Liberty, sunshine and inspiration

This bank holiday weekend was the first in a couple of years that I haven't taken as annual holiday or been working.  Yep, the 'day job' is no more and I can tell you that this must be how it feels like to be let out of prison (after being wrongly convicted obviously).

We had lovely family visitors for the weekend which meant a decadent takeaway on Friday, a boozy barbecue on Saturday and a fabulous time seeing the sights in the sunshine.

This is one of the gorgeous places on the South Coast we visited: Bosham in West Sussex:

Bosham is incredibly historic and among many other things is believed to be where King Canute did his tide turning stuff. When you check out the video below you'll see why he stood no chance!



There's plenty of car parking within a few yards of the shore that doesn't flood with the tide, so don't get caught out!

And then, strolling around in the sunshine with sound of church bells filling the air, I spotted this:

Now, romance writers, doesn't that notice start a few cogs whirring? A tiny seed from which a story could grow? The questions: what, when, how...Completely irresistable, huh? I know my imagination is going into overdrive with possibilities.

I'd love to hear your ideas on what could have led to the ring ending up where it is now. And what could happen afterwards!

I'm rather liking the idea of it being found by a tall, dark, brooding marine artist actually...

The 'C' Word

So it eventually happens.  You get The Call (or glowing email).  You've finally done it.  Your MS has been accepted. It needs a little work, but...Yippee!! OMG! Sob!

However, in real life this all happens right at the end of July. Two days into the hideously massive school holidays and your youngest child has just dropped his Nintendo DS again.This time it's fatal and both of us are in deep, deep mourning...

The 'C' word.  Children. Chaos.Cacophony.

The first time I was asked how it felt to get The Email, all that came out of my mouth was 'I feel like I've been hit by a bus'. And that's no reflection on the amazing team at Embrace Books, they accepted me, I love them, but how much worse could the timing of all this been I wonder? Law of the Sod I guess!

I have notebooks, an E reader and lots of Ibuprofen. I have a head bursting with ideas and Lots Of Important Things To Do. I have quite a bit of Dolmio.  But do I really have to go swimming tomorrow?  And play cricket? And go crabbing ? And all the other stuff?

Yes I do.

So, lovely, professional writers with broods out there I'd love to hear your top tips for survival over the next few weeks, I really would! Please!

Will the stress make me really skinny? No I didn't think so.

I'll be back later in the week, hopefully not with green hair or anything.

Wish me luck!

This is what happens next.

So, lovely blogfiends, you're probably wondering what a tin of Spam has to do with a writing blog, a romance one at that.

Well, those of you that know me well will understand perfectly and be very understanding when I disappear over the weekend. Yep, it's the 'day job' (and you thought it was pole dancing didn't you? Sigh).

Anyway, my two children (from now on to be referred to as The Beasts) are desperate  to recreate James May's aborted gourmet campervan meal.  For those of you that missed that episode of Top Gear, it was a succulent tranche of Spam coated in crushed Quavers. Last week we only had Wotsits and didn't think it would be the same but now we have the essential supplies.

Should I let them do it?

What do you think, bake, grill or fry?  Suggestions for side dishes gratefully received.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Yippee! Woo hoo!

This bottle of champagne has been waiting around a while.  It's a little bit dusty and it was reduced in Sainsbury's when I picked it up, but hey, I'm going to drink it anyway because...
It's now official!

I can announce that Andreas and Kizzy's story will be published next year by fabulous, gorgeous Embrace Books.

Now, will someone tell me how long you can live on boiled pasta and Dolmio alone? And wine obviously.