Susan Stephens' Writing Diary

And in haste as family are clamouring to be fed... No, no, we've been through this before- none of them can unlock the kitchen door. It might be an invisible lock, but as far as everyone who lives here is concerned, I am the only one who has the key.

So, Ruth, what to do when you can't bear to take one more look at that ms, even though you've been asked to revise, and things are looking good...
Leave it for a week, then imagine that you are the editor who has just received your ms. Read it through as they might, forgetting how much love and toil you put into the project. Be cold- what sells? Is this good enough? Can you improve it still further? Sometimes a line is in the wrong position, or you may have indulged yourself in some 'clever phrase' that you just don't want to let go- (these are usually the very bits that need to be cut!) I know this, because I'm guilty!

I'm expecting news of those exciting new web sites by the end of next week, and will let you know immediately
My wonderful web mistress, Wendywoo, will also be adding some new links for you to take a look at when we do my Christmas updates to the Susan Stephens site, so look out for those too!

All Best everyone, and happy reading!
Susan

When you get stuck (don't ever call it writer's block, or you'll be climbing into that depressing pigeon hole next) how about considering tone as well as storyline/plot etc.

I described my writing recently to another writer friend, as 'constipated'. The words just wouldn't flow- know what I mean, my friends? (can't refer to you all as girls any longer, as I now realise that we have men amongst us! Welcome chaps, great to have you here!!)

I agonised over the storyline and pacing, and then realised suddenly that the whole thing was tilting towards the wrong mood, the wrong tone, so that the h and H constantly reacted inappropriately. Motivation wasn't really the key this time, it was more subtle than that... As soon as I identified the problem it was like the morning after a good dose of syrip of figs: absolute bliss.

And now for my good friend, Sheri Gilmore's web site address. Sheri and I met in Dallas, and she was very kind to this lonely Brit wandering around somewhat adrift... So, I was more than thrilled to hear that Sheri was signed shortly after Convention- www.sherisecrets.com
This site comes with an over 18 only warning, it's great, it's hot, and don't all rush at once or I'll be crushed in the stampede.

There are a couple more really exciting new web sites coming down the line, so keep reading and I promise to let you know the moment they're up.

Happy reading, and writing everyone!
Love
Susan

I'm not sure if 'Blogger' is becoming a victim of its own success, but perhaps due to volume of traffic I was unable to access the site yesterday.
Not to worry- here I am with news of writing, men in shorts, and exciting new web sites due to launch soon.

On the writing front I am still head down working on my next implacable alpha, and at the same time brewing ideas for another book. Some take longer to 'infuse' than others, and along with files full of ideas, I have several part finished manuscripts whose h's and H's insisted on having their stories written down to at least the point of second or third crisis. No, life is certainly never boring!

Thank you, by the way to Nikki, Ruth, Carly and all my other friends who have mailed to ask when they can buy my next book...
(I'm sorry, everyone, my books are like buses at the moment, due to my own hectic 'other' life, as well as scheduling... Believe me, they're 'all coming along at once', and very shortly!!)
The answer is:

1) November 19th in the UK, look out for 'One Christmas Night', which is a collection of three stories from the fabulous Michelle Reid, my gorgeous, lovely chum, Jane Porter, and your own Susan Stephens.

2) January 2005 in the UK, the board book of The Sheikh's Captive Bride will be available, and then in March 2005, the paperback.

3) March 2005 The Greek's Seven Day seduction comes out in paperback in the US,following shortly afterwards in the rest of the world.

4) The Sheikh is following in the US, summer of 2005 at a time TBA

5) The Spanish Billionaire's Mistress is also scheduled for the UK summer 2005, at a time TBA

As for men in shorts- footballers get a bad press, but Mikael Silvestre is definitely one of life's gentlemen. Not that I recognised him, of course. Sadly, your friend's knowledge of Premier division footballers is nil. Hard to miss such a 'striking' (sorry, sorry) figure in Starbucks, really... but I had to look him up on the web site to discover why people kept shuffling up to this rather handsome young man engrossed in his newspaper to ask for his autograph.

