Cornwall - that's all there is to say!

I am shamelessly starting my blog post this week with a picture of a Cornish cream tea because, in the space of seven days, I ate three... yes, three!

I have no excuse except that I was on holiday and, when on holiday, any ideas of eating sensibly go out of the window. Isn't that what holidays are all about?

I call it research. In the visitors' book, at the end of the stay, it's my duty to let future holidaymakers know which establishment has the fluffiest scones, the fruitiest jam and the stickiest clotted cream. It would be rude not to, wouldn't it?

How I can get away with the two pasties, the clotted cream ice cream and the packet of Cornish fudge, which I also ate during the course of my visit, I've yet to work out.

Seriously though, my holiday in the fishing village of Cadgwith Cove was a triumph. We stayed in a house on a hill looking over the bay and every morning we woke up to this view.

I could quite happily have stayed in bed and just looked out at the sea, or read a book, or written a story... but then I would have missed out on so much: the clifftop walks, the fishing villages, the gardens... the chance of bumping into Poldark.

Every day, we went on a long walk with Bonnie. Most of these walks were along the glorious South West Coastal path.

The weather was perfect and we were amazed by the profusion of wildflowers that were growing on the cliff top and in the hedgerows. May is definitely the time to visit this beautiful county.

It wasn't all about the walking though. Having not had a holiday in Cornwall since I was a child, and inspired by Poldark, I wanted to see as much of the area as possible. Cadgwith is on The Lizard and it was the perfect position to visit the many picturesque villages in the area: Mevagissey, Coverack, Lamorna. This is Mousehole. Pretty isn't it?

It wasn't just the seaside villages we visited, we also had a relaxing walk around the creeks of Helford. This is another area I can imagine coming back to. If it was good enough for Daphne Du Maurier...

During our week, we also visited two gardens: The Lost Gardens of Heligan and Trebah. It was difficult to choose our favourite.

Because we had Bonnie, we couldn't visit the Eden Project but no visit to the west of Cornwall would be complete without going to the Minack theatre. What a place! It's astonishing how one woman could have created something so outstanding... and how can sea in England be that colour! We felt as though we were back on one of our Greek islands.

We were very sad to leave at the end of the week. I'd like to say I got lots of writing done but I didn't. I didn't take a computer or even a notebook. I wanted to just soak up everything and enjoy it without having to think about how it could be translated into a story.

Having said that, on my way home, unbidden, an idea popped into my head.

Okay... it looks as though it's back to work for me.

May - A Month of New Beginnings

Have I ever mentioned that I love May?

It's a month when flowers start to bloom in earnest, the woodlands are carpeted with bluebells and birdsong seems louder and sweeter.

I also love May because it's the month of new beginnings for me.

Thirteen years ago in May, my daughter (barely seventeen) gave birth to my first grandchild. Last week we celebrated his birthday. As he enters his teenage years, I marvel at what a fine young man he has become.

Seven years ago in May, I married my lovely husband - another new beginning and another very special one.

(This is me with my two grandsons at my wedding... how time flies!)

Five years ago in May, I wrote and sent off my first magazine story. A huge milestone. They didn't like that one... or the next two but the one after that was a hit. It was the beginning of my writing career.

None of these three events could have been predicted but they all changed my life for the better.

No wonder I love May.

Tell Me No Secrets - Guest Post Lynda Stacey

Today, I am delighted to welcome back to my blog, the talented author, Lynda Stacey. Her second novel, Tell Me No Secrets, was published by Choc Lit at the beginning of April and I wanted to find out a little more about her writing life and her new thriller. 

So let's begin.

You’ve met me in the elevator. Can you convince me to buy Tell Me No Secrets before we reach the ground floor?

Tell Me No Secrets is a story of lies and deceit. Nothing is as it seems and you soon realise that the people closest to you are not always those you can trust.  Nothing is as it seems, and in Kate Duggan’s case, the man she loves is the person she really should fear the most.

Tell Me No Secrets is your second novel. Did you find it easier or harder to write than your first?

Ha..ha… that’s a great question. But Tell Me No Secrets was actually the first novel I wrote. It had had a working title of Broken Jigsaw and in 2013 had been shortlisted for the Festival of Romance New Talent Award. It didn’t win, but being shortlisted gave me the confidence to keep going, to do all the re-writes, and the plot changes.

How long did it take you to write?

All in all, it took around two years. As I said earlier, this was the first thing I’d ever written and if I’m perfectly honest it started out as a very different book, the original book was about child smuggling and Kate Duggan was the detective looking into it. However, it quickly became apparent that Kate Duggan as a character stood out and that it should be her story…. and so the re-writes began and the new plot emerged.

When you write a character do you have an image of a real-life person in your head?

