RNA conference, holidays and pledges

Good morning folks, I am officially on school holiday. I have six glorious weeks to write and I can't tell you how good that feels. But first, I need to share the delights of the RNA conference from last weekend. Regular followers will know this is one highlight of my year, three days of indulgence amongst my writing buddies. This year was no exception. The location was Harper Adams university in Shropshire, I arrived at 7pm after a busy day at school. As you can imagine everyone else was in the full swing of the event having arrived at 2pm. I soon caught them up :-)

The timetable of talks and events was crammed with interesting ideas, knowledge and experience - always a dilemma regards selecting which workshops to attend, whilst hoping your friends can fill you in on the ones you missed. Anyway, I attended talks given by Hazel Gaynor, Liz Harris, Nina Harrington, Jean Fullerton, Pamela Hartshorne, Alison May, Alison Baverstock, Philippa Ashley and Nell Dixon - all excellent sessions giving an insight into their writing world.

Amidst the writers' talks, the workshops and celebration are the kitchen parties that buzz each evening producing a wealth of blurry photos and endless giggles.

Saturday night gala dinner is always a delight; gorgeous food and scintillating chat amongst the writers. I was thrilled when Janice Preston won the Elizabeth Goudge trophy for the fairy tale themed short story. This is the third consecutive year that the Birmingham Chapter have either won or been placed runner up for this award.

You may remember that at last year's gala dinner four of us made pledges to be completed by this year. All four fulfilled our vows so this year every member of the Birmingham Chapter joined us in making their own pledge, which need completion before the gala at Mile End next year.

In addition to all the fun, there is the serious business of publishing, I was lucky enough to pitch my novel to a publisher, who wishes to see the full manuscript by the end of this year. I had my sights on a specific publisher and am delighted for the opportunity offered.

So, you won't be surprised to hear I'll be writing for the next 45 days! Working my little socks off to ensure my manuscript is the best it can possibly be before school begins again.

I'd best get started, I don't want a moment of freedom to escape me - enjoy!

Camp NaNo, RNA countdown and door signs

Morning world, you find me hard at work in my writing room armed with tea and biscuits. I'm making the most of a quiet Sunday morning to write. The location is now official as my beautiful door sign arrived yesterday, so no longer is this the spare room.

The week has been slightly disappointing for me regards writing; Camp Nano isn't flowing how I'd like it too and my editing hit a brick wall. The Camp Nano feels different because my buddies aren't in it, NaNo usually has me fired up as I feel I'm working in a team, sadly there is only one other that is communicating with me so it feels pretty dire. Regards the editing - that's purely a plodding situation chapter after chapter.

This time next week I'll be at the RNA Summer conference - woohoo, I can't wait! I've booked from the Friday but I won't be arriving till at least six o'clock due to the day job. But once I arrive, boy am I going to make up for lost time :-) It sounds crazy but this conference really is a delight to attend, every year I catch up with my writing buddies and meet a host of new ones. This year is a little special as I have an appointment with a publisher who I am desperate to be signed with. So, fingers crossed for me. Plus, I've entered the Elizabeth Goudge competition to be announced at the gala dinner.

Anyway, enough chatter, this gal needs to crack on and work. Love you loads x

1stJuly - Camp NaNo

I forgot to mention my countdown to 1st July Camp Nano has started! I'll try and find a widget thing for my blog.

Shout if you're joining or search for me ODW11.

Follow up: less than four hours till Camp NaNo kicks off at midnight. I am contemplating a short snooze so I can be at my desk from the off at 00:00.

Momentum, Mad Hatters and proms

Morning folks, I'm awake far earlier than I'd wish to be, but hey! I've had another busy week due to the day job. Do I ever have a quiet week?

Following my mini retreat to Worcester I started the week on a 'high'  regards my writing. The plan was to continue the momentum through the week, though that plan didn't quite work out, nearly but not quite. It does seem the strangest concept, but seriously removing yourself from your daily life to focus on your writing works every time. I'm sure it is the psychology of the situation that helps to focus my mind.

Wednesday evening I attended the Mad Hatters writing group which meets every two weeks but the attendance has dropped since last December and each meeting is being effected. So, with sadness we decided to change the meetings to once a month hopefully everyone will be able to attend fewer meeting but hopefully each meeting will be vibrant.

Thursday night was an evening of celebration with the day job. Year 11 prom was held to celebrate the achievements of the young folk who had recently left school. I had a wail of a time on the dance floor - it was a pleasure to attend and say goodbye, for now, to the youngsters.