And on to web sites. Remember those great gals from Mississippi I met up with in Dallas at the RWA convention, who accompanied me to the JFK memorial museum, and then took me along with them for for some real Southern food? Watch out for Sheri Gilmore's site coming down the line really soon. Sheri has had tremendous success since we met, and has secured several contracts for romantica.

But there's more...
I can't say too much yet, as I'm still sworn to secrecy, but a little bird flew in the other day just to let me know that a hot new site is due to launch very soon, and that some scorching hot new authors are going to be writing for it...

And there's more...
I was speaking to one of the contributing authors recently, and she's so excited about the new site she's launching her own brand new site in celebration!

How much more excitement can we take, fellow book lovers????!!!!!

Keep watching this diary for further details...

On tenterhooks! Your friend
Susan

And the price of spoiling children is?
They never leave home...

Now there is a very nice gentle man waiting to look after his apartner in their chic city central pad... only his apartner has done a runner, and come home.

An elderly aunt, when I laid my third sprog declared that I would be an old woman before I had finished with children. I smiled indulgently at the time... Aunty Mabel-wherever you are- floating on a cloud, or stoking the fires- you were right.

But then why should you fend for yourself when you can use all the hot water, eat all the decent bikkies,have a hot dinner waiting for you- and rely on the quality of the chat around the dinner table? Not to mention using all my nail varnish remover while you give yourself a pedicure on the sitting room floor in front of the TV
I HATE THOSE TOENAIL CLIPPINGS WIGGY!

From your poor downtrodden friend, who has taken to hiding her bikkies again...
Susan

Have just received copies of my Christmas book, and am absolutely thrilled (as always) with the fantastic cover.
One Christmas Night features stories by Michelle Reid and Jane Porter, so it really is the most exciting Christmas present for me...
Not only that, but it is published in the UK on my birthday, November 19th, so I guess that makes it the most exciting birthday present too!

Seeing my next book, The Sheikh's Captive Bride previewed on Amazon is also a huge thrill- In case you're in any doubt, the thrill never never diminishes. And my naughty Greek is heading for the US in March, so it looks like 2005 is going to be a really busy and exciting year...

As if all that wasn't enough, I'm also watching the development of an extremely exciting project that is being undertaken by some very good friends of mine, and should air really soon- Will keep you all posted...

Love to all, and happy reading, writing, and watching out for new surprises-
Susan

Having just finished massive amount of work- proving that getting up at five o' clock really does work- By ten thirty I'm ready to chill out with a frothy coffee, and plan my next move.

Now then, Ruth from South Shields... Bach is not hard to get into... Have you tried the Brandenburg Concertos... those are the jolly tunes you probably hear all the time, (at least, 1, 2, and 3) and are already familiar with, but couldn't quite place...
I love Bach because he takes a clever musical journey and always gets us home safely, and with a flourish.

And Lizzie from Bude, down there around the surfing beaches of Devon, foxes sound like an angry tom cat sitting in front of a microphone wired up to Wembley stadium.
Also, at times they sound uncannily, and unnervingly like a human baby crying.

The owl just goes screech screech, before you ask! I've yet to hear one go Too wit too woo... But then perhaps I only have one breed of owl flying around my garden...

Love to all, and happy lounging!
Susan

I have received a few e-mails asking about the type of music I find helps me most when I'm writing...

Unfortunately, it's not that simple. We all march to the beat of a different drum- so what works to me may not work for you- and what works for me changes on a day to day basis.

There was a time when anything sung was out of the question because I found myself distracted by the words- that doesn't seem to matter now- but like I said, Monteverdi Vespers aren't for everyone...

This morning I have Emma Kirkby singing songs by Purcell. I love her pure, effortless voice- as you may have gathered by now- That doesn't mean to say I don't like the drama and endless variety of vocal textures employed by opera singers.

I just need easy music in the morning- easy, meaning 'early' music to me... circa anywhere between C12th, and C16th There is a simplicity of tonal strands, even if the melody is customarily ornamented and quite florid.
So, that at least is what I need in the morning- like I said, I don't expect it to be to everyone's taste!!

Later, it can be anything from jazz to Queen, and all steps inbetween. My most recent purchase as far as 'pop' CDs are concerned is REM
Not sure if that helps?
I have a passion for Bach too... Don't get me started!!

