Thursday, November 30, 2006

BAD SEX AWARD

This year's Bad Sex Award was won by Iain Hollingshead for his book Twentysomething
(Duckworth) -- apparently is was the "bulging trousers" that swung it for him!

"She's wearing a short, floaty skirt that's more suited to July than February. She leans forward to peck me on the cheek, which feels weird, as she's never kissed me on the cheek before. We'd kissed properly the first time we met. And that was over three years ago.

"But the peck on the cheek turns into a quick peck on the lips. She hugs me tight. I can feel her breasts against her chest. I cup my hands round her face and start to kiss her properly, She slides one of her slender legs in between mine. Oh Jack, she was moaning now, her curves pushed up against me, her crotch taut against my bulging trousers, her hands gripping fistfuls of my hair. She reaches for my belt. I groan too, in expectation. And then I'm inside her, and everything is pure white as we're lost in a commotion of grunts and squeaks, flashing unconnected images and explosions of a million little particles."


More here


SUNRISE IN WALES

On higher plane, this was sunrise this morning from the "Snap & Scribble".





Thursday, November 23, 2006

THE LEARNING CURVE

The first “adult” writing for which I was paid, was a piece that involved both Thanksgiving and Christmas and was published in Woman’s Weekly on 22 December 1979. I can scarcely believe that it was 27 years ago.

It’s far from polished and I’ve had to fight hard to stop myself from rewriting it completely, giving it a little Liz Fielding sparkle, before publishing it here. But the whole point of reproducing it is to demonstrate that no one springs, fully formed as a novelist; that it takes baby steps to build the skill, the voice. This was my first step.



A reader shares a charming idea with us and tells us the background story, too.

Some years ago I arrived in Bahrain in the middle of summer, with temperatures regularly up to 104?F. I had with me my ten-week-old baby, William, and I was joining my engineer husband, John.

John worked long hours, leaving home at 5.45 am and not returning until 8pm quite often.

Alone all day with a new baby, and without the support of a loving family, I was often depressed and near to tears.

Then one day, as the weather cooled and people actually went out into their gardens, a neighbour noticed William and came over to chat. Her name was Becky and she helped me back to a more balanced view of life, and restored my sense of humour.

She had two children, Eddie and Amy, and her husband was in the US Navy and away for long periods of time. She filled her days sewing, baking and having “socials” and she included me in all these activities.

Becky decorated her house for all occasions. Hearts and flowers for Valentine’s Day; shamrocks and green ribbons for St Patrick’s; bunnies and chicks at Easter. But it wasn’t until Thanksgiving Day that I discovered how far my talented friend could go when it came to making her own decorations, for on this day Becky raised her Christmas tree, and I have never seen one to match it.

It stood from floor to ceiling and only the glass balls had not been made by Becky.

Think of any cartoon character from Snoopy to Mickey Mouse, think of any toy, from a rag doll to a drum, think of any fairytale character and it was there. All were made from felt pieces and it took my breath away.

All though the long evenings when her husband was at sea, she had stitched her love into her decorations.

Every year she made a decoration for each of the children so that when they left home they would have the start of their own collection.

I knew that I had to have a tree like Becky’s. Every year I add some new characters to my tree. Ours is a more English selection than Becky’s, of course. Paddington Bear, Rupert, the Magic Roundabout characters. Noddy and Big Ears hang alongside Charley Brown and his dog.

This year we returned to England and William has discovered the Mr Men and they will adapt perfectly to felt. Our own special addition is a felt portrait of our little girl who will be nearly two this Christmas.

We don’t hear much from Becky, her talent was human contact, not letter writing and the last we heard, she and her family were posted to Hawaii. But we’ll never forget her, because her tree brings us close each Christmas and because we named our daughter Amy, after her little girl.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

FILLING THE STOCKINGS

Christmas is almost upon us and with it the “what on earth can I get him/her” question. This year the big stuff is already taken care of. Well, mostly.

Which just leaves the stockings.

I don't know about you, but I love Christmas stockings! Finding special little gifts to tuck amongst the nuts and oranges is, I think, just about my favourite part of the season. An excuse to potter about in shops I’d never normally visit. Spend giggle money.

Last year, the pink “girl” toolkit – screwdriver, tape and pliers -- was voted “the coolest thing ever” by my handy dd. Topping that this year was always going to be tricky, but I think I might just have managed it.

Hands up all the pre-Cindy baby-boomer generation of girls who played with paper dressing dolls? Spending hours dressing them in all their outfits. Every day clothes. Coats. The riding outfit. The nurse uniform. The party dress. All those little hats and shoes and boots. Hours of bliss.

