Thank you, Nicky, for letting me take Centre Stage.

Thank you, Sue, for visiting CentreStage and for sharing this amazing context around Dream a Little Dream. I am a bit sceptical where reflexology and such like come into play, but your story has me totally intrigued. As for the fishy pedicure… I nearly had one last week but I chickened out at the last minute! I really enjoyed your visit and hope to welcome you back again soon. Meanwhile, best of luck with the launch of Dream a Little Dream!!

Dream a Little Dream

What would you give to make your dreams come true?

Liza Reece has a dream. Working as a reflexologist for a troubled holistic centre isn’t enough. When the opportunity arises to take over the Centre she jumps at it. Problem is, she needs funds, and fast, as she’s not the only one interested.

Dominic Christy has dreams of his own. Diagnosed as suffering from a rare sleep disorder, dumped by his live-in girlfriend and discharged from the job he adored as an Air Traffic Controller, he’s single-minded in his aims. He has money, and plans for the Centre that don’t include Liza and her team.

But dreams have a way of shifting and changing and Dominic’s growing fascination with Liza threatens to reshape his. And then it’s time to wake up to the truth …

Ooh, me again, sorry to interrupt! I have Dream a Little Dream on my Kindle and I am eager to get reading ~ sounds just like my cuppa and I quite often dream a little dream myself.  If you want to have a look-see, find the book here!

About Sue Moorcroft

Sue Moorcroft writes romantic novels of dauntless heroines and irresistible heroes for Choc Lit. Her last book, Love & Freedom, won the Best Romantic Read Award 2011 at the Festival of Romance and her most recent, Dream a Little Dream, is out now. She’s a Katie Fforde Bursary Award winner.

Sue also writes short stories, serials, articles and courses and is the author of Love Writing – How to Make Money From Writing Romantic and Erotic Fiction (Accent Press). She’s the head judge for Writers’ Forum fiction competition.

Check out her website and her blog ~ and you’re welcome to befriend Sue on Facebook or Follow Sue on Twitter.

Now then, folks: hands up (or should that be feet up) who’s had a fishy pedicure?
And what’s your little dream? We’d love to hear it! 🙂 xx

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CentreStage with Susan Buchanan ~ Even professionals seek professional help in The Dating Game

Posted on November 6, 2012 | 12 comments

Welcome to CentreStage!

CentreStage showcases fantastic authors from around the world. These authors might share with you stories about their books, their lives, their writing or anything else that takes their fancy. We’ve had picture posts and music posts, interviews, guest posts and all manner of exciting things. So grab a cuppa and a slice of cake as I welcome the fabulous Susan Buchanan!

Susan has just launched her second novel, The Dating Game, and she is chatting with her main character, Gill McFadden, about… well, the dating game. Take it away, ladies!

Taking the plunge… going dating the professional way!

S: *makes sweeping hand gesture to introduce her guest* Today we meet Gill from The Dating Game. She has just taken the plunge and joined a dating agency for professional people.

S: Hi Gill, and thanks for joining us

G: Pleasure

S: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? I believe you work in Recruitment?

G: That’s right. I have my own agency, in Glasgow, which specialises in Engineering and Sales and Marketing roles.  I set it up about 3 years ago.

S: That sounds exciting, but I’ve heard it’s a very cut-throat industry. How are you coping with the recession?

G: It is a very difficult industry to be in and now more than ever with 40 candidates chasing every opportunity. It’s very disheartening when you see good candidates fail to get employment.  But on the flip side it’s very rewarding when I place a good candidate in the right role.  It is, however, the bane of my social life. I set up the agency just as the recession started and the job situation, as you know, has only got worse and worse. That means I have to work more and more hours to make a success of things.

S: I imagine that must be difficult when you’re in a relationship, or trying to find a partner.

G: *sighs deeply* Yes, that’s about the long and short of it. Most guys can’t live with the hours I’m putting in. They want all my attention focussed on them and quite frankly, that’s when you meet a good one.  I thought New York was the city where it was meant to be difficult for single women, but Glasgow must come a close second. Plus, the very idea of having time to try and meet someone is just laughable. By the time I’ve finished work (I am here from 7am to 9pm most days) all I want is a hot shower, dinner and bed. Although it would be nice if there was someone to share the bed with.

