Susan Stephens' Writing Diary

Why travel so far at such expense for four days of hectic activity? What do I expect to gain- and do I advise other writers to attend?
The short answer is, yes, I do advise you to attend if you possibly can.
The benefits of conference far outweigh any inconvenience, expense, or subsequent exhaustion.

As for what I gain... From the personal point of view, I feel reinvigorated meeting friends from all around the world. There is no community more supportive than the authors community. From a professional standpoint I feel the pulse of the industry, and I know of no other way to do this.
Talking to experts in their field gives me an overview that informs every word I write on my return to the computer. Imagine sitting next to Al Zuckerman, the legendary literary agent at lunch... I did this, and we chatted away like old friends, and only because of our shared interests and goals- he's looking for the perfect book- and so am I!
Chatting to both editors and agents on an informal basis is not only possible, but inevitable at the many meetings and social events.

So, if you have the opportunity to attend one of these wonderful events- whether it be a small gathering of your local writers' chapter, such as our own 'Pudding Club', or a truly huge event like the RWA conference, my advice is, do so. You won't feel as if you're struggling on alone in your writer's cave ever again- I promise you that.

With my love to you all

Susan

Have just returned home after another fabulous conference.
Thank you to Kathryn Falk CEO of the Romantic Times, and her fantastic Team for making everything run so smoothly for authors and readers alike!

I have so much to tell you I hardly know where to start...
OK, so I do- how about my first breakfast...
Don't ever tell me you don't believe in fate! Who should chance to sit next to Penny and I, but this very attractive lady with twinkling brown eyes and the most engaging smile. We were soon locked in conversation, only to discover we were talking to Anne Hampson, one of the very first writers for Mills & Boon! Remember books like, 'Another Eden', and 'Follow a Shadow'??
I now have signed copies of both books to treasure, but most important of all, I have made a very dear new friend.
Anne Hampson is an inspiration to us all. Thank you for sharing your dreams with us, Anne.

Love and happy reading and writing to all,
Susan

Hi there!
I haven't deserted you- I am off to the other side of the pond today to meet dear friends as well as make new friends...
I'll be back in the first week of April-
See you soon
Stay safe
Love Susan

Hi everyone

Today is a bittersweet day for so many of us.
I'm going across country in a couple of hours with Steve so that my three children can make a fuss of me- I love them all so much- and you know as well as I do, that they don't have to do anything for me, they just have to be.

My mother had quite a sixth sense about things, and spent ages trying to 'prepare' me for what no child can ever be prepared. She wanted me to think about this poem- and I'm going to share it with you now.

Remember, by Christina Rossetti...

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts I once had,
Better by far you should forget and smile,
Than you should remember and be sad.

My love and thoughts are with you

Susan

Yesterday I picked up my youngest from school for the Easter holidays. I can't tell you what this means to me. When her brother and sister went off to uni' in the same year, my baby decided she wanted to go away to school. She adores her school, and loves all the cameraderie and activity of being with young people her own age, but I miss her like you cannot believe.

Before coming home there was an end of term concert- bliss. What talent- what courage, just to stand up there and perform- what team work. Doesn't music bring the whole world together? I think its one of the most important elements in any school. And the choir was just wonderful. There is nothing quite like the sound of young voices raised in song.

I want to thank Teresa Henson from Romance Junkies for giving The Spaniard's Revenge a Blue Ribbon rating!
Fantastic, Teresa! Thank you so much!
Have you checked out the Romance Junkies site yet, girls?- I call it the Armani of sites- its so great to look at and such fun to read. And the team of volunteers behind RJ is one of the very best around.
And as Teresa says she will be watching out for more of my books after not being able to put TSR down until she had devoured it to the finish- watch out in New York next week, Teresa because I'll have a truly yummy Italian Prince with me- lots of them in fact- and one of them's got your name on it!