Love to all, and happy listening!
Susan

It was just after dawn... You'll have to imagine the spooky sound effects.

I know we have foxes, as I see a rather large one trotting down the path by the stream most evenings, but today I heard them howling around eight o' clock this morning, which is quite late to be kicking up a fuss as only foxes can.
Then I heard the brown owl screeching- very late indeed for him- and I saw him take a pass over the garden and settle into his tree. (quite a thrill, as I hear the owls more often than see them, and I have never seen one in the morning)
When Sprog minor rang to check in as he does most mornings, I told him I fully expected to see a witch on a broomstick next... Is this a sign??
No, I really can't start writing magical tales on top of everything else Can I?

Anyway, my writer's muddle is sorted. The solution? Quite simple really. Play my favourite recording of Handel's Messiah.
Warning: This may not work for everyone- but I'm surely the only music student who was almost thrown out of their digs in London for playing the Messiah non-stop.
A bag of goodies to anyone who can better my record!

The first time I sang in the Messiah was for the BBC Northern Singers. I had just been accepted by the group, and we were to make one of the first (we're talking way back here!) small 'authentic' chorus recordings for Radio 3. That meant 4 singers to each line only.
I was seventeen at the time, and didn't know the Messiah from meshugah (sorry, Yiddish joke)
Obviously, I blagged my way through- we're talking the late great Sir Charlie Groves conducting the Liverpool Philharmonic orchestra, and you just don't put your hand up and say, 'excuse me, I've never sung the Messiah before, Sir Charles-'
Somehow, I pulled it off without a bum note... and yes, I cried when everyone in the audience stood for the Hallelujah Chorus- You try singing, and crying at the same time!
Thing was you see, as I had never even attended a performance of the Messiah I had no idea this happened. How right it seemed.
A love was born that day. One of the great loves of my life. For Handel, for his music, and most especially for his greatest work, The Messiah.

Wishing you music wherever you go...
Love
Susan

No I'm not playing, stick a tail on the donkey wearing a blindfold... Or at least that's what I tell myself when I try to work out where I'm up to with my writing. (I think my confusion may have something to do with the fact that I get up so early.)

Music at dawn was the exquisite Gothic Voices with Emma Kirkby, singing music composed by Abbess Hildegard of Bingen (circa +1179). The album is appropriately entitled, A feather on the breath of God

Listening, I was inspired to catch up with writing a short erotica story I know people are waiting for patiently (and not so patiently, I suspect, if I don't get on with it!)
Sacred and profane, certainly, but somehow, the music soothed me and so the words flowed beautifully.

Later in the day, I moved on to Natalie Cole (Nat King Cole's daughter) and easy-listening jazz. For some reason that pushed me into a harder hitting ms I'm working on that has to be at least up to the 3 chapter stage by the beginning of December.

So, you might well ask- where does that leave the two Presents I mentioned yesterday.
Well, I found the hard copies, plus the discs- now I just have to find the right music...

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Susan

To write, to edit, to blog, to...

Forget all that, and get on with your tax returns, girls- then at least I'll feel I've got company!

Oh, the joy of numbering receipts and finding a suitable category in which to file them. I'm off to tackle it so that, hopefully, I can get on with my new Presents tomorrow-

Not that it is strictly new... I have two on the go at the moment- one at the Chapter Four stage, and one at the Chapter Ten stage... and just to be hard on myself, I shall almost certainly start on the shorter one- because it is set in Italy, and it's a while since I've indulged myself in some delectable molto passionato Italian amore.

Viva Italia!

Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan

We have established that Wiggy sprog looks great in her wig and gown, and that I look like the ugliest of the three witches in the Scottish play, only not quite so attractive.

We have also established that sprog minimus looks so glam in wig and gown it can't possibly be fair, reasonable, or probable...

Obviously, I pointed out that destiny is trying to tell her something- that idea of yours to open a vintage clothes shop, minimus, should be ditched in favour of a career at the Bar- Not so, cried Wiggy, where will I get all my super-glam clothes from?

What a fabulous day... Suddenly I couldn't quite believe what was happening. I have been working up to the day when Wiggy would be Called for months now, but nothing could have prepared me for The Moment.

