Happy New Year - and plans

One of my 'new year tasks' is to update my calendars and diaries putting in the details of the events coming up n this year of 2020. It's always a delight to be able to note down the dates of one of my favourite events of the year - the first writing weekend planned -

Since the Writers' Holiday in the summer closed, there always seems to be such along gap between the last time I was in lovely Fishguard and the date that I'm heading there again - but now there's just over a month to go before I'll be back there with my friends and waking up to the sight and sound of the sea outside my bedroom every morning. I can't wait. You know that feeling with real friends when you haven't seen each other for too long - but when you meet up again it's as if you only parted yesterday. Well, that's one of the very special parts of the atmosphere at  Writers Holiday - and that's why I love it so much.

February 21st - 23rd 2020 - Advanced Romance Writing Course with the fabulous Writers Holiday 

Courses also with poet Alison Chisholm, Simon Whaley,  Short story writer Della Galton, novelist Janet Laurence  and   drawing and painting tutor  Susan Allison.

Numbers on this course are strictly limited so if you're interested, get your booking in while there's still spaces. The course also includes a one to one critique on your writing.

There are a couple of other weekends planned with Lois Maddox- one a course and one a writing retreat - I need to check on the details and dates and places then get back to you.

Lincoln Library talk

Thank you to everyone who came to my talk at Lincoln Library yesterday. The weather was so awful - cold and wet - that I was grateful to see anyone turn up. But - unlike the weather - the welcome was warm and the session went more than 30 minutes over time.

Thank you too to Tina and Louise - and all the other members of the library staff who made me so welcome and provided plenty of cups of tea to warm everyone through after the miserable day.

I h

ad a great time.

Because I was asked about the teaching of Writing Romantic Fiction that I do - here, specially for Michelle and Kim at the Lincoln Library event, and anyone else who might be interested - are the details of the next 'Relax and Write' course - organised by Lois Maddox -

16-18 November 2018
Write That Romantic Novel –
One-to-one guidance, advice on your writing and in-class discussions on important topics:
Creating realistic characters.
Sustaining pace and conflict.
Packing emotional punch.
Writing sex scenes.
Crafting a satisfactory ending.
Lilleshall Conference Centre
Nr. Newport Shropshire
All inclusive fee £255

The next one coming up will be in February 2019 when I will be back at the fabulous Writers' Holiday event at Fishguard. This is the Advanced Romance Writing Course - so you need some experience of my courses before signing up,. Though I think it might actually be already fully signed up - or close to it!

I'll check on that and post more details of other courses planned asap

Blink and you'll miss it

Well, don't say I didn't warn you! I put this up on my blog:

Re the Advanced Romance Writing Course weekend - that's back again in February 2019 with Writers Holiday I saw lots of my students booking ahead to ensure a place on this popular course next year - so if you're interested, register that fact now! I'm told there are 'a few' places left but as I've talked with two people who wanted to book a place in 2019 - those don't look like they're going to hang around!

So true! I heard from Gerald P Hobbs today that in fact 12 of this year's students have already booked their places on next year's (2019) Advanced Romance Writing Course. 12. There was a time when the numbers of this course were officially limited to 12 - then another person asked if they could please have a place - and another . . Seeing as I had 15 in the class this year and didn't die (just) perhaps I'll go with a limit of 15 places again in 2019.

The trouble is that this course really has to have some prior learning on a basic romance writing course - like the one I used to run in the summer at Writers Holiday but now, sadly, that event no longer runs. Hmm . . .

I can't really take students with no foundation knowledge of genre fiction writing . . . I think I'll need to have a chat with Lois Maddox about turning the autumn course with Relax and Write into a preparatory weekend to cover the foundation work for the Fishguard Weekend. That could work!

Leave it with me - and Lois.

Courses Coming Up 1

Ok so, I said that I would give some details about the courses I have coming up in case anyone was interested in joining me on one of them. But then it seemed that as soon as I mentioned that, bookings took off with the one just on the horizon - so -

The Advanced Romance Writing Course in February in Fishguard is now totally booked up.Writers' Holiday just in case.

The last two places were allocated this week - so if you wanted to put your name on the waiting list you can - contact Gerry Hobbs  at

 I believe that most of the February Weekend is also full or filling fast - so if you want to consider
Poetry with Alison Chisholm
Short Story writing with Della  Galton (though that may be filled as well!)
Novel Writing with    Rachael Thomas              
Writing Feature Articles with    Simon Whaley
or Painting and Drawing with    Susan Alison 


It will be a good idea to at least make an enquiry with Writers Holiday right now.

Catch up

I'm sure that 2017  has entered a timeslip.  I do not know what has happened to the days or where they've gone. But they seem to be rushing by at a ridiculous rate.  Perhaps it's because of concentration  -  focusing on work in all sorts of ways.  