Love and happy reading to all!
Susan

And about time, I can hear you say.
OK, so I have only just got over Shannon Short for 'The Romantic Times' giving me a fantabulous four star review for The Spaniard's Revenge, when I get this from Marcia Corbett writing for 'Romance and Friends': 'a fast-paced emotion-packed treat for the senses-'
Thank you so much, Marcia!
Having just emerged shaky, but intact from the writing cave after a very emotional finish to my latest ms set in Spain, I can't tell you how much it means to me to know that people are reading and enjoying my books.
And as Marcia recommends The Spaniard's Revenge for 'a great escape', I'd better read it again! Only joking- I've got a meal to cook now. Oh, the glamour of a writer's life!!

Talking about books- here's a really good one for all you lovers of medical romance... The Consultant's Rescue by our very own 'Pudding Club' favourite, Gill Sanderson.
Set in a special care baby unit, this one tugged at my heartstrings with a vulnerable heroine who knows all about loss in her personal life meeting up with a hunky Consultant who is determined to convince her to risk her heart again.
Buy, read, and enjoy girls!
Love to all
Susan

There are times when I know something I wish I didn't- and this is one of them...
Remember the likeable nerdy type I think of as Clark Kent before the cape, who fell heavily for willowy friend of my elder daughter?
He confessed to me that he thinks she is just fabulous, and hopes they will go far...
She confessed to me that it was a 'mercy snog', and they are going nowhere...
Anyone looking for a cute, rather bashful male who wears specs, is a little bit too short, but a real sweety? Applications through the normal route please...

Love to all
Susan

I know things have gone quiet on this front- for good reason. My friend has been making steady progress with her training programme of one of nature's Alpha Alpha's- so good in fact, she invited him over to meet me...
Now you can all stop yelling, 'big mistake!' I'm fair. Cynical, maybe, but fair.
So, what can I tell you? He cooks me a meal. Good too. He spends all night telling me how beautiful, wonderful, great my friend is, and then doses me with matching compliments. Why do I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach? He's charming, funny, clever- and a good cook. So why don't I feel comfortable with this man?
Maybe because Alpha's are best safely confined within the pages of a book?
What do you think? Send me a mail, and let me know...

Happy reading everyone!
Love
Susan

Quick fanfare...
Val's sink has been named...
'Conrad'
Because, according to Val', it has the gleam and glamour of 'Hollywood' about it!
You heard it first here, folks!
Love to all
Susan

It's looking good. I'm told mouth to mouth pleasures have been exchanged between willowy lovely and Clark Kent. Who knows where this will lead- but it all began under my roof (hope I don't live to regret that statement- but, love, as we all know, is always a risk)

And now, imagine if you will, the shrieks of delight that escaped my lips when I read that The Spaniard's Revenge has made the Hot Scan 100 here in the UK.
Out of the one hundred and fifty three thousand books sales scanned this last week, that naughty Spaniard has made it to number 78. Just proves those bad boys do it for us girls every time.

Happy reading everyone!!
Love Susan

After last night's revels I'm up early because we had a surprise visitor who is being collected by his owner this morning.
I swear there's a magnet in the centre of this cottage, and if you walk by too close you get sucked right in.
In the middle of clearing up dishes with back door open, suddenly noticed there were three dogs on the dog bed instead of two! Fortunately, Bob had a tag with his name and the telephone number of his 'pet' incribed upon it- and as it was now raining heavily, owner and I decided to let Bob stay the night.

I see four pairs of shoes in the hallway- discarded to prevent clatter across wooden floors... parents, forget all this nonsense about wooden floors being clean options for your home- that misses the point entirely- we lay wooden floors with the specific intention of doing a head count each morning- forewarned is forearmed, right?

Talking of forewarned- Love is in the air...
At the ball last week a tall, slender and rather lovely young lady who attended uni'with my eldest, was introduced to a twenty-nine year old bachelor 'almost lawyer' with a slightly anxious air.
You know the type- cleverest boy in the class, spectacles, but good-looking, slightly geeky- a bit of a Clark Kent before the cape arrives??
Well, the tall slender one has agreed to go to dinner with the anxious geeky one, and both are coming here tonight to make up a foursome.
Luckily you can walk to the wine bar in the village, and then they will all stay over so no driving is required.
It's been said that the anxious, geeky one has been flossing his teeth and plucking out nasal hair since the ball in anticipation of tonight. I hope all goes well for them...

