Category: Writing

Happy News Year!

2025

Happy news to share

Happy New Year to you all. We’ve had gales, rain, snow and sun and we’re nine days in only. I’m looking forward to getting back into my writing theatre, on which I’ll post another time, but for now, I’ll keep writing from the warmth of our home.

I say writing. At the moment it’s all about revising, editing, and learning how to be an indie author.

The Writing Theatre

Change of direction

I’m extremely lucky to have a fantastic support system from my family and friends to my writing family and friends. The Romantic Novelists’ Association continues to provide excellent guidance, advice and opportunities for writers of romantic fiction (which is a broad genre), and its members are kind, wise and generous with their help and offers of expertise. Without this support, the decision to self-publish wouldn’t have been an option for me, but I’m excited and raring to go.

Three years ago, the publisher of my first trio of books, Choc Lit, kindly reverted those books rights to me, bar a few outstanding licenses. It wasn’t just the physical book – it was the audio, digital, foreign and large print rights too. This month sees the final right reverted.

With this deadline on the horizon, and with novel number four, currently titled, Make Your Own Kind of Music (MYOKOM), written, edited and revised to the point I can no longer see the proverbial wood for the trees, and with the added consideration of chronic health conditions and disabilities management, it was the perfect time to rethink my career.

How it’s going

Self-publishing is not the easy route, but the more I research, the more I feel it is a good fit. As a person who manages her spoons (the Spoon Theory), indie authorship will allow me autonomy and the grace of flexibility. Publishers have deadlines, printing schedules and contracts, and I happily signed up to all that ten years ago, but I’m less energetic these days, and struggle more with fatigue. Going at my own pace will reduce the chances of letting people down. Perhaps this is a naïve perspective, as I know how hard my indie author/hybrid friends work, but I have good people behind me (family and friends cheerleading), trusted experts on board and a small, but perfectly-formed team of beta readers waiting for their first look at MYOKOM.

In the meantime, I am updating the previously published novels, starting with Follow Me Follow You, which was my second women’s fiction, but my first paperback. I love this story for so many reasons – the fun my daughter and I had inventing the social media site, EweSpeak, Victoria Noble and her journey in trying to understand her son, Seth, little Seth himself, beautiful Chris Frampton and his unconditional love for his family, and the setting of Chesil Beach and Portland, Dorset. Also, in theory, this book shouldn’t take too long to revise …

My third novel, What Doesn’t Kill You, will be my second release. My debut, Truth or Dare? will take longer. If I had written it today, ten/twelve years on from when I set out to ‘write a novel’, it would have a different feel. A different voice. A rewrite might be involved.

Got it covered

Image I used to promote Follow Me Follow You when it was first published. This was a photograph taken of our son when he was four. I adapted it using an app called Watercolour. To this day, I adore this photograph and it will be forever linked to little Seth, Victoria Noble’s (the main character) son.

Follow Me Follow You will be retitled Follow Me, which was its original name. The exciting news with this is I have received the cover design visuals and they are gorgeous. I have spent the day looking through the different versions, as they all bring something unique to the book, but I have chosen the one with which I would like to proceed.

Once it’s agreed and finalised, I will do the reveal here.

Follow me (see what I did there?) on this blog if you’d like to be one of the first to see the fresh, new cover.

Comms

If you’d like to receive updates in the form of a newsletter, drop me a comment below. Currently, I do not run a newsletter, but I’m interested to hear your thoughts as readers as to how you prefer authors to send out communications.

What’s next?

Right now I’m off to email my talented and clever cover designer, and then maybe have eggs on toast for lunch. Then it will be back to the revisions.

Catch you all soon.

Laura xx

I’m back!

Hello!

It’s been a while. How are you all doing? There have been a few changes in the life of this author – longer, greyer (and I have discovered, wavier) hair, more characterful (yes, that’s what I’m going with) facial creases and a few years’ worth of experiences, growth and surprises. The love of red clothes remains.

I have been quiet on the publishing front, but I was keeping busy in the writing world volunteering with the fabulous Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA), the number one, professional organisation for writers of romantic fiction. For five years, I was the RNA’s Industry Awards Organiser, stepping down in November 2023, the same time as I stepped down as a Director, a position I’d held for sixteen months.

