1/3/2024 0 Comments Signed book 'Giveaway'I'm giving away a signed copy of TAKING A CHANCE ON LOVE to one of my newsletter subscribers. The draw will take place on Thursday, 7th March at 6pm. All you have to do to be included in the draw is visit my newsletter page (see the tabs above) and enter your email address. Simple. Good luck! UPDATE: Congratulations Lauren Cope - I shall email you a.s.a.p. This giveaway is now closed. You can still subscribe to my newsletter and be included in future signed giveaways.
0 Comments
Today, I signed 37 paperbacks with 37 different messages at Waterstones Nuneaton. That's a first for me! I always aim to write a unique comment when signing paperbacks at author talks but I've never thought of so many in one sitting. The store's team were fantastic company throughout the session and even supplied me with tea!
The four titles being stocked are: New Beginnings At Rose Cottage Taking A Chance On Love From Shetland, With Love Summer Dreams At The Lakeside Cottage. You remember the scene, I’m certain – it’s engraved upon all our memories given how long we waited for ‘the moment’. A darkened room, lit by a multitude of flickering candles, a romantic ambience worthy of any marriage proposal and a nervous female awaiting his arrival. ‘You wanted it to be a surprise,’ she says, her voice choked with emotion. The audience whoop and gasp as she lowers herself on to bended knee and looks up into his expectant face. ‘Chandler, in all my life, I never thought I’d be so lucky as to fall in love with my best …’ she stammers, amidst her emotional outpouring, before pausing and tearfully adding, ‘There’s a reason why girls don’t do this!’ Monica’s very honest statement is Chandler’s signal to take over the proceedings and propose in the traditional manner. My question is: ‘Is there a reason why girls don’t do this?’ Is it because we’re simply too emotional to propose without crying? Is it because ‘the moment’ is deemed so precious within social values that females feel too vulnerable to ask for fear of rejection? Or is it the ultimate dividing line between gender equality? Putting it simply, in 2024 does it firmly remain the man’s role in a heterosexual relationship to determine when, where and how long into a relationship he proposes marriage? My book, ‘Taking a Chance on Love’, highlights this particular theme. My story features three independent, successful and sassy women – each with differing views on relationships and marriage. Each woman knows her own mind and lives her life as she deems fit. Carmen can’t wait to be married, Polly is not interested and Dana has no one to ask. With the 29th February fast approaching, will any of them propose and change their fate with a single question? A tradition which began centuries ago, with the additional leap day null and voiding all social rules. According to an old Irish legend, St Brigid made a deal with St Patrick allowing women to propose to men – every four years. So, 29th February is observed as Bachelor’s Day in Ireland, enabling women to initiate courtship and propose marriage, if they wish. Should her proposal be rejected, the male was expected to buy the lady an expensive silk gown by way of an apology. But would you propose? I’ll be honest – I wouldn’t. I’ve conducted plenty of research over the past year and have asked a fair number of women – the majority repeating my answer of ‘no’. Just three women said they would, if it were necessary. Obviously, my next question was how? What struck me was that none of my three ladies would actually go down on bended knee and ask her man outright! Each one would choose an ‘indirect’ method of asking him. I wondered if this was deemed acceptable and would the males accept such an indirect proposal? Several men said they would have been shocked if their partners had proposed – they’d always felt it was their role in the relationship. One man was honest enough to say he would have accepted his partner’s proposal if she’d asked, but would wish for his young daughter to receive a traditional proposal from any future son-in-law. Some men felt that their masculinity was at stake, whilst others suggested it would be the most flattering compliment ever received. The males seemed divided on a range of aspects, unlike the majority of females. So, was Monica right all along? I suspect she could be. Maybe every proposal, be it Leap Year or otherwise, comes down to a mutual understanding of love and respect in a manner befitting each specific couple, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. All that’s left for me to say is good luck and best wishes to anyone, male or female, planning to propose this Leap Year. Practice your lines, make your memories and I wish you the very best for a loving future. 20/2/2024 0 Comments Back to 100% writing!My structural edits for July’s book have left the building! I find the editing process a slog as I thrive in the initial creative flare rather than polishing the details. Actually, correction - the polishing is OK. I dislike the structural edits of cutting scenes, moving important information and realigning the details which truly scrambles my brain! I always explain it as building a three-storey house then afterwards being asked to move the staircase to a different position – the task affects at every connection. Anyway, the edits are now complete so I’m free to spend my days writing my Christmas book 2024, rather than just the first hour of each day. A habit I adopted a while back enabling me to remain engaged with my current project rather than it coming to a halt, when other tasks are needed. Only possible because I’m a planner so know the next required scene. The Christmas book 2024 is set in Lakeside Cottage with a brand-new scenario for my new cast of characters. Not a scenario I would wish to find myself in but hey ho, I tend to put my leading ladies in a festive pickle and expect them to cope! Just a quick reminder should you wish to ‘save your seat’ for my next author talk at Nuneaton library on Monday, 26th February 2024 from 7:30pm. I’ll be chatting about my publication journey, my inspirations, my published books and my current project! There’s a lot to cram in alongside tea and biscuits!