I'd just got back from the fabulous Writers' Weekend at Fishguard  and I had to start concentrating on the new book. This is the second book in the duo that I've  called   as my working title - The Scandalous O'Sullivan Sisters.  Incidentally I had such a fabulous time at Fishguard that I really didn't want to come home. I just can't wait till the next weekend course I'm running so that I can have all the fun, the laughter - and the fantastic discussions all over again. (More of that in a moment)

More fun - and more great discussions of writing/plots/heroes/heroines  etc  came   when we were  able to enjoy the great company of the fabulous Anne McAllister when  she came to visit us for a weekend while she was in the UK researching her latest book.   Anne was made extra welcome by the cats - Ruby who is always friendly, and, unexpectedly, by Charlie the Maine Coon. Charlie

 is usually a bit  stand-offish when new visitors arrive, but he  took to Anne straight away.   He even decided that he wanted to become a lap cat now that she was here.  Perhaps Anne might have wished that he hadn't felt that way as Charlie is of course a Cat of Large Proportions so he is something of a weight when he is on one's knee!

Now I'm busy again - with that second part of the O'Sullivan Sisters'  story - and planning the next course I'm teaching. This is coming up just before  Easter  and it's  a  weekend with Relax and Write to be held at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester.   It's a new course, aimed at anyone writing fiction - and hopefully dealing with the  problems that so many people meet when trying to write a novel.
Things like:
 Show don’t tell

When /where to begin

Writers’ block

Characters

Sagging middleClichés – tropes

Voice

Self-editing/reviewing your work

Because it's a 'examine the problem and  repair it' course I've called it the

WRITERS’ REPAIR SHOP COURSE

and it takes place  the weekend of  7th - 9th April at Cirencester

If you want more details about the weekend  - or if you're interested in booking  a place on this course. there are already students who have booked ahead, but there are still places left if you're interested.  If so, contact Relax and Write on the website here

Now I have to get back to work on the second O'Sullivan Sister and get her story finished  - because as well as the Writers' Repair Shop Weekend in  Cirencester, I have a couple of other trips away, including one that is a very special  trip for me - and for the Babe Magnet - when we head  to  Leicester . . . . but more about that late.

Back home from Wales

Back home  after the wonderful Writers And Artists weekend in Fishguard with everyone there.  I had such a good time with all my friends and making new ones - plus fellow tutors Alison Chisholm Della Galton Susan Alison  and of course my own former student and now multi-published author - and tutor on  the Novel Course - Rachael Thomas.  I had a fabulous time.

So many of my students have been on other courses before that they are affectionately known as

  Walker's Stalkers - they wanted to thank me for the course and  I came home laden down with gifts! (There was another bottle of Walkers' Bay wine, but that was enjoyed on the last night before I left Wales!)  

So very generous - but the real truth is that the fun and laughter - and the great discussions we shared was more than gift enough.  But a huge thank you to everyone who was there and who contributed.  I really enjoy these weekends - and can't wait to do it again!

I'm also so looking forward to teaching the  Writing Romantic Fiction course at Fishguard in July.

What happened to January

 January seems to have got lost  somewhere along the way.   I sort of blinked and they  realised that I hadn't posted in  this blog - and it was  no longer January  - but February!

What happened?  A damaged shoulder for  one thing - after a fall I had I thought I was mended but then it turned out that  my shoulder was still  affected  - and guess was the worst possible thing  for it?
Typing - working at the keyboard - that's what made it even worse than before.

So I have been trying to rest it and keep away from the keyboard. Not an easy matter when I need to be working on so much - like the next new book . . .and then there's the important preparations for the next course I'm teaching.

I'm about to head for Wales and Fishguard Bay Hotel where I'll be teaching the Advance Romance Writers' Holidays.  I can't wait - I always have so much fun with the wonderful people who run Writers' Holidays - and the great students who join us beside the sea in beautiful Wales.

Writing Course with

And  one good thing is that while I'm teaching then hopefully I can give this sore shoulder a rest - and just wear out my voice  instead.

Recently one of my usual blogging spots - The Pink Heart Society  Blog - has changed and it will be

appearing in a different format very soon. So my regular posts there won;t be appearing in the same way any more.

But the other regular postings I do - over on the Tote Bags N Blogs site  will still continue - on the 12th of every month.  And as it's the 12th of February today - really?! How did it get to February 12th!  -  so that's where my blog will be today.

And I'll try to post here more often  . . .though I will be in Wales for most of next week

Trying to catch up

So far. 2017 has been a not-very-successful attempt to catch up with everything I have on my To Do list (OK - so it's the To Do List carried over from 2016!) so if you're waiting for messages/emails/letters from me - I promise - soon! I was about to talk about courses coming up in the not too distant future - like the one with Writers Holiday in Fishguard in February.

I was about to say that there were a few spaces left on the Advanced Romance Writing Course on the we
ekend of February 17 - 19th 2017. But even as I was writing that post, more people had booked - so there is perhaps just one space on the weekend now.

Was it something I said about the new Mills & Boon Love to Write contest that people wanted advice and help with?

Anyway - this is a last chance to book a place on this weekend before the course is filled up.

Meanwhile, there is another tutor on the February Weekend - Della Galton who teaches Writing Short Stories. She was supposed to be guesting on my blog at the beginning of the week, but obviously she's having the same sort of start to the year as I am - so she will (hopefully) be visiting my blog this weekend. See you soon (both on the blog and in Wales) Della!

Workshops and Retreats

I've been busy writing  - head down, focus on the keyboard.  What's that they say about BICHOK?
Bum In Chair, Hands on Keyboard.  The only way to get from 'Chapter One' to The End.

