Getting things done.

I am in the midst of the revisions for the Undone. Basically the sensuality needs to go up and it has to be ultra focused on the couple. But I discovered after being in Istanbul and taking Turkish baths, my view of Roman baths has changed! I also realised that I had forgotten to put one in...
Along side I am doing my AAs. 2 chapters or so per day. I did have fun with the secondaries. My old editor used to accuse me of loving my secondaries more. Not really, it is just you can have fun with them.
And then I need to read over TPE and make a few more changes.
Plus it is lovely out.

Keeping lists

I am so Not a List person. Even with grocery shopping, I tend to write a list and then forget to look at it. Eventually everything works out.
However, I have discovered when doing my copy edits, lists are important. For example, a master list of all named characters. I do it because once upon a time I didn't and the last person checking before it went to the printer noticed that I had named two minor secondaries the same name (this was a Viking one). Since then, I do a list. Yesterday, when I started the AAs for Breaking the Governess's Rules, I discovered I misnamed the dead uncle. On page 3 he was Hubert and then 30 pages he was called Arthur. Silly me but these things happen. And it is best to check at this stage rather than getting letters...
This week is busy -- my editor is on holiday and I have promised her three things for her return -- revisions on the script that is taking forever (just about done), revisions on the Roman Undone (to be done) and the AAs/copy edits (in the process of being done.

Revisions

Still doing the revisions but the story is getting better. Some stories are like that. I had done something and it sucked the likfe out of the story, but a bit of judicous cutting , the life and tension are back.
Sometimes it is better to withhold information until the point it will have the most impact.

It will be finished in the next couple of days. Then I have more revisions to do on the Roman Undone. In theory they should be quick.

safely gathered in

My son phoned. He is at my mother's. She was there to pick him up on time. And the journey was relatively painless. It took him an hour to get through security at Heathrow...
So he is now set for the summer!
And my migraine monster headache of yesterday has vanished.
Now to finish these revisions and get them off to my new editor...

The Grandeer Connection

Way back in 1994/5 when the internet was first beginning to take off, modems speeds were slow and my children very young, my mother's partner wrote a paper for a class he was taking. It was all about how in the future, the internet would be used as a video link so people could keep in touch. He got a low mark and was laughed at. The paper was called the Grandeer Connection after the pet name my children had given my mother.
For a number of reasons, we have never used video links, even though they have become common place. (Among other things we both hate having our picture taken!) That is until now.
Today, I waved my eldest goodbye as he starts his first leg of his 16 month adventure which includes spending time at my sister's and doing an exchange programme at the University of Illinois for the academic year. He's 19 now and will be nearly 21 when I next see him in the flesh again. I am very excited for him -- after all I did the same sort of thing 25 years ago and know how thrilling it is and how much it change your life -- but I will miss him.
One of the things he has done is to ensure we have a webcam and are connected to skype.
It will be good to see him. But I rather suspect that he will want to see Tess, Hardy, Chile and the kittens far more than seeing the rest of us! Did I mention that I hate having my picture taken?
Anyway, my mother's partner was right all those years ago -- the internet does provide a great way to keep in touch with those people who are far away.

Working away

I have been busy doing an online workshop on Using Historical Detail to Create a Vivid World this week. It is proving interesting as I am having to put my thoughts on paper.

I am also nearing the end of my revisions. I think angels will sing when this book finally gets accepted. I do know that it is a far stronger romance now. I have gone back to basics and reread Writing Romance for Dummies. It is funny how much stands out to me now that I have had so many books published since the last time I read it.
One key phrase about sexual tension -- make it obvious. I might know the chemistry and the desire is there, but does the reader?
I am going back and layering it in.

The devil is really in the detail!