Will keep you posted.

Love to all
Susan

Hi there!!
Here I am with ... five minutes to go before my 'quiet' family meal turns into a fish fest for about twenty! Well, those, 'almost' lawyers need feeding.
On the menu tonight, folks we have pizza to start with- to blunt the appetite of the men- followed by fish ( brain food natch')-(white and no bones allowed) with yummy sauce, mashed spuds, veg' various, and cauliflower cheese, my absolute favourite.
Then... lemon tart and cream, or apple pie and custard. You can see my alternative diet is every bit as good as I promised you it would be.

Fin continues to do well: horrid drain out of leg+horrid lampshade off head = 1 happy dog.

And now, didn't I promise you a taste of Miss Dynamite herself, otherwise known as Lucy Monroe...
Well, I met Lucy for the first time last year at the RWA conference in New York. We had been in touch for some time by e-mail and I just felt her vibes all the way across this huge space in the hotel and sort of zoned in on her without ever having met her in person before. Lucy is one ball of fire- fun, funny, thoughtful, and very caring of those around her. All in all, a friend to treasure.
Check out her new book for M&B, the Italian's Suitable Wife- April UK and July US... Rico wants a Baby; Gianna wants Rico; it should be a match made in heaven- but is it??? ... you know, girls- we're going to have to find out!!
Well, I'm off to 'Pop those corks' now!!
Happy reading everyone!
Love Susan

OK, that banner's for all you Gilbert and Sullivan fans out there!

My darling doggie- after crying for two whole nights, requiring me to sleep with her on a dog bed (which in our house ain't a bad option, folks) tried to nab off with my lunch today!! Brilliant sign of recovery- everyone know that here in the madhouse you have to fight for your food.
Yes, she's feeling better- stitches out next week when 'walkies' resume. (Great, a whole week coming up of no exercise for me!)

Now then girls- pin back your ears, we have a problem...
Remember Val? She of the steam cleaner and Fantabulous Ladies Barbershop Chorus- The Cheshire Chords???
Well- Val has a new sink... NO. Don't log off. Val's sink is a big, bright, new, sparkling sink- in fact, it is a 'one home' resurgence of the BIG sink.
No namby pamby double bowl sink for Val' In fact. she's thinking of starting a movement... 'Save the Sink' or some such.
But Val's sink needs a name... and quickly, girls, before Val's sink begins to suspect what she's really like, and goes in search of a decent, sensible- and some might say, sane household.
So, what's it to be...'Twinky Sink' is my suggestion. If you can better that- e-mail me, and I'll send you a passle of goodies!

Meanwhile... 'Eeeh by Gum' as we say in these Northern parts of England- I 'ave some clever friends... check out my chum Amanda Grange's latest historical, 'Carisbrooke Abbey' on Amazon. Apart from having the most extraordinarily beautiful long blonde hair, worthy of any heroine you care to name, Amanda writes a great story, and has attracted a top review from The Historical Novel Society. Not to be missed, I'd say.

And tomorrow, I'm not only going to spill the writing beans, but give you the latest juice on my super friend from the US, little Miss Dynamite herself...MISS....LUCY...MONROE!!! (I wish I had sound effects here- surely, it can only be a matter of time!)

Love to all
(can't you tell how happy I am now my pal' Fin is back up to speed? Yee Ha!)

Another sleepless night. Finlay does not appreciate having to go to bed with a lampshade on her head to stop her licking her wound. She lets us know this vocally, and loud, and... non-stop.
Consequently, the writing cave is somewhat under-used right now. This set me to thinking about my other writer friends beavering away at their work-stations.
I'd like to tell you about a few of them- not just the cold facts, but, if you like the impressions they leave with me- so lets start with Kate Walker...

