30/04/2005
Nose to the keyboard...
Better than the grindstone, I guess!
Happily schedules keep me inside the writing cave, but just wanted to pop out and say Hi to everyone before going back inside.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Susan
Happily schedules keep me inside the writing cave, but just wanted to pop out and say Hi to everyone before going back inside.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Susan
27/04/2005
Calamity?
I don't know what cruel twist of fate has sent the first mother duck of this season with just one chick to show off to me. Hopefully the later broods will fare better...
The routine remains the same... Mother hops up onto the weir outside my back door and quacks imperiously for the chick to follow her.
How the babies last a moment with the rush of water pushing against them I have no idea, but even this tiny individual tried several times to beat the current and join its mother.
Unfortunately, chick one was too small and eventually took the same way out all the others have done over the years- up my steps. And even then it fell back a few times before it was successful. The plan then is to skitter a few yards up stream along the bank before plopping back into the water triumphant.
I held my breath until finally the little fluff ball made it.
It's true... the small pleasures really are the best.
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
The routine remains the same... Mother hops up onto the weir outside my back door and quacks imperiously for the chick to follow her.
How the babies last a moment with the rush of water pushing against them I have no idea, but even this tiny individual tried several times to beat the current and join its mother.
Unfortunately, chick one was too small and eventually took the same way out all the others have done over the years- up my steps. And even then it fell back a few times before it was successful. The plan then is to skitter a few yards up stream along the bank before plopping back into the water triumphant.
I held my breath until finally the little fluff ball made it.
It's true... the small pleasures really are the best.
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
26/04/2005
Wonderful coincidence...
And news of a giant returning...
The giant is actually a very lovely and tiny lady you may just have heard of...
Anne Hampson.
Imagine what a thrill this was for me: after getting up at five in the morning yesterday to run a final check on my latest ms. I had just finished and was about to tackle the paper mountain on my desk when the phone rang. Who was it, but my dear friend Anne Hampson calling me from the other side of the world.
What wonderful news Anne had to tell me...
Having been one of Mills and Boon's earliest, most prolific, as well as most successful authors, Anne has been in semi-retirement.
But you can't keep a brilliant author down and Anne latest release for Severn House Publishing is out this month, and is titled, The Night is Ours
My copy is already on order. Yippee!
There are only a few authors who can give your heart a really good workout when you need a deep fix of romance, and Anne is one of them...
When one of our most talented and best loved authors comes out of retirement, we really have something to cheer about.
Don't forget to reserve your copy of The Night is Ours now!
Love to all, and guaranteed happy reading!
Susan
ps Anne has another book, a thriller this time, again for Severn House, coming out in August, entitled, The Dead Can't Kill
Anne, you are amazing!
Sx
The giant is actually a very lovely and tiny lady you may just have heard of...
Anne Hampson.
Imagine what a thrill this was for me: after getting up at five in the morning yesterday to run a final check on my latest ms. I had just finished and was about to tackle the paper mountain on my desk when the phone rang. Who was it, but my dear friend Anne Hampson calling me from the other side of the world.
What wonderful news Anne had to tell me...
Having been one of Mills and Boon's earliest, most prolific, as well as most successful authors, Anne has been in semi-retirement.
But you can't keep a brilliant author down and Anne latest release for Severn House Publishing is out this month, and is titled, The Night is Ours
My copy is already on order. Yippee!
There are only a few authors who can give your heart a really good workout when you need a deep fix of romance, and Anne is one of them...
When one of our most talented and best loved authors comes out of retirement, we really have something to cheer about.
Don't forget to reserve your copy of The Night is Ours now!
Love to all, and guaranteed happy reading!
Susan
ps Anne has another book, a thriller this time, again for Severn House, coming out in August, entitled, The Dead Can't Kill
Anne, you are amazing!
Sx
25/04/2005
Explanations...
Forgive silence. Have just survived- if barely- the revisions week from hell.