Reviews worth waiting for and an interview

Julie Bonello of cataromance has posted her review of Compromising Miss Milton. And it made my morning. Julie is a very experienced reviewer and enthusiastic supporter of the genre, so I was delighted when she gave Compromising Miss Milton 4.5 stars and said:
Compromising Miss Milton is Michelle Styles’ most exciting book yet! In her stunning new novel for Mills and Boon, award-winning author Michelle Styles deftly combines superb characterization, passionate romance, nail-biting suspense, exciting adventure and heartwarming pathos in an irresistible new story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.


Cataromance has an interview with me up to celebrate both Compromising Miss Milton's release in the UK and An Impulsive Debutante in the US.

In other news:
My eldest arrived home from his first year of university yesterday. It is good to have the house back up to its full complement.

What's your *Magician's Book*?

Editorial Ass (which is one of my secret pleasures!) has done a great post on a book about one woman's attempt to rediscover her love for the Narnia series. It was triggered by this quote:

Lucy Pevensie is looking in a spell book for a spell she desperately needs. The spell, it turns out, is in the form of a story, a really amazing story that Lucy can't stop reading. It's so good that she tries to go back and reread it, but finds the (magical) pages only turn in one direction. Worst of all, the story is erasing itself from her brain even as she reads it, so that by the time she gets to the end she can't remember it at all. But it was such a good story that from that day on, whenever she reads something that she enjoys, it's only because it in some way reminded her of that one perfect, lost story.

It can be argued that it sums up childhood reading -- finding books that really spoke to you. So I'm going to do a meme and hope others will join in. (Kate Hardy?, Donna Alward?, Nell Dixon?, India Grey? Julie Cohen? Nicola Cornick?) Anyone! Just add a comment that you have done it and I will be delighted to go and see.

Name at least one book that you read as a child (ie 11 or under) that still exists in your memory as a perfect story. You can say why if you wish, or simply give a list -- your choice. It can be a story that you are now uncomfortable about having loved or were uncomfortable at some point and have now come back to or alternativly just one that you have always loved:

Mine are (off the top of my head)
1. The High King by Lloyd Alexander -- read when I was about 9 and I wanted to be there. And then I made the mistake of confiding to a friend who just did not understand. The dedication at the beginning of the book says it all btw. But knowing what I know now about Celtic mythology, I worry would I enjoy it as much?
2. Ozma of Oz by L Frank Baum --I still love the idea of the people being changed into ornaments, the princess who has different heads and the Gnome King.
3. The Horse and His Boy by CS Lewis -- it just is. Adventure romance.
4. Johnny Tremain by Ester Forbes -- first huge literary crush on Rab.
5. Emily of New Moon by L.M Montegomery -- I read it in the fourth grade, and worry about rereading it. I loved the concept of the veil being lifted...
6. Paddington the Bear by Michael Bond -- because it introduced me to marmalade and other English goodness.

Beautiful Blogger thing

The ever so lovely India Grey asked and I have held off doing this until today as today is a special anniversary for me.

1. Where were you five years ago?

• Five years ago I went to the bookshop to pick up a book my husband had ordered. And had just arrived home.


• Five years ago the phone rang. I answered it.


• Five years, I spoke to the sr editor of HMB Historical and initially thought she was going to let me down gently as editors did The Call on a Thursday


• Five years ago, my editor Who Is Right On Such Matters informed that she wanted to buy The Gladiator's Honour.


• Five years ago today, I became a HMB author.

2. What was on your things to do list?

• After the phone call – buy champagne. Didn't trust myself to drive so I walked or rather floated on air.


• Have a wonderful weekend. (My editor suggested that and Editors generally know best in these sorts of situations)


• Let various people know without seeming like a jabbering idiot.


• Finishing the ms that became A Noble Captive.


• Do minor revisions.

To do now – major revisions for my current Victorian. Then minor revisions for my Roman Undone. Get ready for the RWA Nationals in July, Get ready for my eldest coming home tomorrow from university. Support my daughter who has a History A level today (which I think she will ace!

