Monday, June 28, 2004
Scarecrows
They are everywhere - including next door to me where overnight there appeared a young man with dreadlocks, a table, two turntables and some LP's!!!
My next door neighbour's son is a disc jockey at a Manchester night club, hence the connection, I imagine.
But what about the others? Passed one today - King Kong complete with pole, from which hung a helicopter with rescuer dangling on a wire, as KK clutched poor heroine. Then in the village, have seen a troup of Morris Dancers, a rugby player, a cricketer, heaven knows how many teddy bears, plus - outside the Post Office of all places, a scarecrow patient in a bed, complete with attendant nurse, and a sign bearing the immortal Sea-side postcard words "It's only a little prick!"
As yet I haven't seen anyone to ask what it's all about - all the Scarecrows have numbers so maybe it's a competition.
Am now thinking seriously of next year and a scarecrow author plus computer.......
Work and Conferences.
I managed to get my Mira book finished this weekend but am now back at the beginning reworking the first 3 chapters, as I had a mega moment of re-plotting. Feels like it will never be finished!
This coming weekend we have the UK RNA Annual Conference in Leicester, and although I can't go for the whole conference, I intend to be there for the Saturday.
For writers, working alone, their get-togethers are a much needed opportunity to be with their own kind. The internet has made a tremendous difference to our lives enabling us all to communicate with one another of course, but to actually sit down and talk (normally all at the same time so that we haven't a clue what anyone else is sayimg) is a tremendous boost to the spirits.
This year for the first time since I joined the American RWA five years ago I am having to miss their annual conference (in Dallas this year), and the Aussie Conference in Sydney as well, much to my disappointment.
Teaching
I'm currently investigating the possibility of training/qualifying in order to teach writing classes, and the help and advice I have received from my email colleages has been terrific.
I'm still not sure at this stage whether or not I shall go ahead with my original plan. In common with many women of my age, I am experiencing a need to 'give something back' to my profession and to 'nurture and nourish' a 'new'generation.
I don't have grandchildren to tuck under my wing and watch grow, so maybe this urge to cluck over and motherhen a few proteges, is nature's way of finding an outlet for that instinct.
On the other hand, I have also noticed how many women in my age group are making career changes, or just simply committing to fufilling 'dreams' they had put on one side.
One particular friend of mine (and not quite as old ) confided to me this weekend that she would love to retrain as a cabinetmaker, and design and make her own bespoke furniture.
My big dream as a young woman was to find a huge old delapidated house (okay then an ancient pile with is own land) and restore it. I must admit I don't yearn for that anymore. Steve, my late husband always wanted to open a donkey sanctuary. Must admit I felt a bit suspicious when, after all the problems with my previous house the only place I coud find to buy with the 2 weeks I had to find somewhere was this house, with its paddock and 3 stables! Oh thank you Stevie!
Nantwich/Bookshop/new Harpercollins book/writers'groupYears ago I wrote a serious for Mills & Boon and Mira set in a fictional town named Haslewich, and in actual fact Haslewich was based on the small market town of Nantwich, where I now live (talk about coincidence)
I am having a small launch for my upcoming second harpercollins release "Connie's Courage" in Nantwich's bookshop on Friday 6th August (a tea party!) and the bookshop owner has offered me the use of an upstairs room there for the writers group I am hoping to establish.
A little ominously, when I called to see him today he asked me if "Chris" had been in touch, explaining that it was about literature.
My heart always sinks when I hear that word, because I expect the next few words to be a contemptuous dismissal of my own work - however, it seems that "Chris" is thinking about organising a Literary Festival in Nantwich, not joining my writers' group in order to put me down (sorry Chris!).
He hasn't ben in touch yet, but I hope I do hear from him. I am supposed to be speaking at Chester's Literary Festival on 9th October courtesy of Chester's lovely Tourism Manager, although heaven knows what I am going to say, and it had occured to me that next year maybe I could persuade him, to let me showcase the talents of my Writers' Group there.
Sheepdog Jack
Weather was too miserable last week to go out much but I did see Harold and Jack working in the paddock from my bedroom window, so at least Jack is still here - I haven't seen him for a few days though,and his probation period will be up now! Oh I do hope that Harold keeps him!
Okay, back to work now! (sigh!)
Penny
My next door neighbour's son is a disc jockey at a Manchester night club, hence the connection, I imagine.
