Tag: The_Romaniacs

It’s Tuesday and …

It’s Tuesday and …

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It’s Tuesday and I need to make up a shortfall of 1000 words – words I should have written yesterday, but allowed myself to be distracted by Sunday’s episode of Last Tango in Halifax.

Like a good book, this programme, expertly written by Sally Wainwright, and exquisitely performed by the cast, has yet to leave my thoughts.

But I need to focus on my hero, Griff. Although he’s written in third person, I’m going to write a chapter in first, as an experiment, to see if he still has a few surprises up his Watch Officer sleeves.

As a pure aside, I’m over with my friends, The Romaniacs today, as we introduce our new weekly series, The Life Cycle of a Writer.

Have a good day.

Laura x

 

The Creative Well Christmas Special

The Creative Well Christmas Special

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I couldn’t leave this mini-series without mentioning one of the most important means of refilling my creative well, especially not at this time of year – being with friends and family – in the case, The Romaniacs.

Last weekend six out of the eight Romaniacs gathered in Church Stretton for a weekend of writing, workshops, planning, laughter and fun. We chatted about our work-in-progress, discussed plot problems, ran ideas passed each other, ate, drank, laughed, and took a cultural trip into Shrewsbury.

Lucie, Vanessa & Debbie
Lucie, Vanessa & Debbie

On the second and final night, we opened our secret Santa gifts, ate even more food, sipped Prosecco, and enjoyed spending some rare and quality time together. Our two fellow Romaniacs, Celia and Jan were very much missed, and we hope they will be able to make the next Sparkle Weekend, as it became known.

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Being with other writers and sharing in a creative process is a great way to refill that well. I returned home fired up and focused, and keen to complete the first draft of book 3.

On that note, I should get my head down and get Griff, my hero, out of a sticky situation …

I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy 2015, filled with friendship and fun, and maybe just a few books.

RS Paperback
Photo courtesy of Sue Fortin

See you in the New year.

Take care.

Laura x

What’s Another Year?

What’s Another Year?

What’s another year? I remember it as a 1980 Eurovision Contest winning song from Johnny Logan. It gave me shivers at the time.

Another year this time round sees the first anniversary of the publication of my debut novel, Truth or Dare?, book 1 in the Chesil Series. Plenty has happened in those twelve months. TOD revised fix

TOD_FRONT largeThe book had a cover makeover for a start.

 

ToD was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction’s Best Romantic eBook, my short story, Mulled Wine and Cupcakes, was accepted by Choc Lit and published in the Love Match Selection anthology, I was invited to and attended Weymouth’s SandWorld to celebrate their Books and Author theme for 2014, and my second book, Follow Me, Follow You, book 2 in the Chesil Series, went into print – my first paperback, which I’m thrilled and relieved to say has been exceedingly well-received.FM_thumbnail new

Romaniac Shorts CoverThe Romaniacs, of whom I’m a member, went digital, forming Romaniac Press, and publishing our first anthology, Romaniac Shorts, with proceeds donated to the Romantic Novelists’ Association and Dyslexia Action. It’s a collection of twenty-two stories, some dark, others quirky or funny, which has received lovely reviews.

My short story, Bitter Sweet, was selected for the RNA anthology, Truly, Madly, Deeply, appearing in the extended digital edition, and last week saw my first foray into the world of judging, as I attended the Bridport Story Slam.

It’s been busy.

And I managed to feed my children! Although on occasion, they kept my IMG_5130engine running smoothly, particularly following my wrist surgery at Christmas. IMG_5142My daughter made a delicious gluten-free, vegetarian pie for my Christmas lunch, and my son took care of my scar, rubbing Bio Oil in at every opportunity.

Gajitman kept the supplies of coffee and chocolate coming. No mean feat, I can tell you.

And, in time for the RNA’s summer conference, I made gluten-free gin and tonic cupcakes. Oh yes.