I sometimes think that the longer I spend on a book tinkering with it, the less confidence I have that the finished story will be all that I want it to be.
Like an artist we have to know when to apply the final brush stroke... and sometimes that just isn't as straightforward as it sounds.
The books I like most are the books I write quickly.
Here's to the next one... let's hope it leaps onto the page in the blink of an eye!
(Heartfelt sigh) If only...
Love to all, and happy reading and writing everyone!
Susan
I sometimes think that the longer I spend on a book tinkering with it, the less confidence I have that the finished story will be all that I want it to be.
Like an artist we have to know when to apply the final brush stroke... and sometimes that just isn't as straightforward as it sounds.
The books I like most are the books I write quickly.
Here's to the next one... let's hope it leaps onto the page in the blink of an eye!
(Heartfelt sigh) If only...
Love to all, and happy reading and writing everyone!
Susan
18/04/2005
hiccuph...
I'm not quite sure why my blog jammed yesterday, and then decided to unjam today...
Not to worry, am up against the dreaded deadline wall, with 6 chapters having to be in today, and a completed and revised wip due in early next week.
Means getting up at five, and collapsing in a heap around four, but it must work because 6 Chaps were duly delivered on schedule, and tomorrow I get back to my wip.
Have new exercise programme since minimus, deciding I must get shop-fit for our next expedition, gave me a pedometer.
All sprogs are running in our local 10K charity race, and are putting me to shame with their hectic preparations.
Have done 6376 steps as I write this, so those of you who are good at mathematics will no doubt be able to advise me how much more of this torture I must take until I reach my 10,000 goal for today...
Have just heard from close chum that she has bought apartment in Florida to go with her luxury villa in the med'
Jealous, moi?
Rainy England is just about perfect- as long as you have a stout pair of wellington boots- as I discovered when I trudged through the mud with Fin this afternoon.
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
Not to worry, am up against the dreaded deadline wall, with 6 chapters having to be in today, and a completed and revised wip due in early next week.
Means getting up at five, and collapsing in a heap around four, but it must work because 6 Chaps were duly delivered on schedule, and tomorrow I get back to my wip.
Have new exercise programme since minimus, deciding I must get shop-fit for our next expedition, gave me a pedometer.
All sprogs are running in our local 10K charity race, and are putting me to shame with their hectic preparations.
Have done 6376 steps as I write this, so those of you who are good at mathematics will no doubt be able to advise me how much more of this torture I must take until I reach my 10,000 goal for today...
Have just heard from close chum that she has bought apartment in Florida to go with her luxury villa in the med'
Jealous, moi?
Rainy England is just about perfect- as long as you have a stout pair of wellington boots- as I discovered when I trudged through the mud with Fin this afternoon.
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
17/04/2005
Celebrations...
One of my favourite authors, Liz Fielding winning the romance prize of the year at the Savoy hotel in London with, A Family of His Own.
As I have told Liz ad nauseum, I famously ruined a Sunday lunch for the family one week reading one of her books. I quite literally, could not put it down!!
How splendiferous to see one of life's most charming and courteous- not to mention talented people, being recognised in this way!
Humungous congratulations, Liz!!!!
Something totally incredible happened while I was in London- and it was an event that, had I written it down, would never have got past my ed'...
It is common knowledge that absolutely no one communicates by so much as a glance whilst you are on the London underground- for fear of being thought a crazy-person from another planet, presumably...
Anyway, there was this Palestinian American from Las Vegas... and he got our whole carriage talking to each other. What a gift. God bless you, sir- even though I never got to find out your name, and the lovely Irish woman sitting next to me missed her stop by two stations, thanks to you. What a lesson to all of us in sheer refreshing friendliness you were...
Apart from that, London was a wonderful injection of all that is brash, and expensive, and fabulous, and dirty, and yes, I couldn't wait to get back north after two days!