But what about the others? Passed one today - King Kong complete with pole, from which hung a helicopter with rescuer dangling on a wire, as KK clutched poor heroine. Then in the village, have seen a troup of Morris Dancers, a rugby player, a cricketer, heaven knows how many teddy bears, plus - outside the Post Office of all places, a scarecrow patient in a bed, complete with attendant nurse, and a sign bearing the immortal Sea-side postcard words "It's only a little prick!"
As yet I haven't seen anyone to ask what it's all about - all the Scarecrows have numbers so maybe it's a competition.
Am now thinking seriously of next year and a scarecrow author plus computer.......
Work and Conferences.
I managed to get my Mira book finished this weekend but am now back at the beginning reworking the first 3 chapters, as I had a mega moment of re-plotting. Feels like it will never be finished!
This coming weekend we have the UK RNA Annual Conference in Leicester, and although I can't go for the whole conference, I intend to be there for the Saturday.
For writers, working alone, their get-togethers are a much needed opportunity to be with their own kind. The internet has made a tremendous difference to our lives enabling us all to communicate with one another of course, but to actually sit down and talk (normally all at the same time so that we haven't a clue what anyone else is sayimg) is a tremendous boost to the spirits.
This year for the first time since I joined the American RWA five years ago I am having to miss their annual conference (in Dallas this year), and the Aussie Conference in Sydney as well, much to my disappointment.
Teaching
I'm currently investigating the possibility of training/qualifying in order to teach writing classes, and the help and advice I have received from my email colleages has been terrific.
I'm still not sure at this stage whether or not I shall go ahead with my original plan. In common with many women of my age, I am experiencing a need to 'give something back' to my profession and to 'nurture and nourish' a 'new'generation.
I don't have grandchildren to tuck under my wing and watch grow, so maybe this urge to cluck over and motherhen a few proteges, is nature's way of finding an outlet for that instinct.
On the other hand, I have also noticed how many women in my age group are making career changes, or just simply committing to fufilling 'dreams' they had put on one side.
One particular friend of mine (and not quite as old ) confided to me this weekend that she would love to retrain as a cabinetmaker, and design and make her own bespoke furniture.
My big dream as a young woman was to find a huge old delapidated house (okay then an ancient pile with is own land) and restore it. I must admit I don't yearn for that anymore. Steve, my late husband always wanted to open a donkey sanctuary. Must admit I felt a bit suspicious when, after all the problems with my previous house the only place I coud find to buy with the 2 weeks I had to find somewhere was this house, with its paddock and 3 stables! Oh thank you Stevie!
Nantwich/Bookshop/new Harpercollins book/writers'groupYears ago I wrote a serious for Mills & Boon and Mira set in a fictional town named Haslewich, and in actual fact Haslewich was based on the small market town of Nantwich, where I now live (talk about coincidence)
I am having a small launch for my upcoming second harpercollins release "Connie's Courage" in Nantwich's bookshop on Friday 6th August (a tea party!) and the bookshop owner has offered me the use of an upstairs room there for the writers group I am hoping to establish.
A little ominously, when I called to see him today he asked me if "Chris" had been in touch, explaining that it was about literature.
My heart always sinks when I hear that word, because I expect the next few words to be a contemptuous dismissal of my own work - however, it seems that "Chris" is thinking about organising a Literary Festival in Nantwich, not joining my writers' group in order to put me down (sorry Chris!).
He hasn't ben in touch yet, but I hope I do hear from him. I am supposed to be speaking at Chester's Literary Festival on 9th October courtesy of Chester's lovely Tourism Manager, although heaven knows what I am going to say, and it had occured to me that next year maybe I could persuade him, to let me showcase the talents of my Writers' Group there.
Sheepdog Jack
Weather was too miserable last week to go out much but I did see Harold and Jack working in the paddock from my bedroom window, so at least Jack is still here - I haven't seen him for a few days though,and his probation period will be up now! Oh I do hope that Harold keeps him!
Okay, back to work now! (sigh!)
Penny
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Bitch and Boast
My TFG has suggested that instead of starting up a messageboard I can have a comments area here on my blog, so from today you can if you wish let off a bit of steam with an anonymous (or not) 'BITCH OR BOAST'- both of a serious nature or more in fun.
And of course you can post comments on other issues related to my diary if you wish.
As a widow I am particlarly interested in communicating with other people who have suffered the death of someone close, and in providing somewhere for us to express those feelings we can't always express in public.