Oh absolutely. I could literally go and knock on their doors and fully expect them to answer.

What was the hardest scene to write?

The most difficult scene for me was where Rob attacked her. As a young 20-year-old, I’d personally suffered from domestic abuse, my first husband put me in hospital on more than one occasion and while writing the scene, I distinctly remember holding my breath and having to force myself to take on air.

Can you describe a typical writing day?

Sporadic… this is the only word that fits. I work full time as a Sales Director for a stationery and office supplies company. This means that my hours are long and can be stressful. It therefore depends on my frame of mind in the evenings as to whether I write or not. I tend to get the laptop on my knee and tap away while the hubby is watching television, much to his delight because that means he can slip the footy on while I’m not concentrating.

How much research did you have to do for the novel?

I spent time with a private investigator and with ex-drugs squad police officer and author, Michael Fowler. He gave me a lot of tips on how the vans would be used, what would be in them and what drugs would be bought and sold in this way. I also spent some time in Bedale, Whitby and at Richmond Castle, all of these places are scenes within the book.

Of course at each of these locations I took my research seriously and had ‘fish and chips’ and a boat ride in Whitby, ‘Cream tea’ in Bedale and I tried the local ‘mead’ at Richmond  castle.

All in the name of research… of course!!

Are you a planner or a pantster?

Most definitely a pantster, my characters develop naturally, which means that I haven’t got a clue what they might do next.  I know where I want my novel to begin, where it should end and who should fall in love with who, but other than that, I just work my way through it, scene by scene.

I don’t plan anything, unless it’s a holiday of course and then I have a spread sheet for everything.

What’s next for Lynda Stacey?

I already have a contract with Choc Lit for Twisted Secrets, my 3^rd Novel. And I’m currently writing a sequel for ‘House of Secrets’, which has a working title of ‘House of Christmas Secrets’. I wasn’t planning a sequel, but I keep getting asked for one, so I decided to give it a go.

Thank you so much for visiting again, Lynda and I wish you lots of success with Tell Me No Secrets.

Lynda grew up in the mining village of Bentley, Doncaster, in South Yorkshire,

Her own chaotic life story, along with varied career choices helps Lynda to create stories of romantic suspense, with challenging and unpredictable plots, along with (as in all romances) very happy endings.

Lynda joined the Romantic Novelist Association in 2014 under the umbrella of the New Writers Scheme and in 2015, her debut novel House of Secrets won the Choc Lit & Whole Story Audiobooks Search for a Star competition.

She lives in a small rural hamlet near Doncaster, with her husband, Haydn, to whom she’s been happily married for over 20 years.

Here's how you can get in touch with Lynda:

Link to ChocLit

Link to Amazon:

HOUSE OF SECRETS

TELL ME NO SECRETS

Facebook

Twitter

@Lyndastacey

Website

www.Lyndastacey.co.uk

Just Wanna Dance the Night Away

The photograph above was taken, this morning, on a beautiful walk around the estuary on Hayling Island. It looks serene, calm, quiet and you would be forgiven if you thought that this was a reflection of our weekend break.

Nothing could be further from the truth!

In actual fact, we were at Warners Lakeside Holiday Village for our annual Jive Time Riot Weekend. We arrived on Friday evening and came home this morning (Monday) and now, after three evening dances and two full days of dance classes, I'm ready for a week of sleep!

We've been going to the dance weekender in Hayling Island for the last six years and pretty much know the ropes. The food is great (can you believe I ate from the carvery all three evenings) and the chalets, although a bit 'hi-di-hi' are perfectly adequate for what we want. Sadly though, it's the end of an era as the huge indoor bowling hall that serves as our dance room is being demolished and so this year was to be the last one at this venue. We could, of course, go to the new venue next year but we feel that maybe this is the time to give it a break.

These are the some of the workshops we attended: tango jive, advanced jive, retro jive,double trouble, Madison Stroll, fast jive and West Coast Swing.

This is a picture of Seamus and Jane teaching the tango jive class.

The weekender was also a good excuse to buy some new dance shoes (Please don't ask how many I have now!) Luckily, while I was away, I sold a story to Take a Break Fiction Feast which paid for them. Actually I could have bought two pairs.

While we are away, we always try to go for a walk, otherwise we're stuck inside all day. As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, we grabbed an hour to walk by the waterside. The weather was perfect.

Now it's back to work on the novel and I'm hoping to manage a magazine story too this week... that's if I can stay awake!

Writing a Sequel - Guest Post Deirdre Palmer

I'm always pleased to welcome back author friends who have previously been a guest on my blog. Today, it's the turn of Deirdre Palmer whose new novel, Moonshine, was published this week by Crooked Cat. I thought it would be a good time to find out a little more about Deirdre and her writing life so I took the opportunity to ask her a few questions.