3. Name 5 snacks that you enjoy

• Olives
• Salami
• Clam dip
• Seven layer dip
• cake

4. Name 5 places in which you have lived

• the two bedroom bungalow where I was born that was built over an old apricot orchard so there were trees to climb and apricots to pick – still remember the cutting for drying...
• the three bedroom bungalow we moved to just before my sister was born and where I spent my formative years. One of the chores was to bag the ivy that grew as a hedge separating us from the park. I hated it.
• the Grade 2 listed late Georgian terrace house that was the first house my husband and I bought – one bedroom but oh what a period pieces were left.
• Our current house – an Edwardian bungalow built 1908 with its large garden...with lots of ivy which I now enjoy doing...

5. What 5 things would you do if you were a billionaire?

• Donate money anonymously to causes I support. Doing good just needs to be done. People don’t need to know my name. (I have always been so impressed with the man who founded Xerox)


• Travel to places I have always wanted to go.


• Buy a horse for my daughter.


• Keep writing because I enjoy it.


• Live modestly but well. Because there is more to life than money. But money can help make you comfortable.

I think just about everyone else has done this one. If anyone wants to do it. Go ahead. And thanks to Kate Hardy for her tweaking of the topics!

Iceskating and writing

My cp Donna Alward wrote a wonderful piece using an iceskating metaphor. It is well worth reading, as it does capture some of the reasons why certain books are outstanding and others are...well...just there. Go read it. It might sparks some ideas about creating magic.

I am busy working away on my revisions and trying to capture some of the magic. I do think I know where I went wrong in the beginning -- namely I forgot the focus needed to be so heavily on the main couple and as I was starting what I had planned to be a trilogy, I wanted to do some other things. And guess what it didn't work. One always hopes the new way is a better way.

Oh and tremendous excitement -- the Literacy Autographing List is up for the RWA signing on 28 July. It is wonderful to see my name amongst all the authors. I get to sit next to Cara Summers who writes wonderful Blazes and a relative newcomer AY Stratton who writes for Wild Rose Press. The seating is all alphabetical...it is a relief in a way to know I am not sitting next to Debbie Macomber, Nora Roberts or Julia Quinn who will have huge lines. If anyone does happen by, please say hello as I am always delighted to talk to people and I suspect my line will be very short...

Heartwarming read and an upcoming writing contest

Last evening I finished Neurosurgeon and Mum! Kate Hardy's latest. And in traditional Kate Hardy style, it grabbed me by the heart strings and refused to let go.
I loved how it wasn't a traditional medical but possibly closer to Kate's MH but the medical detail was also expertly woven in. She also created a lovely community and really brought her world to life. I love the fact that her heroine was the high flying consultant and the hero -- the locum g.p. who shows her why life is for living.


Reading it, I had loads of light bulb moments, including realising a few places in my current ms where I had skated over things and had totally forgotten the sexual tension etc.


Anyway, I stayed up a bit late to finish it.
And can recommend it to anyone who wants a feel good read.

Now when is Kate going to do a single title small town women's fiction as she would be so good at it?




In the back of the book, there was a shout out for M&B's biggest talent search ever. All will be revealled on http://www.romanceisnotdead.com/ in due course. But they are looking for a new star and readers are going to be asked to help. All exciting stuff!

Shining sun

It is another gorgeous day but I'm busy working on my revisions. Sometimes, I suspect that it is much easier just simply to throw the whole thing out and start again. However, I'm stubborn and it is FINALLY starting to get better.

The wonderful Kate Hardy sent me a copy of her latest -- Neurosurgeon and Mum! and after reading the first page, I had a few light bulb moments about why my heroine behaves the way she does. (BTW the book is typical Kate Hardy heart warming. ) It does go back to the Mother/daughter relationship. (I can hear Donna laughing as I have kept saying things like this about HER heroine, but obviously wasn't taking my own advice.). All I have to keep thinking is engaging believable characters...this can be done.