I was very fortunate in the early days of my own widowhood in that a fellow author on one of my loops, who had been widowed a year ahead of me, took me under her wing so to speak.
It is so much easier to follow in the tracks someone else has made and to know they are there ahead of you encouraging you on.
Penny
BITCH OR BOAST
WR has a face that sometimes looks like a squashed tomato
He is also just about the best football player in the world!
And of course you can post comments on other issues related to my diary if you wish.
As a widow I am particlarly interested in communicating with other people who have suffered the death of someone close, and in providing somewhere for us to express those feelings we can't always express in public.
I was very fortunate in the early days of my own widowhood in that a fellow author on one of my loops, who had been widowed a year ahead of me, took me under her wing so to speak.
It is so much easier to follow in the tracks someone else has made and to know they are there ahead of you encouraging you on.
Penny
BITCH OR BOAST
WR has a face that sometimes looks like a squashed tomato
He is also just about the best football player in the world!
Light bulb moment
Have just had an idea for an entertaining website/blog - the 'no holds barred' kind on which others can post their own comments, and nothing to do with my writing.
Am hoping that my TFG (Wendy Woo) will be able to sort me out with the necessary techie stuff! I've got the title and the first post on hold in my head.
Current book is over the trauma of the build up to the 'denoument' now and I am on the straight fast run to the end - I always find this a bit of a thrill - all that speed, and then that unexpected dangerous bend one hasn't allowed for, and which could throw the whole thing and cause a major disaster.
Come on though ending - I'm already gearing up for the excitement of a new book and a new start.
AND I've found the perfect paint for the bedroom!
I'm going to have lunch with a neighbour today. She's a designer in metals and she is holding a display of her work this weekend, so I think champagne might be a good idea pre lunch!
THE SCARECROWS ARE STILL COMING - It says so on a sign at the end of the road. I must ask her what on earth this means!
Interestingly (to me at least) her house was used to hold internees during the Second World War. My upcoming sagas are set in that period, so I must find out a little bit more!
For me one of the really enjoyable parts of my writing is the research. Trouble is I get so involved in it, that what I'm supposed to be looking for gets overlooked.
Penny
Am hoping that my TFG (Wendy Woo) will be able to sort me out with the necessary techie stuff! I've got the title and the first post on hold in my head.
Current book is over the trauma of the build up to the 'denoument' now and I am on the straight fast run to the end - I always find this a bit of a thrill - all that speed, and then that unexpected dangerous bend one hasn't allowed for, and which could throw the whole thing and cause a major disaster.
Come on though ending - I'm already gearing up for the excitement of a new book and a new start.
AND I've found the perfect paint for the bedroom!
I'm going to have lunch with a neighbour today. She's a designer in metals and she is holding a display of her work this weekend, so I think champagne might be a good idea pre lunch!
THE SCARECROWS ARE STILL COMING - It says so on a sign at the end of the road. I must ask her what on earth this means!
Interestingly (to me at least) her house was used to hold internees during the Second World War. My upcoming sagas are set in that period, so I must find out a little bit more!
For me one of the really enjoyable parts of my writing is the research. Trouble is I get so involved in it, that what I'm supposed to be looking for gets overlooked.
Penny
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Sad little moment
Went over to my old home village today mainly to go to the dentist - Whilst I was there though I thought I'd go and visit Steve to say 'hello'
At first after his death I couldn't bear to go anywhere near the graveyard,, and then I couldn't bear to stay away - our village church has a closed graveyard which means no new burials unless one already owns a plot, but it was possible to have Steve's ashes buried there and a stone set in the ground.
What I hadn't realised though was that the ashes would be buried in a small coffin shaped casket nor that the burial of them woud be conductd as though it had been his body - foolishly I went on my own - so it was just me, Steve the Vicar and the undertaker -
However the graveyard itself is genuinely a place of great peace. I am not religious but it is immpossible not to be aware of the faith of so many generations of worshippers and believers and that in itself offers comfort.
Now my visits are more relaxed - i talk to Steve all the time at home so I don't need the graveyard to feel close to him, and in fact I no longer really feel him there anyway.
I made a promise both to him and to myself when he died that I would try to celebrate his life rather than to mourn his death and that I would carry him with me in my thoughts and in my heart.
It was such a lovely sunny day today and the grass around the graves had just been mowed. I noticed a new stone three down from Steve's a man born in 1924 -
Penny
At first after his death I couldn't bear to go anywhere near the graveyard,, and then I couldn't bear to stay away - our village church has a closed graveyard which means no new burials unless one already owns a plot, but it was possible to have Steve's ashes buried there and a stone set in the ground.