But at the same time I've been thinking about and planning the Writing Retreat  with Relax and Write I'm running in a couple of weeks time.  So looking forward to meeting the  students - some I've met

Swanwick where I'll be 'retreating' on October 9th

before - some who are brand new to me. All are at different stages on their journey towards being published writers but there's one ting they must already all have in abundance - and that's commitment and determination.  You don't sign up for a weekend course and pay the fees(admittedly very reasonable)   if you're  not committed.

When people ask why I teach - specially when I tell them that when I was much younger, the last thing I wanted to do was to be a teacher -  I think of the  number of past students , either of my courses or from the 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance  who are now published writers of romantic fiction. Not just with Harlequin but with other publishers too.  A wonderful result from

working with them is sharing their joy in their success and  seeing their books on the shelves - just as good as seeing my own.

 I was reminded of this twice in the past month.  First of all, when I was at the AMBA lunch in London on the 19th. At the lunch I was seated next to Amanda Cinelli, the winner of the So You Think You Can Write whose first book Resisting the Sicilian Playboy is just published. She made my day by telling me that she had the 12 Point Guide in both print and ebook form and that  she credited it with helping her a long way on her personal journey to publication. Good luck with that first book and your new  career Amanda!

But talking to Amanda, and some news I had from an ex-student this week, reminded me of an important point - and that's why I called the 12 Point Guide a 'Workbook'. There's plenty of advice and information in the text - but there are also the writing exercises at the end of each chapter.  Writing exercises that are meant to make you  - guess what - write.

I've met so many people who will start writing when they have a moment, when the kids are at school/university/in bed. . .when they have a new kitchen table (to write on)  . ..  The problem is that the only way to write a book that's publishable  is  to - write it.

And then - this is the voice of an author with 60+ books published - to rewrite it and maybe rewrite it again. The trouble with the books on Amazon or the bookshop shelves is that all the blood sweat and tears that went into writing them doesn't show in the text or the cover.

  And this is what I was reminded of today when I got some good news from another ex-student.

Fishguard Bay Hotel  where I run the Advanced Romance Writing Course

Rachael Thomas was a regular at my Fishguard Writers and Artists' Weekend  courses - first with the basic Writing Romance course and then with the Advanced Writing Romance course there in February each year. Each year I felt her writing was getting closer and close to publication standard and then for the last but one So You Think You Can Write contest she was in the top ten.  That book A Deal Before the Altar  was published last year - and several more since.

Today, the good news was that her latest (sort of) book has been accepted. No title as yet but I knew this book as Destiny's story.  Destiny is the name of the heroine.

I'm particularly pleased about this book as I first read  it - well, the origins of the current book - as her submission to the  Fishguard course back in 2012 - and then again in 2013.    It didn't work the first time  Or the second time.  But there was the seed of such a good story in there that I gave Rachael the advice I give everyone with a story that is a  'not quite' :

Put it away for a while till you can look at it with clearer eyes and see how it needs to be rewritten. Looking at it with fresh eyes - and, in this case, with more experience of writing novels that work - can shine a spotlight on a 'not quite' and turn it into a success.

Which is exactly what she did and today I got an email with the great news that this book - with Sheikh Zafir and  Destiny the heroine with the wonderful name - will be published next year.  It's fabulous news - and it reinforces my belief that if you really want to be published you need talent, obviously, luck, perhaps - but you definitely need hard work.

Write, revise, submit - revise  . . . .      and repeat . . .

Congratulations Rachael! I'm so looking forward to seeing Zafir and Destiny's story in print.  It's the perfect proof that no teacher, however brilliant, can guarantee you success in your writing, even if you follow (or try to) every word she says!

But, as I've always said, the one way you can guarantee you'll never be successful is to give up. Stop trying. Stop writing.

So those of you who are entering the So You Think You Can Write Contest this year - or who are just writing and trying - or those who will be coming on the Retreat or any other course I'm running  in the coming year - the only way is to keep on trying.

If you get a rejection, the only way is to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again.

Because the real truth is that still applies even after 63 published titles.  The only way to get 64 completed is  BICHOK - submit - revise . . .  and again. And again . . .

Good Luck!

Which reminds me - I need to do some more BICHOKing  - so I'm off back to the keyboard.

PS If you want to know any more about my courses with Writers' Holiday or Relax and Write then check out their websites - or look at the Events page on my website. (Though I know I need to update that!)

Coming soon . . .

I'm back from a fabulous  week at Fishguard for the Writers Holiday summer week. I can't believe I've been back  for some days now and still haven't caught up with all the emails, posts and other jobs I have to deal with.

And already people are asking about  courses coming up. Like the Focus on Writing Romantic Fiction Retreat with Relax and Write  in Swanwick in October.  (last I heard this was almost full)

The Advanced Romance Writing Course in Fishguard in February 2016. (Latest information is just 2 places left)

Planning The Romantic Novel - Beginning, Middle and End in  Royal Agricultural College in April 2016 (That's with Relax and Write too)

. . . even to booking for the  summer  Complete Writing Romance course  for the summer  Writers' Holiday  next year.

