An Explanation of Absence

3/25/2012 12:07:41 AM 

It is with the deepest sadness and a daughter’s love that I write this post.

On Wednesday, March 21st 2012, I witnessed an act of great courage.

Whilst in hospital, following an operation to replace an elbow joint, a series of unexpected and tragic events propelled my mother to a place from which she knew she could not return and she made the brave decision to call an end to her treatment.

The wonderful lady who passed on to me a love of books and an appreciation for the written word, left this world, with grace and dignity.

There are many things I would like to write, but Mum was a woman who treasured her privacy.

 

If you ask me how old she was, I will say not old enough.

If you ask if she was frightened, I will tell you she had no fear.

If you ask if it was a shock, I will nod, but say she knew it was her time.

 

She was a tiny woman with a huge capacity for compassion.

And even with her failing heart, she loved unconditionally.

She was my counsel, my keeper of secrets and my friend.

She was my mum.

 

And I loved her.

 

 Laura x

Comments:

Bluestockingmum:

3/26/2012 3:48:48 PM

Ahhh, a Mother’s love…

Dear Laura

I echo what everyone’s written here. And what a wonderful tribute to your wonderful mum.

I was right; you are a chip off the old block! How alike you both sound. You were blessed to have each other, I’m sure, and she will have admired her brave, beautiful daughter equally.

You know at times like these, we sometimes fail to see when someone dies, it isn’t the end. Your mum lives on in you; the values she instilled, the loves she shared, and your indomitable spirit that she nurtured – THIS will be her legacy, and your mum will live on as you teach those values and strengths to your own children…

Keep writing, expressing yourself as you do with such heart and depth and I bet you anything your mum will be watching over you, marvelling at her wonderful daughter and willing you to find the success you deserve.

Whatever happens in your life from this point forward, Laura, know you were always loved and you truly loved your lovely mum.

Nothing and no-one will ever take away and I bet she’s right there, sitting on your shoulder, watching over you and her grand children forever.

xxx

When I read this, Debbie, I cried all over again, but what wise and comforting words. Thank you. I’m waiting for the little white feather… xx

 

Jennie Bohnet:

3/26/2012 3:08:24 PM

Mother Love.

So sorry to hear about your loss. You’ve written a wonderful tribute to your mum. Look after yourself at this sad and difficult time.

Thank you, Jennie. It’s been an odd couple of weeks – very up and down, but I am grateful I had the opportunity to share good news with her before she became ill. x

 

Anita Chapman:

3/26/2012 11:02:58 AM

Your mum.

Laura, I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your mum. Your post is so beautifully written and such a wonderful tribute to her. I know how difficult it is to lose a mother and my thoughts are with you. Lots of love, Anita X

Thank you, Anita. I’ve been blessed for forty five years. We were very close and I shall miss her. I can’t see that changing. xx

 

Phillipa Ashley:

3/26/2012 9:13:28 AM

Your Mum.

Laura, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved mum. You must have given her a lot of happiness and joy.

That’s a very kind thing to say, Phillipa. Thank you. x

 

Sue Moorcoft:

3/26/2012 7:54:29 AM

You and your mum.

Much love, Laura. Losing someone you love is so hard. xxx

Thank you for your support, Sue. xx

 

Lyn (ManicScribbler@blogspot.co.uk):

3/25/2012 6:19:54 PM

Mothers.

Oh my gosh, Laura, I can barely see the screen, my eyes are so misted up. My heartfelt condolences to you. I do understand your loss, having gone through this pain myself.

But you have acknowledged the legacy your mother left you and which will always live on in you. Already – and so soon – you’ve managed to use that to inspire others. You are your mother’s daughter, and there’s not a single doubt that her frail heart would be bursting with pride for you. Keep writing. For her. Keep making her proud.

Lyn

Lyn, it’s very kind of you to take the time to visit, read and leave such a sincere message. It gives me strength. Thank you.

 

Stephanie Keyes:

3/25/2012 2:37:02 PM

Thinking Of You.