What I hadn't realised though was that the ashes would be buried in a small coffin shaped casket nor that the burial of them woud be conductd as though it had been his body - foolishly I went on my own - so it was just me, Steve the Vicar and the undertaker -
However the graveyard itself is genuinely a place of great peace. I am not religious but it is immpossible not to be aware of the faith of so many generations of worshippers and believers and that in itself offers comfort.
Now my visits are more relaxed - i talk to Steve all the time at home so I don't need the graveyard to feel close to him, and in fact I no longer really feel him there anyway.
I made a promise both to him and to myself when he died that I would try to celebrate his life rather than to mourn his death and that I would carry him with me in my thoughts and in my heart.
It was such a lovely sunny day today and the grass around the graves had just been mowed. I noticed a new stone three down from Steve's a man born in 1924 -
Penny
Sunday, June 20, 2004
Harpercollins Party & Other
Went to the Harpercollins Summer party on Thursday evening. The 'do' was held in two gorgeous - well it would be an insult to them to describe them as mere marquees!- these were Maharishi style pavilions designed originally I think for the hugely posh Serpentine Gallery party held on the previous evening and hosted by the somewhat bling bling designer Roberto Cavelli.
Unlike Mr.Cavelli's clothes though the 'tents' were simple and restrained - white muslin type fabric, with a border embroidered with gold elephants. There was some low silk cushioned seating in bright rich colours, and prettilly coloured candle lanterns for when it got dark. Sensibly outside gas patio type heaters had also been provided and were on - it was a very cold evening.
One tent had a dance floor and a stage the other a sort of seagrass type flooring.
On arrival we were all given name badges - red for authors, blue for agents and green for Harper staff. Press did not wear badges!
I don't know who provided the catering but suspect it must have been some outfit very of the moment - we were welcomed with champagne cocktails - either rhubarb(?) (which had a peppery taste) or peach bellini. The champagne flowed extremely generously - I stopped having my glass filled when I discovered that my lips had quite unacocuntably gone numb! (brain had turned numb several drinks earlier)
The food was yummy and served charmingly & professionally by the young waiters and waitresses - again chef must have been someone v. trendy as the the chocolate covered icecream lollipops were filled with pepper flavoured icecream.
(am just realising that sound frighteningly like elderly person who used to write Jennifer's Diary! and it gets worse!)
Everyone was extremely suitably and smartly dressed - not a bare torso or piece of denim in sight!
Didn't see anyone famous other than Jon Snow (and only from a distance as there were so very many people there)
Did have a chat with fellow RNA author Anne Bennett though.
Met Harper UK's CEO who went round introducing herself to everyone - in her speech she mentioned the fact that Harper's American CEO was there along with Lachlan Murdoch who had arrived unexpectedly Made me wonder if LM had attended the Serpentive Gallery do the night before. CEO also made a joke about some famous harper authors not being able to attend (David Beckham et al)
Must admit I felt a little bit lost at first as the only people I knew where my ed and her Senior Ed. In many ways it was very similar to the Harlequin parties I have attended - the attention to detail, the excellent food and drink - the care taken by the CEO to meet the authors, but in others it was very different, and I did miss the warmth and family atmosphere of being with my fellow M &^ B authors. Of course that could just be because I have been with Harlequin for so very long and know so many people.
All in all a very enjoyable and glamorous evening!
New Contracts & work
I had been rather nervous pre the party as I was due to meet with my Ed and the Senior Ed to discuss my new contract. I'm used to working closely with my editors and was relieved whenn the Senior Ed wanted to go through what she was looking for for the new contract. This has now given me a definite frame to work within and one which I feel comfortable with.
I'm now in the fortunate position of knowing exactly where I am going with my next 3 short series books for M & B, next year's MIRA book for Harlequin and now my next 4 books for Harper.
Discussing new work always leaves me feeling very drained though, and this is the time when I miss my late husband Steve so very much. I always used to go through with him what was said, what was going to happen, how I felt about it, etc. etc.
I can't speak for other authors but for me the insecurity of worrying about my work is always there. Both Harper eds though were very kind about my work and that gave me a real boost.
One of the reasons I haven't posted here earlier is because I am busily typing out brief outlines for the new contract.
