Susan Stephens' Writing Diary

Okay, I am no longer a person, or even barely recognisable as a woman, I am a lumpen mass- make that mess- with fingers that type.

But, hey... Yahoo-dee-doodle to all the truly great gals I met last night over at Writer Space!

Thank you so much for taking the trouble to stop by, ladies! And congratulations to all the prize winners.

Was it worth staying up until 3.30am to chat?

Totally and utterly!
The absolute best thing about writing is the friends we make across the world-
And when you think about it, aren't we lucky? Just a few years ago we were all saying Internet? Why do we need that? Well, now we know. It connects like minded people wherever and whoever and whatever, and that's my kind of technology.

Tried to send you some pics of 'The Harem' featured in my story The Sultan's Seduction from the anthology. One Christmas Night as I waited for 2 am UK time so I could log on and chat, but my pooter refused to cooperate.

Meanwhile, guess what ladies? Today is deadline day, and I still have 100 pages to check and print on my wip...

Just to give you a picture of moi- I feel like **** and look at least 10 x's worse. Have back ache too from leaning over this poxy teeny tiny computer- don't any of you dare buy a sony tiny laptop thingy... Yes, I know Daniel Craig has one in Casino Royale- and guess what- he can see his screen in full sunlight- amazing these Bond chappies, aren't they?!?
Just remember I won't be responsible for your aching back if you do buy one- You have been warned!

So, I did get one pic to load...

Here's pick n' mix time at the harem...
Sweeties anyone!?!


When I finish my checking and send the book in I'm going to look for the most fantabulous bedroom around so we can all take a trip to the harem together...

How many hours sleep was that Susan?

Don't be silly!

But at least I had a nice foamy bath before I came back to the writing cave!

Loce to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susanxxx

I thought it was time we had a pic of the palace that inspired my story, The Sultan's Seduction in the fab Christmas anthology, One Christmas Night.






And just to give ourselves some idea of the 'terrible' conditions in which our heroine Lizzie Palmer was expected to stay, let's take a look at the harem...


Poor girl!

H's and K's around the world,

Your friend and author,

Susan

I'm thinking that as deadline approaches I should have a pic' with a touch of veritas about it- your truly tearing her hair out, for instance.

This am I was working on new computer, which I hadn't yet got round to setting the 'save'-every-2-seconds-or-I'll-have-a-nervous-breakdown control when there was a power out. Yes, I have power surge-proof sockets, but this was a genuine power out all over the village.

'Er, where's me work?' I mumbled (all right, I shrieked, as I lost around 5 pages- and I didn't say 'er' either, but as this is a polite web site you'll just have to use your imagination to fill in the gaps)

Remind me to take that pic- but perhaps not to show you- don't want to spoil your day too!

Hugs to all

Somewhat frazzled

Susan

Oh, what the heck- we deserve a treat...

This mail was going to be a True confession on the subject of gifts, and how I once bought a beautiful scarf for one of my friends and then.... Uuuuh, the shame of it- kept it.

BUT

then I realised something else...
My favourite colour always used to be blue, but now it's pink.
Aaaaargh! Am I turning into my favourite Dame... the inimitable Dame Barbara Cartland???





Be still my fluttering heart.

But contrary to what you may think I'm going to say, I adored BC- the glamour, the jewels, the perfectly groomed dog....
Plus the idea of reclining on a couch dressed in something fabulous, dictating my ideas to a fleet-fingered secretary while I stroke my pooch and my pooch gazes at me with adoring eyes has distinct appeal-

Well, compared with ripped jeans, bare feet, and peering short-sightedly at my Sony screen while I peck away at the keyboard, why wouldn't it have?

But I wouldn't trade my scruffy pooch for anything!!



Have a great start to the week, everyone!

Love and hugs around the world from your friend and author,
Susan

Do I like the new James Bond?

Oh, yes.

Enjoy ladies!

Hugs around the world

Susan

Please join me in wishing a very happy birthday to one of the most genuine individuals it has ever been my pleasure to meet.

When you count Penny's books in sheer numbers you can't help but be astounded, but when you count this lady's books in terms of the sheer reading pleasure she has brought to millions of people over the years you simply can't take it in.

Penny Jordan, I salute you.

Love to all my friends across the world

Susan

Hope your turkey is plump and your gravy delicious!

Love to all my American friends across the world, Susanxxx

One of the first Mills and Boon authors I ever read was called Mary Burchell. Mary and her sister, Ida Cook, actually have an extremely fascinating history outside of their writing, which is well worth reading about.

However, I digress. The reason I loved Mary Burchell so much was because she had a theme of music running through so many of her stories, and I was a musician so felt we had a bond.
(Who can forget those luscious alpha conductors etc etc.. they were always so very strict with their protegees. Yum. No wonder my teenage heart beat out of my chest with excitement.)

I'm still a musician and still love writing about music, and in The Greek's Bridal Purchase I have a girl whose whole life has been music up to the point where an accident leaves her with a damaged arm.
Miranda's whole life, as well as that of her family, has been invested in her career as an international violinist- can she survive that loss as well as a Greek tycoon who starts out by using her for his own gain?

