Tomorrow I leave for New York and the RWA conference. Next week should be full of meetings and greetings. I also expect to learn quite a lot about what is currently happening in publishing. All next week, I will be updating the Pink Heart Society blog with my doings and various bits of gossip etc.
This conference is highly important for a number of reasons. The one being e-books and how they are dominating the growth of the industry.
There is a sea change going on with the advent of the e-reader taking a bigger proportion of sales.
In some ways it reminds me of what happened in the early 2000's with digital cameras. Suddenly you go from needing film and processing to not need them very much.
Will print books ever truly go out? I don't think so and indeed most of the industry's sales still come from print. However,it is about economies of scale and how people purchase those books. The only place there is growth is in digital but that throws up a whole other set of problems. For example -- how much is cannibalisation and how much is new growth as people rediscover the joys of reading?
I have had my kindle for over a week now and really enjoy it. There is a feeling of wow, I can just get a book. The free sample bit is fantastic. It allows me to browse and try an author and a book before I buy. I know I have purchased several books that I might have just thought about getting before. Equally now I have a toy. It needs to be used.
But when you have a revolution or sea change, the entire world gets reshaped and remoulded. And so I shall be interested to hear what is happening.
So I shall report back here on the 4th with pictures and updates.
On a personal note: I get to see my sister whom I haven't seen for 5 years and my son whom I haven't seen for a year. They are travelling to New York and will be hanging about. I spoke to both of them last night and it is all terribly exciting. Will I get any sleep?
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
RWA Nationals 11 Tips
Less than a week to go before I jet off to NYC and the RWA National Conference. This is my second time and so while I remain new, I do know a bit more about what to expect.
Everyone seems to be giving tips so here are mine.
1. Smile and be friendly. A smile goes a long way. Everyone who is at the conference has a great love of and respect for the genre. Many are writers -- ask them what they are writing.
2. When you get to a workshop early, introduce yourself to the people who are sitting next to you. You are there for the same purpose. You meet the nicest people that way.
3. Conferences are what you make of them. Positive attitude counts.
4. Take time out and put your feet up each day. Schedule in your decompression time.
Everyone seems to be giving tips so here are mine.
1. Smile and be friendly. A smile goes a long way. Everyone who is at the conference has a great love of and respect for the genre. Many are writers -- ask them what they are writing.
2. When you get to a workshop early, introduce yourself to the people who are sitting next to you. You are there for the same purpose. You meet the nicest people that way.
3. Conferences are what you make of them. Positive attitude counts.
4. Take time out and put your feet up each day. Schedule in your decompression time.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
On getting a dedicate e-reader
Yesterday my husband gave me a kindle for our wedding anniversary with a pink leather cover. I have officially entered the digital age. I had slightly resisted e-books for myself as I tend not to travel much and couldn't justify the cost. So it is great to get it as a present, particuarly as I was about to need yet another bookcase.
Kindles are sinfully easy to set up and use. One of the great perks is being able to download a sample chapter. It is like being able to browse at the bookstore but with no one looking over your shoulder or complaining that you are taking too long. The samples are far easier to read than the look inside feature on Amazon.
The slightly annoying thing is that as I live in the UK, I am limited to downloading UK available books, rather than the wider selection of US books. Yes, I can buy the paperbacks from Amazon but that rather defeats the object...
It does read like a book...but it is harder to skip ahead. This is a bad habit of mine. Lately with the GRR Martin's, I have found myself reading certain threads because he does have this tendency to end on a cliff hanger and only return to the story much later. But I suppose it means I will go faster as I will want to get to the end.
It is nice and light and does mean when I go to New York next week, I will have things to read on the plane going out there.
I do like playing around with the font.
Having got one, I suspect soon I will wonder why I resisted the change for such a long time...
Kindles are sinfully easy to set up and use. One of the great perks is being able to download a sample chapter. It is like being able to browse at the bookstore but with no one looking over your shoulder or complaining that you are taking too long. The samples are far easier to read than the look inside feature on Amazon.
The slightly annoying thing is that as I live in the UK, I am limited to downloading UK available books, rather than the wider selection of US books. Yes, I can buy the paperbacks from Amazon but that rather defeats the object...
It does read like a book...but it is harder to skip ahead. This is a bad habit of mine. Lately with the GRR Martin's, I have found myself reading certain threads because he does have this tendency to end on a cliff hanger and only return to the story much later. But I suppose it means I will go faster as I will want to get to the end.
It is nice and light and does mean when I go to New York next week, I will have things to read on the plane going out there.
I do like playing around with the font.
Having got one, I suspect soon I will wonder why I resisted the change for such a long time...
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Update on reshaping my writer's bottom and bees
The big news is that a nucleus of bees arrived yesterday. Long time readers of this blog will remember when beekeeping came easy. Then there was the attack of the mice in 2009 and starvation and frozen bees at the beginning of 2010. A fellow beekeeper knew he normally gets swarms and offered to capture one for us, if we'd supply the hive. A few weeks ago, he captured the swarm and put it into the hive we provided. He then allowed them to expand. Yesterday, he stuffed cotton wool/sheep fleece in the entrance and drove the hive over here. A very brave man is Mr L.
The bees have a feeder full of 50/50 water and sugar. My only fear is that the wonderful Mr L doesn't live far enough away and the worker bees will fly back to his hive, leaving the nurse bees and larvae behind. This happened when we first got bees. Starvation is never pretty and I learnt my lesson -- always feed for the first few weeks.
The recent cold weather is not doing the bees any good. Mr L was going back to feed his own bees as they had eaten up their stores because of the cold weather. When it rains, bees don't fly.Plus there is often a drought of good nectar plants in June.
My youngest is now in charge of the bees. He says that I am not to do anything because of my lymphoedemia and the potential for getting stung. There is a suspicion that a bee sting or three might have contributed to the problem initially. I will be good.
