Susan Stephens' Writing Diary

The ravening hoards of sprogs and sprog-chums are due to arrive home today from the music festival.

I am not going to tell them that the cats ate part of the huge strawberry cream cake I made for them yesterday... instead I am going to cut it up into delightful slices a la the best patisserie you can think of, and smile fondly as they gobble it down.

For those of you who are coming to the party next week- fear not. Nothing can harm you. You know I always apply the 10 second rule to food... less than 10 seconds on the floor, and it's perfectly safe to eat.

Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan

I finally plucked up the courage after almost 7 years, to send some of my mother's things to the sale room.
For those of you out there who have lost someone, I'm with you.

I've kept the strangest things- an old wooden box stuffed full of worthless costume jewellery that had caught her eye, and that she wore with her own inimitable flamboyance... Strangely, the box has the scent of my mother and we kept it sealed for quite some time- peeling back the tape only in moments of extremis, when nothing but a whiff of the past would do.
Now I keep it permanently unsealed in my study, and occasionally plunge my hand into the tangle of beads and bangles...

Amongst the other things are the 'twinkly-eyed/cheeky' photograph of my mother that supervises everything I do, the family bible, and the photograph of her father she asked me never to give away...

Her last words to me were, 'I adore you-'
Ditto, Mom Pom, and I always will...

Love to you all, and treasure those you love...
Susan

I should have known there would be another kindly disposed parent somewhere close to the festival venue who would see the sense of providing hoards of teens and twenties with a warm bed and plenty of food so they could spend all their money on- Oh, well, let's not dwell on that, shall we?

Suffice it to say, the tent has been abandoned and is only used during the day to seek temporary 'private' space.
I have to admit it does sound great, with many of the top line bands playing and interacting with the live audience to an extent that would not be possible in a theatre/stadium setting.

What am I doing? Apart from storming on with my latest wip, I am, of course, preparing for a party. We are always recovering from, or preparing for something in this family...
Let's hope the weather's kind- I have abandoned my plans to build an ark in favour of providing guests with lifejackets- so much cheaper- and I caught the bug for demonstrating how to use them on my last flight...

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Love to all
Susan

Yes, I'm up at the crack wondering at what time does one ring a Mud Fest' (sorry, 'music' festival) attendee?? And, was that really a cask A Cask? of alcopop I saw peeping out of sproglatina's rucksack?
Tell me I was mistaken someone quickly, please!!

Do they wake early to sounds of puking from nearby tents (don't even think about telling me about other noises they might hear), or do they wake, quite literally, to the sound of the first trumpet??

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

Do you think they would notice a Clean Mum - notice I didn't say Queen Mum- though others have (the rotters) tripping daintily (OK, that is poetic license run mad)... stomping around the muddy field searching for signs of empty alcopop casks??

No, I won't relax until sprog minimus returns to the maternal nest- even if big bro' is going to 'keep an eye on her' What the hell does that mean? He's taken the pledge??

OK, so now I'm searching for an empty alcopop cask and a mountain of empty lager tins...

Love to all,
Your frantic friend
Susan

You knew this would happen, didn't you? I have no idea what to do with such an abundance of peace and quiet.

Work?

OK, word fairy, I know you're right- especially as I have just started an exciting new project...

I would be interested to hear from other writers whether they spend as much time on the first page as they do on the rest of the book...

I positively adore my H and h- because they are both downright impossible- Obviously, my sprogs have trained me well- I just love forceful, difficult people!

Wouldn't you know it? After buying those bank-balance-draining wellies for sprog minimus, the sun is shining...

Enjoy it everyone, before the rain sets in!

Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan

This very instant the sprogs have left en masse for the music festival they ache to attend- You know the one- I told you about it yesterday- cacophonous 'music', muddy fields, flooded tents, filthy lavatories...

Oh, yeh, baby! (or the twenty-first centuryish equivalent)

Of course I made all the right noises, and made sure they took all reasonable precautions against Trench Foot, gangrene, syphilis/pregnancy, squits, starvation, cholera, and stomach pumping at the local hospital...

I even bought an incredibly expensive pair of pale blue Hunter wellies for my youngest sprog- on the basis that half the cost would go to a charity of my choice: 'The Variety Club of Great Britain', in this instance.

If you want to know how I feel right now- how I really feel... I feel as if I have just taken off a pair of incredibly tight shoes after a day at the sales- that's how I feel, girls.