And in the meantime I have a deadline looming and too much book to write!


Oh well, I should be used to planning ahead - that's part of the game in the publishing world. For example, I just got a copy of the cover for my next book  - the American Harlequin  Presents edition - and that's not out until December!

But it's a great cover so I wanted to share it with you - and the blurb  to whet your appetite.  So here's the first preview of Destined For The Desert King.   

There's no doubt that their marriage is one of convenience and political maneuvering. But shy beauty Aziza El Afarim secretly hopes that her husband—the boy she once idolized—remembers something of the closeness they shared as children.

Except Sheikh Nabil Al Sharifa is far from the boy he used to be. The weight of loss and power has changed him beyond recognition. Where once there was warmth and generosity, now only a ruthless passion burns. He'll give Aziza everything…except his love.

But as pressure to produce an heir mounts, could there be more than duty in the marriage bed?

Back home - and catching up

I'm back - from a wonderful weekend at Fishguard for the Writers' And Artists'  Weekend. As always I had a wonderful time - with a fabulous group of students who gelled together so well that everything was  fun and not at all like work.
Thank you to all my students who made teaching the Advanced Romance Writing Course  so much fun and filled each day with laughter, discussion and interesting debates. (And some really good writing - I'm hoping (more than hoping) that I'll soon be able to add #15 to my total of 14  past students who have published books in their hands .  Or is that 15 now - and looking to #16? Not sure - I need to go and add up the total!)  Anyway, it was just great.  It always but it seems that each year just gets better.
I know the next one is just about a year away - but this courses always books up so fast that I thought I'd better mention it  now!
Last I heard the Advanced Romance Writing Course was 'very nearly full' - so it's always a good idea to book early: 
Here’s what Gerry of Writers’ Holiday has to say:
Thank you to everyone who took part in the fabulous Winter Weekend and what a lovely time I had thanks to you all!
The FEBRUARY 2016 WINTER WEEKEND WORKSHOPS will take place Friday 19th February - Sunday 21st February at THE  FISHGUARD BAY HOTEL.
FULL DETAILS ON WWW.WRITERSHOLIDAY.NET
No increase in fees for 2016 events
...still remarkable value at only £229 FULLY INCLUSIVE of FULL BOARD PLUS.
WE ARE ALREADY 75% FULL - SO BOOK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE PLEASE!!
We look forward to seeing you!
Gerry
(I have a suspicion that the week-long Writers' Holiday in July is also full now too -   good things go fast! But you can always enquire if you're interested.)

February publication date

I was so busy thinking about red-headed heroes yesterday that I forgot that it was February 1st.

And Feb 1st is the publication date for this  3 in 1 By Request title.

His Revenge Seduction  contains my book The Konstantos Marriage Demand  - which won  the Romantic Times  Best Presents Extra 2010 - back when there were such things as 'Presents Extras'.

We have  more snow.  Ruby is intrigued  but hates the feel of it on her paws. Charlie has such huge furry paws that they act like snow shoes  until he comes back inside and leaves giant paw puddles everywhere.

Ruby has solved the cold paw problem by sitting on top of the radiators and staring out at the world, watching the strange white flakes falling down from the sky. When she gets bored she demands to be let go outside again - and is disgusted to find that the white stuff is still there!

I'm actually quite grateful for the snow - it keeps me inside to finish of my sheikh book and get Nabil and Aziza to their happy ending. And when that's done I have a course to finalise for the Fishguard Writers and  Artists Weekend.    Because this is the Advanced Writing Romance course, it's not a one-size-fits-all course, so I work on what the students most need (gathered from their chapter submissions etc.) Meanwhile the chapters and synopses are arriving for the Writing Retreat in Weetwood Hall in  March.

No peace for the wicked!( I must have been very bad!)

Last Course of the year

Just finalising the details of my next course at Weetwood Hall in Leeds at the end of this month, and Lois Maddox tells me there are still some  places available on this course if anyone is interested - if so contact Relax and Write  for details 


The course is this:
Before you submit your Novel - The Practicalities with Kate Walker
Get your novel ready to send to a publisher.
This course will cover the preparation needed before  submitting your novel to a publisher:  
• Writing a synopsis that sells your story.
• Polishing those first three chapters. 
• What to include in your covering letter – introducing yourself to the Editor (or Agent). 
• Pitching the unique selling point of your story 
• Pinpointing the type of reader and the market you’re aiming at.


or you could try  this one - running at the same time:

Write About your Life - build your anecdotes into memoirs/short stories with Stephen Wade
 
After this, the next course coming up in Leeds will be March 2015.
There will be the Advanced Course in Fishguard in February but I believe this is already fully booked.

Weetwood Hall Leeds 13- 15 March 2015'Write a Mini-Memoir in a Weekend' with Alison Chisholm

'How to Self-Publish Your Writing' with Malcolm Chisholm

'Write Romantic Fiction' with Kate Walker

'Write the Past' with Stephen Wade

Further details of all courses are on my web site Events Page.
 

Introducing Rachael Thomas

I'm back from London - where I had a wonderful time. It's always great to meet up with fellow authors, talk face to face, and get to know the new authors, the ones with sparkling brand new  books and that wonderful glow of excitement that comes with having achieved their dreams.