By happy chance a fellow author was also in London, so we managed to meet up and have coffee together in Harvey Nicks . We hadn't met before although we have exchanged many emails and we were both a little bit nervous - however all went well. I had mentioned on one of the email loops that I was considering trying to start 'teaching' and she had brought me a small book - brown paper cover decorated with a shiny red apple - containing quotes from people about their teachers.
Maths never was my strongest subject which is no doubt why I can never understand why I return from any stay away from home having gained at least 2lbs of weight per day - how does that happen?
Family
Ominously when I telephoned my mother from London on Friday morning and told her that I would be going to see her and my father on Sunday, she told me that she hadn't expected me to do so and moreover that she thought it would be too much for me what with me just getting back from London... I am not my mother's daughter for nothing - Alarm bells started to ring! What was she trying to hide?
Sure enough when i arrived at my parents' house this morning it was to discover that my mother has a huge scab on her forehead and another on her nose (my parents who are in their mid eighties still run a small garden centre having refused to give in to the combined pleas of me, my brother and my sister to retire gracefully)
Mother had slipped on a paving slab!
Brother was also at parents and had a lovely photo of his first grandchild - this litte boy was born with a hare lip and has just had his second operation - he has the most beautiful smile now and won't need another until he is nine.
Had been concerned when I left home as Sheba had to have new dogsitters this time and whilst I liked Betty and Brian I felt that Betty was a bit nervous with Sheba.
Returned home to find Betty and Brian wreathed in smiles, and full of praise for Sheba - Brian wanted to take her home with them and Betty commented on what a loving dog she is. (So she didnt eat the postman then as I warned them she might!)
Shepherd and sheepdog
Harold the shepherd who trains his sheep dog in my small paddock is a natural storyteller, and | could listen to him for hours. I am anxious for a happy ending for the current saga though - Harold has just been given his six month all clear from cancer - when he was first diagnosed he decided to rehome his two collie dog puppies from his working bitch Jess.
Jess is now seven and he considers her too old to have more pups - she has some arthritis and is a lovely and obviously much loved dog. However now that Harold is so much better he wants to get back into trial work. He has on loan a new young dog - Jack - and Jack's future is still not decided!
Jack has improved from his first mad rushing about behind the sheep to a more quiet thinking manner but Harold just has a feeling about him that something maybe wrong with him physically (a weak hip maybe) I feel so anxious for Jack who has obviously bonded with Harold - poor dog - what will hapen to him? Haven't seen Harold since I got home but I think this week is decision week so I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Also returned home to find huge sign at the end of the road (The Scarecrows are coming - 4th July"
Mmmmmm!!!!!!!
Home
Put first coat of specially chosen and mixed Farrow and Ball paint on spare bedroom wall tonight and it is ..........hideous!!!!!!!
This house faces south west and the light coming in through the windows has a strong effect on colour - my main sitting room walls had ten coats of paint in three different shades of cream before I finally gave up and decided that well yes pale yellow was what i wanted! And I can still see the original lilac through the cream paint on my bedroom walls!
Off now to do some more work for new contract.
Unlike Mr.Cavelli's clothes though the 'tents' were simple and restrained - white muslin type fabric, with a border embroidered with gold elephants. There was some low silk cushioned seating in bright rich colours, and prettilly coloured candle lanterns for when it got dark. Sensibly outside gas patio type heaters had also been provided and were on - it was a very cold evening.
One tent had a dance floor and a stage the other a sort of seagrass type flooring.
On arrival we were all given name badges - red for authors, blue for agents and green for Harper staff. Press did not wear badges!
I don't know who provided the catering but suspect it must have been some outfit very of the moment - we were welcomed with champagne cocktails - either rhubarb(?) (which had a peppery taste) or peach bellini. The champagne flowed extremely generously - I stopped having my glass filled when I discovered that my lips had quite unacocuntably gone numb! (brain had turned numb several drinks earlier)
The food was yummy and served charmingly & professionally by the young waiters and waitresses - again chef must have been someone v. trendy as the the chocolate covered icecream lollipops were filled with pepper flavoured icecream.
(am just realising that sound frighteningly like elderly person who used to write Jennifer's Diary! and it gets worse!)
Everyone was extremely suitably and smartly dressed - not a bare torso or piece of denim in sight!
Didn't see anyone famous other than Jon Snow (and only from a distance as there were so very many people there)
Did have a chat with fellow RNA author Anne Bennett though.