In my efforts to reshape my bottom, I have started doing the 10 minute solution Perfect Pilates. I did 5 days of their total body blast off which was excellent and had never attempted Pilates before. The fact that Pippa Middleton did pilates gave me the push. Pilates is not easy but it is less intense..in some ways. It takes loads of concentration because it is all about form. As the days went by and I began to understand more what I was supposed to do, and therefore I could work harder. I did like the fact that there was no jumping. And the back of my legs were sore so I was definitely using differnet muscles. Tomorrow means the start of the 10 min belly fat blast off dvd for 5 days. This was the first 10 min solution dvd I tried and focuses heavily on the core. I enjoyed it the first time I went through it. 50 minutes of intense abs work.
The key with this is persistence and working out every single day.
Special mention should be made of my bee suit. the last time I had it on, it was snug about the beam as it were. This time, it looked like I had borrowed a suit that was three sizes too big and I was completely swamped! My son says that as I shall not be wearing the suit that often, this is not a problem.
The bees have a feeder full of 50/50 water and sugar. My only fear is that the wonderful Mr L doesn't live far enough away and the worker bees will fly back to his hive, leaving the nurse bees and larvae behind. This happened when we first got bees. Starvation is never pretty and I learnt my lesson -- always feed for the first few weeks.
The recent cold weather is not doing the bees any good. Mr L was going back to feed his own bees as they had eaten up their stores because of the cold weather. When it rains, bees don't fly.Plus there is often a drought of good nectar plants in June.
My youngest is now in charge of the bees. He says that I am not to do anything because of my lymphoedemia and the potential for getting stung. There is a suspicion that a bee sting or three might have contributed to the problem initially. I will be good.
In my efforts to reshape my bottom, I have started doing the 10 minute solution Perfect Pilates. I did 5 days of their total body blast off which was excellent and had never attempted Pilates before. The fact that Pippa Middleton did pilates gave me the push. Pilates is not easy but it is less intense..in some ways. It takes loads of concentration because it is all about form. As the days went by and I began to understand more what I was supposed to do, and therefore I could work harder. I did like the fact that there was no jumping. And the back of my legs were sore so I was definitely using differnet muscles. Tomorrow means the start of the 10 min belly fat blast off dvd for 5 days. This was the first 10 min solution dvd I tried and focuses heavily on the core. I enjoyed it the first time I went through it. 50 minutes of intense abs work.
The key with this is persistence and working out every single day.
Special mention should be made of my bee suit. the last time I had it on, it was snug about the beam as it were. This time, it looked like I had borrowed a suit that was three sizes too big and I was completely swamped! My son says that as I shall not be wearing the suit that often, this is not a problem.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Cat pictures
My youngest has been using photos of Heathcliff and Mr Darcy as evidence why certain things can't be done.Why he can't do the washing up
Mr Darcy is occupying the draining rack and is on the dish cloth.
Why the clothes can't be put away
Heathcliff resents being disturbed in the middle of a nap.
Why his bed can't be made
It is best to let sleeping cats lie.
Basically his scheme is doomed to failure as I keep telling him to just move the cats. His response is that the sentiment is typical of my narrow minded outlook on life. And that I care nothing for the struggles of the proletariat and other oppressed peoples or cats.
My very lovely editor has sent through her thoughts so I need to process them and take action. My pacing is off and chapter 1 and 2 need to become one so that the focus is more fully on the growth of the relationship. But she likes the over all idea. So the Single Title Project is shelved for the time being and it is back to my current couple who should be great fun.
Why the clothes can't be put away
Why his bed can't be made
It is best to let sleeping cats lie.
Basically his scheme is doomed to failure as I keep telling him to just move the cats. His response is that the sentiment is typical of my narrow minded outlook on life. And that I care nothing for the struggles of the proletariat and other oppressed peoples or cats.
My very lovely editor has sent through her thoughts so I need to process them and take action. My pacing is off and chapter 1 and 2 need to become one so that the focus is more fully on the growth of the relationship. But she likes the over all idea. So the Single Title Project is shelved for the time being and it is back to my current couple who should be great fun.
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Accountability
A few weeks ago, I suggested to a fellow writer who was suffering from writer's block that she might try emailing me her word count as it might help. I promised to do the same. Mutual support as it were, holding each other to account. She did and she has been brilliant. She had last week off as it was half term and she had family commitments. I have been waiting for my lovely editor to get back to me on the partial. However, I was supposed to be working on the single title project as part of my drive to be more efficient. Over the weekend, it slipped. I did other admin type things and pretended. Then last night, I woke in a cold sweat. I was about to get a word count and would have to confess. I prayed for a miracle. Sure enough my wonderful friend emailed me her word count. And I was the one who had to come up with the feeble excuse. I hate making excuses.
It was enough to get my rear in gear and to start working on The Project. Words have been written. At the moment it is a POS but it has potential. It will get there.
In the meantime, I am sitting here, hoping for my editor's wise words on my partial. Those characters are whispering and I remain super excited about their possibilities. And another set of characters are whispering for the HH after that one.
I think my daemon doesn't like being ignored. But I shall have to hold myself more accountable from now on and not simply play at it. I do have a deadline and more importantly I have dreams. Dreams like breaking out or writing a blockbuster do not happen if you fail to take positive action.
I am capable of more than I think. I can hold myself to account.
It was enough to get my rear in gear and to start working on The Project. Words have been written. At the moment it is a POS but it has potential. It will get there.
In the meantime, I am sitting here, hoping for my editor's wise words on my partial. Those characters are whispering and I remain super excited about their possibilities. And another set of characters are whispering for the HH after that one.
I think my daemon doesn't like being ignored. But I shall have to hold myself more accountable from now on and not simply play at it. I do have a deadline and more importantly I have dreams. Dreams like breaking out or writing a blockbuster do not happen if you fail to take positive action.
I am capable of more than I think. I can hold myself to account.
