Susan Stephens' Writing Diary

Am dashing out today to have my 'birthday' lunch with gorgeous 'Aunty Kay', eighty seven years young.

This means my blog will be in two parts... so I can tell you how we got on, of course, but more that lunch with Aunty Kay requires a little more preparation than I would usually make. Away go the old, comfy trousers - OK, so they are a little shiny now - and in comes the 'smart suit', because Aunty Kay belongs to that wonderful generation who understood glamour, and who really appreciated it because they had survived the privations of war. If there was something chi-chi and special available for women to wear after that difficult time, they wanted to know about it.
So... I shall be wearing a soft grey suit with a pale blue jumper (feminity definitely to the fore today!) together with some beautiful silver beads, which are my early Christmas gift from AK.

Can't wait!

Love to all, and will be back later with a full report ( and maybe a question for you...)

Susan

Part two:

Chocolate cake is all I have to say... chocolate brownies and chocolate fudge cake shared between 2 is my idea of heaven. Add to that sticky chilli tiger prawns (not all at the same time, you understand!) and you can see that I had a pretty good feast at my 'birthday' lunch today.

Now, here's the question to win this week's free signed copy of Virgin for Sale... the winner to be announced on Saturday...

Q) Where were Lisa and her mother living at the opening of the book?

mail the answer plus your snail mail address to susanstephenshmb@yahoo.com

Good luck everyone!!

I'm at the point where I'm stripping out a too long first half of a book... all that detail is lovely, but there just isn't enough space for my H and h to say everything they want to say. But when after twelve hours work you find you're down twenty pages instead of up, it does makes me anxious. Or, it did... until I realised that they wanted to say a whole heap of more important things to each other later on!

Back to the writing cave for me!

It's icy outside, so be careful everyone if you have the same weather conditions. It looks beautiful, but the roads are treacherous.

Love to all from a snowy north of England- Oh, and don't forget that blog-exclusive competition if you want to win a signed copy of Virgin for Sale!!
You will find the question here in one of my blogs this week- even as a ps later in the day (in case I forget earlier- poor old thing!) and all you have to do is answer the question in a mail to susanstephenshmb@yahoo.com giving me your snail mail address so Rosie can send you your prize- and you'll get a Christmas card too, all being well!!
Susan

Actually, it's more like revision hell with a deadline- and that deadline is December 16th, which when you've got 2 projects on the go ain't fun boys and girls... but would I rather:

a) Go to the beauty salon? (Nah! I'd need to be in there for far too long- how tedious would that be?)

b) Go shopping? (what, with the prospect of no money coming in?)

c) Curl up in a ball and give up? (I think we all know that ain't my style)

All I can say is, hooray for revisions.

Panicking? Moi?

What makes you think that?

I'm not paniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicking!

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

We have another winner of our blog-exclusive competition and June Kelly of Redditch UK will be receiving a signed copy of my Dec/Jan release, Virgin for Sale any day now.

Congratulations June... and remember everyone, there will be a competition every week until release date of Virgin for Sale when you can receive a signed copy of the book. All you have to do is look out for the question which I'll be asking only on this blog anytime between now and Friday and mail me with the answer. The first person with the correct answer wins the book- it's that simple. The winner will be announced next Saturday.

And now it's back to the writing cave for me... Yes, I know what I said about reclaiming my weekends, but my ed has just set me an impossible task and I could never resist a challenge!

I'm not paniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicking!

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

Amazing! I am actually finding gifts I'm pretty sure people are going to like this year. Usually it's a mad scramble to buy holiday gifts with nothing seeming to match my list. This time I'm using the Internet for DVD's and books etc, as well as some specialist cookery equipment, juicers etc And of course when I go into town to source all those frivolous bits and pieces it's a great excuse to get together with chums and children without the guilt goblin sitting on my shoulder.

Had a great meal with my chum, Penny... and for those of you who mailed to ask what we ate- well, we were both quite conservative... I had sweet herring, while Penny ate crunchy spring rolls, and then she had fish and I had beef, But what you're really waiting to hear is this... Our pud? Yummy warm chocolate and pear pie served with vanilla ice cream in brandy baskets. Oh, yes.

Off to catch up on some exciting work. When isn't it exciting? I love it.

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

OK, so thank you for a record number of hits on my 'pinny' photograph on Access Romance! And no, in answer to Deidre Salt from Newcastle UK I will not be appearing in bunny ears and a tail in the near future! (30 years ago, maybe, Deidre!)