Laura,

I am so sorry that you have to go through this. I lost my dad in May after a six year battle with cancer, so I know it’s never easy to lose someone we love. However, I do know this. They watch over us and keep us safe. She will always be with you. 🙂

I’m sorry to hear about your dad; I imagine it is still very raw for you. We are approaching the seventh anniversary of the loss of my lovely step-dad. Cancer took him in just over a year. When Mum went, I realised I wasn’t a proper grown-up, despite being married with children, and having a house and a job. I relied on her advice and experience to guide me through tough times. On Thursday, I grew up. xxx

 

Wendy Standley:

3/25/2012 12:44:54 PM

Your Mum.

I am so sorry to hear your news. I have tears in my eyes whilst reading. You wrote such lovely words. Thinking of you and your family. xxx

That’s very kind, Wendy. Our lives are changing. Things around here will be very different. xx

 

Debs Carr:

3/25/2012 12:25:34 PM

Your Loss.

Your beautiful tribute made me cry. Your mother sounds so strong and much loved.

I’m so sorry for your loss.x

Thank you, Debs. xx

 

Ellie James:

3/25/2012 12:07:41 PM

Absence.

I was crying all of Wednesday night after arriving home from a friends but I feel alright right now, it comes in waves of emotions. Sometimes I will cry myself to sleep other nights I fall asleep naturally.

Love you Mum Xxx

We have each other, Ellie. Your Gran was extremely proud of you and your brother, as your dad and I are. It will hurt, but we’ll keep talking and remembering and as a family we shall get through. Love you, Number 1 xxx

 

EmmaPass:

3/25/2012 9:55:36 AM

Absence.

Laura, I’m so sorry. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful tribute – your mum sounds like a truly amazing lady. Sending you loads of hugs. Xxx

Thank you, Emma. Mum was pretty cool. xx

 

Jane Risdon:

3/25/2012 8:07:26 AM

A Daughter’s Love.

Laura, so moving and so uplifting too. My condolences on your Mother’s passing and my admiration for your demeanor and obvious love for her.

Thank you. x

 

Rebecca:

3/25/2012 6:29:49 AM

Your mum.

I cried reading your beautiful tribute to your mother. So moving.

And in response to your reply to Effie – you already are, dear heart, you already are.

Much love and hugs to you at this very sad time. Take care.

R xxx

You have a kind soul, Rebecca. Thank you. xxx

 

Kyla:

3/25/2012 5:04:42 AM

Love.

Laura, I wish I could write something profound that would make things easier but I can’t, but I do know your loss and I do know that your Mum must have been increadibly proud of you and that there is no doubt that her last days were the best they could have been in the circumstances because of you and your love, much love and respect xxxxx

Thank you, Kyla. xxx

 

Jen Fishler:

3/25/2012 3:38:25 AM

Your Mom. Mine.

I am weeping. I don’t even know you, but I am weeping.

I am also sitting beside my mom’s bed, in my guestroom.

She has congenital heart failure. Some days, like today,

she is so weak, this tiny little woman…but she gives

me so much…

I have brought her to live with me.

I am treasuring this time.

And I sincerely wish I could give you a hug.

Jen

Hi Jen. Thank you for taking the time to comment and for your kind sentiments. I was my mother’s carer for nearly seven years and I do not regret a single moment we spent together, even those times when we disagreed about something.

Enjoy your time together. Have no regrets.

 

Celia Anderson:

3/25/2012 2:50:00 AM

Beloved Mum.

Woke up in the middle of the night and just wondered how you were, Laura. So glad you could write this; it’s a fantastic tribute. I know your mum must have already been proud of you for all sorts of things, but one day she’ll be even prouder, in whatever lovely place she’s now resting. You have a great future as a writer.

Much love

Celia xxx

Celia – you’re very kind and your heart is as big as a mountain. Bigger. Much love to you. xx

 

effiemerryl@btinternet.com:

3/25/2012 12:22:44 AM

Absence.

Oh Laura. I am so sorry for your loss. You have my deepest sympathy and great feelings of friendship. I know that sudden loss and it’s horrible but your post is a lovely tribute to your mum.

Take care, remember her, be kind to yourself.