S: That doesn’t sound a very satisfying an existence…

G:  *gives an ironic laugh* You’re telling me! In more ways than one, I can tell you! The problem is because I don’t have time to go and meet guys in the normal way; pubs, night classes, rambling clubs, even work colleagues (although I don’t recommend that) the only dates I’ve been on in the last few years are blind dates set up by my friends, Lisa, Angela and Debbie.

S: Oh right, so how have those worked out for you, and what did you think of the whole blind date experience?

G: Well, I think the fact that I’ve just joined a dating agency speaks for itself. But generally they consisted of men who spoke about themselves all night, didn’t ask anything about me; were more interested in their appearance than anything else and bitched about their past relationships/wives. And those are the ones I’m not too embarrassed to tell you about!

S: Okay. So, did you ever think ‘stuff this, I’m better off just being single’?

G: Sure, loads of times. And for the most part I do like being single. I don’t need a man in my life.  I make good money, have a nice flat, lovely car (Audi)  great friends and am very close to my brother and his family.  But sometimes, just sometimes, I wouldn’t mind having someone that I could tell about my day when I come in from work, that I could laugh at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival with or who would go to a classical music concert with me. Plus, there’s the physical side of things…

S: So would you say it was the ‘physical side of things’ that led you to join Happy Ever After?

G: No, although if I meet the right person, I’m not ruling that out, at all! It’s been so long since… I mean, it would be great just to be shown some male affection.  I do miss that. But I’ve thought long and hard about it, and I want a relationship.  I don’t necessarily want kids and marriage and all that, but I do want to be with someone that enhances my life.

S: So, tell us about the dating agency? How does it work?  Is it expensive?

G: *looks a fraction uncomfortable*  Well, I saw the ad on a bus. It’s really expensive actually. £400 joining fee.

S: Four hundred pounds?

G: Yes, and that was a half-price offer. Then it’s £40 a month direct debit.  They say you should expect 20-35 introductions in a year for that.

S: I should think so, at that price!  That will certainly weed out the time wasters.  I must ask, did you tell the complete truth on your dating profile?

G:  *hesitates* Well, mostly.  Everyone likes to present the best side of themselves, don’t they?  I didn’t put I spoke fluent French or anything, but I may have exaggerated a few things. Doesn’t everyone?

S: Hmm, interesting. So, what’s the state of play now?

G: I’ve received three profiles. Two look great, the other, I’m not so sure. I’m meeting my friend Debbie later to go over them.

S: Well, Gill, I wish you the best of luck. Three sounds quite promising. Hopefully you will find your ideal date in that lot.

G: Yes, well, I’m going to reserve judgment until I decide whether to meet them or not, although one in particular I have to say, is definitely my type.  Fingers crossed, but I don’t want to get my hopes up just yet.

S: Will you come back and tell us how you got on?

G: Of course. I just hope it’s good news.

S: I’m sure it will be. Good luck and thanks for agreeing to this interview

G: You’re welcome and I think I’m going to need that luck!

Nicky says: Wow, good luck, Gill, and I look forward to reading about your dating experiences!! 🙂

About Susan Buchanan and The Dating Game

Susan Buchanan lives in Central Scotland with her partner, Tony. The Dating Game is her second novel, released 2nd Nov 2012. Sign of the Times, her first novel, was published in Mar 2012. She will shortly start work on her third novel, due for release Spring 2013.

Here exclusively is Susan Buchanan talking about The Dating Game:

The idea for The Dating Game came from a friend who had joined a dating agency for professional people in Glasgow. Although none of the escapades or experiences Gill has in The Dating Game are those my friend had, the seed was sown! How does a busy, career-oriented woman in her late thirties, find a guy, and not only a guy, but the right guy? I wanted the relationships she had had and the dates she would have, to be as realistic as possible. As I love travelling, I always incorporate at least one foreign country into my books. You’ll have to read The Dating Game to find out where it is!

When I read, I love to read books about foreign parts that I have visited – it immerses me more in the story. I wanted to do the same in my own novels. I love reading, always have – romantic fiction, crime, contemporary drama, pretty much everything.

Visit Susan on Twitter @susan_buchanan or on Facebook, or check out her blog. The Dating Game is available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com; Sign of the Times is also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com. Happy reading!

 Susan has a fantastic launch give-away going on her blog; you could win one of 54 Kindle books by 54 different authors (including yours truly! 🙂 ) so it’s well worth checking out. Visit Susan’s launch party  for details!