I never know who is in the audience, be it avid readers, library users or aspiring authors so I always bring a selection of items as ‘show and tell’ props for answering a range of questions. I’m happy to share my process for planning, organising and writing a book. I’m honest enough to share the errors I made in the early days of writing which ‘delayed’ my chances of publication. I’ll happily sign your paperback copies at the end of the session – so please bring them along. The talk is a free session but spaces are limited, hence the booking system. Press here: event booking link My work for the next few weeks focuses upon my ‘structural edits’ for my July publication. I submitted my manuscript in the middle of December which was my editor’s first chance to read the entire story. She has a rough outline of the story from my proposed synopsis but submission is their first meeting. This encounter is my first reader, as I don’t use alpha or beta readers for my work, I know many authors do. So, submitting a completed project is bitter sweet for me; I enjoy the relief that it has been sent but am nagged by the possibility that the story is different to her expectations. My mind rarely switches off from a project until I receive some snippet of feedback. Hence the reason why my brain throws up little extras, in relation to plot lines and details, which I note down in case I need them at a later date. After which, my brain becomes distracted by a bright sparkly new idea – my Christmas 2024 book! My July manuscript now returns containing my editor’s queries which appear in a designated column created by the ‘tracking’ feature of a word document. This feature enables questions, amendments and additions to the manuscript to be recorded and dated alongside the original text. Every author creates their own system for tackling structural edits. I used to get overwhelmed by the enormity of the task, but now take it in a ‘step by step’ manner much like any other process of writing. My first job is to whiz through the entire manuscript, all 395 pages of this project, and make a note of every query/comment made by my editor. A simple handwritten document that becomes my checklist over the coming weeks. I then create the solution for each of her queries – some queries are repeated throughout the manuscript as they are linked by topic, character or situation. Linked queries are great when they’re answered/corrected by the insertion of a few details which answers every associated comment. Page number Editor's Query/comment My solution 23 Why doesn’t she read the Because they aren’t her book club choices? genre choice, she feels they’re too intellectual for her, she’s rushed for time. I always know the answer to each query but clearly, haven't written the scene details as clearly as I could. It’s a slow process, which I try to approach in a methodical manner so as not to muddle or overwhelm my thinking. At this stage in the editing process, I can change details as many times as I wish. It’s amazing how quickly you can tie yourself in knots with minute detail if you need to move entire scenes or address a time frame issue – urgh! Thanks to the tracking system and its automatic use of various coloured fonts you can spot everything you’ve entered, moved or deleted - which help should you change your mind or make an error that knocks your time frame out of sequence. I’m not a fan of editing; I like the writing process. I’ve trained myself to find a working system that motivates me to complete my edits. Now, I enjoy seeing the book take shape, via editing, slowly making its way towards being a finished book which my readers are eager to read. It has taken me a long time to reach this stage of appreciation for the editing process but it’s now bearable. I’ve learnt to couple the editing stages with smaller writing projects so I don’t deny myself the joy of writing fresh words each day. So that’s me, I’ll be working through each page until my deadline nears on 19th February. I usually aim to finish a day or two beforehand, so will reread before delivery back to my editor. After which, I'll return to focus on my Christmas 2024 book. 20/1/2024 0 Comments Reading 2024 - a stumbling startNothing kills the enthusiasm for reading than ploughing, dragging, coaxing your way through a book you aren’t enjoying. Each page is hard work. I should know, I’ve encountered two this month. My fresh start to a New Year has been totally marred by two one-star reads! I’m not one for naming names but I can’t even bring myself to record them as completed reading on my Goodreads account. Seriously, what a dire start to my reading year! Many readers will ask ‘why did you plod on rather than ditching each book at page 100?’ to which my answer always is – I wanted to. I wanted to reach the end of each story and attempt to figure out what I wasn’t enjoying, didn’t like or simply what the attraction might have been for other readers, who clearly enjoyed them. Both books have a plethora of five-star reviews. Sadly, neither were for me. I’ve previously read and enjoyed other books by both authors, to which I’ve given five stars reviews. Was it the topics, the characters, the point of view or the delivery of the story? The truth is - a combination of each. Experience has taught me that some books switch pace and interest after page 100, and I can name several books where I’d have ‘missed out’ had I shelved them early on. Sadly, not these two. Though it wouldn't do for us all to like the same titles. I was delighted to reach the final page of each – which isn’t why I read. I’ve spent a life-time reading for pleasure, to relax, for escapism, for entertainment and education. Thankfully, my third reading book of the year is a cracker and yes, I’m in awe of the author’s talent. 14/1/2024 0 Comments Happy New Year to creativity!I’m a little late to the party but still, ‘Happy New Year’ to you all! I’m hoping you had a great festive holiday, in one way or another. I returned to my desk full of enthusiasm for my current project – book four of my Lakeside cottage series. The characters are doing their own thing and I’m literally capturing their antics upon the page - that’s it, or so I tell myself. It took a few days to get back into the swing of things but I’m continuing with my daily writing pattern. Last night, in order to aid my own creative streak, I took myself off to Kenilworth to attend an evening of poetry and music at The Tree House bookshop. A monthly meeting of likeminded people, who come together and share their talents in whatever form they wish. It was a delight to sit back and listen to others perform, in a relaxed and welcoming environment. For further details contact: GwynethBox In recent years, I’ve realised that I’ve surrounded myself with a fairly narrow band of creatives, mainly novelists. So this year, I’m actively trying to expand my circle and return to the creative realms jogging alongside poets, musicians, potters, artists and songwriters as was my tendency a decade ago. Last night, reminded me of previous evenings spent at open mic events held at a local abbey, before I was published. Here's hoping for a 'happy and healthy' 2024 filled with brand-new sparkling ideas! 19/12/2023 0 Comments Santa's letterIn November, a happy little elf whispered Santa Claus’ address to me. The next morning, I sat and wrote my letter to Santa. I was honest. I explained that I was no longer a ‘little one’, but regardless of age, I still believe in the magic of Santa. The lady at the local post office stared at me when I asked for postage ensuring the quickest delivery. I assume she doesn’t believe in the magic of Santa! Today, his reply arrived in a colourful envelope. Part of the letter was printed but then he’d written a lengthy message on the reverse. Santa loves the fact that I’m no longer a ‘little one’. He praised me for being ‘young at heart’ and thanked me for the annual offering of a glass of milk and a mince pie on Christmas Eve! I am a happy little girl! 16/12/2023 0 Comments My reading books 2023There's a moment at New Year which every bookworm with a reading app adores ... setting your reading goal! It’s the little things in life which brings me the most pleasure and setting 'this' annual target is one such moment. As I look at my bookcase of ‘to-be-read’ books - yes, I'll admit to having an overflowing bookcase awaiting my attention - I spy the books which have been patiently waiting for many years. I think of it as a wine cellar in book form! I'm a ‘normal’ reader, by which I mean my annual reading goal is a moderate target of 25. I read for pleasure, just as I did as a tiny child. I religiously spend part of each day within the pages of a book, as a way to escape from this world and its troubles. I'm certainly not a professional reader who can skim read a book in three hours and manage 364 books a year! Instead, I savour the language, the descriptions, the characters' dialogue and lose myself within the plot. One habit I wish to break this coming year is my tendency to have multiple reading books on the go. I have a poetry book on my desk, a reading book in the lounge and another beside my bed. I always have a non-fiction study book too. I’ll continue with the poetry book and study book being near my desk, as I’m usually early for daily on-line meetings. My reading book simply needs to travel around the house with me. I doubt the annual number of books read will alter but my overall enjoyment might. This year, my intention is to revert back to my ‘Classic’ reads with the odd smattering of modern books and autobiographies, alongside my treasured Agatha Christie novels. I also listen to audio books whilst walking, cooking or gardening though I don’t count these in my annual reading book tally. During 2023, I succumb to several ‘best seller – must reads’ only to be left deflated and utterly baffled by their popularity. Another problem is my insistence that I always finish a reading book – it has to be pretty dire for me to ‘not finish’. I don’t always review a book if I didn’t like it but I do always analyse the contents trying to figure out what the fuss was about? Maybe this issue needs addressing too! Mmmm, one issue at a time my thinks. P.S. - if you know me in real-life, you probably laughed on seeing the number of pages read! I certainly did! |
Archives
May 2024
Categories |