XX

Thank you, Effie. I hope I can conduct myself with the same grace and dignity as Mum. xx

Tales From The BIG Chair

3/2/2012 6:06:40 PM     

On the off-chance I didn’t mention it enough times, I have a new writing chair.

It is a BIG chair, wholly unsuitable for the kitchen, where my desk is, but very, very comfortable. When I first sat in the BIG chair, my husband observed that I looked like Ronnie Corbett, about to tell a protracted joke.

I have considered living in it and never climbing out, but you know how it is; the family want feeding, their clothes need washing and eventually someone asks if that rancid smell in the corner is you.

So, having showered and cleared my diary on Wednesday morning, I sat down to write my daily target of a thousand words.

Apart from stopping to perform motherly/daughterly/wifely duties (yes, even after the Ronnie Corbett remark, I still washed Gajitman’s volleyball kneepads), I haven’t stopped writing. I tweeted that I believe the chair is transmitting ideas.

How can an item of furniture make such a difference?

I can only think that with my improved posture and decrease in lower back pain, I am more relaxed, thus allowing an increased flow of oxygen to my brain.

Or maybe I have been hallucinating, intoxicated by the new leather smell.

 

Comments:

Jan Brigden:

3/5/2012 4:27:48 PM

The Chair.

Love it, Laura! That is one mighty fine chair. And you’re right about the increased comfort and better posture making a difference. ‘The Chair’ definitely deserves this blog post x

Retro Reviewer: Wrapped Up In You.

2/3/2012 12:07:17 PM

I was eighteen the last time I wrote a book review.

It would have been for English A’ level and it was quite probably The Wife Of Bath’s Prologue and Tale. I remember a woman getting married in a red dress and young Janekin with his long legs. My English teacher was so enthusiastic about the book, I couldn’t help but get caught up in it.

Today, I am writing about Wrapped Up In You a book by Carole Matthews.
It is the story of thirty-something Janie Johnson, a hairdresser from the Home Counties, whose lack of love-life is of great interest to her clients and colleagues.
A spontaneous holiday to the Maasai Mara and a connection with Dominic, her tour guide and Maasai warrior, throws her whole world upside down. The feeling is mutual, but Janie must return home to her fearsome cat, Archie and her lovely neighbour, Mike, who is always nearby to offer a helping hand.
Janie is desperate to get back to Dominic, but with the distance between them, geographically and socially, will anything come of their attraction?

Having lost years not reading Carole’s books, I’m now playing catch up. Wrapped Up In You is my second, the first being The Only Way Is Up. I have several in my To Be Read pile and here are the reasons why:
Instantly, I am transported to the characters worlds. I have never been to the Maasai Mara, but Carole is such an accomplished writer, I could visualise the landscape and hear the night time noises clearly.

I enjoy the way in which the male characters bond – there are moments in Wrapped Up In You and The Only Way Is Up that had me shedding a tear. On both occasions, it was to do with the way in which two male characters demonstrate a manly warmth for one another. I found the interactions very moving.

Observation appears to be the key. I am in love with Archibald the Aggressive, Janie’s wonderfully alpha male cat. As a pet lover and carer to two cats, I thought Archie’s behaviour and personality was spot on. His antics and unswerving hopefulness for food made me laugh. Many times.

Finally, I enjoyed the feel of Wrapped Up In You. There is an air of melancholy at the beginning, which helped me empathise with the main character. I could feel her mood and understand her actions. As the reader, I was guided smoothly from one emotion to another, the mood changing throughout the story. It took me with it. When I turned the last page, I wasn’t quite ready to come back.

If you have not read any of Carole Matthews’s books, I urge you to. You have twenty from which to choose.
I will be reading them all.

Carole Matthews’s new book, Summer Daydreams is out now.

My Christmas Find Out Friday was with the lovely Carole Matthews and can be read on my Blog page.

Another hard working author will be with me in next week’s Find Out Friday.