It was a busy period, and as a person with chronic health conditions and disabilities, and someone who needs to keep count of their daily spoons, it was important for my health that I managed my time and energy. I chose to step back from writing so I could share my energy between my family and the RNA, a decision I do not and will never regret.

Time out

Spending time with my family resets me. I so enjoy their company, watching musical theatre, discussing storylines and playing games, or forming a team to enter the local pub quiz. I know I am very lucky to have my safe haven, where I am loved and cared for.

Volunteering with the RNA was a satisfying and fulfilling experience, that engaged all parts of my brain, taught me new skills and showed me to value my instinct. As a person with very little ‘business’ experience, it was good to learn it’s okay to voice one’s gut feeling in a professional setting. Best of all, I enjoyed working with people who became firm friends.

It turns out I needed that time. I hadn’t stopped writing, but it had taken a back seat. The work-in-progress, which I started calling the ‘Never-ending Novel’, was taking its sweet time to develop. The characters took me on a journey and I fell down the rabbit hole of research, learning plenty about myself along the way … but that’s a story for another day.

My previous publisher kindly reverted the rights of my three novels, and I have finished writing the never-ending novel, so now it’s time to look to the future.

The Future

I am not sure what that looks like just yet, but I am back at the desk with fresh ideas, a small back catalogue of novels, and an excitement I remember from when I first started writing. I’m investigating the possibility of becoming an indie author, checking out communication pathways such as Substack and newsletters, updating my platforms with current profile pictures, and putting some of those business skills I learnt during my time as an RNA Director to excellent use.

Oh! And courtesy of my husband, Gajitman, I also have a brand new writing space – my Writing Theatre – but that’s worthy of an entry of its own.

Let me know how you’re doing, and if you have any questions, drop them in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them.

Communication Pathways

Do you have a preference for author communication? Substack, newsletter, blog, vlog? Something I haven’t mentioned? I’d be interested in your thoughts.

Time for a cuppa, me thinks…

Have a great day.

Laura xx

Exciting News and Events! April Outings

Exciting News and Events! April Outings.

I was over at The Romaniacs site yesterday, blogging about the past five years and everything I’d have love to have shown my mum, lost to us in 2012. The post can be read here. I mention it as I know she’d have loved the fact that, one, a long-held dream of mine has been realised, and two, that as an author I’ve been invited to Watford, the town in which I grew up. More of that news later.

My exciting news is that my third novel, What Doesn’t Kill You, is now in WHSmith Travel shops – train station, airports and service station branches! This is a dream come true. I am a book, music and stationery addict who has spent many happy hours browsing and buying in and from Smiths.

Following on from yesterday’s blog, the moment my good friend and author, Sue Fortin, posted a photo of WDKY at Victoria Station Smith’s, I really did think, ‘I wonder what Mum would have said to this …’

If you find the book in Smiths Travel, and you have time to take a ‘shelfie’, I’d love to see it 🙂 I haven’t managed to get to a Travel branch yet.

WHSmiths Travel Shelfie

Dates for your diary:

April 8th, I’ll be with my publisher, Choc Lit, and a selection box of ChocLiteers, at Exeter Library. See here for the details. There’s something for readers and writers and it promises to be a cracking afternoon. If you can’t make it to Exeter, I’m also attending the Southampton day in May.

I’m delighted to have been invited to Watford’s Lit Fest, speaking at an evening with Watford Writers, on April 10th. Then on April 11th, I’ll be signing copies of WDKY at Waterstones Watford between 11:00 and 13:00.

It would be fabulous to see you at these events.

I spent many happy years in Watford and surrounding areas. I attended three places of education – Kingsway Junior, Francis Combe Secondary School and Cassio College. My very first job, a Saturday job, was with British Home Stores in the high street. As a Watford FC fan, I loved it at the end of the day when the fans were returning home after the match. They were easy to spot as they passed through the shop, wearing their gold, red and black scarves and tops. I could tell by the fans’ mood if we’d won or lost.