There were a lot of new signings  at AMBA this time - I'm afraid I might forget some of the names if I try to list them all - but I do remember- because she was sitting directly opposite me -  Andie Brock who won second place in last years So You Think You Can Write and whose book is coming out in January.

There was one other new author I just couldn't forget because her special day was rather special for me too. This was because Friday was the day I got to introduce Rachael Thomas, one of my former students,  to everyone at AMBA as she joined us for her first lunch as a published author.  She even got to see her book on the shelves in the shops in London.

Regular visitors to my blog will remember how, at Fishguard for the Advanced Romance Writing course last year, I presented Rachael with her name on a book  - in the shape of a cake, iced to look like a HMB romance title.  I knew it had always been her dream to see her name on a real book - so I was almost as thrilled as she was when her So You Think You CanWrite 2013 entry made it into the ten ten selected submissions.   It didn't get into the top three - but that didn't hold Rachael back - and  after working on revisions  for her SYTYCW  submission, she finally had the call.

But I'll let Rachael tell you her story- welcome  Rachael-

From Stalker to Author

To be here, on Kate Walker’s blog is so exciting, not just because my debut Presents will be out in October, but because my writing journey began with a very special book.

Eight years ago, Liz Fielding gave a talk at my local writing group and she had with her a book which rekindled my desire to write, not just anything, but romances for Harlequin Mills and Boon.

You guessed it. That book was the fabulous 12 Point Guide toWriting Romance, by Kate Walker. I read it from cover to cover trying to discover all I needed to learn and in doing so, found out that Kate was doing a weekend course run by Writers’ Holiday at Fishguard, which was only a short drive from my home and even better, just six weeks later. So I immediately booked. The weekend was fantastic. It went far too fast, but I took in all I’d learnt and left having booked for the next year. I continued to attend each year, until I became known as one of Kate’s stalkers.

I submitted to Harlequin Mills and Boon and also joined the New Writers’ Scheme run by the Romantic Novelists’ Association. My aim each time I submitted a manuscript was to get a step closer to my ultimate goal of publication. I wrote and wrote, until my apprenticeship, which is how I’ve always thought of it, consisted of eight complete manuscripts and four false starts. In April last year I had yet another rejection from Harlequin Mills and Boon. At this point I really did wonder if ‘it’ was ever going to happen for me, so focused on writing the story I really wanted to write and not the story

I thought was wanted.

I had entered competitions like New Voices and So You ThinkYou Can Write in previous years, without any success. Then a friend encouraged me to enter So You Think You Can Write last September and from that point everything went a little crazy. I was amazed when my entry made the Top 50, which meant I could put my full manuscript on an editor’s desk. Just to have got that far, was more than I’d hoped for, but I was totally stunned when I learnt I’d made the Top 10.

I didn't make the Top 3, but I did get some really useful feedback from the editors and spent last Christmas revising my story before submitting it again in January. When I did get ‘the call’ I’d dreamed of for years it was totally unexpected and I tried to remain calm and composed, but inside I was jumping for joy.

My competition entry was given a sparkling new title of A Deal Before The Altar and will be out in October.

I still have to pinch myself and I don’t think I really will believe it until I see my book on the shelves. I

have had an amazing time over the last eight years, attending courses and conferences, but most of all, making some wonderful friends.

If I was to give one bit of advice to aspiring writers, it would be to write and keep writing, but most of all to enjoy it. As for stalking Kate at Fishguard – guess where I’ll be next February!

I'm so happy to be able to share in Rachael's celebrations - and to see her name on a book  in reality - not the cake one - we ate that! 

If there's one thing about Rachael's  story that  really matters, it's the way that  she never gave up and never stopped working towards her dream.  There's that saying  that  success is getting up one more time than you've been knocked down - and I think that's really true of Rachael's  determination and focus.  So if you're trying to write  or planning to enter this year's So You Think You Can Write contest -  hand on in there and keep trying. And good luck!

PS Rachael was the 14th student from one of my courses to have her book published - I'm now hoping for #15  -   perhaps someone out there will be the one!

Pink Heart Day

So today I'm blogging over  on the Pink Heart Society blog  for my first Date With Kate post there since their new makeover.

I'm talking about writing courses and what you want from them.,

What about you? If there were other courses I ran - apart from Writing Romantic Fiction or the Advanced  Writing Romantic Fiction I teach at Fishguard -  what other writing topics /courses would you be interested in?  I'm running a writing retreat At Weetwood Hall next - looking forward to that.

Details of all my courses can be found on the Events page on my website.

Post Fishguard and Post-it Notes!

It doesn't seem possible that it's  now  nearly 3 weeks since I got back from Fishguard. This time on the 28th, I was just meeting up with my  group of students, ready for the weekend's intensive Advanced Romance Writing Course as organised by Writers' Holiday at the Fishguard Bay Hotel in Pembrokeshire.  And then it seemed that I blinked and the weekend was over, we were saying our goodbyes,  and heading home.

What's that they say about time flying when you're having fun?