Birthdays and other things

Today is the ever so lovely India Grey's significant birthday. Hooray for India! And hooray that she is writing more books!

I will be appearing on the newish Silk and Shadows blog tomorrow. There is a signed copy of An Impulsive Debutante up for grabs.

My revisions are being done. My editor was right about the book (editors generally are) but I am working away. Unlike some authors, I do not mind admitting that at times I have to sweat and slave over my work. Writing can be tough. It is supposed to be challenging as the author does have to pour emotion in. 99% persperation, 1% inspiration.

Yesterday, as part of my Orlando prep, I bought an Acer netbook. It was a good deal and should be more than adequate for my needs. Basically I want to be able to communicate with outside world...and if an agent asks to see my single title paranormal, I want to be able to send it. I was surprised how light they are. As my dd pointed out, the basic wordpad programme is fine as I can save and then do a cut and paste thing if I want. In theory, it make doing the chunks easier.

We will not mention how the exercise is going. Some day it will make a difference...

Going Postal and Steampunk

One of my favourite Terry Pratchett's -- Going Postal is being broadcast on Sky at the moment, the conclusion is today. Thus far, it has been a thoroughly engaging adaptation of the book. They used a steampunk type setting for the tv adaptation, and it really works. You can't really define Terry Pratchett as anything but fantasy, but the steampunk setting works for this production. My fingers are crossed that they do The Word at some point as well. I would also like some of the Watch books...

Anyway, the setting is Steampunk -- i.e. late Victorian with a twist. There are weird and wonderful machines etc and everything is slightly odd. But there are no trains, cars or electricity. The clacks which is sort of a telegraph cum internet runs on cogs, wheels and levers.

Claire Foy as Adora Dearheart is fantastic. I loved the four inch steel spiked stilettos.

If you are curious about Steampunk, this production is a good one to watch. And if you just like great entertainment, it is good to watch. I have no idea if or when it will go to the US, but I hope it does.

I am currently knee deep in my revisions and they are starting to make sense. My editor was right (editors generally are) and there is a lot of work. But hopefully at the end, it will be an engaging read with keeps the reader in the book.

29 May and all that

Today is Oak Apple Day -- Charles II's birthday and the day that the monarchy was restored in 1660. Oak Apple because he hid in an oak tree to escape during the English Civil War

Today is the day that the Ottoman Turks broke the siege of Constantinople in 1453 and ended the Byzantine Empire. Some scholars also consider it is the date the Roman Empire finally fell as the Byzantine was merely Rome in the East. No word on if this was the Sultan's birthday...

Today in 1953, Hillary and Tenzing Norgay (his adopted birthday) reached the summit of Everest in 1953.

My daughter informs that it is a very good day to have a birthday. Today is the 17th anniversary of that date. She is having a quiet day because she has AS levels...A girl has to have priorities! She confidently predicts that when she becomes the Supreme Master of the Universe, everyone will be forced to have it as a holiday...

Zero-sum gain or fingernails on a chalkboard time

The phrase 'zero-sum gain' is like fingernails on a chalk board for me. I just read it on a worksheet handout for an upcoming RWA workshop on Professional jealousy. It is a common error of the English language and shows that the person using the phrase doesn't know what it means and is simply throwing the words about -- a malapropism.
The actual phrase is zero-sum game. Specifically, the phrase describes a type of game in game theory. I had to do game theory when I did my econ degree so indulge me here.
In a zero sum game -- if one person wins, the other loses. For example tic-tac-toe is zero sum. A cake is zero sum. If one person has a large piece, everyone else remaining must share less. The outcome is finite. Nothing is created, nothing is destroyed. One person wins and the other loses.
Romance writing is not like that. Romance writing is not a zero sum game because one person's success does not mean that everyone else loses. Things are created. The genre is infinite. There are always new publishing slots.
Romance is more like -- a rising tide floats all boats. It is a non zero sum game. Non zero sum games are actually far more interesting.
In order for one person to be successful, it doesn't mean that everyone will be less successful. The outcome is dependant on many factors.
It is why romance authors can take joy in others' success. They are not losing anything. It is not a one shot deal.
BUT please, please, please use the correct phrase and know where it came from.