Can you tell my readers something about your new novel, Moonshine?

There are four main characters: young marrieds Terry and Carol-Anne; Terry’s mate, Mark, and Mark’s girlfriend Vicki, all from Deptford, South London. Also, there’s Donna, Terry and Carol-Anne’s two-year-old daughter. Carol-Anne’s teenage sister, Beverly, plays a big part in the story and she’s mostly seen through the other characters. 

It’s the summer of 1969 and the group go to Paignton for a caravan holiday. The Apollo 11 space mission is in progress, and the whole camp stays up all night to watch the moon-walk on TV, but in the middle of the party, Beverly goes missing, and creates a drama of her own when she makes a serious accusation. Chaos ensues when the others are forced to take sides, nobody knowing who is telling the truth.It’s mostly left to Carol-Anne to sort out the resulting mess, but when they return to London, each of them has other problems to face.

It’s a fast-paced read, with a lot of humour and bit of romance, too. The caravan park, by the way, is based on one I stayed at with a friend around that time. It was all quite primitive then, and I had a lot of fun with that! The clubhouse came from another holiday camp somewhere else, though.

Was it easier or harder to write a sequel and did you always know there would be a second book after Dirty Weekend?

Easier, because I knew the characters so well already – three of the four main characters from Dirty Weekend return in Moonshine. I thought it might be hard to get the balance right between writing a book which would stand alone but have some continuity too, but once I started writing I didn’t have any problems. Again, I think that’s because I knew the characters inside out, and although they threw me a few surprises, I knew basically what their lives had been like in the ‘missing’ three years. After I’d written the next book, Never Coming Back, I wanted a real change from that, and that’s when I decided on the sequel to Dirty Weekend.

How long did Moonshine take you to write?

I can’t remember now, but probably around six to eight months. I only write for a few hours a day.  Some days I don’t write at all.

What was the hardest scene to write?

It was a minor scene, with Carol-Anne and Vicki in a coffee bar. Dialogue is my favourite thing to write but this came at a point in the plot when I needed to show a wariness between the two girls and it just wouldn’t flow. I did my best with it, then my editor picked up on it – the only scene she asked me to look at again, luckily – and finally I got it right.

Do you think it’s important to have a ‘brand’?

Interesting question. Branding is something that’s being talked about a lot at the moment and I do struggle a bit with the concept. If it means getting yourself recognised as an author who writes books on certain themes, in a certain style, which I think it does, it’s a whole lot easier if your books all fit into the same tight genre; romantic comedy, for example. Then you can have matching covers, and carry the design through to your website and all the rest of it.  It’s when you start crossing the boundaries and experimenting with different styles, which I am, it’s much harder to say that you’re this or that kind of writer. So, to answer the question, it probably is important to build a brand in that it helps to sell the books, but achieving it isn’t always that straightforward.

Do you believe in writers’ block?

No. I think if you’re truly stuck for any length of time, something’s wrong with the piece you’re trying to write and it needs a re-think, or it shouldn’t be there at all.

Does your family support your career as a writer?

Yes, they’re very proud of what I’m doing, and my sons plug the books on Instagram and Facebook. Secretly though, they’re all wondering when I’m going to write that massive best-seller!

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Start now, don’t wait as long as I did. Find the time somehow.

What is the first book that made you cry?

Black Beauty.

What next for Deirdre Palmer?

I’m writing some more short stories as I’ve had some success with The People’s Friend, and I may also try a pocket novel. There will be another full-length book at some point but what type of book that will be, I’ve yet to discover!

Wendy, thanks very much for inviting me onto your blog. I’ve enjoyed answering your questions.

Book link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XXQNV39/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1490899293&sr=1-6&keywords=deirdre+palmer

Amazon page link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deirdre-Palmer/e/B007TBPX3M/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Writing Pocket Novels - Guest Post Margaret Mounsdon

Have you ever fancied writing a pocket novel? Well, if you have, this week's lovely guest, Margaret Mounsdon will help you on your way. Over to you, Margaret.

My Weekly and People’s Friend Pocket Novels are a wonderful way to get published. You do not need an agent and the staff at D C Thomson are incredibly helpful and will suggest changes if they like your story so I would tell anyone to give them a go.

They require a synopsis and the first three chapters to get a feel of the story then if they like it, they will ask to see the rest. All details of where to send them are on the website. They are published fortnightly.

I have been writing pocket novels since I gave up my ‘proper’ job and I have to say I now have what I consider to be one of the best jobs in the world. It takes me about three months to complete a pocket novel but I often put them to one side then tweak them a week or so later. When you look at them with a fresh eye it’s amazing what you can do to improve your work.

