What have I been up to?
Well, I went to the Crime Writers’ Association (Northern
Chapter) lunch in Boroughbridge. I was there as the Babe Magnet’s plus one because he’s the
crime writer in this family. It was fascinating meeting a bunch of writers who
all write popular fiction but in a very different way from the romance writers I know. I ended
up having an interesting discussion with
my friend Lesley Horton who wanted to introduce a romantic relationship into her
latest book. We have very different styles
and subjects – but that romance element
needs something of the same approach, no matter which sort of fiction
you’re writing.
Barely back from the CWA, we were on the move again – to York to meet
with friend and fellow Presents Author Trish Morey. You’ll remember her from
the 40 for 40 celebrations – but this time we got
to celebrate in person. We
also got to talk and talk – and talk . . .
Books, heroes, settings, roma
nce . . .
When writers get together there’s no stopping the conversation.
What else? Ah,
yes there was that vital thing that
makes me a romance writer. Writing! It’s been a difficult year for getting
words on the page so I was really thankful when I finally typed the last few
words on a new book ( working title A Question of Honour) and sent
it off to my editor with a huge sigh of relief .
I had an even huger sigh
- of delight – when she got back
to me within just a couple of days and
told me that she loved the book! ‘A truly fantastic read’ she said. And there
were no revisions, just some small ‘tweaks’
- small additions just to deepen a few areas. So that was where the rest of the week went . . .
tweaking.
And the tweaking worked because this week I heard from my editor that the
book was accepted, bought and scheduled –
we were just waiting for a title. Debates followed – and the title we ended up
with was my original working title. So I’m delighted to be able to say that
A Question of Honour will be published in Mills & Boon
Modern Romance and Harlequin Presents in
June 2014.
So that's my 62nd title with Harlequin. I don’t have a cover or anything else yet, but as soon as I know
more, I’ll share with you.
Since then I’ve been offered an new contract and I am
already planning the next new book – and hoping life will give me a bit more of a peaceful time and space in which to
write it.
So I have time to relax and ‘refill the well’ with reading –
and next week the Babe Magnet and I are off to enjoy another of our 40 special events for our
Ruby Wedding celebrations. This one will be a trip to Oxford where we are going
to the stage revival tour of West Side
Story. Why that? Well it's a really romantic story - if tragic - but also because we had been to see the film version of West Side
Story on the day we finally decided on
the date for our wedding – so naturally it has
very special memories.
And before I go - I have to send Congratulations to the top 50 entrants to the SYTYCW contest who have had their first chapters selected to go into the next round - Good luck with the next stage of the contest!
And those who didn't get selected? The only way forward is to pick yourself up, dust yourself off - and start again. I understand - and I sympathise - but it really is the only way.