Yes, I know it was supposed to be a writing course - and it was - but there's nothing to stop us having fun and learning at the same time.  Over the years, this course  - and the students - has evolved into something rather special., There's a lot of fun, laughter - discussions. . .   Chocolate is often evolved , some wine and more discussions - more laughter. And yes, we learn a lot (because as well as being the tutor I often learn a lot and get inspired to write as a result of those discussions)

Of course we also had cause for celebrations because Rachael Thomas who had been there last year as a student was this year celebrating the acceptance of her very first book - as a result of the So You Think You Can Write contest.

This year's group from Fishguard '14

And this year there were the post-it notes.

When I was planning out ways of making things clearer, driving home certain points, I wanted a system  that was not just words on a page - and the post-it /emotions lesson was the result.  It seemed to work well - if you want  to know more about that then Johganna Grassick did a great write-up over on Novelistas Ink  - with a picture of post-it notes!

But things didn't stop there - since I got back, I've had a  couple of emails from another member of the group - another Jo  - and she has taken the post-it note philosophy to heart. She wrote to tell me how she'd been working hard on what she now calls ' The Fishguard Aftermath, aka A Date With Post-it Notes'.  She even sent me a couple of photographs to illustrate how the post-it system can work - how it's worked for her to sort out the core emotions, the way those work their way through the story -  the things that change dramatically when love(see those heart shaped notes?)  or sex intervene and make things even more complicated.

It's a visual - and fun way  of making things clearer and helping you focus on what matters.

I'm not the only one to use sticky notes in this way -   Julie Cohen has a special blog on Post-It Plotting over on her web site - even  more colour, even more scheming  - and a great way to keep track of everyone/everything in the story.

As a result there has been rather a rush on post-it notes all over the country (and excuse - writers love a chance to buy more stationery). I know that the place I bought the notes for this year's Fishguard is currently out of stock! They must be wondering what hit them.

Anyway - what I want to say is a great big thank you to the fabulous group I had at Fishguard this year. I had so much fun and the discussions were great, the laughter  ditto - the critique session was fantastic (and the glass - or two - of wine went well too.)  I'm almost ashamed to say I'm not a great chocolate lover  - but the Babe Magnet was very happy to eat my share after the class.

I also want to send very special thanks to Anne and Gerry Hobbs who  - as always - organised this weekend with their usual warm, welcoming  efficiency, in spite of this February not being  the easiest of circumstances in which to cope.  I had a wonderful time and I'm so looking forward to the Writers' Holiday at Fishguard coming up in the summer.  The sea, the sun (hopefully), great company, more laughter - and maybe more post-it notes.

At the moment the  summer Writers' Holiday is fully booked up  and has been for some time. But if you're interested in my Advanced Romance Writing Course  for next February 2015  then (I can't believe I'm saying this but it's true) the time to get your booking in is now - before it fills up again.

One point - the Advanced course is just that - advanced - so if you're more interested in a basic course  - or would like to learn the basics and then book the advanced (I know someone who has booked for both only this week) or you just can't wait till February 2015 then I have other courses  coming up.  The details  should be appearing on my web site - on the Events Page  just as soon as my lovely web mistress can get them up there - but I'm also going to run a couple of blogs to let you know what's coming up so watch this space.

The first of these will be a weekend  course in May  with Relax and Write  creative writing weekends. That has basically been filled but I'm adding extra places  to fit people in if I can.  Details on the Events Page - or in my next blog.

I'll hope to see some of you somewhere soon at one of these courses -  and  I think I'd better go and buy some more post-it notes!

Cats and Courses and Kindles

It's been  a busy week.  (When is it anything else?)

There was Ruby's trip to the vet - for the routine  spaying operation.  Not before time! She was already

yelling 'I want a man!'  and importuning poor Charlie who  kept looking at me with an expression of  ' Mum, what does she want?  I don;'t understand ' on  his face!   He's so relieved she's settled down again.  And so are we. The thought that something  so small,  not yet out of kitten-hood herself could end up pregnant  and adding to the number of strays wandering about, just as she was  is just  horrible.

 She certainly hasn't had any problems with the op. She's still bounding round the house at a fast rate, eating anything put in front of her and pouncing on my toes whenever she can - her claws  and teeth are like needles.

Meanwhile, I've been preparing for  the  Advanced Writing Romance  course I'm running at Fishguard  at the end of the month. I can't wait. It's been so long since I saw the sea. And I know I'm going to to enjoy working with the   great group I have in the class. It's always so much fun. It's great  to talk about writing  with people who understand  this need to create, and it's fantastic to see how some of the students are growing and developing as writers as a result.

And, of course, we will have past student,  Rachael Thomas's success to toast this time as she's just had her very first Modern Romance/Harlequin Presents accepted.  There might be a bit of champagne involved.

And talking of courses - in an update to my website (Special thanks to my wonderful web designer Heather)  I've added all the courses coking up this year (so far) on the Events page.  There are now some basic Writing Romance courses as well as the annual Advanced Writing Romance course at Fishguard.  So if you're interested in joining us - why not take a look?