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
As I have told Liz ad nauseum, I famously ruined a Sunday lunch for the family one week reading one of her books. I quite literally, could not put it down!!
How splendiferous to see one of life's most charming and courteous- not to mention talented people, being recognised in this way!
Humungous congratulations, Liz!!!!
Something totally incredible happened while I was in London- and it was an event that, had I written it down, would never have got past my ed'...
It is common knowledge that absolutely no one communicates by so much as a glance whilst you are on the London underground- for fear of being thought a crazy-person from another planet, presumably...
Anyway, there was this Palestinian American from Las Vegas... and he got our whole carriage talking to each other. What a gift. God bless you, sir- even though I never got to find out your name, and the lovely Irish woman sitting next to me missed her stop by two stations, thanks to you. What a lesson to all of us in sheer refreshing friendliness you were...
Apart from that, London was a wonderful injection of all that is brash, and expensive, and fabulous, and dirty, and yes, I couldn't wait to get back north after two days!
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
12/04/2005
Into the light...
Yes, here I am at some unearthly hour seizing a moment on the computer before it becomes 'out of bounds'.
Working like stink right now on revisions so that I can see my ed' on Thursday with a (relatively) clear conscience.
Thursday is one of the most glittering occasions of the romance year here in the UK. a luncheon- you can's possibly call it lunch:)) is given at the Savoy to celebrate the best romantic novel of the year.
So, it's out of the writing cave, and into the brilliant light of umpteen chandeliers.
Everyone is there, and it is always great fun.
Can't wait to catch up with all my chums!!
Meanwhile, it's back to work.
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
Working like stink right now on revisions so that I can see my ed' on Thursday with a (relatively) clear conscience.
Thursday is one of the most glittering occasions of the romance year here in the UK. a luncheon- you can's possibly call it lunch:)) is given at the Savoy to celebrate the best romantic novel of the year.
So, it's out of the writing cave, and into the brilliant light of umpteen chandeliers.
Everyone is there, and it is always great fun.
Can't wait to catch up with all my chums!!
Meanwhile, it's back to work.
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
10/04/2005
Chasing rabbits...
I've found the secret to rejuvenating elderly dogs... big, fat rabbits. Fin may not catch them- heck, she couldn't catch them when she was one, but she loves to try.
With the improving weather we have had some fantastic escapades in the fields around our village.
So for now my worries about her are pushed to the back of my mind- long may they remain there!
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
With the improving weather we have had some fantastic escapades in the fields around our village.
So for now my worries about her are pushed to the back of my mind- long may they remain there!
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
09/04/2005
Impressions...
It has been quite an affecting time lately, when I briefly switch on the television as I do when I'm into a twelve hour day of revisions, submissions, checking copy edits...heck, the whole nine yards of being a published author.
I was totally transfixed and deeply moved by the Pope's funeral. Although I could never agree with everything Pope John Paul the Second stood for, I have enough wit to know when I'm in the presence of greatness. There was a man who stood resolutely by his principals, and was truly great.
And then today I witnessed the wedding of our own Prince Charles... and though not a subscriber to the thought that, you are royal, and therefore you are great, I couldn't help feeling when I heard Camilla speaking for the first time... 'Well, at least she's a grown up...And probably exactly what Prince Charles needs...' Camilla appeared to be down to earth, straightforward, and practical... And by the way, the outfit of our new Duchess of Cornwall was absolutely stunning. I thought she looked fabulous.
Well, there you are.... I don't often open my private feelings for public consumption, but tonight I've made an exception.
Be happy everyone!
Love
Susan
I was totally transfixed and deeply moved by the Pope's funeral. Although I could never agree with everything Pope John Paul the Second stood for, I have enough wit to know when I'm in the presence of greatness. There was a man who stood resolutely by his principals, and was truly great.