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Looking ahead, I shall be at SandWorld for the third and final time this season as an attending author on Wednesday 29th October 2014, signing copies of FMFY and enjoying the wonderful hospitality of the staff. It’s been an absolute pleasure spending time there, and I highly recommend it for a trip out. The sand sculptures are incredible.

I am 30,000 words into book 3 in the Chesil Series, provisionally titled, What Doesn’t Kill You, and have set a new deadline of 24th December 2014 to get the first draft completed. My intention is to sign up to NaNoWriMo this year to encourage me to push through to the end of the novel.

A teaser photo for 'What Doesn't Kill You'
A teaser photo for ‘What Doesn’t Kill You’

Towards the end of November, the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society are kindly running a giveaway of FMFY. I wrote an article which appeared in February’s magazine reflecting on how I achieved a life-long dream of becoming a published author. It’s a great organisation, which is currently running a Remission Mission. I’m on the wall. I wonder if you can tell what my remission mission is …

My mission for today is to thank everyone who has made my writing dream come true, and salute those who have been kind enough to buy, read and review the books.

Thank you.

Take care.

Laura x

My Name is Laura James and I Write Romantic Fiction.

My name is Laura James and I write romantic fiction. The romantic fiction I write is published in novel, short story and flash fiction form.

This isn’t a secret. Nor is it a brag. This is me standing up, taking aim and shooting out arrows of positivity. Whoosh!

During the 11th to the 14th July 2014, I attended my third Romantic Novelists’ Association conference.

Lisa Eveleigh, Gillian Green, Lyn Vernham and Matt Bates: The role of booksellers, publishers & agents in a new book buying age.
Lisa Eveleigh, Gillian Green, Lyn Vernham and Matt Bates: The role of booksellers, publishers & agents in a new book buying age.

It was fabulous – a concoction of workshops, discussion panels, friends, food and wine. I never fail to learn at these events. My friend and fellow Romaniac, Sue Fortin has posted a wonderful round-up of the weekend here. The RNA has a great post here.

At one point of the proceedings, there was an interesting, unscheduled chat about how comfortable we feel saying we write romantic fiction.

In my early days … okay, two years ago … I was slightly ill at ease telling people I was a writer. It had nothing to do with the genre – I am incredibly happy to be reading and writing romantic fiction – it was more that I had nothing solid to show for my efforts. In April 2012, when my 1500 word story, Bitter Sweet, achieved the runner-up position in Choc Lit’s short story competition, I had my first writing credit, and it was a little easier to speak the words, albeit it quietly, ‘I am a writer.’

Conference Room
Penrith 2012

Later that year, at the RNA conference in Penrith, the lovely Miranda Dickinson presented a workshop and everything I’d experienced, she too had been through, but she was a writer, and the more she said it, the easier it became to repeat and believe.

I left that presentation motivated and inspired, and still have the postcards Miranda gave out that day, asserting ‘I write, therefore I am a writer.’

Things have progressed for me since then, with Bitter Sweet finding a home in the RNA’s Truly, Madly, Deeply anthology, stories in Romaniac Shorts, publication in Choc Lit’s Love Match, with a second anthology from them out soon, my debut novel, Truth or Dare? digitally published last October and my first paperback, Follow Me, Follow You due out this September. All my stories are romantic fiction.

I’m hoping you’re reading this and picturing me talking about it to you, my eyes wide with excitement, my speech a little too fast for clarity, because I love what I do. I love writing.

And I love writing romantic fiction.Author Pic 4

I believe in self-fulfilling prophecies and affirmations. I believe that by saying something often enough, that dream, that hope, will happen. Whether caught up in the enthusiasm or reacting to the broken record, others start to believe too, and things happen.

Yes, we make our own luck, seek out the opportunities, put ourselves forward, but we need to believe in ourselves and in what we do to have the energy to pursue the dream. And that energy and belief will draw people in.

Negative energy will repel.

My name is Laura James, and I write romantic fiction.

It’s a fabulous genre.

Take care.

Laura x

 

 

 

It’s National Chocolate Day!

It’s National Chocolate Day!