The first of these courses - at Weetwood Hall in Leeds is already selling out.  It's just about full but we might manage to squeeze another  couple of people in.  So  if you want to grab a place, do make inquiries sooner rather than later.  And if you've been on  a basic course and want to take things further -   it's not too early now to make an inquiry about Fishguard  2015!  These places always book fast  - so get your  name in now.
up

And talking about 2015, I'm discussing  the courses that might be on offer next year  now - look out for the details of those coming soon.  Details will be on my events page as soon as I know them - and at Writers' Holiday's web site or the one for Relax and Write Writing Weekends.   The links to these are also on my

Links page.

Talking of teaching writing - I have some big news coming up about the 12 Point Guide To Writing Romance. Not  quite ready to talk about it yet - but hopefully all will be revealed in March. So watch this space.

And talking about re-issues of older books -  at the end of last month, M&B  reissued ebook versions of some of my older titles -
Wife For A Day
The Married Mistress
Desert Affair
and Constantine's Revenge

So if  you missed these the first time round, or  you're looking for missing  books to add to your collection - check out the Mills & Boon site or Amazon for these 'Vintage ' titles.

Busy week

Well, I can't quite believe it's been a week since I updated this blog. But then it has been a busy week.
A very busy week. And, well, to be honest, the lovely news about  Rachael Thomas's first book was worth leaving up on its own for a while.

I've been working on a new  project - well, a couple of new projects.  And some new approaches to old ones.
First of all, there has been the working out of the plot of the  latest novel.. And that has involved a fight between two heroes. One, a Spaniard with a severe chip on his shoulder and a brooding resentment about the way that his  father's family have treated him - and the second a Sheikh who first appeared in my new book  A Question  of Honour  but has had a lot of growing up to do since then. They both wanted me to tell their stories and it hasn't been easy to decide which one to work on first. So I've made notes on  one - and started the story of the other . . .  Which one? Well that would be telling. Because I don't know whether I'll be able to continue  with the one I've chosen as the other is still demanding that I find him his heroine and give him his happy ever after . .  . watch this space.

What else? Well, I have the Advanced Romance Writing Course at the end of this month so I've been planning things for that - and looking at new ways of getting ideas across.  Of course, what I find works for this course will probably be used again in one of the other courses I'm teaching - like the ones in Weeton Hall in Leeds. That hasn't yet made it on to my Events page  but it should be detailed there very soon.
Actually, I thought I was going to have to say that the course  in May was already sold out as it filled up fast - almost as soon as it was announced. But I've talked with the organisers and we've decided we can add a few extra places if  anyone wants them.  We're trying to keep the classes small and informal so that people can do exactly as it says on the tine - Relax and Write -  but we can manage that and give a few more people the chance to join us. So booking is still open. Contact Malaga Workshops - Relax and Write  if you're interested.

Oh - and I need to add the details of the second course at Weetwood - coming up in October.  My web site designer is working on the updates right now so hopefully they should be up very soon.

Meanwhile I've  also been busy revising and updating  the 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance - this is going to be republished in a new updated format, easily available in EBook form - I'll be announcing all the details soon so watch this space for this too.

Finally - for everyone who's been asking how  Ruby is settling in - well, the truth is that she's been rather unsettling things.  She came  into season  unexpectedly early  and created merry hell as a result. She kept throwing herself at Charlie who really didn't understand what all this fuss and excitement was about and he gave me rather panicked looks as if to say 'Get her off me! I don't know what she' wants!'.  Luckily things have all settled down again now  and the little madam is fast asleep in front of the fire. And you'd never know that she'd  been going round the house yelling at the top of her voice and molesting poor Charlie if he came anywhere near her!  She will have an appointment with the vet just as soon as we can arrange it.

But this is what peace and quiet looks like

Want to come on one of my writing courses ?

I'm trying to get organised.

The emphasis there is on the word trying. One of these days, I'll turn into Superwoman and have everything under control, everywhere tidy, everything in its right place . ..  but I'm afraid I'm one of those people who work best in 'creative chaos'!   Well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

One of the things I'm hoping to get done before the end of the month is to update my web site. It has been sadly neglected in the past year, and I need to get it sorted.   I'll be totally  updating my Events page where I list everything I'm doing like the writing courses I run in  various places through the year.

I have new courses to let you know about - more details on those in my next post - but before I do
  that, I need to  talk about my Advance Romance Writing Course in Fishguard in February .

This course is strictly limited to 15 places available - it has to be limited because it is such an intensive, focused course that it's impossible to manage with any more than this number. Add in the  one to one critiquing sessions and the weekend goes by in a flash,

This year's course has been  sold out  almost since the dates were first announced  last year.

But yesterday I learned of an unexpected cancellation so, for the first time ever, I do  have a single place on this year's course.

It's coming up in February -   Friday 28th February - Sunday 2nd March to be exact.
Where?  Fishguard Bay Hotel  Fishguard  Pembrokeshire
And the cost is just   £229 all  in - that's room, all meals, and the course . . . six workshops sessions and your one to one.


I know it's short notice - but this place has only just become available.  So if you're interested  you can contact me - use the link at the bottom of the page- (kate At kate-walker.com)  or get in touch with Gerry Hobbs of Writers' Holidays who organizes this event  - and you might be able to grab this rare available place.

But  do remember that this is the Advanced  Romance Writing Course. Anyone who attends this course  should have been on  one of my foundation courses - or one run by another writer. And you do need to submit a chapter for assessment. This isn't a one size fits all course, I tailor the workshops to the people attending.  It's focused, intensive - but we also have a lot of fun!