OK, condemn me for being a lousy Mum/Mom if you will- but hell, those kids exhaust me- How about you???
Answers in the usual way for a bag of goodies with my warmest regards and heartfelt sympathy.

Love to all- and, if you've got the energy, which I don't have right now, happy reading everyone!!

Love
Susan xx

It's time for wellies, mud, and loud music. (Not for me, I hasten to add) But spogs around here are starting their preparations, which range from soaking ends of hair in purple dye, to seeing if all the tent poles are present and correct. Secret hoards of alcoholic beverages are also turning up in the most unlikely places...

The attraction of having your ears battered by discordant sounds whilst basking in a freezing-cold field knee deep in mud that smells of sewage and puke (just guessing!), is a complete mystery to me-
The hippie era passed me by- I was more of a young fogey- if such a thing is possible for a female to be.
OK, those of you who knew me back then can jolly well keep quiet about my fringed red suede mini skirt, and lime green (lime green?) lurex (lurex?!!!) almost there dress!

Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan

ps Youngest has just informed me that unless I supply her with a new pair of wellies she will get Trench foot- nuff said!

For that magic computer- No, not the one that writes the books for me... the one that works quickly, has a massive memory, and a clear, eye-friendly screen. How soulless and boring are computer stores?? I go there full of enthusiasm and end up walking round in a daze.

Sometime soon I have to stop working on a laptop- but I need the PC fairy to sort it out for me, because I sure as heck can't work up the interest necessary to compare one plastic box with another.

Aaaargh! Grrrrrrh!

And on that happy note, I'll leave you!

Have a great weekend everyone!!
Love
Susan

ps What a great sight to see a gold medal winning alpha like Matthew Pinsent giving full vent to his feelings after the rowing today- Surely every woman who saw those heartfelt tears of his thought he was no longer just 'Yum', but 'Yummier!'

OK, forget all that creative stuff- writing, playing the piano, singing etc etc I'm off to the local building college to learn how to build an ark.

At the moment I have two elderly same sexed dogs, and two neutered cats volunteering to prop up the animal side of things- and a family of groaning moaning humans who believe me when I tell them the sun really does shine somewhere... Just not here in the UK.

We must be close to the 40 days and 40 nights of rain now... so it can only be a matter of time before I appoint myself the UK's official tour guide for cruises around Mount Ararat...

Off to buy a hammer and some nails...

Love to all
Susan

Today is a significant day in the lives of all 'A' level students and their parents in the UK

By happy coincidence the post has just arrived here, and with it my eldest sprog's letter from her Inn of Court inviting her to the Trinity Call when she will be received into the Inn as a Barrister.

It hardly seems seven years since I accompanied this same sprog to her highly academic girls' school to open the dreaded envelope and read the results of too much partying, and too little studying.
Suffice it to say, she left in tears in the full and certain knowledge that she would not be going to the university of her choice.

Yes, it's taken her seven years to grind back the lost ground, but all I'm saying is- if you want something enough, go out there and get it and don't give up ever, until you have achieved whatever it is you're aiming for...

The power to change our lives is inside us all, girls. (however well hidden it may appear to be from time to time!!)

Love to you all, and happy reading!
Susan

OK, forget the gloves- I have another addiction:

'Hi, my name is Susan, and I am addicted to Men in Skirts...'

Yes, today for no reason, other than the fact that I love to write about them, I finished a short story featuring a man in a skirt. Perhaps Troy has entered the deepest subconscious recesses of my mind, and will never be erased...
AAAAARGH!
Frankly, I thought Brad something of a porker in the film- he certainly didn't ring my bell that time. So, where has this addiction come from?

Answers in the usual way, please.

Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan

My father always used to say, you can make anything work with the right accessories- by which he meant, utterly divine, and fabulously expensive accessories.
I however like to think that I am the best bargain-hunting-snuffle-hound this side of the pound! (Dog-pound, that is.)

Today (I am salivating already) I found the impossible: a truly fabulous pair of gloves at a reasonable price.
Yes, I know I'm on the Hermes December 2004 'sale' list- Well, for any gloves they have going, basically, but today I found something almost better...
(Almost? Well, at least I admit I have an addiction).
The divine objects of my affection (no, adoration) are the softest black (what a surprise) calfskin, but have the narrowest red leather threaded through them- tres subtle, and tres unputdownable, which is why they just had to come home with me today.