Saturday, June 04, 2011
Update on reshaping my writer's bottom line
This week, I decided that I couldn't face Jillian Michaels and as I had bought the 10 minute blast off belly fat dvd back when this whole exercise kick began, I would take it out of the wrapper and see what it was like. After all I had bought it. I opted for the full 50 minute workout. Suzanne Bowen is clear, concise and works you hard. She is a different personality to Jillian Michaels. It is a bit like changing editors. Her manner may be gentle but she works you hard and goes on about the burn and feeling your body changing. I didn't think I was working as hard but I ended up marinated in sweat.
Suzanne is very keen on getting the right form and actually gives lots of tips like tucking your hips, navel to the spine etc that I think Jillian assumes you already do. It was quite fun to do and the next day my abs were sore. Within two days, I noticed more definition, a lot more. So on that basis, I ordered the two other dvds in the series that Suzanne does -- Blast Off Body Fat and Pilate's Perfect Body. Each are divided into 5 segments lasting ten minutes a piece. Body Fat came with a bonus dvd that includes 5 best of segments. Each segment is self contained so if you are pressed for time, you can do one segment. My current plan is to do a rotation of 5 days of each until I get to the RWA conference. I finished the first five days of Belly Fat one yesterday and so went for the Blast Off Body Fat. On the reviews on Amazon, someone mentioned that they had unwisely done the thighs and bottom segments in the same day and could not walk afterwards. Ha, I thought, but I am used to Jillian. Give me your worst!
I did the entire sequence.
My legs were like jelly after the trim thighs. I am capable of more than I think, and kept going. After the bottom one, came the abs and then total body which I remember in a dull haze of sweat and pain. There is NO jumping, just lots of little moves including a sadistic put the weight in the crook of your knee and lift sequence. 'Are your muscles shaking?' she asks -- to which the only answer is YES
Suzanne is cheerful and perky. She does all the exercises herself, taking time to offer tips and hints and when she talks about it burning etc, you know she is experiencing it as well. Except she seems much more in control. She is also hugely encouraging but without the forthright exhortation of Jillian. When I got to the end, I understood and continue to understand that I will ache in a good way tomorrow. I was more than marinated but currently I can walk. Bring on tomorrow.
In a few days time, I will get to do the Pilate's one. It can't be too difficult, right? Hollow laughter here.
Some of it is having the motivation to do the workout. To a certain extent, it doesn't matter which one you do as long as you do it and are lathered in sweat by the end. The good part is that I am excited about exercising again.
And The Viking Princess gave me a Sweet Blogger award. The viking Princess has a very interesting blog so do take some time to visit)
The Rules of this award are pretty simple:
Suzanne is very keen on getting the right form and actually gives lots of tips like tucking your hips, navel to the spine etc that I think Jillian assumes you already do. It was quite fun to do and the next day my abs were sore. Within two days, I noticed more definition, a lot more. So on that basis, I ordered the two other dvds in the series that Suzanne does -- Blast Off Body Fat and Pilate's Perfect Body. Each are divided into 5 segments lasting ten minutes a piece. Body Fat came with a bonus dvd that includes 5 best of segments. Each segment is self contained so if you are pressed for time, you can do one segment. My current plan is to do a rotation of 5 days of each until I get to the RWA conference. I finished the first five days of Belly Fat one yesterday and so went for the Blast Off Body Fat. On the reviews on Amazon, someone mentioned that they had unwisely done the thighs and bottom segments in the same day and could not walk afterwards. Ha, I thought, but I am used to Jillian. Give me your worst!
I did the entire sequence.
My legs were like jelly after the trim thighs. I am capable of more than I think, and kept going. After the bottom one, came the abs and then total body which I remember in a dull haze of sweat and pain. There is NO jumping, just lots of little moves including a sadistic put the weight in the crook of your knee and lift sequence. 'Are your muscles shaking?' she asks -- to which the only answer is YES
Suzanne is cheerful and perky. She does all the exercises herself, taking time to offer tips and hints and when she talks about it burning etc, you know she is experiencing it as well. Except she seems much more in control. She is also hugely encouraging but without the forthright exhortation of Jillian. When I got to the end, I understood and continue to understand that I will ache in a good way tomorrow. I was more than marinated but currently I can walk. Bring on tomorrow.
In a few days time, I will get to do the Pilate's one. It can't be too difficult, right? Hollow laughter here.
Some of it is having the motivation to do the workout. To a certain extent, it doesn't matter which one you do as long as you do it and are lathered in sweat by the end. The good part is that I am excited about exercising again.
And The Viking Princess gave me a Sweet Blogger award. The viking Princess has a very interesting blog so do take some time to visit)
The Rules of this award are pretty simple:
1. Thank and link to the person who nominated you.
2. Share 7 random facts about yourself.
So, here are my random facts about me:
* My maternal grandfather was Swedish/Norwegian
* I have discovered in order to lose weight, I have to sweat
*My next full manuscript is due on 1 September
* Thus far in my career with Harlequin I have had six different editors and have learnt tons from each one. I adore my current editor who is tough but with loads of heart.
*I have lymphoedemia in my left arm. It is under control.
*I am left handed
*I suffered from early onset cataracts due to my Swedish ancestry (7 generations and counting. I also blame the ancestry for my bad back) Having them sorted five years ago helped to transform my life.
I am supposed to nominate other people but really if anyone feels so inclined please do so and let me know that you have done it so I can visit!
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
To Marry A Matchmaker on Sale
It is 1 June and that means To Marry A Matchmaker is on sale at Mills and Boon -- both as a print and ebook. It is the quickest way to get your hands a copy. My paperback authors copies have not arrived. Apparently they were supposed to be dispatched but somehow have forgotten. My editor is on the case... It will come out on kindle on 1 July btw.
Video Review of Viking's Captive Princess
A very lovely reader let me know she had done a video review of The Viking's Captive Princess. It was a wonderfully sweet thing to do and the first time it has happened to me. Luckily, she really liked the book. So thank you very much. I am very honoured.