Have just visited Xandra King's daily sun sign page and had a good chortle. She's concentrating on our health today girls and boys...
It looks like I have to dash out to the chemist and buy laxatives, since at least 2 members of my family were born under the sun sign, Cancer. Not saying which ones to save their blushes- but have to say Xandra's got that one spot on!

And here's a note from Rosie, who handles my competitions etc.... 'Please don't forget to send me your new address if you have changed it since you last entered one of Susan's competitions, or you won't receive your Christmas card!!!'

And that's it for today... shall be following Xandra's instructions to get some exercise as am meeting up with my very good friend and outstanding author, Penny Jordan later for our 'birthday lunch'. This is an annual event when lots of exercise takes place... as we reach for the chocs on the petit fours tray... that means lots and lots of hand to mouth exercise for a start...

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

Don't say I didn't warn you...
Go to www.accessromance.com/scrapbook where you will find some fantastic pictures of my latest research trip to Rome... including one of me with my chums (all in our pinnies) at the Roman cookery school.

We enjoyed ourselves so much that we're going to have a re-match at Jane's fabulous home on Sunday when we're sending the boys out for a walk while we girls have a cook-in (and a little drop of wine) in Jane's 'has to be seen to be believed' beyond fabulous kitchen (well, she is a professional cook).


And now on a far more sombre note.
We all complain about things from time to time, but my lovely Vera, without whom I couldn't write a word, came to me this week with some terrible news... her forty-year old son-in-law has died suddenly, leaving a beloved wife and three young children.
My heart goes out to them and tells me we must live each day to the full and never miss an opportunity to tell those we care about how much we love them.
With cyber hugs to everyone from the writing cave...

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

Just to remind everyone that if you've changed your address since entering one of my competitions, do send your new address- or you won't receive your Christmas card!!!

And even more important... if you would like a free signed copy of my December/January release for Harlequin Presents... 'Virgin For Sale' here's your chance.

On the run-up to both the UK and US/Australia release dates I am giving away one free signed copy each week... all you have to do is answer one simple question, and the first person to mail me with the answer gets the book. The winner will be announced each Saturday until January 1st 2006!!!!

The question may appear any day of the week somewhere in this diary and from then on it will be a question of who mails me first gets the book.

But just to start us off, here's this week's question.

What form of transport did Lisa Bond use to go and find her father after she had escaped from the commune?

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

You might know the moment I empty the fridge and clean it out prior to major shop tomorrow everyone descends in an advanced state of hunger.

9 for dinner; nothing in the fridge=

1) Fry onions with piece of chilli and two chopped garlic cloves.
2) Make tomato sauce by adding half the onion mix to 2 cans tomatoes. Add all basil
leaves from plant on kitchen window and pulp. (preferably in mouli as the
mixture will stay red- if you blitz it in blender it turns orange.)
3) Cook whole packet of spaghetti until 'al dente' (Make sure you buy De Cecco
spaghetti, or similar 'bronze' mark spaghetti- has been through a bronze die
rather than a teflon die, and so holds the sauce better)

4) Open 3 tins tuna- drain and flake.

5) Into one half of cooked spaghetti add juice of big fat lemon, couple of
tablespoons of ground parmesan and remaining half of fried onion/chilli/
garlic mix. Add half your flaked tuna and stir into this a bag of ready
washed wild rocket.

6) Into second half of cooked spaghetti add your tomato sauce and the other half of
your flaked tuna.

7) Serve in separate serving dishes with some baked garlic bread from the freezer
and salad if you have it. Grind on some black pepper to taste and offer a block
of fresh parmesan to grate or flake.

Buon appetito!!

Love to all, and happy eating everyone!

Susan

It's so cold the wildlife in my beautiful cottage garden have gone to ground. I'm sure once they get used to this sudden change in temperature the garden will be bustling again, but right now, as I stare out of my study window, the garden is deserted. Or is that the work of the mink?
Don't get me started!
But just so you know I haven't forgotten... for any animal activists out there, may I suggest you consider the rights of our own wildlife before you free any more mink?
I wonder if Mrs Duck will even bring her chicks here to the wretched minks 'killing ground' next spring...

However back to the wip, which is magical and fun and all about Christmas... mince pies, candles and chocolate... that's enough to put a smile back on my face... but if I look up from my work and see that mink...

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

Am experiencing what so many of us do... the harder you try to please others the more likely they are to complain.

I have a theory, which has only just hit me... so, try this on for size and see what you think...