Yes, I'm in an intense state of bliss right now, and likely to remain so- until the day I lose one glove- a day which sadly, past experience has taught me, will come.

Never mind- for now, I'm happy- ecstatic, in fact.

Love to all, and happy glove-hunting!
Susan

Hi Everyone! And a special hello to Sundipika Kapoor, who sent me this incredibly yummy recipe from India... (Obviously Sundipika knows I adore puddings!)

Watch out for some new food treats in each and every upcoming book- Any hero who can't provide the heroine with a decent pudding isn't going to make the grade, girls- trust me on that one!!!

BAKED HALVA-HALVAS TOU FOURNOU


INGREDIENTS

½ cup Flour
2 teaspoon Baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups Semolina
1 cup finely chopped Nuts
¾ cup Butter
1 cup Sugar
3 Eggs
¾ cup Milk
Grated Lemon Rind
3 cups Sugar
3 cups Water
3 Cloves
a pinch of Cinnamon


METHOD

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Mix in Semolina and nuts.
Cream butter and sugar until light; add well beaten eggs.
Add milk alternately with dry ingredients. Stir after each addition until just smooth.
Add a little grated lemon rind and put in a greased square pan. Bake in a moderate oven for about 45 minutes.


Boil water, sugar, cloves and cinnamon for about 5 minutes and as soon as Halva comes out of the oven pour the syrup on top. Cool and cut into square pieces.

If desired, serve it with whipped cream.

Thank you so much, Sundipika- I have to go now and try out the recipe- my mouth is watering already!

Enjoy everyone!

Love and happy reading to you all
Susan

Yes, I'm recovered- just.

Picnic-making at dawn, and on the road by seven on a Sunday ain't for me... But thousands of people, all across the country, are avid car-booters. So, here's the skinny:

If you want to get rid of your junk, there's no better way- but expect to ask pennies for things you know have worth, unless you want to arrive home with the same bundle of junk you set out with.

Be prepared for dealers to swarm the moment you turn the car engine off.
'No, I don't have any jewellery, or antiques-' (How dumb do they think we are??!!)

You have to keep that smile firmly fixed, (and try not to slide narrowed glances at your neighbours each time they attract a swarm of interest!!)
I was lucky- we were mob-handed, and I even turned dh into a market trader for the morning- though he put his foot down at eleven, and declared, 'Enough!'

Would I do it again???

It's a bit like childbirth- give me a month or two to forget the pain of letting a hardly worn Max Mara coat go for £30, and I'll let you know!

Enjoy the summer, and happy reading!

Love
Susan

ps. Oh, and I'm off to the Charity shop this morning with all those things I couldn't bear to let go for pennies. (and if you ask me what I really think, that's where I should have gone in the first place!) SX

If anyone had warned me what a kerfuffle it is preparing for one of these, I would have happily paid someone to come to the house and take everything away for free!!

Having found far too much junk for one sane person to possess, I then wrapped it carefully- But then I remembered what a good idea it was to price everything in advance... I have been warned how the dealers pounce- and I want to be ready for them (sound of sprogs sniggering in the background). Out it all comes again to be priced, and then nothing will fit back in the dumpers! I'm fed up already!!!

OK, we all know that after an hour standing in the rain, I will be wandering around the sale with a twenty pound note in my hand begging someone to take all the stuff off my hands!

All I hope to achieve is to see one or two clear surfaces in the beautiful old cottage I inhabit...

When the magnificent Wendywoo [my web mistress] puts up the photograph from Jane Porter's afternoon tea, you will see that we were in the Dallas equivalent of an Olde English Tea Room. The girls I was with all gasped in horror at such excess: an ornament here, an ornament there- an ornament absolutely bloomin' everywhere! I however felt quite at home- not that I'm proud of the fact that I'm a hoarder- quite the contrary, I'm longing for Mary Poppins to drop in and sweep everything away I don't manage to sell on Sunday!!

I'll let you know how I go on!

All best, and happy reading everyone!

Love
Susan

Took my eighty-six year old best friend out today. She exhausted me. She is amazing. Why don't I have that kind of energy? She is the best fun, the wisest counsellor, and has the power to brighten up the dullest day- which is what we need right now, since the UK seems to be in the grip of the monsoon seaso!

I'm off to recover.