Anyway, in case anyone is interested:
Anyway, in case anyone is interested:
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Devil in the details
Over the weekend, I happened to read a contemporary romance. The writing was well done and I was really enjoying the story when the details pulled me out. She had gone into the recent past, given a named date, made a cultural reference and my suspense of disbelief was shattered. The reference was to a character in a Disney film which appeared in 1994. The time in the story was supposed to be 1991. I went and looked it up because it had been one of my children's faves and I could remember how old my eldest was when it appeared and wondered -- did I get it wrong? There were a few other references that then had me wondering and in the end, I didn't enjoy it as well as I could have done as it seemed sloppy. The writer in question is particularly known, according to Donald Maass, for her sense of place and her use of detail to really create that place. So while I was reading for enjoyment, I was also reading for enlightenment.
When you have a named date, you do need to check that books, movies etc have appeared by that time and what was known about the author. This is important in the first half of the nineteenth century when pen names were often used. For example, Charlotte Bronte published Jane Eyre in 1847 as Currer Bell and it wasn't until after her brother and sisters' death in 1849 that she was persuaded to reveal her identity. Saying that a character was reading Charlotte Bronte in 1848 wouldn't work as she would have been Currer Bell. Equally a charater could not have been certain that she was even a woman. When you are writing about the past even in an extended flashback, a character can only know what was known at the time.
I do slightly blame the copy editor as she should have queried the reference. The author in question might have been told to change the date in revisions and forgot to change the reference. These things happen. She is a good storyteller and a NY Times bestseller. It is a measure of her story-telling that I did finish the book. However, I will be a bit wary the next time one of her books comes out.
Details really give a sense of time and place but they are a dual-edged sword as they can pull readers out. As a writer, you have to check and check again, particularily if you alter the date. You owe it to the reader. It is good when I get a reminder.
When you have a named date, you do need to check that books, movies etc have appeared by that time and what was known about the author. This is important in the first half of the nineteenth century when pen names were often used. For example, Charlotte Bronte published Jane Eyre in 1847 as Currer Bell and it wasn't until after her brother and sisters' death in 1849 that she was persuaded to reveal her identity. Saying that a character was reading Charlotte Bronte in 1848 wouldn't work as she would have been Currer Bell. Equally a charater could not have been certain that she was even a woman. When you are writing about the past even in an extended flashback, a character can only know what was known at the time.
I do slightly blame the copy editor as she should have queried the reference. The author in question might have been told to change the date in revisions and forgot to change the reference. These things happen. She is a good storyteller and a NY Times bestseller. It is a measure of her story-telling that I did finish the book. However, I will be a bit wary the next time one of her books comes out.
Details really give a sense of time and place but they are a dual-edged sword as they can pull readers out. As a writer, you have to check and check again, particularily if you alter the date. You owe it to the reader. It is good when I get a reminder.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Carrier Pigeons, the Rothchilds and Jane Austen
One of the great stories about Waterloo is the communication system that the Rothchilds used. Because of it, they received word about the victory first. There were some stories that they profited from this but apparently they go straight to Whitehall with the news. But until yesterday, I didn't know anything about the people who supplied the communications. It was done by a system of carrier pigeons run through a firm called Latham,Rice and Co who were also in banking. The senior partner, surprise, surprise was a woman --Sarah Rice. Sarah apparently made a lot of money personally from supplying the info.
Sarah inherited the senior partnership of the firm from her husband who got his start in the East India Company as a captain. Apparently if successful, the captain could clear about £10k per voyage. In order to secure Sarah's hand (she was an heiress with connections to Samsonware) he brought his ship into the Dover harbour and gave a ball. He won his bet and got the girl. He didn't bother to insure his ships. He made sure that they were copper-bottomed for use in the tropics. Her husband died 1797. Sarah then took over and ran the firm until 1811 when her younger son became the senior partner but continued to retain an active interest until she died in 1842.
She is perhaps better known to history as one of the potential inspirations for Fanny Price's disagreeable aunt Mrs Norris in Mansfield Park. Sarah's eldest son Henry took holy orders and married Lucy Lefroy. Jane Austen who consider Henry a pleasant boy with bright eyes wanted his mother to enable him to settle at a certain curacy Deane. She didn't. Sarah settle him at another one instead -- Great Hollands in Essex. Jane might not have liked having her will crossed and took revenge in this way. Who knows.
Henry as was his wont quickly sold the house as he was in debt and lived there as a tenant. Sarah did not trust his money skills, although she was scrupulously fair in doling up the money -- dividing the wealth between her profligate elder son who chose not to go into the family business, and the younger one who did. Henry had his money left to him in trust in her will and was constantly going into debt. He regularly sent his mother begging letters for more money.Apparently he liked to gamble. She could have the inspiration for Mrs Norris but that isn't to say that she was exactly like the character. Jane Austen had an unique outlook on certain aspects of her life. It is always in the point of view.
The younger son Edward married Jane Austen's niece -- Elizabeth Knight. Jane's brother Edward had been adopted by the Knights. Edward Royds Rice went into parliament and prospered.
Interestingly, Sarah specified that after Henry's death, his sole surviving daughter would get the bulk of his inheritance, again just the interest but that it was to go to her alone for her sole use and not for the debt of her husband or any husband she happened to marry. Sarah was obviously aware of the problem of married women not having any property to call their own.
Given that there are stories that Sarah 'persuaded' the Duke of Wellington to re-sight a gun battery as she didn't like the sight or the sound of the guns and the Duke complied very speedily, I suspect she was not a woman to be crossed. I also suspect that she knew her own mind and was scarily formidable. She had a reputation as being pain-stakingly honest. Towards the end of her life, letters addressed simply Mrs Rice, Dover reached her.
In short she was a successful businesswoman and not to be lightly crossed. And I had no idea that she existed until I read Women Who Made Money.
Successful Regency businesswomen were less rare than one might think. Actually as far as I can tell, there were more successful Regency businesswomen than there were late Victorian/Edwardian. This could be because of limited liability companies. The heroine of the book which was just accepted was a Regency businesswoman but I find the whole thing fascinating.