Challenging Writing

1/21/2012 1:36:25 AM

On New Year’s Day, I signed up to a challenge.
In an attempt to kick start my new WIP (work in progress), I signed up for author, Sally Quilford’s challenge, a 100k in a 100 days. That means I have committed myself to writing 1000 words a day until the 9th April. The rules do not allow me to count the words in my blogs, but short stories, poems, letters and of course, adding to my WIP, all count.
Having made excellent progress to begin with, I have fallen a little behind, but it is early days. I have written just over 16,000 words for the WIP, first draft, and I am pleased with that. If you consider Truth Or Dare? took somewhere between 3 – 4 years to write and finalise, then you’ll appreciate 3 weeks to write nearly a fifth of a book is not bad going, even if I do say so myself. The support group is lovely and we can keep tabs on how well we are doing. Excellent idea, Sally and thank you for instigating it. I am learning to banish my inner editor for the duration.

I shall tell you why I fell behind.

Apart from everyday life stuff, like eating, sleeping, and looking after poorly family members, I spent a fortnight preparing ToD for submission. I had to learn how to write a query letter and I had to ‘master’ writing a synopsis. I did not find either of these tasks easy to complete and I have no idea if they are right, but I worked hard on them and did my very best to produce my very best.
Without the help of my writing friends, I would have fretted twice as much. The support and guidance I received from fellow RNA members was overwhelming and many thanks are owed.
I am incredibly lucky to be a member of such a nurturing and supportive community. I feel the same about our local group too. Don’t pass up the opportunity to join a writing group if writing is where your heart lies.

If you are a writer of romance, be it mystery, paranormal, sweet – any type – consider applying to join the New Writers’ Scheme through the Romantic Novelists’ Association. You will have to be quick, as places are taken within the first twenty four hours of ‘lines opening’ and as far as I am aware, this was the case this year, but it is a wonderful thing.

I submitted Truth Or Dare? on Friday 13th.

Next week Find Out Friday will be here. Have a great weekend and see you then.

Evolution.

12/30/2011 11:11:56 PM

This is the point where we stop saying two thousand and something and say twenty something
As we enter the new year, how many people will continue to say two thousand and twelve, two thousand and thirteen? I expect most of us will short hand it to twenty twelve, twenty thirteen, twenty fourteen, all the way to the year three thousand.

I never make New Year resolutions as I believe change should occur at a time appropriate to one’s situation. Having said that, we are forever adapting to fit in with life; our behaviour changes depending on whom we are with and our preconceived ideas can be altered in an instant when we’re faced with the reality of a situation.
It is difficult to remain constant in an ever-evolving world.

I hope to evolve with it.

Perhaps we should rename the resolutions to hopes.
I have plenty of those. Thank goodness for 366 days.

Two thousand and eleven has been a year of positive change for me.

I love singing, but it was the right time to rest from it. I’m enjoying my family life, my established and new friendships and my writing.
The writing community provides one of the most supportive and nuturing environments I have come across, right from our local writing group, Off The Cuff, to the national Romantic Novelists’ Association. Thank you, my writerly friends, for taking such good care of me.

My family too have supported my writing efforts and I love that they don’t glaze over when I’m rambling on about a new character or a problem with a plot. I have some very good friends like that too.

I embraced Twitter this year. I wonder why I didn’t take to it two years ago, when I first signed up, but maybe it wasn’t the right time. Used properly, it is a wonderful thing.

Two thousand and eleven was a year of learning and listening and realising my family and friends have no problem with me being me.
I think maybe I did some evolving.

Well, it’s almost New Year’s Eve, so I shall wish you all a Happy New Year and look forward to hearing about your hopes for twenty twelve.
Thank you for staying with me.

Laura x

 

Comments:

Shirley Davis:

1/4/2012 11:51:45 AM

New Year & Hello & Writing.

Hi Laura – followed you over from 100k/100days! We have some things in common except I cannot sing but I write, make cards and know a few things about being disabled and accepting me as me.

Yes, it is twenty twelve now – hubby and I had that discussion at New Year. Love idea of hopes, not resolutions. My big aim (other than creativity in forms I am meddling in) is to be more assertive, less certain everyone is thinking this, tat or the other about me. As thy probably aren’t and I worry too much.

Good to meet you, Laura!

 

Peter:

12/31/2011 11:19:12 AM

Evolution.