Now then. Dating. How did you find your perfect match? Or if you’re looking where are you looking?

And just to take the awkwardness away, I’ll go first. I met my other half singing in the choir ~ go figure!

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November Rain

Posted on November 5, 2012 | 11 comments

It’s Music Monday!

And it’s the first Monday in November. So there really is only one song I can post today. Moreover, it kind of suits my mood and the mood of my WIP. So here it is. Sit back and chill…

 

There. Now you’re ready for the rest of the day! 🙂 Rock on. And give somebody a hug today!

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Hall of Fame party with A.L. Jackson ~ When We Collide

Posted on November 2, 2012 | 20 comments

Roll out the red carpet!
Open the champagne!
It’s time to enter the Hall of Fame!

Whoop! It’s launch day over at Sapphire Star Publishing, and today we are celebrating the launch of When We Collide by A.L. Jackson!

A.L. has popped over all the way from across the pond to share with us some her writing essentials and introduce When We Collide! Give it up for… A.L. Jackson!

Thank you so much to my Sapphire Star Sister, Nicky Wells, for inviting me to be a part of her blog today in celebration of the release of When We Collide! I’m very excited to be here today.

When We Collide took me almost exactly one year to write. . .to the date.  A year is a long time to put into a project, and when I spend so much time working on something, there are a few things that really help me to get that job done.

So here they are ~ My must haves for writing!

First and foremost, I need my laptop! I have a docking station since most of my writing is done in my office, but I love that I can pop my laptop off and take it with me wherever I want to go. You can find me writing in bed, on the couch, and sometimes working while I watch my boys at the skate park.

A notebook is a must for me when I’m writing. Even though my books are written on the computer, most of my thoughts and ideas start here.  I find handwriting really helps to get my creative side stimulated and working.  I have notebook after notebook of scribbled words and lines that don’t make a whole lot of sense, but that’s okay, because I really can’t read my handwriting anyway.

Don’t forget the music.  Sometimes I just close my eyes and sit back and listen to the music and lyrics while I watch my characters in my mind’s eye.

Tablet! I keep my tablet close by my side when I’m writing.  I’m a firm believer in reading being one of the key elements in an author’s writing life.  If I’m feeling stuck, I go directly to my Kindle reader and. . .read.  It usually only takes a half an hour or so for those words to break up the monotony in my mind and get me in the writing mood.

Okay, so maybe this one isn’t a must, but who doesn’t love a bunch of colorful pens to brighten up the office? I do!

Coffee! I believe this one is self-explanatory.

Diet Coke.  Yeah.

And Monster. Anyone else sensing a trend here?

So what are your writing must haves?

Happy writing!

Thank you so much for this fabulous post, A.L.! I’m with you on the laptop, music, coffee (well, tea in my case) and Diet Coke. I might add chocolate and a blanket to my ‘must haves’. 🙂 Now tell us about When We Collide…

When We Collide

William has spent six years running from his past and the last eight months trying to rid his mind of the dreams that increasingly haunt his nights. Trapped in a world of false ambitions and feigned affections, William knows he’s reached a breaking point and something’s going to give.

Maggie had lived her entire life without hope until one man showed her what it meant to be loved. He’d been her light in a lifetime of darkness. Six years ago, that darkness stole him away. Without him, she’s surrendered herself to an existence she doesn’t know how to escape.

When the family William left behind is struck by tragedy, he is called back to the one place he’s sworn to never return to again. In a moment that will change his life forever, William comes face to face with the girl who, with one look, captured his heart. He is unable to ignore the buried desires and the hope for the future they’d once believed they’d have.

Now William is ready to fight to take back what had been stolen from him six years before.

But he never imagined what that fight might cost him.

A.L. Jackson gives you an intimate look into the lives of a family bound by an unseen connection in this romantic thriller with a supernatural twist.

Wow! I am hooked! I’ve got When We Collide on my Kindle and you can get it here: Amazon.com Paperback; Amazon.com Kindle; Amazon.co.uk Kindle. A.L.’s book will also be available from Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and other e-book providers.

About A.L. Jackson

A.L. Jackson first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student.  She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she had been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three beautiful children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.

Find out more about A.L. Jackson at her author page at Sapphire Star Publishing or on her blog.  You can also follow A.L. on  Twitter or find her on Facebook and Goodreads.