Love to all
Susan

All the wonderful authors I mentioned who write for Mira, spoke at the publisher's spotlight event tongue-in-cheek about the Harlequin party, quoting that as the real reason they chose to write for the line.

Friday night saw us all splitting off into author dinners with editors, and then as eight-thirty came around a fleet of mini-buses transported Harlequin revellers to the Women's museum in Dallas where the party was to be held.

The modern structure was impressive, though not 'my cup of tea'. However, the exhibition of Annie Liebowitz photographs upstairs more than made up for the rather soulless ambience of the towering interior. One image in particular, that of a battered woman will stay with me, perhaps forever.

The band at the Harlequin party was the best, as always, and the drink flowed freely. This year, being without any members of my family, I chose to return early to the hotel with Jessica Matthews, who writes for medicals, and eat a quiet meal and enjoy some good conversation.

Saturday was devoted to business, with agents and editors abounding. I really couldn't face another workshop, excellent though they were, and after my business dealings were through, I spent some valuable time with friends I won't see again until the next major conference.
Exhausted? Yes. Would I do it again? Most certainly.

To make my journey complete, I have to say I had the kindest and most helpful British Airways cabin crew imaginable. Nothing was too much trouble for them (and no, I don't get a free flight next time.) I have to say that the new business class was perfect for someone of my stature- but if you're a big, beefy alpha male, you might find the 'flat bed' a little cramped, to put it mildly!

I was lucky to share the flight with two Harlequin editors- who proved why I write for the line... through Harlequin I have met the nicest people-

Love to everyone, and happy reading!
Susan

I went to each Publisher's 'Spotlight' at conference in Dallas, and the most entertaining by far was Mira- the single title imprint for Harlequin- and that was largely due to some of the authors who spoke. Listening to the likes of Erica Spindler, Carla Neggars and Heather Graham, I just knew from their wry take on the world that I would love their writing style- and of course, I already do. It was clear at Mira that Romantic Suspense is still in huge demand.

Most of the editors for other publishing houses were looking for deep, dark, and sexy, possibly with supernatural elements- vampires being a particular favourite- although having spoken to an editor from Harper Collins on this side of the pond, that is not something that rings so many bells over here. (one ed' in Dallas, I have just remembered, was desperate for werewolves)

Chick Lit, with all its derivatives, is still extremely popular in the States, although we know it is dropping off over here.
*My good friend, Jane Porter, who also writes for Presents, has a great book coming out as a Warner Trade Paperback in May 2005: The Frog Prince, with the wonderful tag line: 'See what happens after happily ever after...' The cover is so zany and gorgeous it could be Jane wearing ball gown and sneakers! * More of that nearer the time!

Of course you have to write the book of your heart- but you have to be pretty sure that someone is going to want to take a look at it. Trouble is, the trends of today may be waning by the time you finish your manuscript. When you buy a book from the store, odds on it is already around two years since the author typed out, Chapter One. Even so, don't lose heart, a good book will always find its way to someone's notice. If you don't believe me, go research how many times Day of the Jackal was rejected!

In summary- mystery and suspense will always be strong- it appeals to both genders and hits those airport stands more often than not.
Hot sex and erotica is completely acceptable if you target the right line. The general view was that the heroine must go along with everything, if not be the instigator of events.
Anything with a supernatural vein is huge in the States right now, and chick lit, plus derivatives is also going strong.

I think the truth is, many times editors don't even know what they're looking for- they just hope for a really good strong book- so, why not surprise them? All of them admitted to looking through the 'slush pile' and one or two really big hits were quoted as having come from there.


Love to all, and happy reading everyone
Susan

Having done my first humungous 'shop' since Dallas, I looked inside the fridge at noon today, and then out at the brilliant sunshine... Which army was in town to eat up all that food, I wondered!?

I should have known I could rely on the 'sprogs' to attract a swarm of hungry students from far and wide.
Put the dh on barbeque duty, get the white wine chilling, pop the corks on the red and clear the fridge for beer. Hey Presto! We got ourselves a party! We even drank all the champagne I'd bought in for eldest sprog's 'Call to the Bar' party.
Oh, well, there's nothing worse than a 'dry' do, is there, girls?!