Sarah inherited the senior partnership of the firm from her husband who got his start in the East India Company as a captain. Apparently if successful, the captain could clear about £10k per voyage. In order to secure Sarah's hand (she was an heiress with connections to Samsonware) he brought his ship into the Dover harbour and gave a ball. He won his bet and got the girl. He didn't bother to insure his ships. He made sure that they were copper-bottomed for use in the tropics. Her husband died 1797. Sarah then took over and ran the firm until 1811 when her younger son became the senior partner but continued to retain an active interest until she died in 1842.
She is perhaps better known to history as one of the potential inspirations for Fanny Price's disagreeable aunt Mrs Norris in Mansfield Park. Sarah's eldest son Henry took holy orders and married Lucy Lefroy. Jane Austen who consider Henry a pleasant boy with bright eyes wanted his mother to enable him to settle at a certain curacy Deane. She didn't. Sarah settle him at another one instead -- Great Hollands in Essex. Jane might not have liked having her will crossed and took revenge in this way. Who knows.
Henry as was his wont quickly sold the house as he was in debt and lived there as a tenant. Sarah did not trust his money skills, although she was scrupulously fair in doling up the money -- dividing the wealth between her profligate elder son who chose not to go into the family business, and the younger one who did. Henry had his money left to him in trust in her will and was constantly going into debt. He regularly sent his mother begging letters for more money.Apparently he liked to gamble. She could have the inspiration for Mrs Norris but that isn't to say that she was exactly like the character. Jane Austen had an unique outlook on certain aspects of her life. It is always in the point of view.
The younger son Edward married Jane Austen's niece -- Elizabeth Knight. Jane's brother Edward had been adopted by the Knights. Edward Royds Rice went into parliament and prospered.
Interestingly, Sarah specified that after Henry's death, his sole surviving daughter would get the bulk of his inheritance, again just the interest but that it was to go to her alone for her sole use and not for the debt of her husband or any husband she happened to marry. Sarah was obviously aware of the problem of married women not having any property to call their own.
Given that there are stories that Sarah 'persuaded' the Duke of Wellington to re-sight a gun battery as she didn't like the sight or the sound of the guns and the Duke complied very speedily, I suspect she was not a woman to be crossed. I also suspect that she knew her own mind and was scarily formidable. She had a reputation as being pain-stakingly honest. Towards the end of her life, letters addressed simply Mrs Rice, Dover reached her.
In short she was a successful businesswoman and not to be lightly crossed. And I had no idea that she existed until I read Women Who Made Money.
Successful Regency businesswomen were less rare than one might think. Actually as far as I can tell, there were more successful Regency businesswomen than there were late Victorian/Edwardian. This could be because of limited liability companies. The heroine of the book which was just accepted was a Regency businesswoman but I find the whole thing fascinating.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
The two wealthiest bankers in the 1820s
So who were the wealthiest bankers in London in the 1820's? Two women who were known as the Peeresses.
First was Sarah Child Villiers, Lady Jersey who was a lady Patroness of Almack's and responsible for introducing the quadrille aka square dancing to London. She had seven children and was the active senior partner in Childs from 1806 until her death in 1867. She retained the right of last say on all partners. She doesn't have a biography.
Second was Harriot Mellon Coutts who became Duchess of St Albans when she married the much younger Duke of St Albans, a man half her age in 1825. The Duke and Duchess of St Albans were united by a love of Shakespeare. She also does NOT have a modern biography. There are some early 19th memoirs about...Harriot Mellon is a rag to riches story. She started life as a child of a single mother and went on stage, particularly in the West End. She was incredibly prudent and practical, and always respectible. Her mother abused her dreadfully. She eventually married Thomas Coutts (four days after his first wife died) and when he died in 1822, she became the senior partner of Coutts and drew the biggest salary, basically four times the other partners. She continued in this position until her death. Like Lady Jersey, she kept the final word on who got made partner. Thomas Coutts's daughters aka The Three Graces were not overly fond of their stepmother and the eldest suggested that she get presented at court, thinking Queen Charlotte would refuse. Harriot was received with the most marked kindness by the Prince Regent. She lived a full and colourful life.
When she died the senior partnership went to Angela Burdett, the youngest child of Thomas Coutts youngest daughter on the condition she take the name of Coutts and not marry a foreigner. Harriot hoped she'd take an active part. Angela did not become an active partner and married an American at age 57. The bank was divided between her and her sister at that point and eventually it went to the sister's son 5th Baron Latimer. He didn't take an actuve role but his children and grandchildren did.
I am currently reading Women who made money -- Women Partners in British Private Banks 1752-1906 by Margery Dawes and Nesta Selwyn. My jaw is on the floor.
How can these women have been ignored like this? Why are they not considered influential? Why are more people not demanding biographies?
These are women who should be held up as role models. In 1812, fourteen women owned licenses to print money. And no one has had a modern in depth biography. The Dawes and Selwyn book was published last year by a small press publisher. Get it and read it. These women did not worry about glass ceilings. They got on and did it. Most had families.
First was Sarah Child Villiers, Lady Jersey who was a lady Patroness of Almack's and responsible for introducing the quadrille aka square dancing to London. She had seven children and was the active senior partner in Childs from 1806 until her death in 1867. She retained the right of last say on all partners. She doesn't have a biography.
Second was Harriot Mellon Coutts who became Duchess of St Albans when she married the much younger Duke of St Albans, a man half her age in 1825. The Duke and Duchess of St Albans were united by a love of Shakespeare. She also does NOT have a modern biography. There are some early 19th memoirs about...Harriot Mellon is a rag to riches story. She started life as a child of a single mother and went on stage, particularly in the West End. She was incredibly prudent and practical, and always respectible. Her mother abused her dreadfully. She eventually married Thomas Coutts (four days after his first wife died) and when he died in 1822, she became the senior partner of Coutts and drew the biggest salary, basically four times the other partners. She continued in this position until her death. Like Lady Jersey, she kept the final word on who got made partner. Thomas Coutts's daughters aka The Three Graces were not overly fond of their stepmother and the eldest suggested that she get presented at court, thinking Queen Charlotte would refuse. Harriot was received with the most marked kindness by the Prince Regent. She lived a full and colourful life.
