Monday 12 July 2010

Fun, fun and more fun!

There's something really fabulous about spending a weekend with other writers.  No-one thinks you're crazy for wanting to write and no-one thinks you're wasting your time.  In fact everyone offers complete support and is interested in what you're currently writing.
I had the opportunity this weekend to meet some people I've only ever spoke to online and some people who write work that I totally love.  So hello to Gemma Jackson, the minxes Lorraine, Romy and Joanne, everyone who stayed in the fabulous Scots corridor in part 15 of the building, Jane Holland (who has had a gorgeous haircut) and all the other great people I met this weekend.
Special hello to Kate Walker and her lovely husband Stephen, Kate Hardy with the great ipad, Sarah Morgan, Nina Harrington (who told me how she got her writing name) and Anne Fraser.  Thank you for your support and great advice you all gave to me over the weekend.
Here's a pic of me looking starstruck with Kate Walker.

I learnt loads at the conference but although all the workshops were great the best part was definitely the socialising with the other writers.  I had arranged a 10 minute appointment with the editor I've been working with at Mills and Boon but she actually took me out for a drink later and spent a lot of time talking to me.  This week I will get some more revisions from her, she was very enthusiastic about my writing and hopefully I will have good news in the future.

I also had a real shock when Katie Fforde gave me an honorary mention at the Saturday barbeque for the short story I had written with an anniversary theme.  I choked on my wine and sat with a smile plastered on my face thinking to myself  "I can tell people that Katie Fforde read my story."
However here is a picture of Elizabeth our worthy winner and Jo.  Followed by some of the Scots contingent Jenny and Lorna.

Can't wait for next year!

Thursday 8 July 2010

The Wedding Part 2

Yesterday was a glorious day in Scotland even though we had a forecast for rain.  So the sun shined brightly on my niece Carissa and her new husband Norrie.  Right up until Elliott my son, threw up over the famous Brig o Doon bridge where the wedding photos were being taken!  It's a shame, I had the dreaded bug a few days ago, my youngest Rhys had it two days ago and I honestly thought everyone else would be okay.  Bless him, he never complained and just went and lay down in the room my mum and dad had at the hotel, then like a brave soldier came and sat through the dinner.  He was a star, honestly.  I couldn't move out of my bed for 24 hrs when I had the bug.  And then at five this morning I was awoken by the sound of??? You've guessed it.  My beloved Kevin is currently away to work with a basin sitting in the passenger seat of his van.

All this and I'm trying to pack for the most exciting weekend in the world - RNA conference.  I've waited a whole year for this and am determined to enjoy every second.  Even though I know my train coming home arrives back in the middle of the World Cup Final.  So who will pick me up?  A girl's best friend - my mum!  So if you are going to the conference, please, please, come and say hello to the mad Scotswoman who will be delighted to meet you.