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Chocolate supplied by my fridge.

I say that like I need an excuse to enjoy chocolate, but it’s not an excuse, it’s a reason.

My dependency on chocolate goes in phases. Believe it or not, there are times when I don’t fancy it.

Sorry. I should have warned you to sit down before I made that confession. I tend to go for savoury more than sweet – salted, buttery popcorn, cashews, black olives. I wonder if chocolate-covered black olives would be palatable …

But fear not, I’m experiencing a long phase of chocolism at the moment. I’m wondering if it’s my age, or if it’s because I’m a writer. Or perhaps my body is in desperate need of trace elements contained in a Galaxy bar.

There is never enough to share. Just saying.
There is never enough to share. Just saying.

I do enjoy a hot chocolate in those chilly, icy months. I had one last week at my son’s school sport’s day. Yes, I know it was June, but I was blue with cold. And I have a frozen shoulder.

You think me doth protest too much?

Hot chocolate is a soothing drink and was used as a form of medicine way back when. It’s feeding and comforting and smooth.

As I was thinking about this post, I realised both Truth or Dare? and Follow Me, Follow You have hot chocolate mentions and scenes, and all for different reasons.

 

ToD NewIn Truth or Dare? Declan makes the drink for Elle as a peace offering and an invitation to talk:

He pushed himself up, approached the kettle and prepared two hot chocolates. Two minutes later, he was on the landing, outside Elle’s bedroom, tapping on her door. ‘Elle?’ He gave her a moment to reply, but was met with a silence that was becoming too familiar. ‘I’ve made us hot chocolates.’ He heard rustling and shuffling, two floorboards creek and a nose blow, indicators Elle had been lying in bed crying; another familiar scenario. Yesterday, Elle propped Declan up, supplying cups of tea and plates of toast. Today, it was his turn to be strong. It wasn’t a conscious decision to alternate, but thank goodness they didn’t sink to the bottom together. They were a source of support for each other, and for that, Declan was grateful. The door opened.

 

FM_hirespackshot copyIn Follow Me, Follow You, out September 2014, Victoria remembers her dad supplying mugs of hot chocolate in times of upset and sadness. It provides her with strength. It’s her go-to drink when she needs bolstering.

A waitress, wearing regulation black, and sporting a Santa’s elf hat, placed one hot chocolate and one lemonade on the table. Victoria smiled her thanks, and reclined. The bench, though dressed with cushions, was uncomfortable, but its style was in keeping with the rest of the interior; dark mahogany beams across the ceiling, white wooden sash windows, and porthole lights. Christmas decorations hanging overhead like jungle vines brought colour, but it was the heat and glow from the central log burner that gave the room its warmth. The place had character. More than Victoria remembered. Not that she’d paid much notice to it in her youth, her eyes and mind being all about Chris.

And on this day, it seems appropriate to add I’m published by the wonderful Choc Lit.ChocLit-logo

 

My short story, Bitter Sweet, published in the RNA anthology, Truly, Madly, Deeply, is about a chocolate sculptor, and in Melt, a story appearing in Romaniac Shorts, Carissima Sweet owns a café called The Romaniac Shorts CoverChocolate Bar.

I’m beginning to see a theme …

One last thing. Do you like your chocolate straight from the fridge or eaten at room temperature?

Happy National Chocolate Day!

Take care.

Laura x

 

Meeting My Main Character

Thank you so much to friend and fellow Romaniac, Celia J Anderson, for inviting me to take part in the Meeting My Main Character blog hop.

Celia introduced us to Mab, from her debut novel, Sweet Proposal, and you can meet both ladies here.

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What is the name of the main character? Is she real or fictitious?

Victoria Noble is a fictitious thirty-five-year-old. Known as Vicky Paveley in her youth, the divorced mother is the director of the highly successful EweSpeak.

 

When and where is the story set?

The story begins in London, but swiftly moves to Weymouth and Portland, in Dorset, my beautiful home county. Chesil Beach plays a major role in my character’s life, as it does in mine.