When she died the senior partnership went to Angela Burdett, the youngest child of Thomas Coutts youngest daughter on the condition she take the name of Coutts and not marry a foreigner. Harriot hoped she'd take an active part. Angela did not become an active partner and married an American at age 57. The bank was divided between her and her sister at that point and eventually it went to the sister's son 5th Baron Latimer. He didn't take an actuve role but his children and grandchildren did.
I am currently reading Women who made money -- Women Partners in British Private Banks 1752-1906 by Margery Dawes and Nesta Selwyn. My jaw is on the floor.
How can these women have been ignored like this? Why are they not considered influential? Why are more people not demanding biographies?
These are women who should be held up as role models. In 1812, fourteen women owned licenses to print money. And no one has had a modern in depth biography. The Dawes and Selwyn book was published last year by a small press publisher. Get it and read it. These women did not worry about glass ceilings. They got on and did it. Most had families.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Back from London and meeting my editor
Yesterday, I did my annual trek down to London and had lunch with my editor and senior editor. It was very pleasant. The main consensus is to keep writing what I am currently enjoying writing -- warm, witty intimate historicals which are set in the North East and help give a window into the period.
It was the first time that I was able to have a long face to face chat with my editor. She is wonderful in person. She is tough but with loads of heart. Truly the Jillian Michaels of the editorial world. I am very lucky to have her as an editor.
We went to an Italian place and I had all 3 courses -- salad to start, salmon fishcakes and then espresso granita. A few glasses of wine were drunk. A real feast.
The editorial office has been moved downstairs and is very open plan. I loved that one of the conference rooms had a frosted window with the M&B logo and the word Intrigue. All the other editor I met were looking well - okay as young and beautiful as ever. There is a real feeling of comraderie.
One of the great things for me was wearing a burnt orange silk suit that had belonged to my grandmother. At this point last year, I could not get it past my knees! It fits very nicely now thank you. Various people were suitably complimentary (including an editor that I meant on the street on the way to the office who nearly didn't recognise me but liked the suit). It does show that all my hard work has paid dividends. Now to continue the hard work and get myself in shape for NYC!
It was the first time that I was able to have a long face to face chat with my editor. She is wonderful in person. She is tough but with loads of heart. Truly the Jillian Michaels of the editorial world. I am very lucky to have her as an editor.
We went to an Italian place and I had all 3 courses -- salad to start, salmon fishcakes and then espresso granita. A few glasses of wine were drunk. A real feast.
The editorial office has been moved downstairs and is very open plan. I loved that one of the conference rooms had a frosted window with the M&B logo and the word Intrigue. All the other editor I met were looking well - okay as young and beautiful as ever. There is a real feeling of comraderie.
One of the great things for me was wearing a burnt orange silk suit that had belonged to my grandmother. At this point last year, I could not get it past my knees! It fits very nicely now thank you. Various people were suitably complimentary (including an editor that I meant on the street on the way to the office who nearly didn't recognise me but liked the suit). It does show that all my hard work has paid dividends. Now to continue the hard work and get myself in shape for NYC!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Storytelling and writing: two different talents
Last night, once again I was reminded that there are two strands to be an author of fiction. First and foremost is storytelling. This encompasses the creation of stories with its attendant characterisation, setting and plot structures. Then there is writing or the manipulation of language.
To tell a story, you don't have to write. Stories can be told in pictures or with sounds. You can tell a story orally. And to write, you don't need to tell a story. Writing can be a list, an essay and is simply the act of putting words on a page. It can be poetry or it can be as dry as dust. It can have a soul or not be very deep at all. But the act of writing does not guarantee a well-formed narrative.
When you have the marriage of the two, you get an author. It is the combination of two talents -- the ability to tell a story and the ability to manipulate language on the written page that creates an author. No one person is equally adept at both. In commercial fiction, the ability to tell a story outweighs nuanced language. Sometimes in literary fiction, it is the other way around and the poetry of the image and symbolism can hold more sway. There are reasons why commercial fiction is more accessible to the masses.
Once you accept that there are two types of talent, then the question becomes not how much talent do I have, but how can I maximise and make the most out of the talent that I am given. How can I achieve its potential?
The truth is that you are capable of far more than you think but you have to be willing to work at it. It is not easy. You have to learn to play to the strengths of your talents rather than playing to what others might think. If you adore heavy symbolism, do you want to write a rom-com? If you need the action and adventure rush, do you want to write a tale that is mainly internal and gentle? Conversely if your talent lies with exploring the depth of human relations within a family, do you want to write a thriller? Work with the themes you are drawn towards. Explore the ways you like to tell stories.
You have to accept that storytelling takes maturity because it deals with the human condition. The maturity to tell a meaningful story comes to us at different ages. The desire to tell stories may happen earlier. There are reasons why successful novelists as a general rule tend to be older --- unlike say mathematicians who tend to do their best work early for some reason. Life adds depth to storytelling, rather than taking from it. For example for women, having children can add a resonance and understanding that wasn't there previously. The stories you write in your forties will be different than those you wrote in your twenties. This doesn't mean that good story tellers don't exist in their twenties btw. It just means the average age for a successful novelist tends to be older.
But however the mix of your talent, it is up to you maximise it and work with it if you want to be a successful novelist.
To tell a story, you don't have to write. Stories can be told in pictures or with sounds. You can tell a story orally. And to write, you don't need to tell a story. Writing can be a list, an essay and is simply the act of putting words on a page. It can be poetry or it can be as dry as dust. It can have a soul or not be very deep at all. But the act of writing does not guarantee a well-formed narrative.