We're all stretched to the max' and frequently the guilt goblin gets us by the throat and gives us a good shake... that's when we make a special effort for those we care about...hot dinners, clean clothes... (actually, only joking here, because I love cooking [and eating] and my Miele washing machine has never let me down)

I think it's human nature... because at these times our vulnerability is showing, our weak underbelly is exposed. What happens? Everyone pounces.

Strangely, had just similar conversation with LFG (son's lovely French girlfriend) who has offered to put on a typical French Christmas Eve celebration this year...You'd think everyone would be delighted, wouldn't you? I certainly am.
Instead, it's been nothing but aggravation for her- This one can't come at that time, and another one has to leave early, someone else won't eat this or that. In the end Soleine threw up her hands in that typical Gallic way and asked me, why am I bothering?

What did I tell her?

You're trying too hard to please everyone and by giving them the opportunity to carp you're ending up pleasing no one... so please yourself, and then you're pleasing someone. Shame I can't take my own advice!

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

Have just submitted some fantastic shots from my research trip to Rome to Access Romance and Bekke has promised to make them live as soon as possible... so watch out for that on www.accessromance.com 'Scrapbook'... thats if you want to see a picture of me in my pinny, of course!!

Also Xandra just mailed to say she is going to be launching a daily horoscope so we can all check out our sun signs each day.
It's still a wip (work in progress)Xandra says bashfully.
Don't worry, Xandra, we're all in this together and we're all rooting for you- wip or not, I'm sure it will be a great success.
And NO we can't wait another minute- finished or not, here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here's the URL girls...
http://xandrakingdailysunsigns.blogspot.com/

How much excitement can I take?! Truth is, I need to get back to my writing girls and boys... so you have the fun, how's that?!

Also have just taken delivery of huge skip into which I am supposed to dump the accumulated rubbish of 28 years marrage, during which time we have moved hither and yon without me getting rid of a single scrap of paper or a 'thing'
Do you have 'things' I know I have trillions of 'things'... but what's the betting when I get them all out from their hidey holes I can't bear to part with any of them? And the time it will take just sitting there on the floor going, 'Oh, do you remember this...'

Deadline?
What deadline!

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

In answer to those of you who have asked when my book set in Rome will hit the shelves...
The completed manuscript is due to be delivered March 2006, which means it will be on sale Spring 2007.
A long wait I know, but I hope you agree with me that it will be worth it!

I drafted the story while I was there and am straining at the leash to 'get at it', but first there are other projects I must complete.

Have you checked out your horoscope yet? Do let me know what you think of our new Sun Sign page...
Of course Xandra is still building the site, but that's good because it gives us something to look forward to each month. Personally, I can't wait for *December* :))

Back to the writing cave now; this is a powerful year for Scorpios according to our astrologer, Xandra King, so I don't want to waste a minute of it.

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Susan

The best thing about my trip?
That had to be spending time with chums I don't see nearly enough of since moving to the other side of the country. We had so much fun in each other's company and there wasn't a cross word between us.

The worst thing?
Seeing a gang of pickpockets accost an elderly Chinese gentleman.
Thankfully the police were there to foil the gang... but the technique used if something for us all to beware of- One personable young man approaches with a clipboard to ask you to sign in support of some worthy charity or other...while you are listening his comrades approach from the other side of the road (on your blind side) and start emptying your pockets/bags etc.
Very very frightening to see in action.
We wore our bags under our coats from then on, and when we went out for a meal only one of us carried a credit card (in her bra!)- none of us carried a bag.

Is it worth risking the dangers to see Rome?
Most definately. You will never see sights like those in such profusion anywhere else in the world. Riding past the Coliseum on an open top bus is something I'll never forget; you can practically hear the roar of the crowd. The same with Circus Maximus where some of the bigger chariot races were held. It's absolutely incredible to see these places, some of them almost intact after so many centuries.

The open top bus is a relatively new development in Rome. You can buy a ticket on the bus for 13 Euros (though I was told this isn't possible at the Vatican, so you'd have to check that) The ticket is good for 24 hours and you can get on and off wherever you wish. The service is great, with a bus every 10 minutes.
I have to say this is absolutely the best way to get your bearings and to see the sights... the height is what you need when you're staring up at the Coliseum, believe me!!
Earphones are provided so you can listen to a commentary in your own language, and you also get a map... so all in all, a pretty good deal.