 

What should we know about her?

Having been let down and betrayed twice by the male of the species, Victoria has pulled the plug on romance. She wrestles with the work-life balance, throwing most of her energy into maintaining her business, and her relationship with her four-year-old son, Seth, is at breaking point.

 

What is the main conflict? What messes up her life?

Left to raise a child with whom she has little connection, everyday life is a struggle for Victoria. There is huge conflict between her and Seth, and simple tasks such as giving him a bath and putting him to bed create anxiety and tension. He is resistant, belligerent, and on occasion, violent. Victoria believes she provides well for him, but realises it’s not enough when the draw of her EweSpeak office is greater than his cry for love.

If the men in her life had kept their promises, she wouldn’t be caught in the vicious circle of daily battles with her son. She holds one man in particular responsible ‒ Chris Frampton, Victoria’s first love.

 

What is Victoria’s goal?

To let go of the past, stop blaming others for her mistakes, and heal the damaged bond between her and Seth.

 

What is the book’s title?

Follow Me, Follow You.

Paperback due out September 2014, published by Choc Lit. 

 

Thanks so much for tagging me, Celia – I’m now passing the baton to my friend and fellow ChocLiteer, Alison May – find out about her main character here – http://alison-may.co.uk/blog/ and also the lovely Christine Stovell, whose new release, Follow A Star, is available for pre-order http://homethoughtsweekly.blogspot.co.uk/

I’m looking forward to reading about their main characters.

Enjoy.

Laura x

Out and About

Out and About.

I’ve been out and about recently, and feeling a little guilty. I should be dwelling in my edits cave, but my forays into the fresh air have been writer-based. Promise.

On Friday 21st, I recorded an interview with my local radio station, Wessex FM, with snippets played the following Sunday during the news programmes.

At Radio Solent
At Radio Solent

The next day, I gave my first-ever live radio interview with Radio Solent’s Breakfast in Dorset DJ, Steve Harris. I was concerned I would clam up, but I needn’t have worried. I was made very welcome, and the chatter flowed.

Both interviews were centred on the surgery I’ve had to help manage my rheumatoid arthritis, and how this helped me achieve my dream of writing a novel and becoming a published author. I was keen to thank the Rheumatology and Orthopaedic teams at Dorset County Hospital for the care I’ve received, and continue to receive.
I also featured in the Dorset Echo and View From. It was a busy few days.

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In the process of transforming a previous sculpture into three iconic authors

On Saturday 5th April 2014, I had a lovely time at Weymouth’s Sandworld, attending as a local author. This was in celebration of the opening of their theme for the season, Literally in Sand. Five authors with links to Weymouth enjoyed the wonderful hospitality and friendly atmosphere, chatting with people who’d come to view the amazing sand sculptures, and have a look at our books.

 

I spent a more than pleasurable evening IMG_5855preparing my new promo postcards for the occasion. #stationerylove.

 

There will be a fuller post on this on Wednesday at http://theromaniacgroup.wordpress.com/ but in the meantime, here’s a taster of the incredible sand art at Sandworld.

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So, no more out for a while. I’ve returned to my edits cave. I’m working on my hero 😉
Have a great week, and take care.

Laura x

 

 

Romaniac Shorts Interview with Vanessa Savage

Romaniac Shorts Interview with Vanessa Savage

Vanessa Savage

Not only is Vanessa Savage one of the loveliest and kindest people I know, she is an incredibly talented writer, and an amazingly gifted artist ‒ designer of the Romaniacs Shorts eye-catching, and characterful cover.

Vanessa – tell me about art in your life.

I dithered in school when it came to college choices between art and English. I chose art college, spent four years in Doc Marten boots, with a pierced nose and hennaed hair, studying textile design, graphic design and illustration. After a side step into arts marketing, I started my own graphic design company with two other designers. One of our clients is the Telegraph Hay Literature Festival and working with them means I get to combine my loves of design and literature!

How closely linked are art and writing?