My pocket novels are contemporary and modern. I like strong females with professional careers. I also love eccentric characters. I usually include a wide range of ages and different social backgrounds as I feel they reflect modern life.

You cannot waste words in a pocket novel. You must keep the action moving. You need a strong story with a theme e.g. ambition; dedication; family loyalty and a problem that has to be resolved in 42,000 words approx for People’s Friend and 50,000 My Weekly. The requirements do change from time to time so it is important to check before you send your manuscript off.

I have had divorced heroes, a heroine’s father who was a gambler, another father who was involved in a financial scandal. I had a heroine’s mother who had a nervous breakdown and another was wheelchair bound. I have confronted modern issues of bullying, shoplifting and some of my eccentric characters have led ‘artistic’ lives.

I get ideas for my novels from life. It helps if you’re a bit nosy like me as I do eavesdrop on conversations on buses and trains and the shops - anywhere there are people. I look at the Sunday supplements and cut out pictures that appeal me to me. I write character sketches and give them a star sign and generally build them a life. I am not very good at writing a synopsis because I don’t seem to stick to it. The story evolves once my fingers start hitting the keyboard. I have a general idea where I’m going but how I get there is generally a bit of a mystery. I know that’s not very helpful advice but it’s the way I do it. I’m not suggesting you adopt my methods because everyone makes their own rules.

My advice is to study the current market by reading as many pocket novels as you can then have a go at one yourself. The stories must reflect the ethos of the magazines something you will get a feel of if you do your market research.

On a personal level I had a varied professional career before I took up writing. I worked for a barrister in London, then as a bi-lingual secretary in Switzerland, France and Belgium. I then worked as a customer relations officer at Gatwick Airport, a marvelous breeding ground for human stories. Then I wound up in a nursing home for the elderly (on the front desk I hasten to add). Everyone bends the receptionist’s ear from staff, to visitors, residents and their relations. We even had a ghost. The house was built in the 1890’s and was also full of mystery so by the time I gave up the day job, my mind was teeming with ideas.

Everybody has led an interesting and varied life so if you get stuck for ideas I suggest you think about your own life. It may seem dull to you but things happen to all of us and if you draw on your own personal reserves it’s surprising what you can come up with. When you go on holiday take pictures, listen to the chatter over the dinner table, take in what the guides are saying. It is all excellent resource material – and free.

Once D C Thomson have published your pocket novels you are free to sell other rights – large print, ebook etc, but I would suggest you check the situation with them first. I always do in case anything has changed.

The large print books go into the library and once they get an ISBN number you can apply for Public Lending Rights, so over the years they can be a source of regular income.

Writing pocket novels has given me confidence as a writer, when people ask me how many books I have had published, it always gives me a thrill when I say thirty.

Good luck.

Details of my books are on my blog margaretsromanceworld.blogspot.com and I can be found on twitter @SwwjMargaret

Hungry For Love is available on amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XWMNFCJ 

  

Festival Fever is out in large print on 1 April.

Making Your Hobbies Work for You

The title of this post is a little misleading when put with the photograph above as it gives the impression that baking is my hobby, when in actual fact it isn't. Quite the opposite in fact. I just wanted to get across the idea that sometimes what you do in your leisure time can double up as a money earner.

Back in January, my daughter and I went on a fabulous bread making course at The Artisan Bakehouse in West Sussex. I didn't blog about it before because I knew it would make a great feature for The People's Friend. Although I'm better known for being one of their regular fiction writers, I have, on occasion, written articles for them when the mood takes me. .. and this was one of those times.

I sent my pitch to the features editor to see what he thought and caught him just as he was about to go to a meeting with the rest of his team (now that's what I call good timing). He pitched it to them and luckily they all liked the idea and told me to go ahead and write it. The resulting feature, Better Baking, is in the latest People's Friend Special (out this week). The full feature has a picture of my daughter kneading dough. I'm not sure whether she'll thank me for including it but, hey ho, that's what comes of having a writer for a mother.

Anyway, the point I want to make is that although the things you do outside of your writing life might seem everyday, or uninteresting to you, they may be of great interest to someone else. I could easily have been put off writing this feature as many people already know how to make bread, but the secret is to put you own spin on it. In my case, it was the fact that I am completely useless at baking. In order to give the features editor a clue as to the slant I would be taking, I gave the pitch the title 'Can't Bake, Will Bake'.

After reading my feature yesterday, it gave me an idea for another which I pitched today, so keep your fingers crossed.

My baking day also resulted in a short story... if I manage to sell it, I will have got back the money I paid for the workshop. A bonus!

The other lovely thing is that in the same issue of the magazine, I also have two short stories (It's certainly given me a boost in a week when the novel writing has felt like a bit of a slog).

Neither of my stories are hobby related... but I do have a garden and a dog!