Another animal lover like me, Kate is one of those people I feel really comfortable around. She is warm and supportive, and full of practical advice for everyone. She runs a fantastic 'Virgins' group for writing conferences so no one need ever feel out of place on their first visit.
If you would like to see your work in print her latest book is just perfect for you- I call it 'support on a page!'
'Kate Walker's 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance' ISBN 184285-044-X

Happy reading and writing everyone!
Love
Susan

Hi there!
I haven't written for a couple of days because my old dog, Fin has had an operation on her leg and needs a lot of love.
I agonised over this op' for some time. She is twelve now, and covered in lumps and bumps- also, terrified of the Vet's surgery. But the thing she loves most in all the world are her walks. This horrid thing came on her leg and when she had her Spring clip we saw how much it had grown, and also it had started interfering with her gait. She is healthy and happy in every other way so we (the whole family, believe me went into discussion over this- Fin is a very important member of that family) took the decision to go ahead and have it removed.
She is in a lot of discomfort, and I stayed with her last night feeling maybe I did the wrong thing- I don't know. I just know she loves us, and we love her. Maybe its wrong to put her through this- but we just wanted to give her a chance.
'When you've got your health, you've got everything...' Yes, I know, Dad- you were right.
Love to all
Susan

Happy to say the young man who was injured after some energetic horseplay launched him into a mirror is due to leave hospital today.
The shards were removed under general anaesthetic and none of them had pierced his lung.
His doctor refrained from patting him on the back, but did say, 'give it a day or two, and you should be ready for your next party-' (That's the trouble these days- those doctors are so darned young!!)

I was looking through the family cookbooks today for some inspiration- i.e. something original that could be prepared in 2 minutes as I am still checking and rechecking the book that goes off tomorrow.
Amongst the gems I discovered some howlers too... Anyone fancy, Caulilflower, Date and Banana salad? No, I thought not.
Let's settle for Tart Apple Clafoutis (for pudding)
Properly made with cherries in its home country, France, this dish is delicious if the thinly sliced apples are tart enough. Sprinkle with a good dose of caster sugar just to take the edge off them - we don't want any faces that look as if they're sucking lemons round the dinner table-
Then, in a buttered dish, cover them with batter and baked in a hot oven until risen and golden- sprinkle with icing sugar, serve with whipped cream... YUM!
Sinple, and delicious.
I just noticed the freudian slip spelling mistake- well, I never said my recipes were for all you 'good' people out there on diets. The only diet I follow is 'please yourself Susan' - I find it works every time.

Off to polish ms, and then burn something at the Aga
(long held tradition if you come to Sunday lunch at my house)

Love to all

Susan
ps... thank you for all those suggestions for 'computer eyes'!
SX

I will never get over the excitement of seeing one of my books in a store ever ever ever...
The Spaniard's Revenge hit the shelves today in the UK, and I am just so excited all over again.
I love Xavier being such an impossible Alpha, and I love Doctor Sophie Ford's taming programme even more...

The ball went well last night- for the girls- but not for the boys. When will they learn that drink and horsing around isn't such a great combination? One of them is in hospital today having an operation to remove glass from his back after being pushed heavily against a mirror.

I have just finished a twelve hour stint polishing and repolishing my latest ms set in the desert. I'm beginning to think this man is even harder than Xavier- impossible, some might say! But these difficult men just make the heroine's task all the sweeter. And then tomorrow, its back to Spain and some unfinished business...