Later at dinner, I met some lovely people from the Turks and Caicos islands... who were celebrating their son's acceptance into the Inn. The young man's mother was also a lawyer on the islands, whilst his father ran a fleet of catamarans... Briefs and boats- what a perfect combination!

I forgot something- Briefs, boats and sunshine!
I feel a research trip coming on...

Happy reading everyone!

Love Susan

I won't be blogging tomorrow, as I'll be in London at one of the ancient Inn's of Court to see wiggy sprog called to the Bar.

I suppose then she will have to be renamed Wiggy sprog, and I'll have to defer to her in every argument...

Oh, yeah? Did you ever wonder from whom she inherited her combative nature?

She might look exactly like her father- though a good few stone lighter- OK, and she's not as hairy- All right, all right, and he's not pretty... but she got her 'easy-going', non-confrontational, sweet-natured temperament straight from spikey, Scorpio, me... otherwise known as Ninja Carrot in this family- but we won't go into that.

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Susan

Who said a book is ever finished?

At four o' clock this morning, I woke, and suddenly thought... I don't like that penultimate scene. As the book was due in today, there was only one thing for it...

Creep downstairs, try and persuade my two elderly doggies that, no... it wasn't time for their breakfast, or for their walk, and no, they couldn't bark with unalloyed excitement at my unexpected early arrival, and then, get to work...

Actually, I guess I spent close to five hours on that scene... and once it was done, I slumped with relief.

Moral of the story, girls: never short change your H & h... they don't like it, and they only wake you up in the early hours to put things right!

Love to all- and wishing all of us a good night's sleep!

Susan

Last night we had our second power cut- two nights in a row now!

How people managed before electricity, I have no idea... I can only hope that oil lamps were a great deal more powerful than candles. We lit dozens, and it still wasn't bright enough. And yes, I know how romantic candles can be- but try doing a final polish on a ms by candlelight!

Fortunately, I work on a lap-top attached to a giant screen, so my work wasn't lost. I have had good cause to thank the battery that kicks in instantly on my lap-top more times than I can count. I recommend this method of working to everyone to whom even the shortest time lapse loss of work leads to energetic head-banging against the wall.

Love to all, and wishing you no power cuts wherever you are!

Susan

I'm writing this from a prone position....

Actually, no I'm not, but I'd like to be...

Having just super-polished my latest ms, which was:
a) for new ed' whom I not only admire tremendously, but really really like, and so wanted to do my best for,
and
b) was asked to do a slightly different slant on the book this time, which took a little more brewing in my mind before I started pounding the keyboard...

Result- I spent a long long time writing, and very little time doing anything else- even sleeping.

If someone has the answer to achieving balance in the writer's life I would love to hear from them...

And what am I doing today, Sunday?
a) Tidying my office... like every other writer, by the time I finish I book I am almost invisible beneath a mound of papers, discarded scenes that might come in useful 'one day', research material various, pictures of yummy alpha to spur me on, objects that ring chords in my head (heroine's head) etc etc etc

b) Catching up with another project I am way behind on

c) Finding part finished ms in amongst tip, and wondering whether to change setting of said ms when I eventually find it (please let me find it) before finishing it in time for Dec 1

d) Cooking Sunday lunch and spending time with those I love... plus laundry, beds etc etc

e) Sitting down and reading? No. Relaxing? No. Taking a siesta? No. Planning a holiday? No. (what is one of those, by the way)

Would I change any of this? NO NO NO.

We can rest when we fall off the twig, right girls?

Love to you all, and happy, happy reading!

Susan

PS... Here's your music for today- it's what I'm listening to right now- And if this doesn't put a smile on your face, I'm a monkey's uncle... (OK, OK- so I love bananas, what of it?)

The late, the great.... Ray Charles... Love you, honey! Yum yum yummy

My hero and heroine are safely delivered into a lifetime of bliss.
Now I should be able to take some time off...
Why is writing an obsession? Why can't I do the blobbing in front of the TV, sloping round shop windows dreaming about my next purchase.... etc etc ?
Because, as my son says in his own inimitable drawl... 'I'm a writer'... so, it's on to the next project, folks.

And yes, before you ask, the bullies have been put to flight. I can be quite scary when I'm roused, believe it or not!

Love to all, your pussy cat of a friend
Susan