The cooking was fun- mustn't forget I went to do an Italian cookery course! But the experience is everything... I get more ideas from one research trip than I could ever get from a book... the sights, the sounds, the smells, the light...

So, to conclude- the food is fabulous, the shopping too... though the prices on the main drag compare with any major city.
The markets however are a different story... my fave purchase? A bead necklace I didn't even have the brass neck to haggle over. The price? 3 Euros!!!

We have a winner for my Blog-exclusive competition... so congratulations to Nikki Cole! A signed copy of the very first UnCut romance, Virgin for Sale will be winging it's way to you as soon as you let me have your snail mail, Nikki.

Better get into the writing cave now!!
Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Susan

First of all, have to say I am addicted to Xandra King's site...
Apart from containing some fascinating astrological facts it's one of the most beautiful sites I've ever seen. The graphic art is just amazing, and the colours- based on the film Moulin Rouge, I'm told- are stunning.
Don't miss out! Go take a look on http://www.xandraking.com or direct through this site on our own special link- just click the yummy Xandra King banner.

Secondly, my great friend Portia da Costa has a new book coming out and it's so hot that Ellora's Cave had to bring the release date forward!
The book is called 'Lessons and Lovers' and it's a 16th November 2005 release for Ellora's Cave.
You should be able to read more about Lessons and Lovers on the Ellora's Cave site next Wednesday- so that's definitely a not to miss date!!!
There's also some more info' up on Portia's site at http://www.planetportia.com

That's it for tonight... I'm off to check out the news on my sun sign on Xandra's site
http://www.xandraking.com

And here's a very special competition exclusive to this blog...
The first person to mail me with my correct sun sign wins a signed copy of my Dec 2005 UK Modern Jan 2006 Presents/Sexy release Virgin for Sale

Have fun and happy reading everyone!

Susan

Hi Norm!

Who's Norm, you may ask... Ah well, it isn't every guy who's man enough to brave a cooking class in Rome with a crowd of women, but Norm had what it took to... well, to boil our pasta.

Well done Norm you added just the right amount of seasoning to the mix.

And now... I'm sure you'd like to hear how chic I look on my 15 kilo weight allowance... Unfortunately, that's not my only problem- there are so many pick pockets about your author has taken to wearing her bag beneath her coat, so from the front she looks 12 months pregnant, and from the back she looks like the hunchback of Notre Dame. Looooovely.

And this morning the plumbing failed, followed by me mailing my chum Penny Jordan and getting so carried away I let my bath overflow. (serves me right for joke-bragging to my three chums with me here that I have the best bedroom out of all of us - which I do - and a bathroom like a ballroom - more floor to mop!!)
So I spent what little spare time I have away from the cooking course on my hands and knees mopping the floor while I waited for the plumber to arrive and fix things.

Sounds like fun?

Just call me Cinderella!!

Look in soon for info' on another of my brilliant chums whose book for Ellora's Cave is about to hit the shelves...

And don't forget to take a look at your horoscope via our link to Xandra King!

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

Check them out! Fantastic, or what?!
Wonderful work by two talented web mistresses... Josephine for Glass Slipper Web Design who created Xandra King's fabulous site, and Wendy for Artemis Web Design who forged a link for me from our own Susan Stephens' site.

And now for news from the spare tyre factory... otherwise known as room 334 in my fab Rome hotel, where your author is in fine plumpitude after pigging out last night.

Oh, yes... this is the place for food my friends... take last night for instance...

I began with deep fried vegetables with sweet and sour sauce. The batter was as light as air... crisp, and golden brown.

Fresh and I mean fresh Sea Bass followed on a julienne of crispy vegetables. Can't tell you what the sauce was, except that it was most definitely delicious... light and flavoursome and I could have gone on eating it all night... except that of course, I had to leave space for PUDDING!

Tirimasu... my all-time favourite Italian pud' served with a demi-tasse tiny cup full of semi-frozen coffee cream.
Was I in heaven? Ooooooh yeeeeeeees!

And with individual pots of hot coffee (yes, we had to make a special request for 'hot' coffee as Italians prefer their coffee lukewarm- (a bit like our beer back in the UK as one wag pointed out) came home-made petit fours...
Well, I didn't like to offend the chef by that point, so I had to sample those too.

And now? It's time to eat again as it's almost breakfast-time... and then I start day one of my cookery course. Am quite apprehensive as one of the chums here with me is a professional chef and the other two girls are fantastic cooks... and then there's me.

Ah well, there always has to be one joker in the pack!!