When you have the marriage of the two, you get an author. It is the combination of two talents -- the ability to tell a story and the ability to manipulate language on the written page that creates an author. No one person is equally adept at both. In commercial fiction, the ability to tell a story outweighs nuanced language. Sometimes in literary fiction, it is the other way around and the poetry of the image and symbolism can hold more sway. There are reasons why commercial fiction is more accessible to the masses.
Once you accept that there are two types of talent, then the question becomes not how much talent do I have, but how can I maximise and make the most out of the talent that I am given. How can I achieve its potential?
The truth is that you are capable of far more than you think but you have to be willing to work at it. It is not easy. You have to learn to play to the strengths of your talents rather than playing to what others might think. If you adore heavy symbolism, do you want to write a rom-com? If you need the action and adventure rush, do you want to write a tale that is mainly internal and gentle? Conversely if your talent lies with exploring the depth of human relations within a family, do you want to write a thriller? Work with the themes you are drawn towards. Explore the ways you like to tell stories.
You have to accept that storytelling takes maturity because it deals with the human condition. The maturity to tell a meaningful story comes to us at different ages. The desire to tell stories may happen earlier. There are reasons why successful novelists as a general rule tend to be older --- unlike say mathematicians who tend to do their best work early for some reason. Life adds depth to storytelling, rather than taking from it. For example for women, having children can add a resonance and understanding that wasn't there previously. The stories you write in your forties will be different than those you wrote in your twenties. This doesn't mean that good story tellers don't exist in their twenties btw. It just means the average age for a successful novelist tends to be older.
But however the mix of your talent, it is up to you maximise it and work with it if you want to be a successful novelist.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Accepted
My editor emailed this morning to say that my latest tweaks were great and the manuscript has now been accepted. Cue massive relief here. I adore Eleanor and Ben. Eleanor rocks basically. In the end, I think this manuscript really helped me define my voice and what I want to do. More Regency/early Victorian in my future which is fantastic.
I also learnt the Viking's Captive Princess (Le viking et la princesse) is doing really well in France.http://www.harlequin.fr/ It is number 9 on the French Harlequin and they have a great ad for all three.
I also learnt the Viking's Captive Princess (Le viking et la princesse) is doing really well in France.http://www.harlequin.fr/ It is number 9 on the French Harlequin and they have a great ad for all three.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Reshaping My Writer's Bottom: Update
Sometimes, it feels like my fitness is not improving. Every single time I do a dvd workout, I feel marinated afterwards. I know I am better as I can get lower in my squats and I don't die on certain exercises. But I keep trying to give it my all and so my legs tend to be jelly afterwards. Slowly but surely the weight is coming off. But it is tempting to see how far I have to go rather than how far I have come.
There are two important dates looming -- first next Tuesday when I go down to London to see my editor for my annual visit. And second, the RWA National conference. I want to look good for that for a number of reasons... Having events on the horizons is helping me to keep focused.
I am still waiting to hear from my editor about the latest round of tweaks. It never gets any easier waiting (anyone who says it does could hide their own Easter eggs or is being disingenous) . But it is so important to put out a strong book. And I do love these characters. I just hope I have maximised the potential of this book. I want it to be a powerful story. This time working out is helping to relieve the stress.
I am currently working on the next book. It should be excellent but it is always about pushing myself to stretch and to go deeper. Discovery drafts are for discovering what doesn't work and what does.
Shelfari is now linked into Amazon and so I am slowly updating the extras, providing links to places and books that inspired that particular book, doing character lists etc. What sort of things do readers want to see? Or am I doing this for my own amusement?
Oh and why does HBO have to sex up Game of Thrones? The story is absorbing enough without the various couplings. My daughter and I kept going -- but that isn't in the book. I know they are trying to get important info across but they have used the same device in two different episodes -- basically talk during sex. My editor would not let me get away with that sort of Pope in the Pool backstory exposition.
There are two important dates looming -- first next Tuesday when I go down to London to see my editor for my annual visit. And second, the RWA National conference. I want to look good for that for a number of reasons... Having events on the horizons is helping me to keep focused.
I am still waiting to hear from my editor about the latest round of tweaks. It never gets any easier waiting (anyone who says it does could hide their own Easter eggs or is being disingenous) . But it is so important to put out a strong book. And I do love these characters. I just hope I have maximised the potential of this book. I want it to be a powerful story. This time working out is helping to relieve the stress.
I am currently working on the next book. It should be excellent but it is always about pushing myself to stretch and to go deeper. Discovery drafts are for discovering what doesn't work and what does.
Shelfari is now linked into Amazon and so I am slowly updating the extras, providing links to places and books that inspired that particular book, doing character lists etc. What sort of things do readers want to see? Or am I doing this for my own amusement?
Oh and why does HBO have to sex up Game of Thrones? The story is absorbing enough without the various couplings. My daughter and I kept going -- but that isn't in the book. I know they are trying to get important info across but they have used the same device in two different episodes -- basically talk during sex. My editor would not let me get away with that sort of Pope in the Pool backstory exposition.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Giveaway To Marry A Matchmaker
Because it comes out on 1 July, I am doing a giveaway with good reads.
Blogger is being annoying. It will not allow me to use the tool bar.
I did a post at the Healthy Writer blog http://www.healthywriter.com/ yesterday and today I am the Pink Heart Society http://www.pinkheartsociety.blogspot.com/ talking about pacing. Tomorrow I am at Tote Bags.
With writing, I am waiting to hear back from my editor and have started the next one.
With exercising, I keep working out every day -- slowly but surely. It takes much longer than you think.
Blogger is being annoying. It will not allow me to use the tool bar.
I did a post at the Healthy Writer blog http://www.healthywriter.com/ yesterday and today I am the Pink Heart Society http://www.pinkheartsociety.blogspot.com/ talking about pacing. Tomorrow I am at Tote Bags.
With writing, I am waiting to hear back from my editor and have started the next one.
With exercising, I keep working out every day -- slowly but surely. It takes much longer than you think.