I often get inspired by art – I see an image and a story forms in my mind. Imagery and scenery are very important to me when I’m writing a book and I use a lot of visual reference material when I’m planning.

When you’re writing, do you have a clear image of the scene? Do you think having an artistic eye helps with scene setting in stories?

Every scene I write runs like a film in my head – sometimes I get frustrated when I can’t capture in words the mood of a scene in my head! I always start with character and place when I start a new writing project.

You have three entries in Romaniac Shorts ‒ 100 Ways to Love, The Hand That Romaniac Shorts CoverHolds The Knife, and Dog Days. As a successful short story and flash fiction writer, how did you choose which three to include?

A lot of the stories I write tend to be quite dark, but I wanted a mix for Romaniac Shorts, so 100 Ways to Love is a love story – first love and the love between mother and daughter, The Hand That Holds The Knife is much darker, and Dog Days is a comedy.

The success doesn’t stop at the shorts. Please do tell me about the Harry Bowling Prize!

I’m unbelievably thrilled to be on the shortlist for the 2014 Harry Bowling Prize for New Writing for my book The History of You which went through the RNA’s new writer’s scheme last year.  It’s such a prestigious award and getting the phone call to tell me I made the shortlist was the highlight of my January!

Are you able to give a sneaky peek in to your latest work?

The working title of my latest work-in-progress is Hunting the Light. I’m always fascinated by what goes on behind closed doors – the real truth behind the framed picture of the perfect family on the wall … so Hunting the Light is about family, the ways we hide from each other, the lies we can live with and the secrets we can’t.

What’s next for Vanessa Savage?

I’ve set myself the challenge of entering at least one short story / flash fiction competition a month in 2014, as well as finishing Hunting the Light. Plus I woke up in the middle of the night last week with the idea for my next book…

Quick Fire Round:

Red or white? Red

Singing or dancing? Dancing – I would love to sing but no one else would love to hear it!

Leeks or red onions? Red Onion

Opera or classical? Classical

Cropped trousers or denim cut-offs? I wish I had the legs for denim cut-offs, but sadly I’m cropped trousers all the way 🙂

Dr Who or Torchwood? Dr Who

Comedy or weepy? Can I have both?

Vanessa ‒ you have created a wonderful cover for our first ever anthology. You’ve captured the spirit the Romaniacs in eight pairs of freshly washed shorts. And have I mentioned what an incredibly talented writer you are?

Wishing you every success, and cheering you on in our traditional, Romaniac pom-pom waving way.

Laura x

Vanessa’s Biography:

Vanessa lives by the sea in South Wales with her husband, two daughters and an accident-prone cat. She is a graphic designer and illustrator, and has previously worked in arts marketing for theatres and a dance company. She is a member of the RNA’s New Writer’s Scheme and has had short stories published in Writing Magazine, a short story anthology produced by Words With Jam, Writer’s Forum and broadcast on radio as a highly commended winner of the Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

She is represented by Juliet Mushens at The Agency Group and her work has been longlisted for the Mslexia Novel Competition, shortlisted twice for the New Talent Award at the Festival of Romance and her current novel is on this year’s shortlist for the Harry Bowling Prize.

 

Out There in the Open! Romaniac Shorts

Out there in the open – it’s Romaniac Shorts, hanging on the washing line for everyone to see.

What an exciting week it’s been. As part of the Romaniacs, a wonderful group of fellow writers, and my very good friends, I enjoyed a cover reveal on Thursday.

Romaniac Shorts is a diverse collection of short stories and flash fiction, ranging from romance, to crime, to fantasy, written by the eight Romaniacs, whose writing styles are as different as the shorts on our cover. It will go live on Amazon, as an eBook, this coming Thursday 13 February, in celebration of our two years together. All proceeds are to be shared between Dyslexia Action and the RNA.

To find out a little more, please visit the Romaniacs blog, here.

In the meantime, here is the fantastic cover, designed and created by our very own, Vanessa Savage.

Can you guess which pair of shorts is mine?

Laura x

Romaniac Shorts Cover