Happy Book Birthday, A.L. and I hope the launch goes terrifically well… Rock on! 🙂

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Andrew the Pumpkin

Posted on November 1, 2012 | 12 comments

Meet Andrew the Pumpkin.

He wasn’t born Andrew, of course. The name kind of happened… but he is an Andrew now, as, indeed, are all pumpkins in our house. Here’s why.

The Wells family is decorating the house for Halloween, and a few guests have arrived to help. Diane is artfully distributing spiders’ webs and spiders through the house. Jon is watching the football and keeping us informed on the score, while generally keeping an eye on things. Anne and Michael are drawing spooky Halloween pictures with the children, ably assisted by Jon (my other half, Jon) who is creative director and drawing Halloween spooks extraordinaire. Me, I’m flitting about organizing sweets and dinner.

One of the little ones is suddenly fearful she’s missing out on a pumpkin drawing. “Where’s my pumpkin,” she pipes up in  a slightly tremulous voice. Jon (my other half, Jon) to the rescue! He deftly whips a drawing off the table and presents it with a flourish: “Andrew the pumpkin.”

Little one duly mollified, I shoot my OH a grateful and somewhat amused look. “Why Andrew?” I whisper at him over the heads of the children.

“What?” comes the somewhat incoherent surprise.

“Why is the pumpkin called Andrew?” I clarify.

“Uh… he’s not. Andrew the pumpkin.”

This is turning surreal. “All I hear is Andrew the pumpkin,” I repeat, no longer at whisper voice.

“Yes,” my 7yo supplies helpfully, slowly, and with emphasis, yet completely unaware he’s clearing up the big mystery. “Anne drew the pumpkin.”

Cue hilarious laughter as OH and I and the other adults finally get the misunderstanding. The name stuck, however, and all pumpkins are called… Andrew!

Hope you had a fabulous Halloween and wishing you all the best for NaNoWriMo if you’re taking part. Here’s the run up to Christmas… let’s roll!

🙂

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CentreStage with Janice Horton ~ Visiting the City of the Dead

Posted on October 31, 2012 | 25 comments

Welcome to CentreStage!

CentreStage showcases fantastic authors from around the world. These authors might tell you about their lives, their writing, their favourite shoes or their workspaces. In short, about anything relevant to their inspiration and happiness. Today, it is my tremendous pleasure to welcome back the one and only Janice Horton!

Only last week, this blog took part in Janice’s Spellbindingly Fun Blog Party in honour of the launch of Janice’s latest work, How Do You Voodoo? And today, Janice has promised to let us in on some of the nitty-gritty of her research… Take it away, Janice!

Outstanding Bravery in the Name of Research: Get Ready to Be Spooked!

Hi Nicky and Happy Halloween – or should that be Spooky Halloween…?

Hi Janice, and a Happy Spooky Halloween to you to! It’s so exciting to have you back here today telling us all about your very daring research for How Do You Voodoo! Hats off to you, I don’t think I’d be this brave! (I’m easily spooked!)

*Janice laughs*  There is nothing better than a good spook, is there? I’ve popped along today to tell you about my romantic and humorous Halloween novella How Do You Voodoo? and to tell you about the spooky time I had writing it. You see, a central scene in the story takes place in a very spooky place, the Necropolis in Glasgow – a cemetery otherwise known as The City of the Dead!

Nicky says: Is this the bit where I get spooked?

The City of the Dead is the burial place of over five thousand people, mostly from the Victorian age.  In those days, when Glasgow was a very important and wealthy port, the rich merchants were basically trying to outdo each other in death as well as life, by commissioning hugely expensive and architecturally fancy mausoleums and monuments as their gravestones. Now, all these years later, they are mostly neglected, wonky, covered in lichen and in a bad state of disrepair. This of course, together with a hanging Scottish mist, all adds to the spook factor!

Nicky says: I bet it does. Did you say something about showing us for real?

*Janice whips out a stack of photos and slithers them nonchalantly across the table.* These are some of the photos I took there while researching a scene for How Do You Voodoo? See what I mean!

Nicky says: Goodness, I wouldn’t want to go there at night-time! But the photos look stunningly eery and haunting (not to say haunted), the perfect backdrop for your story. Fabulous, thanks for sharing. Now tell us more about How Do You Voodoo?…

About How Do You Voodoo?