Back tomorrow with news of how I get on...

Love to all, and happy reading everyone...

Off to check out Xandra's site

Susan x

I'm just so excited about this new development on the Susan Stephens site... check out your sun sign now through the link on this site.

I'm sure you'll agree with me that Xandra King has the most fascinating site and that the link through is a great development for us.

I'm writing this to you from the beautiful city of Rome... where at present the sun is shining (well, not actually, since it's almost midnight- but it was beautiful today!) and where tomorrow I will be starting a fabulous cookery course with three of my good friends (well we're good friends at this point- who knows when we've chucked a few custard pies around?!)

Am going to keep you absolutely up to date with all our exploits in the kitchen... and yes, I have already started to think up the thread of a new story... and it includes celebrities and glamour and jewels and excitement and hot hot romance (both in and out of the kitchen) So, watch this space for more info!!!

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!!
Susan

(don't forget to check your sun sign chart before you go to bed on www.xandraking.com)

Had occasion to visit snooty concession inside popular store yesterday.

Interesting, to say the least.

Tell me, why do people become snooty when they are selling snooty products?

It's all the same to me- but some people might be put off... and isn't the idea of selling to 'woo' people, rather than do your darndest to scare them away?

Sorry I couldn't be with your yesterday, 'Blogger' was down... and I have been told Xandra's site might be up today, so will be back later to let you know if anything happens.

Meanwhile, love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

Packing for Rome... only to discover budget airline has 15 kilo limit... Can I walk the streets of Rome in no clothes just a pair of shoes?
It would be a different pair each day... three changes a day...

No, I thought not.
Apart from the fact that this would cause mass panic as people rushed to cover their eyes, or, if they were too slow for that, fainted at the site of enough spare tyres to equip every Vespa in sight with new wheels, I'd get cold and wet; this is November.

So, that's the shoes out.

Now, how many handbags can I take?

Shrieks of horror from everyone who knows me... 'Do you want to have your bag snatched?'

OK, so bags are out too.

Some smart clothes... after all, we are staying in a smart hotel?

'Puleeeeese! Do you want to draw attention to yourself? And absolutely no jewellery.'

So, how about some nice beads?

'You mean the ones that look like real pearls? Are you kidding? Do you want to
draw-'

OK, OK, I get the picture!

Will someone please tell me why I'm going to Rome?
And... if you happen to be there at the same time and see a scruffy middle-aged mum with a money-belt throwing her shell suit out of line... come over and give me a hug- I'm going to need one!

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

1) Don't panic, the new competition is coming!

2) The delay is because we're waiting to link through to Xandra King's site where the
answer to my competition is waiting for you to find!!
Which also explains why the lovely Wendywoo of Artemis Web Design hasn't been
able to raise all my lovely new pics and news on our own Susan Stephens site

3) The good news is, I'm told Xandra's site should be live by Monday!!!

Yes, I know... my nails have been bitten down to the... well, the elbow. This wait has been jibber-jobbling, hasn't it?

BUT just to whet your appetite... here's my question for the new competition.
And to celebrate the fact that we're going to have our very own Sun Sign page, it's all to do with star signs...

In my latest book, Virgin for Sale, what star signs are Lisa Bond and Tino Zagorakis?

You'll find the answer on Xandra's site, and don't worry, I'll come back on-line and BLOG the moment I hear the site's live, so you'll be the first to know.

Love to all, and happy reading everyrone!

Susan

Congratulations to DIANE NEWBERG, FROM Virginia USA... Who has won my Autumn competition and will hopefully be receiving the Greek worry beads I brought back from my last but one trip to Greece before too long.

The winner was picked out of a hat by Rosie, who helps me with my competitions and who hasn't stopped singing, 'West Virginia... Blue Ridge mountains, Shanendoah river...' (excuse spelling if wrong! Have just sent off ms, so am in highly nervous state!) (Hey, Diane- can I have those worry beads back? Only joking, I've got some right here) (sounds of frantic worry bead fumbling off!)

Anyway am off to put some make-up on for the first time in what seems like weeks and then I have to go shopping because- you guessed it- the milk is sour and we don't have a thing to eat.

Big Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah for Susan, please!

(actually, a bigger ah for Susan's long-suffering family would be more appropriate!)

(and yes, I'm going to miss Sheikh Shahin- but what's the betting I get him back again for a few more tweaks?) Now, you're jealous, aren't you?
Form an orderly line if you want to tweak Sheikh Shahin, girls!!

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

Susan