Then there’s the newsagents – a set of brand new magazines,
special autumn (or ‘Fall’ ) issues with all the new fashions and colours. I love
the colours that appear at this time of year. I don’t know where they’ve been
hiding while we all went about in summer dresses, tee shirts, shorts. But they’re here now – purples,
burgundy, black, gold . . . I’m not going
to buy the clothes so much, but I do
enjoy looking at them, and the shoes/boots to go with them. There’s the makeup
shades as well. I love the ‘smoky’ look
that seems so much more fitting in with the changing seasons.
The television stations are all bringing out their new
autumn schedules. Downton Abbey, Homeland, Dr Who, Strictly Come Dancing
(well, that’s here in the UK) . . . Lots of great story-telling, or glamour
(Strictly) and plenty of ‘research’ to do as I watch the
actors who are starring in up and coming productions. And even more enjoyable – for me anyway, there’s a great crop of new and exciting
looking books out right now – all there on displays in the bookshops, waiting for
me to grab them(or download them on to my Kindle) and read them .
So I’m particularly pleased that this time of year has
coincided with a point where I have a little extra time to indulge and curl up
with a good book or film or drama – and I have a great new notebook to record everything
I read (and see). That was something I
resolved to do this year and I’m finding it most revealing. I hadn’t realised
just how much I read. And how many
different varieties of stories I choose.
The reason I have this time? I just sent in my latest book to my editor
and having done the ‘tweaks’ she wanted, I can now relax and spend some time ‘Filling up the Well’ of my
imagination. The best way to do that is
to lose myself in other people’s stories and
let my imagination absorb new things, new ideas.
This year is a special one for me and my husband, the Babe
Magnet. We’ve been celebrating our Ruby Wedding anniversary and so we’ve
planned some special trips and treats – theatre treats. More stories. More great acting. In London we went to see
Othello and then Noel Coward’s Private Lives
(starring the lovely Toby Stephens - more research!) This month it’s West Side
Story (great songs, great dancing, great romance ). Coming up is a production
of Cabaret. By the time I’ve enjoyed all
these treats my imagination is going to be buzzing. And that, hopefully will inspire me to get on
with a new story, with a new hero and heroine and a plot that really excites
me.
That’s when those notebooks will come in – names, character
sketches, ideas will all get noted down. And the magazines will inspire me to
think about my heroines’ clothes, her hairstyle, makeup . . .
The interesting thing is that in my list of all the things I
want to do is that there’s very little actual romance in there to read or watch. That’s because when I’m between books I want
to spread my wings a bit, open my mind and see what new ideas get sparked off
by trying something so very different. Then when I come back to romance I’m raring
to go (or at least I hope it works that way.)
So I’m not worried about the evenings drawing in or the
weather getting colder – I’m looking forward to curling up by the fire (with a
cat or two on my knees). I have a pile of books, a loaded kindle, a bundle of
magazines – and the TV schedule!
Research – it’s a hard job but some one’s got to do it! :o)
What about you? Do you look forward to the cooler, longer evenings or do you dread them? Have you got anything special lined up for the coming autumn - or any great books you plan to read?
Kate's latest novel is A Throne
For The Taking:
Alexei Sarova, the black
sheep prince who has to face up to a new and unexpected destiny with his heroine
Honoria Escalona (Ria) as the woman he wants as his queen. A kingdom's safety...
Betrayed by those she loves, Honoria Escalona must now face the only man capable of bringing stability to the Mediterranean kingdom of Mecjoria. A cold, hard man who once called her his friend... Alexei Sarova-the true King of Mecjoria.
In exchange for her happiness
But Alexei's tortuous past has changed him into someone she hardly knows. He blames Ria's family for his bitterness, and his help-when he offers it-comes with a price: he'll take his rightful place as King with Ria as his wife, until she produces a true-blood heir
A Throne For the Taking is published in the Royal and Ruthless miniseries in both Harlequin Presents and Mills & Boon Modern
Other up to date news and
details of all Kate’s books can be found on her web site and in her blog.
3 comments:
Fall is my favorite time of year, especially with Halloween coming up. I always look forward to the new tv season and curling up by the fire with a good book and a hot drink in my hand. Love the fall.
Lovely post, Kate. I love autumn, too. Reflective, slowing down. And I'm so glad you're having a wonderful time treating yourself to some great pleasures. I remember that when my parents died v. suddenly how the dh and I started doing things instead of putting them off and the theatre - opera in this instance - was high on the list. Have a fabulous year.
I'm loving the sound of all of your research.
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