How Do You Voodoo? is a humorous contemporary story about a loveless fashion model called Nola Nichols, who thinks being beautiful is a curse; that is until she is cursed and her looks begin to fade just a week before the most important photo shoot of her career. Nola rejects all rational explanation on what might be causing her lost looks and decides she has to find a way to get uncursed. This imaginative quest takes her from the Caribbean to Glasgow’s own City of the Dead. Along the way, she finds herself taking part in a rather unconventional funeral, involved in a voodoo ritual, reveals one or two unrests in her own past and falls madly in love with a doctor. Erm, that would be a witch doctor, right…?

Nicky says: Awesome. I have this on my Kindle and can’t wait to get reading!

About Janice Horton

Janice Horton lives in Scotland and writes contemporary romance with humour. Her novels ‘Bagpipes & Bullshot’ and ‘Reaching for the Stars’ are both Amazon Kindle bestsellers. Her latest title ‘How Do You Voodoo?’ is a romantic novella for Halloween and is out now for Kindle at just 77p or 99c!

Visit Janice’s Author  Blog; Follow her on Twitter @JaniceHorton; or Like  her Author Facebook Page

Janice is a Featured Author & Associate Editor at Loveahappyending.com

Find her ebooks on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

So, dear reader: How Do YOU Voodoo? Has this totally captured your interest? Brilliant!

Have you considered writing a novella? And what excites you about reading them?

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CentreStage with Jen Tucker: Journaling is totally the way forward!

Posted on October 30, 2012 | 16 comments

Welcome to CentreStage!

CentreStage showcases fantastic authors from around the world. These authors might share with you stories about their lives, their writing, their books, their characters (the ones in their books, I mean!) or anything else that takes their fancy.

Today, I have a very special guest indeed. We have never met (YET ~ and that’s only because we live on different sides of the Atlantic Ocean!) but we have clicked in a most dramatic fashion. We hang out in the social networks together, and we share a love for music (especially of the rock variety), hanging with the stars (oh yeah, baby, my guest today had a *very* special moment meeting the one and only Seal!), and we adore children, family life and writing. Oh, and reading. Give it up for the amazing, adorable and outrageously funny… Jen Tucker!

Journals, Life-Lists, Action!

YAY!  I’m on CentreStage!  *Jen curtsies in dramatic fashion* Thank you, Nicky, for giving me the spotlight today on your blog.  I’m so honored and I appreciate you more than you know.  For those friends here that I am meeting for the first time, Nicky and I are sisters from other mothers from across the ocean.  It’s my mission to knock on her door one day, totally uninvited, and watch the squeals commence.  I love this girl to bits!  Again, my heart wells over to be here with you today.  Thank you, Nicky.

Nicky says: ‘Sisters from other mothers across the ocean…’ I couldn’t have put it more beautifully, Jen. Awesome.  Mwah, I love you to bits too! Please come and visit soon! Or… I’ll come and see you? But I am interrupting already, so sorry. *slaps own wrist, lightly* Please, go on! 🙂

The Beauty of a Journal

I’ve kept journals from time-to-time in my life.  Mostly in a drawer, or collecting dust on a shelf.  It defeats the purpose of documenting events if you never crack the spine, doesn’t it?  I’ve made journaling part of past New Year’s Resolution lists; to break that baby out and write daily.  I reached epic fail by January 5 each year of said resolution.

Perhaps I just needed a little more inspiration to keep a diary of my thoughts!  Maybe a prettier journal, decked out in pink paisley would make me more apt to jot down thoughts, right?  What if I just dedicated one as love notes to my children?  To my husband, Mike?  Again…epic fail.  I’ve always felt so much pressure to peel the pages apart and write something monumental, or of self-discovery that would bring me total enlightenment.    Instead, I found my mind drifting towards my errand list, or that I forgot the bake sale last Tuesday at school, and even wondering if I remembered to give the dog a heartworm pill.  So I’d close the notebook, set my pen aside and promise myself that I’d try again tomorrow.  Those tomorrows never came.