I really threw myself into this story, as I know you can guess- but would you like to see more books with at least the hint of a musical theme in them, or not?

I don't feel the same compulsion to write about male musicians- so don't worry, no alpha trumpet players are in the pipeline ;-) But I don't mind alpha music lovers, or men who play an instrument to relax... strum a guitar, caress a piano etc etc
And I do love Miranda in this story. Can't you tell?

Let me know what you think.

I love hearing from you and always take your views into account.

All Best Everyone...

Hugs around the world Susanxxx

Urgh!

Whassat!!

I jump back in alarm

(all right, all right... I stagger back in alarm)

Walking into the bathroom this morning without my specs on and seeing someone's hair drying on the towel rail is more than my poor old nerves can take!

Wishing you a calmer start to your day, ladies!

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

Thank you all so much for your birthday greetings!

I had a great day with dh sorting out flowers champagne and home made chocs, and even- he excelled himself here- canapes from the local deli before we hit the restaurant for lunch.

Here's the tribe-


Why, oh why do I never remember to take a photo when the food is on the table? (because I'm far too greedy, maybe?!)

Lunch was fab' I had Morecambe Bay shrimp with some sort of delicious fancy salad (forgot to bring the menu home too!) Traditional roast beef, which was scrumptious- the best I've ever had in a pub, and then I had poached pear with chocolate chilli sauce- unusual- quiet literally hot chocolate! Liked it. But then I like anything with chocolate in it- and then those of us who didn't indulge in pudding had been instructed to order my favourite cheese- so I really pigged out.

Ah... Uuuuummmm.... Yeah....

My prezzies were fantastic too... a lovely scarf, bath foam and other super thoughtful things from friends, plus a bracelet with hearts on from Wiggy, a new whistling kettle and teapot from son and LFF (Hoping for many more cups of tea, I'm guessing!) and a new posh purse from my baby.

DH? He bought me a new pair of walking boots.
Always makes my friends scream with laughter to think that the most romantic person on the face of the earth has a husband who buys her things like walking boots for b'days and Xmas- Maybe that's the secret behind 28 years of married bliss???!!!

All in all it was a fantastic day. Thank you everyone.

And here's the cover I've been waiting for...



The Greek's Bridal Purchase is a story about a girl whose whole life is devoted to music.
What will Miranda do when the ability to make music is cruelly taken away from her? And as if that wasn't enough when she goes to a beautiful Greek island to find herself and rebuild her life her path collides with that of a ruthless Greek tycoon...
Oh-oh!

Hugs around the world to all my friends from your friend Susan

Aching feet after my short break in London with Wiggy?
Yep.

Was it worth it?
You betcha!


We walked, we ate, we walked some more!


Had fun walking along the Thames embankment in wind and rain after one particularly spectacular meal at the River Cafe.
The underground was within sight when Wiggy yelped, 'I left my new coat at the restaurant!' Back we went. Nice :-(

And the shows we went to see?
Shot to our feet to give a standing ovation to Patrick Swayze and the cast in Guys and Dolls. Beyond fabulous :-)

Porgy and Bess on Friday night... Gershwin- what can I say? I've always been a Gershwin Groupie, and the cast on Friday night was fantastic. What a wealth of talent. Thank you to all the wonderfully gifted people who entertained us so royally.

Hugs everyone,
Susanxxx

I receive a lot of mail from people who enjoy seeing images of my capital city and as I'm off to indulge myself and Wiggy with some theatre visits this week I thought I should whet your appetite for London before I get there.


No, of course I'm not posh enough to use taxis. I buy a three day pass for the underground- It's much faster nipping around that way than any other.

Will be taking my camera- now just have to remember to use it...

Have a GREAT day everyone!

Hugs around the world
Susan

Here's a reminder for me as well as for you!!!






I have a blog, with a chance to win a prize on www.accessromance.com All-A-Blog on Thursday the 16th November.
And our topic for chatting about and winning that prize?
Total indulgence- Yes, presents... your dream gift...
Go to it, girls!!!

And then this is just because...



Just because what, Susan?

Just because we deserve it!

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Sxxx

This new blog is playing up showing blank pages from time to time- so this is a kind of 'testing testing' blog to make sure I'm getting out there!

After this its into the writing cave... and my new heroine is called, Ellie. She was Jenny, but that name just didnt work- obviously Jenny's story is coming along some time in the future.

My hero? I think I already told you his name- Alexander, and yes, he'd Greek, and a totally scrumptious Greek tycoon.
Does he sail a fishing boat?
Er, no.
If I tell you his super yacht is called The Olympus that might give you some idea of the type of modest, retiring man he is- (pic' above!)

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

12/11/2006

Strange happenings... 

11/11/2006

Once more with feeling 

09/11/2006

A Gift for you... 

Dreaming... 

07/11/2006

Bullying 

05/11/2006

Here's a quickie for today... 

04/11/2006

They knew I was coming! 

03/11/2006

Exciting Movie News for a good friend... 

02/11/2006

Thank you 

01/11/2006

'AY OOP! 

Trick or Treat