I have a feeling that 2012, whichever way you say it, is going to be the year that you become a published author…and well deserved it will be too!! Best wishes for next year to all your family.

 

Sue Fortin:

12/30/2011 11:48:27 PM

New Year.

What a lovely post Laura. Here’s to 2012 and evolving! Xx

2011

12/23/2011 12:00:34 PM

It’s Christmas Eve eve and all through the house…
it was bedlam.
No change there, then.
Unfortunately, like most of West Dorset, the James Household has been struck down by the sickness bug, but we are on the mend and I am now looking forward to Christmas. At the beginning of the week, I was too unwell to worry about it. Thankfully, I had completed my shopping and my husband always does the food shopping. The tree is up, but I had nothing to do with that. My very capable daughter arranged it and it is beautiful. My son supplied lots of healing hugs and my friends took the mickey out of me.
I am very lucky and would not be without any of my family and friends.

So. Here it is.

To all my friends, long-standing and getting-to-know-you’s – you have made a huge difference to my life and I thank you for that.
For all my readers and website visitors (which also includes friends – thinking I may need a Venn diagram here) – I hope I have provided you with entertaining and/or informative posts and I truly appreciate you showing an interest and your continued support. Thank you.
My Find Out Friday victims, sorry, guests – what little crackers you all are. Thank you so much for indulging me and responding to the call so promptly and honestly. Without you, there would be no FOF.
As for my family – I love you all very much.

I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous 2012.

Liebster Award

11/16/2011 9:54:05 PM

Today, I received the Liebster Award from fellow writer, Catherine Miller. www.katylittlelady.com Thank you, Catherine.

This is an award for blogs with less than 200 followers, that the Giver enjoys and feels deserves more support and Catherine particularly likes my new feature, Find Out Friday, which this week, is about erotic romance writer, Lucy Felthouse.
Catherine said: Laura is also a member of the NWS. We met over the waves of twitter and her sense of humour always makes me laugh. She’s started a regular Find Out Friday slot on her blog.

Now, there are some things that as a recipient I must do:
1) Thank the person who gave me the award and link back to that person’s blog.
2) Copy and paste the award to my blog. (Please see my Photos for this.)
3) Reveal the five blogs I have chosen to award, commenting on their blog to break the news.
4) Hope these people will keep the award going by accepting the Liebster Blog Award and forward it to bloggers they would like to honour.

So, without further ado, here are my five choices of blogs I follow and the reasons why.
Debbie White http://gonnabepublishedoneday.blogspot.com Debbie’s posts are always truthful and heartfelt and she willingly took my challenge of being my first Find Out Friday guest. It is a great interview.

Helen M Hunt Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.I met Helen at the Festival of Romance and she indulged my passion for talking. Helen is a mistress of the short story and a dedicated reviewer of books.

Susie Maguire http://wrathofgodherself.blogspot.com Susie has worked relentlessly to encourage people to sign the petition in protest of BBC Radio 4 cutting their short story slots. If you care about the future of writing, Susie is one to follow. Respect to you, Susie, but you knew that.

Suzannah Butcher http://www.work-for-mums.com/category/wfm-blog This blog is designed to encourage and inspire working mums setting up in business. Suzannah is a very dear friend of mine and what she has achieved in the last few years in terms of supporting Mumpreneurs has been outstanding. She is an entrepreneurial inspiration.

Emma Pass http://www.emmapass.blogspot.com Today’s blog caught my eye and as a result, I have gone back through some of Emma’s other blogs. Lovely words and beautiful pictures. I am now following Emma’s blog.

So, there you have it.

Please enjoy.

 Laura x

I Am What I Am.

11/8/2011 8:33:30 PM

Warning: My post contains black humour. If mortality is an unnerving concept, this might not be for you. I am posting one of my short stories in honour of National Short Story Week. www.nationalshortstoryweek.org.uk
Welcome to my dark side.

I Am What I Am.

Me? I’m the life and soul of the party. I dread the day when I can no longer wear my six inch heels or my spray-on black and crystal-encrusted Jane Norman.