And then today I witnessed the wedding of our own Prince Charles... and though not a subscriber to the thought that, you are royal, and therefore you are great, I couldn't help feeling when I heard Camilla speaking for the first time... 'Well, at least she's a grown up...And probably exactly what Prince Charles needs...' Camilla appeared to be down to earth, straightforward, and practical... And by the way, the outfit of our new Duchess of Cornwall was absolutely stunning. I thought she looked fabulous.
Well, there you are.... I don't often open my private feelings for public consumption, but tonight I've made an exception.
Be happy everyone!
Love
Susan
08/04/2005
Relief of Mummyking...
OK, so I couldn't think of a clever heading for tonight's blog- Remember Mafeking, anyone?
So, Baden-Powell, I ain't... but I am relieved, so to speak.
The sprogs have just left the house after clearing out the 'fridge, and spraying coleslaw round the kitchen.
They're on their way to weekend revelries various, naturally, whereas I'm just pleased to be alone with dh.
The quiet is heavy, resonant, and wonderful...
Oooh, happy reading everyone... I, for one, can't wait!
Love to all
Susan
So, Baden-Powell, I ain't... but I am relieved, so to speak.
The sprogs have just left the house after clearing out the 'fridge, and spraying coleslaw round the kitchen.
They're on their way to weekend revelries various, naturally, whereas I'm just pleased to be alone with dh.
The quiet is heavy, resonant, and wonderful...
Oooh, happy reading everyone... I, for one, can't wait!
Love to all
Susan
07/04/2005
Ode to a fish...
'Oh... wet pet.'
Love to everyone!
Susan
Oh, and a majorly big ps. I'm telling porkies about The Sheikh's Captive Bride on my home page... One of my lovely readers has just pointed out that in fact, it's still up there, riding high on the Amazon.co.uk Hot 25 Romance books.
Thank you, thank you, lovely reader.
(Just shows you what an expert I am at self-promotion. Not!)
Love to everyone!
Susan
Oh, and a majorly big ps. I'm telling porkies about The Sheikh's Captive Bride on my home page... One of my lovely readers has just pointed out that in fact, it's still up there, riding high on the Amazon.co.uk Hot 25 Romance books.
Thank you, thank you, lovely reader.
(Just shows you what an expert I am at self-promotion. Not!)
06/04/2005
The true heroes...
Got a call from my ed' last night, who was still working after seven in the evening.
In this ever-demanding world of ours we all work incredibly long hours, but I want to salute all those fabulous editors without whom our books would never reach the shelves- or if they did, they would be dreams imperfectly realised.
A good editor knows how to bring out the heart in your work. Its so hard to weight every scene to absolute perfection when you've got your nose rammed up against the manuscript.
Thank goodness for them. Three cheers for great editors!!!
Back to the writing cave fully enthused!
Love to all and happy reading everyone!
Susan
In this ever-demanding world of ours we all work incredibly long hours, but I want to salute all those fabulous editors without whom our books would never reach the shelves- or if they did, they would be dreams imperfectly realised.
A good editor knows how to bring out the heart in your work. Its so hard to weight every scene to absolute perfection when you've got your nose rammed up against the manuscript.
Thank goodness for them. Three cheers for great editors!!!
Back to the writing cave fully enthused!
Love to all and happy reading everyone!
Susan
05/04/2005
Seizing the moment again...
Strange, I can remember just these sorts of things surrounding me whenever I had an exam' years back. Yes, minimus is working away up here at the computer, but right now she's asleep in bed!
Clearly, fashion mags, choc, cans of coke, post-its, and huge quantities of make-up are absolute prerequisites if you have any hope at all of studying to good effect. Plus ca change etc etc
Which brings me on to an anecdote from my meeting with the mother of my son's French girlfriend...
Seeing a skirt we both liked whilst out shopping, I bought one for her, and she bought one for me. Vive les cadeaux!
When my poor son arrived home it was to find 2 maman's dressed in identical clothing!
Uttering a guttural shriek, he backed out of the door- but we caught him...