And so, to today...I'm awake with the lark so I'll crack on with exam marking - I have a shed load to complete. Tomorrow will be dedicated to my writing... Bliss!

Hope you have a good one whatever you're doing x

Worcester Lit Festival, Fownes hotel and... football

Evening folks, you find me in a state of delight having had a fabulous day. Firstly, I attended Worcester Literary Festival meeting up with RNA members: Morton Gray, Janice G Preston and Ellie Swoop - who are simply the best gals! Secondly, I attended the author panel consisting of Christine Courtenay, Liz Harris and Sue Moorcroft led by Alison May - what a delight to hear such experienced authors discuss their careers, reviews and writing process. After the Q&A panel the ladies sat and chatted which was such a lovely touch - RNA bods are truly the nicest people! This world would be a better place if the RNA folks made the rules.

Having filled my boots with lovely RNA babes, I left to be thoroughly spoilt in the Fownes hotel - a hotel with a central location but truly a gem. I have spent the last four hours receiving excellent service, beautiful food (the mussels are to die for), attentive staff who are a delight to speak to, in the most pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. What more could a girl want on a Saturday? Nothing!

So, the only shadow, on what has been a top class weekend is.... the football. England are coming home, Lord knows where you've been hiding if that is news. But hey ho, wherever there is sunshine some shadow must fall.

Enjoy the sunshine, I'll chat next week x

Meet my main character

'Meet my Main Character’ Blog Hop

Morton Gray has tagged me to contribute to the ‘Meet my main character’ blog hop. Morton is currently editing her novel Rosie and Tanner and hopes to see the novel in print one day. I thank her for the opportunity to introduce my main character, Maggie Monroe.  

What is the name of the main character? Is she real or fictitious?

Maggie Monroe, fictitious to you but very real in my head – I’ve lived with her for about two years.

When and where is the story set?

Her life is based in Pooley, a fictionalised village in Warwickshire, she’s an A&E nurse at St. Bede’s hospital, who lives alone apart from her pet cat, Archie.

What should we know about her?

For the last eight months, Maggie has been struggling to come to terms with the death of her fiancé Guy, in a tragic car accident. Having dated for seven years they’d planned their future together. Now Maggie is alone, wanting no one but her Guy.

What is the main conflict? What messes up her life?

Maggie’s conflict arrives in the form of Asa, an upbeat artist, who wants to get to know her better. He’s prepared to be knocked back, prepared to take it slow, prepared to be friends  - prepared for anything but not to watch a beautiful woman waste away.

What is Maggie’s goal?

Maggie wants to dedicate her life to loving and remembering Guy, forsaking all others. Asa’s goal is to re-waken her thirst for life, leading to love.

A tiny snippet about Maggie but I’m hoping it gives you a taste of my novel. I have tagged two writers: Helen Phifer, my dear writing buddy who has motivated me so much over the past year, her blog can be found at helenphifer. My other author is Anne Harvey, whose blog can be found at thewritespotannelharvey.blogspot

Watch out for their posts next week. I’m looking forward to reading all about their main characters.

Main characters, liberation and Festival of Romance

Morning folks, I'm wide awake early on a Saturday morning when my body and mind could really do with a lie in. Long gone are the days of teenage sleep when you rise and half the day has flown.

 I've had an strange but liberating week. Firstly, I shared my writing with two close colleagues at work. That might not sound much to others but I rarely mix my day job with my writing world based on past experiences. This is my sixth year in this particular school and I've hidden my novel writing to avoid the added stress and pressure of constant questions about 'are you published yet?' But Monday, I took the bull by the horns and let them into my world - thankfully both were delighted and a tad shocked. For me it was a huge mile stone, it felt liberating to relax rather than retain my nightly musings. I can hear you asking 'when are you telling the rest of the day job?' Hmmmmm, when I have a publishing deal.

This week I've been tagged by Morton Gray in the 'Introduce your main character' blog game, so please check out her blog at mortongray.blogspot.co.uk and meet Tanner Bryant, from her W-I-P 'Rosie and Tanner'. Next Friday I'll be adding my contribution to the tour and you'll be able to read about my main character 'Maggie Ingram'. I know, a snippet from my current work-in-progress, I never give you that, do I?

And finally, just a small nudge incase you've forgotten to purchase your Festival of Romance tickets for 12th and 13th September in Leighton Buzzard. festivalofromance.co.uk

So, I'll love and leave you to crack on with the writing - enjoy x