Met Harper UK's CEO who went round introducing herself to everyone - in her speech she mentioned the fact that Harper's American CEO was there along with Lachlan Murdoch who had arrived unexpectedly Made me wonder if LM had attended the Serpentive Gallery do the night before. CEO also made a joke about some famous harper authors not being able to attend (David Beckham et al)
Must admit I felt a little bit lost at first as the only people I knew where my ed and her Senior Ed. In many ways it was very similar to the Harlequin parties I have attended - the attention to detail, the excellent food and drink - the care taken by the CEO to meet the authors, but in others it was very different, and I did miss the warmth and family atmosphere of being with my fellow M &^ B authors. Of course that could just be because I have been with Harlequin for so very long and know so many people.
All in all a very enjoyable and glamorous evening!
New Contracts & work
I had been rather nervous pre the party as I was due to meet with my Ed and the Senior Ed to discuss my new contract. I'm used to working closely with my editors and was relieved whenn the Senior Ed wanted to go through what she was looking for for the new contract. This has now given me a definite frame to work within and one which I feel comfortable with.
I'm now in the fortunate position of knowing exactly where I am going with my next 3 short series books for M & B, next year's MIRA book for Harlequin and now my next 4 books for Harper.
Discussing new work always leaves me feeling very drained though, and this is the time when I miss my late husband Steve so very much. I always used to go through with him what was said, what was going to happen, how I felt about it, etc. etc.
I can't speak for other authors but for me the insecurity of worrying about my work is always there. Both Harper eds though were very kind about my work and that gave me a real boost.
One of the reasons I haven't posted here earlier is because I am busily typing out brief outlines for the new contract.
By happy chance a fellow author was also in London, so we managed to meet up and have coffee together in Harvey Nicks . We hadn't met before although we have exchanged many emails and we were both a little bit nervous - however all went well. I had mentioned on one of the email loops that I was considering trying to start 'teaching' and she had brought me a small book - brown paper cover decorated with a shiny red apple - containing quotes from people about their teachers.
Maths never was my strongest subject which is no doubt why I can never understand why I return from any stay away from home having gained at least 2lbs of weight per day - how does that happen?
Family
Ominously when I telephoned my mother from London on Friday morning and told her that I would be going to see her and my father on Sunday, she told me that she hadn't expected me to do so and moreover that she thought it would be too much for me what with me just getting back from London... I am not my mother's daughter for nothing - Alarm bells started to ring! What was she trying to hide?
Sure enough when i arrived at my parents' house this morning it was to discover that my mother has a huge scab on her forehead and another on her nose (my parents who are in their mid eighties still run a small garden centre having refused to give in to the combined pleas of me, my brother and my sister to retire gracefully)
Mother had slipped on a paving slab!
Brother was also at parents and had a lovely photo of his first grandchild - this litte boy was born with a hare lip and has just had his second operation - he has the most beautiful smile now and won't need another until he is nine.
Had been concerned when I left home as Sheba had to have new dogsitters this time and whilst I liked Betty and Brian I felt that Betty was a bit nervous with Sheba.
Returned home to find Betty and Brian wreathed in smiles, and full of praise for Sheba - Brian wanted to take her home with them and Betty commented on what a loving dog she is. (So she didnt eat the postman then as I warned them she might!)
Shepherd and sheepdog
Harold the shepherd who trains his sheep dog in my small paddock is a natural storyteller, and | could listen to him for hours. I am anxious for a happy ending for the current saga though - Harold has just been given his six month all clear from cancer - when he was first diagnosed he decided to rehome his two collie dog puppies from his working bitch Jess.
Jess is now seven and he considers her too old to have more pups - she has some arthritis and is a lovely and obviously much loved dog. However now that Harold is so much better he wants to get back into trial work. He has on loan a new young dog - Jack - and Jack's future is still not decided!
Jack has improved from his first mad rushing about behind the sheep to a more quiet thinking manner but Harold just has a feeling about him that something maybe wrong with him physically (a weak hip maybe) I feel so anxious for Jack who has obviously bonded with Harold - poor dog - what will hapen to him? Haven't seen Harold since I got home but I think this week is decision week so I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Also returned home to find huge sign at the end of the road (The Scarecrows are coming - 4th July"
Mmmmmm!!!!!!!
Home
Put first coat of specially chosen and mixed Farrow and Ball paint on spare bedroom wall tonight and it is ..........hideous!!!!!!!