Am desperately worried about my old doggie, Fin, right now. She has a growth... well, actually, she has several... but the one in question is beginning to impede her gait.
She is so lively and lovely and loving. I know the time is coming when I must ask the vet to take another look at this horrible thing, but I dread what he might say. And if she could have an operation, my past experience suggests this may not have a happy outcome...
Lets hope she has a happy summer. She will be thirteen in May, and is such an intrinsic part of our family. We weren't supposed to buy her from puppy rescue... I went along with my mother when she wanted to buy a puppy, and there was Fin. She even peed in dh's car on the way home, which didn't exactly endear him to her from the start! But we persevered, and now he loves her as much as we do.
Ah, well, that's life, I suppose. We have to dare to love, and we have to be strong enough to bear the consequences of losing those we love...
Happy reading, everyone!
Love
Susan
Clearly, fashion mags, choc, cans of coke, post-its, and huge quantities of make-up are absolute prerequisites if you have any hope at all of studying to good effect. Plus ca change etc etc
Which brings me on to an anecdote from my meeting with the mother of my son's French girlfriend...
Seeing a skirt we both liked whilst out shopping, I bought one for her, and she bought one for me. Vive les cadeaux!
When my poor son arrived home it was to find 2 maman's dressed in identical clothing!
Uttering a guttural shriek, he backed out of the door- but we caught him...
Am desperately worried about my old doggie, Fin, right now. She has a growth... well, actually, she has several... but the one in question is beginning to impede her gait.
She is so lively and lovely and loving. I know the time is coming when I must ask the vet to take another look at this horrible thing, but I dread what he might say. And if she could have an operation, my past experience suggests this may not have a happy outcome...
Lets hope she has a happy summer. She will be thirteen in May, and is such an intrinsic part of our family. We weren't supposed to buy her from puppy rescue... I went along with my mother when she wanted to buy a puppy, and there was Fin. She even peed in dh's car on the way home, which didn't exactly endear him to her from the start! But we persevered, and now he loves her as much as we do.
Ah, well, that's life, I suppose. We have to dare to love, and we have to be strong enough to bear the consequences of losing those we love...
Happy reading, everyone!
Love
Susan
02/04/2005
Stealing a moment...
On the run up to 'A' levels a brief moment is all I get on this computer.
I write on another, which is not connected to the Internet.
Just wanted to pop in and say, hello!
Have been shopped off my feet by LFM of LFG (lovely French mother of (minor's) lovely French girlfriend. Might have known that anyone living in Paris would be an Olympic standard shopper... LFM didn't disappoint!
The eerie thing was, that even when we split up in a shop, we arrived back at the cash desk with the same item... and she even looks rather like me- though is a size smaller Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrh!
I forgive her, for being so lovely- but not sure about return trip to Paris, where I am promised hot chocolate so thick you can stand a spoon in it, along with yummy-scrummy macaroons.... Could this be a dastardly plot to make me two sizes bigger??!!
Only joking, LFM. Really looking forward to our next expedition- let it be soon!!!
Love to all, and happy reading, writing, and shopping everyone!
Susan
I write on another, which is not connected to the Internet.
Just wanted to pop in and say, hello!
Have been shopped off my feet by LFM of LFG (lovely French mother of (minor's) lovely French girlfriend. Might have known that anyone living in Paris would be an Olympic standard shopper... LFM didn't disappoint!
The eerie thing was, that even when we split up in a shop, we arrived back at the cash desk with the same item... and she even looks rather like me- though is a size smaller Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrh!
I forgive her, for being so lovely- but not sure about return trip to Paris, where I am promised hot chocolate so thick you can stand a spoon in it, along with yummy-scrummy macaroons.... Could this be a dastardly plot to make me two sizes bigger??!!
Only joking, LFM. Really looking forward to our next expedition- let it be soon!!!
Love to all, and happy reading, writing, and shopping everyone!
Susan