It’s not actually spray-on – that’s just what my daughters call it. Occasionally I wonder if they feel embarrassed by me. If they do, they never say.

I sing in a jazz band every Friday and Saturday night – have done for years, even as far back as when we were allowed to smoke on stage. Con Clubs, British Legion – I even gigged at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire last year. My tribute to Shirley Bassey went down a storm.

I love music. I’ve already chosen the songs to be played at my cremation. Rod Stewart has always been one of my favourites, but my husband of twenty three years doesn’t think Hot Legs is an appropriate choice, and he said no to Take That. Maybe Relight My Fire is expecting too much from the congregation. He completely lost it when I mentioned Burn by Nine Inch Nails. I was surprised when my youngest suggested it, but it’s good to see she has my optimistic sense of humour and not her father’s ever present pessimism.

Well, it’s said that opposites attract.

I’ve chosen my burial outfit too. Having failed to find anything respectable in my overstocked dressing room, I went shopping with my girls. It took some negotiation, but we settled on a, what I would call Christmas purple, evening gown, with full length sleeves that flare at the cuffs. I’m tempted to wear it at the next show, but I wouldn’t be seen dead in the same dress twice. I just pray the girls will guide my husband away from his usual suggestion of ‘wear something comfortable for once’. Dear God, don’t let him put me in that M&S winceyette dressing gown. Perhaps I could leave the label sticking out so he could see the ‘Keep away from flames’ warning.

We’ve had some laughs over the choice of coffin. I asked my son-in-law if he could build me one – I know how much he loves to use the power tools we bought him for his birthday. I’m not very big – four bits of ply and a few nails should do it – nothing he couldn’t get from B&Q, and I’ve already got some handles – I took them off our old dresser before it was consigned to the tip.

I wonder if there are any parts of me that could be reused.

What was that? Mrs Jones? Yes, that’s me.

I guess I’ll find out now.

It’s been lovely passing away the time with you. For what it’s worth, I think ladies with bald heads are very sexy and you have so many wonderful hats to choose from now. Who knew you could buy a Philip Treacy imitation at Wednesday’s market?

Best go – the oncologist is waiting for me.

Wish me luck.

 

 Comments:

 Peter:

11/9/2011 4:07:58 PM

Your DARK side.

Very funny, just my sort of humour, well put together and despite the topic, full of optimism and hope!

Hearts in Herts.

10/26/2011 8:48:53 PM

 Having spent a great evening with my brother, I returned to Hunton Park on Saturday morning, ready for whatever the day was about to throw at me.

Saturday was a day of firsts.
First, I went to the For Her Eyes Only panel, to discuss reading and writing of erotic romance and erotica. There is a growing market for erotica, if you’ll excuse the pun, and there were a few people considering turning their hand to it.

I then had a group meeting with Choc Lit’s editor, Lyn Vernham. I think we should all look out for Chock Lit – I believe they are going to grow and grow.
They have a rigorous screening process, but this ensures quality books only are published.

Before lunch, I went along to the panel entitled From Chick Lit to Hen Lit. Hen Lit is a term now used for stories that have an older heroine. That works for me.
Lunch was followed by a rather spectacular Authors Fashion Show, a panel entitled Not What Your Mother Might Expect, discussing gay romance and a presentation by Mills and Boon.

The keynote interview was with Carole Matthews. This was a wonderfully warm interview with a lovely and humorous lady and personally, one of the draws of the Festival. Carole’s new book, Wrapped Up In You was shortlisted for the Reader Awards.

The next half hour was spent in the presence of a bare-topped Loveswept hero handing out cupcakes. Things we romantic novelists and writers have to endure.
With cupcake in hand, my final event of the day was an informal chat with literary agent, Jane Judd.

After a wash and brush up, the evening’s Have a Heart Ball commenced, raising money for CHF and GUCH, two charities who support children and teenagers with congenital heart disease. The Reader Award and New Talent Awards were announced and I would like to say well done to all those short-listed and congratulations to Sue Moorcroft, Jean Fullerton and Henri Gyland for winning their categories.

The evening was made complete by the genuinely kind and beautiful people I had the pleasure and luck of meeting.