This house faces south west and the light coming in through the windows has a strong effect on colour - my main sitting room walls had ten coats of paint in three different shades of cream before I finally gave up and decided that well yes pale yellow was what i wanted! And I can still see the original lilac through the cream paint on my bedroom walls!
Off now to do some more work for new contract.
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Life
Hi everyone,
Welcome to my weblog diary. Sharing the ups and downs of my day to day life as a writer with you has been something I've wanted to do for ages. Unfortunately my techie skills have simply not been up to it. But - enter stage left my Techie Fairy Godmother in the shape of the Wonderful Wendy Woo,and here I am!
First a bit about me. Some of you may already have read some of this and if so, please bear with me, whilst I give a brief resumee of where my life is today for those who haven't.
I've been writing for Mills & Boon for over twenty five years. Three years ago I started to write Northern Sagas for Harper Collins as well, but in 2002 the familiar comfortable pattern of my life changed for ever when my husband Steve was diagnosed with terminal oral cancer.
I won't dwell here on Steve's suffering other than to say that he was brave and kind and gentle and I loved him and I will always miss him.
Experiencing life as a widow - and by that I mean the way I live my life or rather am allowed to live it, rather than my life without Steve, has has taken me into a world I never knew existed. That is the world of the woman alone. This is not a good world to be in! It's a world where people have set ideas and expectations of how a widow should behave; it's a world where some people believe a woman alone is vulnerable and therefore a soft target. In short it's a world were astonishingly a woman of a certain age alone is considered to be a 'second class citizen'
Luckily I have my friends and my work.
But prepare to find me letting off steam about this subject from time to time!
I don't have any children sadly but I do have a cat - Posh and a dog - Sheba.
I still have days - many of them - when I wake up to wonder why I have had to wake up to a world without my Steve in it with me - but there are fewer of them now.
And life is not all dark moments of loss - tomorrow for instance I am going to London to attend the Harpercollins Summer Party at the Serpentine Gallery. Ooh er!!!!!
As a very very junior Harper author, I am dying to get a chance to gawp at the really big literary stars who will be there, and of course I shall be reporting to you on the whole event.
For now though I have to go and (a) find something to wear that atually fits (what is it about being post menopausal that adds so many inches to the body?) (b) pack my case somewhere where Sheba can't see it, and (c) clean the house ready for Sheba's dog sitters to come and stay.
Welcome to my weblog diary. Sharing the ups and downs of my day to day life as a writer with you has been something I've wanted to do for ages. Unfortunately my techie skills have simply not been up to it. But - enter stage left my Techie Fairy Godmother in the shape of the Wonderful Wendy Woo,and here I am!
First a bit about me. Some of you may already have read some of this and if so, please bear with me, whilst I give a brief resumee of where my life is today for those who haven't.
I've been writing for Mills & Boon for over twenty five years. Three years ago I started to write Northern Sagas for Harper Collins as well, but in 2002 the familiar comfortable pattern of my life changed for ever when my husband Steve was diagnosed with terminal oral cancer.
I won't dwell here on Steve's suffering other than to say that he was brave and kind and gentle and I loved him and I will always miss him.
Experiencing life as a widow - and by that I mean the way I live my life or rather am allowed to live it, rather than my life without Steve, has has taken me into a world I never knew existed. That is the world of the woman alone. This is not a good world to be in! It's a world where people have set ideas and expectations of how a widow should behave; it's a world where some people believe a woman alone is vulnerable and therefore a soft target. In short it's a world were astonishingly a woman of a certain age alone is considered to be a 'second class citizen'
Luckily I have my friends and my work.
But prepare to find me letting off steam about this subject from time to time!
I don't have any children sadly but I do have a cat - Posh and a dog - Sheba.
I still have days - many of them - when I wake up to wonder why I have had to wake up to a world without my Steve in it with me - but there are fewer of them now.
And life is not all dark moments of loss - tomorrow for instance I am going to London to attend the Harpercollins Summer Party at the Serpentine Gallery. Ooh er!!!!!
As a very very junior Harper author, I am dying to get a chance to gawp at the really big literary stars who will be there, and of course I shall be reporting to you on the whole event.
For now though I have to go and (a) find something to wear that atually fits (what is it about being post menopausal that adds so many inches to the body?) (b) pack my case somewhere where Sheba can't see it, and (c) clean the house ready for Sheba's dog sitters to come and stay.
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
second test
second test
first test post
this is the first test post