They may look innocent ...( a kitten post)

They look cute and innocent but they are fearless fiends. Earlier today, Heathcliff (the one at the back) was discovered hanging by one paw from the top window in the dining room. Inquiring minds want to know how he got there.

I have had to take to hiding my Montblanc pen, the pen I use for revisions. As soon as I put it down, it is a signal for a raid and the pen disappears...

And then there is the campaign desk incident. Thankfully none of the French door's windows broke but the desk needs new hinges after toppling over after being used as a kitten launch pad in a war.

Heathcliff has worked out if he comes and purrs lovingly, demanding utter and total adoration, he will eventually get fed. Note he only does this when he is hungry. Mr Darcy is very much This Cat Sleeps on his Own. He will not settle on anyone's knee but will consent to be being stroked.

Mr Darcy and Tess are great friends. Yesterday, they had a mock battle. Mr Darcy started it by biffing Tess's nose as she slept and then playing with her tail. When she started to get a bit rough, he showed her his claws and she backed away.

Both cats have been done and none of the nonsense appears to have stopped.

My eye seems better and certainly no worse. The painkillers are working. And I have been gardening in sunglasses. There is something therapeutic about pulling nettles and brambles...Hardy seems to be settling and stays near me rather than trying to wander down to the neighbour's or beyond. Tess keeps bring sticks for me to throw. When I throw a stick for Hardy, he takes it away and guards it. Hardy still manages Houdini like to squeeze under the kitchen cupboard. It is a particular favourite, particularly when he has rolled in something foul and knows that a bath is in the offing!

Should have worn sun glasses

Yesterday, as I stood precariously balanced on the weed choked slope, pulling brambles, a stick bounced free of its confines and hit me in my eye. Now I know what being poked in the eye with a sharp stick feels like -- painful. It hit the corner of my eye, rather than the eyeball. Basically I'm trying to rest it but if it still hurts as fiercely tomorrow, I will go see the doctor. Honest.

Next time, I will garden in sun glasses.

I never really considered the possibility of being hit in the eye because for so many years before I had my cataracts done, I wore glasses all the time. Live and learn.

Winners from my newsletter contest

I drew Teresa B's name and Cindi H's name out of the hat and sent them both emails. Thank you to everyone who entered.

It is my sister's significant birthday today. I still remember the day she was born. The people my brother and I stayed with had to go to a church dinner so we had a babysitter, several teenagers. It was all terribly upsetting. BUT it was wonderful a few days later when my sister came home. She *brought* me a stuffed hippo.
Anyway, I really wish I was there in person to say Happy Birthday but she lives an ocean away.

Ashes to Ashes -- the final

Ashes to Ashes had a very satisfactory ending. All emotional lines tied up.

It made a ton of sense. The writers had always said it was about death.

I was delighted to see Nelson again as I always thought he knew more than he let on. I still remember when he says in answer to Sam's question about how do you know when you are dead -- when you stop feeling.

Gene Hunt retains his integrity and you know what will go on...Long live Gene Hunt. next car -- a Mercedes? And sometimes all you can do is to go to the pub.

I had forgotten that the real Annie Cartwright was killed in the first series of Life on Mars in 1973 by Sam's father. It is only the shadow lands that she survives. So she did go into the pub with Sam.

I had been so worried that they were going to ruin it like the US series of Life on Mars. Were the choices made because they didn't think the US audience could handle death and the shadow lands? Thank goodness they felt the British audience was made of stronger stuff.

It is a classic series for many reasons. I suspect when the entire thing is watched again, little clues etc will be there. A much layered series this one.