Now then, here's a really great book for you- so great, I read it all in one sitting:
Connie's Courage written by Annie Groves.
It is the second 'stand alone' saga in a series of three about the Pride's of Preston. I found the first one, 'Ellie's Pride' absolutely rivetting- but do you know, I think Connie's Courage is even better. Published by Harper Collins, this is one not to be missed.

I think I mentioned before that my good friend, Lucy Monroe has a great book coming out for Kensington in September, so I'll be publishing the title of that together with the skinny towards the end of this month.
It's thanks to Lucy that I discovered The Greek's Seven Day Seduction had hit number one on amazon.co.uk/Mills&Boon page, when I didn't even know such a page existed. So, thank you again, Lucy for bringing me up to speed on what my books are doing:)))))))- You're the best!!

I'm now going to take a long, lazy bath and try not to think about how much pudding I ate today!

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!!
Susan

Sorry I've been sleeping (literally) every hour possible the last couple of days! The jet lag hit me heavy and hard.

Imagine how I felt this morning to discover that The Greek's Seven Day Seduction- yes, that old slowcoach, has gone to 1# in the UK this week on the Mills & Boon page on www.amazon.co.uk


Great hugs and thanks have to go to my fantastic editor, Kate Paice, who always loved the story. I couldn't have had any more encouragement from anyone.
Holding Kate's hand high in my mind's eye as I type this!!!

So, if you like your men hard, and your heroine the type of woman who isn't afraid to stand up to them- or to tie a man down, both literally and metaphorically, The Greek's 7 Day Seduction is available now.

All best to you and yours, and happy reading to everyone!
Love
Susan

Sandra Marton's supper... What a gracious lady. And to see Sandra with her husband puts romance in context. She lives romance, that much is clear. What lovely people- And what a wonderful opportunity at Sandra's invitation, to spend time with dear friends that I just don't see enough of.
Conference is hectic from the business point of view, but most important of all is the time we get to spend with friends who live half a world away, and with whom we are only able to spend such a very little time on e-mail.

I can't even remember what we ate- and d'you know, it doesn't matter. The only thing that was important to me that night was basking in the warmth of good people, and shutting every negative thought out of my mind.

That was Thursday night, of course, and on Friday I got my chance to sit in on the various publisher's "spotlights". I'll be back tomorrow for you with news of those...

All best to you and yours, and happy reading!
Susan

Yep, I'm back.
And, what a trip! First I get upgraded to First Class, and am escorted to my seat!!! (obviously the sprogs had mailed ahead to warn that I might get lost and end up on the wrong flight), and then things just kept getting better and better...

Right away on the Super Shuttle provided by RWA, I made a new friend, Shelly Edwards.
Shelly is a Library Services Consultant from Washington DC. Hi Shelly!!
Then, without even trying, (and remember there were over 2000 women at the conference!!), I ran into Rosemary Laurey. We had a meal together on Tuesday evening before conference began on Wednesday. What a nice woman- and what a talented author- watch out for her super sexy vampire books coming out with Kensington in September.

On Wednesday I took the morning off and went to see the JFK memorial museum at the Book Repository in Dallas.
While I was dithering about at the stop for the Dart, (Dallas's tram system), wondering which way to go, I bumped into a great group of girls from Pascagoula in Mississippi. They swept me along with them, and then insisted I join them for a good ol' Southern lunch.
I have to say, this is just typical of the friendliness I find every time I go to America. So, a great big hi to Melanie Noto, Suzanne Cox, June Love, Laura Martello (who now lives in Dallas), and Sheri Gilmore!
You made me feel so welcome, girls, and I appreciated having the chance to learn a little more about the South: iced tea, barbeque sauce etc etc This was the legendary Southern hospitality in action- and I loved every minute of it!
In a couple of weeks or so, I hope to have a photo up on the web site so you can all share the fun we had together.

That evening, of course, was the book signing. What an impressive event. Thank you RWA for organising such a fabulous night. Over four hundred and fifty authors signed their books, with all the proceeds going to the literacy programme in the USA.
I had the most congenial signing partners, Natalie Stenzel and Jennifer Stevenson. We had a real glow going on- something to do with those Mint Juleps, Jennifer? Or maybe the yummy chocs you brought along?!
Actually, it was just authors enjoying being out of the writing cave and having a ball together, along with some great readers who kept our writing arms busy signing those books!

After the signing I went on to supper with the very gracious Sandra Marton- but I'll tell you all about that tomorrow.

Happy reading everyone!
Love
Susan