I also worked at Watford General Hospital, The Review Newspaper, Royal Insurance and The Prudential, before moving to Dorset to be closer to my parents, who’d moved from Watford some years before.
Here’s a short video I made for Watford’s Big Word Fest.

That’s all for now. I’m off to get the tour t-shirt made up.

Take care,

Laura x

Last Dance in Havana – Rosanna Ley

Last Dance in Havana – Rosanna Ley

Laura & Rosanna
Laura & Rosanna

 

On Saturday 1st October 2016, I had the immense pleasure of chatting with bestselling author, Rosanna Ley. Originally, I was planning on attending the event as a member of the audience, but when I popped into my local library to add my name to the list of those going, I was asked by our lovely librarian if I would like to pose Rosanna a few questions on the day. I’m rarely short of questions and having read and thoroughly enjoyed Rosanna’s latest novel, Last Dance in Havana, I was delighted to have this opportunity to chat and learn more about Rosanna’s writing processes, including research, and how she captures the sights, sounds and feel of the settings used in the novel.

I have not visited Cuba in real life, but nearly two weeks on from reading the novel, I can still picture the scenes set by Rosanna – I was transported there. I could feel the sultry heat, hear the music, and experience the everyday lives of the town’s residents. Members of the audience who have been to Havana agreed that Rosanna has portrayed the town, the people and the atmosphere perfectly.

The conversation went on to explore the importance of research, particularly when referencing historical events, the inspiration behind Rosanna’s novels, and the themes within Last Dance in Havana.

With a reading from Rosanna and an introduction to the next book due 2017, which sounds wonderful, the afternoon drew to a close.

My job was made easy. Rosanna is a joy to interview and the fab audience was fully involved and asking their own questions.

If you get the chance to attend one of Rosanna’s events, I urge you to do so. The same goes for reading Rosanna’s books. I was so engaged with Last Dance in Havana, I read it in double-quick time, shutting myself away in our conservatory, telling my family it was work.

I love my work.

Take care,

Laura x

rosanna-ley-ldihLast Dance in Havana.

Cuba, 1958. Elisa is only sixteen years old when she meets Duardo and she knows he’s the love of her life from the moment they first dance the rumba together in downtown Havana. But Duardo is a rebel, determined to fight in Castro’s army, and Elisa is forced to leave behind her homeland and rebuild her life in distant England. But how can she stop longing for the warmth of Havana, when the music of the rumba still calls to her?

England, 2012. Grace has a troubled relationship with her father, whom she blames for her beloved mother’s untimely death. And this year more than ever she could do with a shoulderto cry on – Grace’s career is in flux, she isn’t sure she wants the baby her husband is so desperate to have and, worst of all, she’s begun to develop feelings for their best friend Theo. Theo is a Cuban born magician but even he can’t make Grace’s problems disappear. Is the passion Grace feels for Theo enough to risk her family’s happiness?

From bestselling author Rosanna Ley comes an exotic tale of love, family and friendship set between England and Cuba.

The Novelty of Writing a Novella

The Novelty of Writing a Novella

My novella notebook.
My novella notebook.

A week has passed since I submitted my first novella, and I’ve spent that time catching up on household admin, reacquainting myself with my family, and watching a new-to-me series on Netflix – American Horror Story – compelling viewing, full of twists and turns and dark storylines.

I like writing twists into my novels and with my writer’s tag reading, ‘Romance without the soft edges,’ my storylines have dark elements. I have the luxury of one hundred thousand words with which to explore the issuses that move me.

As a writer who enjoys a large cast, a variety of subplots, and difficult, sometimes taboo issues, writing a novella within the word count of twenty thousand to fifty thousand was a challenge and I had to keep reminding myself to hold back on the subplots, concentrate on the main characters, and not to delve too deep into the issues  – keep it as tight as possible.

The novella came in at forty-seven thousand words. And four dead pens.

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Had I written the ending I originally planned, I suspect the final word count would have been in the sixty thousands. As it turned out, the characters drew the story to a natural conclusion and their timing was spot on.

I enjoyed the whole process, from seeking advice from established novella writers to keeping the plan as tight as possible. The tone is lighter than my novels, but I do touch on a couple of issues. It seems that’s the way it is with my writing.