Monday, May 09, 2011
Biographies and the Lady Patronesses
As part of my research, I have been trying to discover any recent or even not so recent biographies of the Lady Patronesses of Almack's. Basically we know the Lady Patronesses in 1814 because Captain Gronow mentions them in his bio of Brummell. The ones from the founding in 1781 are also known. Others are more shadowy. It is not known how often they changed or how they were chosen or indeed when they were elected. YOu can get sketchy biographies of the women and sometimes you can get the collected letters (Princess Lieven's to her brother Alexander for example) but there is not any really good modern biographies. Why not?
These women had enomormous influence. Both Princess Esterhazy and Countess (later Princess) Lieven played active roles in promoting their respective countries in England. Princess Leiven's letters give a much more cosmopolitian slant on London and the ton. Lady Castlereagh was the wife of the Foreign Secretary. Lady Jersey was the senior partner of Childs Bank, played an active role in its affairs and did not allow the men in her life to interfere with her duties at the bank. Lady Jersey and Countess Lieven's soirees were known for their political influence. Lady Jersey is credited for introducing the square dance (the French Quadrille) and Countess Lieven the waltz. The women had a number of affairs with influential men. Lord Palmerston figures quite a bit.
So why isn't there a series of modern biographies -- either of the place or the Lady Patronesses (here I am thnking specifically of Sarah Fane Child Villiers, Lady Jersey)? Note it is not my field. I write fiction, not non-fiction. It just irks. I wanted to know more!
Currently I am reading Lady Dorothy Nevill's Reminences from 1902. She is an untrustworthy narrator (her contra-temps in the summer house with George Smythe MP which led to her marriage to Mr Nevill and explusion from court is glossed over -- never mentioned) but fun.
These women had enomormous influence. Both Princess Esterhazy and Countess (later Princess) Lieven played active roles in promoting their respective countries in England. Princess Leiven's letters give a much more cosmopolitian slant on London and the ton. Lady Castlereagh was the wife of the Foreign Secretary. Lady Jersey was the senior partner of Childs Bank, played an active role in its affairs and did not allow the men in her life to interfere with her duties at the bank. Lady Jersey and Countess Lieven's soirees were known for their political influence. Lady Jersey is credited for introducing the square dance (the French Quadrille) and Countess Lieven the waltz. The women had a number of affairs with influential men. Lord Palmerston figures quite a bit.
So why isn't there a series of modern biographies -- either of the place or the Lady Patronesses (here I am thnking specifically of Sarah Fane Child Villiers, Lady Jersey)? Note it is not my field. I write fiction, not non-fiction. It just irks. I wanted to know more!
Currently I am reading Lady Dorothy Nevill's Reminences from 1902. She is an untrustworthy narrator (her contra-temps in the summer house with George Smythe MP which led to her marriage to Mr Nevill and explusion from court is glossed over -- never mentioned) but fun.
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Reshaping My Writer's Bottom Line: Update
Now is the time of a woman's discontent and her thoughts lightly turn towards chocolate. I have been working hard for 16 weeks and yes, I have come a long way BUT I still have a ways to go. I know some of my eating habits have slipped. However, I am not beating myself up over it because I know why it happened (Easter) and what needs to be done. There are also several dates looming. I am going to London later this month to have my annual visit with my editor and then at the end of June it is the RWA National Conference. Two things to keep me on the straight and narrow.
With exercising, I have really been focusing on paying attention to the form. Making sure that my squats are low enough and my arms are raised high enough. Low weights, high reps. Sometimes, it is just the doing it that matters. Yes, it would be easier some days not to do it. Yes it is a pain in the butt to make the time, particularly when I have a very busy schedule and other claims on my time. BUT the reward is worth it. I want a better figure and the only way to get is to sweat and to put the time in.
The revisions for my full went in yesterday and I wait with baited breath to see what my editor thinks. The revisions were hard and the book is now very different. Is it better? It has a lighter feel which hopefully give a more upbeat read. Warm emotion.
I have also started working on my next one which I am very excited about. Again it is thinking about that warmth of emotion and trying to make sure that it is provides a rich but upbeat read.
With exercising, I have really been focusing on paying attention to the form. Making sure that my squats are low enough and my arms are raised high enough. Low weights, high reps. Sometimes, it is just the doing it that matters. Yes, it would be easier some days not to do it. Yes it is a pain in the butt to make the time, particularly when I have a very busy schedule and other claims on my time. BUT the reward is worth it. I want a better figure and the only way to get is to sweat and to put the time in.
The revisions for my full went in yesterday and I wait with baited breath to see what my editor thinks. The revisions were hard and the book is now very different. Is it better? It has a lighter feel which hopefully give a more upbeat read. Warm emotion.
I have also started working on my next one which I am very excited about. Again it is thinking about that warmth of emotion and trying to make sure that it is provides a rich but upbeat read.
Monday, May 02, 2011
Festival of Romance
Hard at work finishing my revisions but I took time to join the new social media site for lovers of the Romance genre in the UK -- Festival of Romance. It is to promote the romance genre in all its forms in the UK. My dear friend Kate Allan with whom I wrote The Lady Soldier had a hand in starting it. You can join here
Wonderful news about Bin Laden's death. I am under no illusions that the struggle to rid the world of terror is at end. BUT an important symbol has been removed. Hopefully people will now realise that this man was a mass murderer who hid behind the shield of religion and perverted the nature of that religion. He was indiscriminate killer who will now have to answer for his crimes. I very much doubt that he has a place in Paradise.
It is a goregous May Bank Holiday and I hope everyone is enjoying it.
Wonderful news about Bin Laden's death. I am under no illusions that the struggle to rid the world of terror is at end. BUT an important symbol has been removed. Hopefully people will now realise that this man was a mass murderer who hid behind the shield of religion and perverted the nature of that religion. He was indiscriminate killer who will now have to answer for his crimes. I very much doubt that he has a place in Paradise.
It is a goregous May Bank Holiday and I hope everyone is enjoying it.
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