This past April, I had the privilege of meeting and taking a workshop from Karen Waldron.  If you are not sure who Karen is, please take some time to check her out when you are finished at CentreStage today.  It is no small thing for me to tell you she changed my life, yet she has no clue of the impact she made upon me.  Well, maybe a sliver.  I kinda emailed her—babbling—psychotically eviscerating myself about what my hour and a half with her at The Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop meant to me.  I’m afraid that after I verbally gushed all over her that I’m on her stalker list.  Anyhoo, the heart of Karen’s workshop was finding your creative edge in writing.  She introduced me to mind-mapping (not hocus pocus, I promise) creativity through photography and journaling, and making a life list (another person’s bucket list) full of the everyday and extraordinary adventures you might long to partake in, in this lifetime.  This class billed as creative writing impacted me.  It slowly unraveled before my eyes that I was immersed in a creative living course.  It fueled me.

What Karen didn’t know when I took a seat that day is that I was in a rut creatively.  I had a manuscript awaiting edits I had no desire to make.  I had been mulling over a shift in my career; to go indie and leave my publisher.  I was drowning in several works in progress, yet felt like I lacked the time and energy to make them happen.  My life was busy, manic, overwhelming.  That’s because I chose to make it that way.  I was stuck in several time-sucks; things that were not moving me forward.  Karen helped me see that.  I was too busy worrying about what I wasn’t doing with my career, that I wasn’t doing anything to propel it forward.  That’s not a great place to be in life, is it?

The idea of journal writing became demystified to me in this class.  Karen taught me to not keep it so sacred that you feel only foundation cracking items can be written betwixt the pages.  Write your thoughts, your to-do list, or even paste those silly fortunes from the inside of cookies in there.  Use your pretty pink pens.  Glue photos and thank you notes inside that are clogging up your desk.  Give those things a place.  Write down quotes and ideas that inspire you.  For God’s sake, doodle in there too!  Make it yours.  Make it a part of your every day, several times a day.  Get thoughts out of your head.  Then turn those thoughts into action.

I sit before you now a gal who since Monday, April 23 of this year (the first day I dedicated myself to journaling daily), that has filled 4.7 journals.  Yowza, right?  I made it a commitment.  I made it a part of my daily routine; my life.  Make journaling a habit and it will repay you tenfold.  It has helped me align important things in my life.  Inspired me more than you can fathom.  Journaling has also been a BFF when I just wanted an ear to bend about my troubles and tears.  The springboard to creative wells.

My life list is contained here too.  I’ve listed things like making a huge apple pancake, taking a train ride in a private car, and spending an entire day never looking at a clock.  All do-able things, right?  Well, that last one is a real stretch, but can be done.  Journaling could be all this and so much more for you too.  Just give it a try, for five to ten minutes a day this week.  I don’t care if you just draw smiley faces and write down your grocery list.  Just write.  Carry your journal with you too.  You never know when inspiration, frustration, or determination may hit and need documenting.  I cannot wait to hear what wonderful things happen for you all because you picked up a pen today and wrote.

Bless and be blessed,

Jen

Nicky says: *clears throat cautiously, feeling as though commiting a verbal crime speaking up after such a beautiful discourse* Jen, thank you. I don’t really know what else to say other than thank you for sharing this part of your journey and inspiration with us. I’ve got a stack of empty journals here. I will be using them forthwith! 🙂

About Jen Tucker and her work

Jen Tucker has never met a gluten free cupcake that she didn’t like.  A former teacher and educator, she has worked with children in school, hospital, and enrichment settings. In her years at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, it was Jen’s job to bring the “hands on fun” into the visiting exhibitions in the galleries.  Jen broke away from writing children’s books and thematic units in 2011 with her memoir, The Day I Wore my Panties Inside Out which was a semifinalist in the humor category in the 2011 Goodreads Book Awards. She is a monthly guest blogger at the website, Survival for Blondes where she marries humor with preparedness. Jen lives in West Lafayette, Indiana with her husband, Mike, and their three children. 

You can purchase Jen’s latest book, The Day I Lost My Shaker of Salt, here.  You can also find her on Twitter, Facebook, her blog or on her website at Princess with a Pen.

Nicky says: Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. I recently finished reading “The Day I Lost My Shaker of Salt” and I absolutely adored it. I identified with it, I felt like I knew Jen-the-person, and Mike, and a certain rock star and it was just an enchanting experience to be welcomed into Jen’s life. Thank you, Jen!

So, my friends… Journals, do you keep them? Lists, do you make them (I know I do)? What do YOU make of Jen’s way to harness inspiration and ideas?

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