Now it’s time to head back to Book 4, a full length novel, which is currently sitting at sixteen thousand words. I plan to write one thousand words a day, excluding weekends, so I should have a first draft down by the end of September, maybe October, taking the school summer holiday into account.

I’ll keep you posted.

Take care

Laura x

Monday Monday …

It’s Monday and it’s back to school and work for the James family.

It’s time for me to make headway with my work-in-progress, which has been left untouched for a couple of months. I have been writing – I wrote two Treats for my publisher, Choc Lit, and I wrote out my Christmas cards. I have been creative, designing social media adverts for my books using Canva, an excellent and easy-to-use tool, and baking a cake for my son’s birthday, and I’ve been inspired by films I’ve watched, games I’ve played, and books I’ve read during the holidays.

One of my new adverts, designed using Canva.
One of my new adverts, designed using Canva.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my break, but I have so many ideas and ways forward for the WIP, I’m raring to go.

I just need to sort out my to do list.

Speaking of which, The Romaniacs, a writing support group of which I am a member, has introduced its new schedule for 2016, kicking off with Motivation Monday. It’s a chance to list our weekly goals so we can work toward achieving them by Friday. We’re asking you all to join in, so we can encourage and support one another, and celebrate everyone’s successes, major and minor. Please hop over to find out more. Click here.

I hope you’ve all had a fab start to the year, and I look forward to hearing about your successes.

Take care.

Laura.

Forthcoming Event: Saturday 14th 2015. Dorset Network Writers.

Forthcoming Event.

This Little World

This coming Saturday, November 14th, 2015, I, along with an entire coastline of Dorset writers, will be at Dorchester Library and Learning Centre, for the Dorset Writers Network launch of their eBook, This Little World.

There will be publishing, writing and poetry workshops, and in the afternoon, Kate Kelly, Kathy Sharp and I, three members of Littoralis – local authors whose books are inspired by the sea -will be taking part in a discussion panel. I am looking forward to this immensely and have already sorted out my outfit … It may involve red.

Bookings for the day are being taken, and it’s a great opportunity for writers to get together, whether you’re thinking about putting pen to paper and are not sure where to start, you’re looking to refresh your current skills, or you’d like to spend the day in the company of other writers. It’s excellent value. Please see the poster below for the details.

We would love to see you there.

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Contact details and me!

Books will be available for purchase, and I always have my signing pen ready, just in case …

Please do come and say hello.

Laura x

Emergence …

Emergence …

Confession: Not all of the editing took place in the cave ..
Confession: Not all of the editing took place in the cave ..

Emergence … It sounds like the final part in a Veronica Roth series. It’s not, as far as I’m aware. It’s a reference to the time I’ve spent in the edits cave with my third novel, What Doesn’t Kill You, and the fact I’m out and enjoying the October sunshine.

I’m hoping to have more information about the book soon and will let you know the minute I hear. In the meantime, I’m taking full advantage of my time outside by attending a number of writing-related events, starting with the Bridport Story Slam this Tuesday 13th October 2015, at the Beach and Barnicott in Bridport. I was honoured to be a judge last year, and this time I’m returning as the MC. It’s a fantastic evening and I urge you to come along.

Each contestant has a five-minute slot in which to read aloud their short story. If the story exceeds the time limit, the reader is dinged out. I’m not in charge of the bell.

It’s not only about writing, but the performance, too.

I will be there with copies of Follow Me Follow You for sale and would be delighted to talk books and writing during the breaks. It starts at 19:30.

On Saturday 24th October 2015, I shall be at the Redbridge Central Library, Ilford, with three of my fellow ChocLiteers, talking about writing romance. It’s excellent value at £3, and here are the details.

And make a note in your diary for the Dorset Writers Network day on Saturday 14th November.

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Along with two of my Littoralis friends, Kathy Sharp and Kate Kelly, I will be presenting a panel on the advantages of being with an independent publisher. There are many events planned for that day, including writing workshops. Really worth checking out and booking in advance.

For further updates about my trips out, please go to my News and Events page.

I look forward to seeing you.

Take care,

Laura x