If you're interested contact Writers' Holiday here

If the foundation courses are what you're looking for - more news on that coming up.  And all details will soon be on my Events page (I hope!)

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Want to learn to write romance?

I've had some enquiries about courses on writing romance that I'm teaching this year - and what is happening to Writers' Holiday after this year's event. So I thought I'd  give some details of what I have coming up.

I've rather cut back on the teaching this year so  really there are just the two main courses I'm doing - both in Wales. Well, that's currently the situation - things can always change and often do. But it depends on me being asked to teach or run a workshop. If I do  decide to do anything new, then I will  of course let everyone know. The details will be posted here and on my events page if anything crops up.

But for now, I will be heading for Wales and for Writers' Holiday at Caerleon in the last week of July.  The exact dates are July 28th - August 2nd  and as you'll see from the details on the Writers' Holiday site, this is the course I'll be teaching:

A  complete introduction to writing contemporary romance

 This course is intended to provide information and advice for anyone who wants to learn how to write  a popular  romance genre novel.  It gives an introduction to all the skills needed for success, from creating realistic characters, sustaining pace and conflict, packing emotional punch, writing sex scenes and crafting a satisfying ending.  While the focus may be on romance novels, the techniques – dialogue, characters, tension, pacing, settings,  hooks etc will also be relevant to all forms of  popular fiction.

 

At Writers' Holiday in  Caerleon  - as it's now run - the course is   made up of 5 lessons in the mornings. My course is in the second part of the week so it runs from the Wednesday to the Friday .

Students who sign up for this course, can also do one of the other courses from the beginning of the week - and of course go to all the main talks they're interested in - and attend the 'after tea sessions' if they want - Phew! You'd cram in a lot if you do it all.

Or you can just relax in the sun (if we get any!) or even settle down and write!

And then of course there is the Wednesday afternoon excursion to explore more of Wales - the 'Book Town' of Hay on Wye, Welsh capital, Cardiff,  St Fagan's National History Museum have all been included in the past.

And then of course there is the traditional last evening concert with the Cwmbach Male Voice Choir.

All this - plus 3 cooked meals a day (or free choice at the salad bar) - plentiful tea and coffee for the breaks - secure parking -  and all for  under £500. If I wasn't teaching, I'd be paying to attend myself. (The Babe Magnet and I have done just that in the past.)

As it says on the site, this is the last Writer's Holiday at Caerleon  - but it won't be the last Writer's Holiday.  WH is being reborn and it's relocating to a new site - one of my favourite places in Wales, Fishguard Bay.

 

Fishguard Bay Hotel is where my other course is based. That's where I teach at the  Writers' And Artists'  Workshop Weekend every February.

And by popular demand I’ll be back in Fishguard  again in 2014 to run the Advanced Romance Writing Course  again -

• Date:  Friday 28^th  February – Sunday 2^nd March  2014
• Location: Fishguard Bay Hotel, Fishguard Pembrokeshire
• Course: ADVANCED Contemporary Romance Workshop

A series of six advanced novel workshop sessions. This course is open to previous Fishguard workshop or Caerleon Romance course participants or those who have been on Kate’s basic Romance courses or Kate's workshops elsewhere. It is not for beginners. Designed especially for Fishguard to move you on, the whole weekend will be concentrated on this workshop - without other distractions. Guests are encouraged to complete work with Kate prior to the weekend commencement.

Strictly Limited to first 15 bookings

The Advanced  Course runs from Friday night to Sunday lunchtime. 6 workshop sessions, and one- to- one  discussions on the work you've submitted plus an open discussion and critique session. (and a little wine!)
Cost -  £229 all in
This course sells out very fast so please enquire about bookings as soon as possible. If the course is already booked up, we will run a waiting list on a first come first served basis.

Further details and booking forms can be found here: http://www.writersholiday.net/

 

  Unfortunately, even as I'm talking about this course, I suspect that it is already sold out. Or there may be just one available place still open on it. But all enquiries will be noted and if spaces become available, then people will be offered them on a first come first served basis.

But then from 2014 things will change anyway - as I said, Writers' Holiday will move to Fishguard and the Fishguard Bay Hotel - and the format will be rather different. The course will be longer, with classes on each day instead of half the week . I'm still planning that out, but as there is so much demand for the Advanced Course, I'm planning on putting in some extras so that this course has more scope than the current basic one can manage.

Details are still being worked out -  but here's the basic facts:

WRITERS’ HOLIDAY  AT FISHGUARD
Monday 21st-Saturday 26th JULY 2014
  
SIX COURSES, during mornings throughout the week,
each now EIGHT HOURS LONG,
a range of MAIN LECTURES,
After-Tea Sessions,
& final WELSH NIGHT CONCERT with
CWMBACH MALE VOICE CHOIR.

 

I'll let you know more about the course  as I get to know it!

Maybe I'll see you at one event or another.

 

PS If you live in Ireland - the Fishguard venue is right at the arrival point for the ferry from Rosslare  - literally just down the road (OK  - up the road, as  the hotel is above the ferry terminus!)