Happy reading and writing everyone!
Susan

I had to come back online and say I have just seen off my eldest sprog to an 'almost lawyers' ball with her friend. Oh, goodness, I feel old- but great too, talking with them both, noting that slight disillusionment they have that comes with being twenty four, without the cynicism, or slightly cock-eyed view on life that comes with being my age. They both looked beautiful, by the way- and if my fantastic web mistress, Wendy Wootton can work her magic one more time, I'll try and uplift their photographs onto my site in my next news letter.
Meanwhile, happy reading and writing everyone.
Love to you all
Susan

Yesterday I took a day off from writing to spend time with two friends of mine who are members of the fabulous 'Cheshire Chords.'
Hi Val and Brenda!
This Ladies' Barber Shop Chorus is not only the UK champion chorus- but also the European champion chorus: Double gold medallists, no less!
They're great! Absolutely great! And if you're looking for a hobby, why not think about joining your local chorus?! I know you'll love the cameraderie and fun- and, contrary to what you may imagine, you don't have to possess a fantastic voice- just the ability to sing in tune (and smile!)

That's the great joy of any choir- the sum of its parts is so much greater than the individual. Even though I had many so called 'glamorous' jobs when I was a pro' singer, my best times were spent with the BBC Northern chorus under our inspirational conductor, Stephen Wilkinson.

And talking of enjoying the company of other like-minded people... the Romantic Times conference in New York is going to be a fabulous event towards the end of this month- a chance for every part of the writing industry to get together and celebrate along with all lovers of romance.
And yes, my dear friend Penny Jordan has won that lifetime achievement award in the Series Romance category! Fantastic, and utterly well deserved Penny. Congratulations!!

Talking of romance- all is quiet on my friend's front... a number of good platonic male friends have been called upon to escort her to events, spoil her a little, and generally dilute the effect of Mr F&N He's going to have to work that much harder if he wants to make an impression now- box at the ballet, or no box at the ballet!

Spoil yourselves, girls! Accept nothing less than honesty, sincere affection, and fun without strings until you know where you want those relationships to go.

Love to you all, and happy reading and writing!

Susan

Love

Sometimes I burrow so deep into my writing cave I lose sight of the fact that other people are actually going to read my books.
Yes, I know that sounds a little crazy, but there we are. So it is beyond fantastic when I pick up a magazine and 1) recognise my title 2) realise that not only has someone read my book, but they like it!

The Spaniard's Revenge is a very special book to me, and not just because of the strong, emotionally scarred H and h whom I loved all along, but because it required me to write about asthma- an illness of which we have intimate knowledge in this family.
And to anyone out there who has ever had to struggle for breath, or watched a loved one struggle- I really do empathise with you.
The very first time I was published was with my daughter's story, (now out of print) 'Help Me Mummy, I Can't Breathe', which I wrote thanks to the invaluable resources provided to me by the British Asthma Society. After our own experiences I have never taken good health for granted, and we never forget as a family that as my late father used to say, 'forget all the material nonsense, If you've got your health, you've got everything.'

Talking of good health- if anyone has discovered a really good way to handle the terrifically dry eyes you get when you're facing a screen all day, or a super eye drop (free of preservatives) will they e-mail me, and let me know. My eyes feel super-glued together in the mornings!

And now: Shannon Short gave The Spaniard's Revenge a fabulous four star review in the Romantic Times this month, calling the book 'a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, with a much happier ending'. Shannon mentions the sensuality and passion, but picks up on the deep emotional scars of the main protagonists too- all in all, the review is fantastic, and I'm thrilled. I guess you can tell!

That's it for now- love hearing from you, by the way!It really makes my day.
Thank you for taking the time to e-mail and write with all your encouragement and good wishes.

Love to all.

Susan

Not even a cake recipe for Sunday- will try and do better for next week

Sorry for silence, I have been locked away in the writing cave- and even though Marks & Spencer food is handy for such times, the family are revolting.
Did I say that?

Here I am in the middle of Spain with my latest impossible Alpha, when notes come winging in from Japan regarding my Sheikh in the scorching deserts of Abadan- am I making sense?
No, I thought not. Back to the cave...

Oh, and just before I go- did I mention I was on Room 101 (BBC TV) the other night? Not a place you would choose to view yourself- particularly when the programme they were showing is over 20 years old. Thank you Lorraine Kelly (I think) for putting the 'Playschool' dolls- not me and Johnny Ball, I hasten to add- into Room 101.

Love to all, and happy reading and writing everyone!
Susan