Was it purely a coincidence the Festival of Romance took place in Herts?

A Fine Romance.

10/25/2011 7:15:42 PM

What an incredible weekend. I have never experienced anything like it.
This weekend was The Festival of Romance, held at HuntonPark, Watford, a beautiful setting with gold and burgundy trees, velvet lawns and a large marquee.

The event launched on the Thursday evening at Watford Central Library with A Celebration of Romantic Fiction. This was hosted by Kate Allan, the event organiser, Annie Burrows, Isabelle Goddard, Lynne Connolly and Juliet Archer. Unfortunately I was unable to attend this part of the event, but my heart was there. I spent many of my youthful hours in one or other of Watford’s libraries.

I arrived very early on the Friday morning, having left home at 5:00, to glorious sunshine and complimentary coffee, having driven through the dark, singing to Abba (I outed myself at the Festival). On route, I picked up Catherine Miller, a fellow member of the Romantic Novelists Association, New Writer’s Scheme, who was excellent company.
After failing to work out how to use the coffee machine, we were rescued by a friendly member of staff, and then relaxed in large, comfy chairs and sofas, awaiting the arrival of other delegates.Celia Anderson was the first to say hello, with whom I had chatted through the Festival of Romance Online site. We also met Sarah Tranter and Sue Fortin. We were ready to rumble.

The first session I attended was So You Want To Write Short Stories For Women’s Magazines, with Helen Hunt, an extremely interesting and informative talk which has given me food for thought. This was not an area for which I had considered writing, but having listened to Helen, I can see that it would be a good way to increase one’s portfolio as well as adding to one’s earnings. It is a difficult market to enter, however. Never say never.

The next session was entitled Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves, a panel chaired by self-published Mandy Baggot, (Strings Attached), with Pamela Strange and Talli Roland, whose latest book, The Hating Game, was shortlisted for the Festival Reader Awards, and who has taken the brave decision to leave her current publisher to self-publish.
Self-publishing is now a very credible way to get a book out – it is distinctly different to vanity publishing, and the advent of e-publishing is making it a viable option.

I then attended Writing Romance with Sue Moorcroft. Sue is the NWS agony aunt and, like many of the delegates attending the Festival, a goldmine of information. This was a great workshop and discussed types of hereos and heroines – making sure the right types work well, internal and external conflict – the very problems that stop the main characters from getting together, and the ways to resolve this conflict. Veronique Moorcroft assisted.

Just as I was getting weak and wobbly with hunger, the final session before lunch began – Aspiring Authors Clinic: How To Get Published. Like the previous workshop, I would not have missed this for the world.
The panel was chaired by Cara Cooper and consisted of Xcite Books, Choc Lit and AUK. The panellists gave a very thorough explanation of what publishers expect and require from writers and authors. I made plenty of notes during this session.

With my hunger at an embarrassing level, lunch was served.

The afternoon passed just as swiftly as the morning, starting with a charity quiz where teams of four fought for first palce. Sadly, our team of three did not win, but the answers we failed at all contained numbers, and as we said at the time, we are writers, not mathematicians. (It is beside the point the numbers were dates or titles of romantic films; we do not do maths.)

I listened with great interest to the Research Club, with expert authors sharing their knowledge on subjects ranging from medical romance to the Argentine tango. In this panel were: Jan Jones, Roger Sanderson, Pamela Strange, Hywela Lyn, Phillipa Ashley, Nell Dixon and Cara Cooper.

The day ended with a chocolate making demonstration from Choc Chick, whilst Sue Moorcroft and Christina Courtenay read extracts from their latest novels, Love and Freedom and Highland Storms (respectively), published by Choc Lit. Whilst listening to the readings, we were treated to chocolate treats from Choc Chick, They were little morsels of Christmas, in my opinion.

The day finished with tea and coffee and I left for the evening.
My head was buzzing with ideas, my voice was fading with all the chatting and I was looking forward to the next day.

 Comments:

 Sarah Tranter:

10/25/2011 10:15:23 PM

Festival of Romance.

It was good wasn’t it? Fab to meet you – did your hubbie make it into school to do the necessary?