Well this year I’ve found a grown up version produced by Celia Birtwell, although this doll isn’t card and her clothes aren’t paper. And there are none of those little fold-over tabs to get torn off.

This dressing doll is a fridge magnet and so are all her clothes and accessories and I’m seriously tempted to buy another set for the white board in my office – playtime for those moments when the muse has gone out for a long lunch. (I was going to put a picture here but can’t grab one off the website – but you can see the doll being dressed in all her outfits if you go there yourself.).

Oh, and just in case I’ve stirred a hankering for the real thing -- for some “little” girl you know, or even your own inner child -- a quick Google revealed that there are dozens of sites on the internet that sell them. Brilliant.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

DANUTA KEAN

"Romance gets such a dirty reputation among the literati. Only science fiction gets the same treatment. It is something I have commented upon before, but I mention it now because the subject came up last night at the Romantic Novelists Association’s annual winter party. Personally I don’t care what people read, as long as they read. Each book is not just a portal to the world created by the author but to a whole universe of literature, which will hopefully lead on to a lifetime of reading - and may even develop reading habits of which literary snobs approve."

Danuta is one of the few journalists who seems to "get" romance and is never afraid to stand up and say so -- bless her.

Read on for more excellent sense on "Romance" at
Danuta Kean's blog

Saturday, November 11, 2006

FOREIGN EDITIONS

It's always fun to receive a package of books in the post, especially foreign editions. Unlike the first editions of the books, they come out of the blue. Little treats to light the day. It's been a particularly whizzy week in that respect with Japanese and Afrikaans editions of The Marriage Miracle.

I also received that a double delight with Spanish reprints of His Runaway Bride and Baby on Loan in this rather swish two-book edition.

I've got a spare of each, so if anyone would like a copy, just email me (my email link is on my website) with your snail mail addy and the first one out of the hat will grab the prize.

For Swedish fans, Harlequin are also publishing A Family of His Own this month. This will provide an especially heavy package for the postman since they come in at least five different languages!

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

KATIE FFORDE & ANITA BURGH -- LIVE!

For those of you out there who adore Katie Fforde and Anita Burgh, I'm posting news of their double act in Cirencester Parish Centre on 22nd November on behalf of Breast Cancer research.

"Cotswold Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity are running a talk by two well known Gloucestershire authors, Katie Fforde & Anita Burgh who talk about their books, how they began writing and what keeps them going, on November 22nd 2006 in Cirencester Parish Centre at 7.30pm. They have many books for raffle prizes which have kindly been donated by members of the Romantic Novelists' Association.

"Tickets £10 including glass of wine/juice.

"For advance booking contact Amanda Homan-Green by email at Amanda @ cotswoldbreakthrough.org.uk " (without the gaps!)

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

EMAILS

In the last week I've had a number of emails from people either astounded that the message they sent me months ago has only just arrived, or worse, from people anxious for a reply and sending a "last post", hoping for a reply to a question, or an invitation to speak.

I haven't changed my address, or gone over to broadband -- I wish! -- or done anything to complicate matters. The stuff just isn't getting through to me.

If you've emailed me and I haven't replied, it's not because I'm rude, or ignoring you (unless you're inviting me to expand on body parts I don't possess) or more than averagely forgetful, it's because what you sent didn't arrive.

I don't know what the answer is, just don't give up on me, okay?

Saturday, November 04, 2006

SATURDAY STUFF

It's frosty here in Wales. We've had a weeks of cold, clear nights full of stars and sparkling pale pink dawns. Glorious.

Fiona Harper tagged me to tell the world five things no one knows about me.

Here goes --

I love licorice almost more than I love chocolate
I hate shopping (yes, even for clothes)
I had drama lessons with Francis de la Tour
I have held a genuine "Oscar" -- they're smaller than a Rita
I yearn to take a trip in a hot air balloon (but not now...)

And I tag Kate Walker and Ally Blake.

Finally, there is absolutely nothing like a fabulous review to make the pulse race. This is for THE SHEIKH'S GUARDED HEART, and it's posted at The Tote Bag

"There's no way you can read this book and not fall in love with the characters!

Poignant and heart-wrenching at times with strong emotional drama, this beautiful romance will captivate and enthrall from beginning to end. Fielding seamlessly blends skillful storytelling with heartwarming drama that is both captivating and sweet and delivers another winner that is sure to satisfy all lovers of Sheikh romances.

Beyond that, all I can say is... "We want more, Ms. Fielding!"

There are a lot of other good things on this site. Do drop by and take a look when you have a moment.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

COULD YOU BE THE NEXT BIG THING IN "ROMANCE"?

I posted last month about the short story competition that Mills & Boon are running in conjunction with Woman's Weekly magazine. If you missed it then, all the details about how to enter are now online at M&B's website.