I have been busy
planning a course ready for the
weekend. Every February I teach
the ‘Advanced
Romance Writing Course’ with Writers’ Holiday. It’s held in the middle of Wales, on the Pembrokeshire
Coast in the small town of Fishguard. The hotel we stay – and run the courses in –the Fishguard Bay Hotel is set
right above the bay itself so that we have a wonderful view of the sea,
the cliffs and occasionally the ferry that
comes in to dock from its crossing over the sea from
Ireland.
I love this place, the hotel, the people who run Writers’
Holiday and the students on the courses - it’s all very special and warm and happy.
Just what we need in the middle of dark, wet, miserable February. And we really need to feel that way because
every time, in the few days before we set out – days like today – when I look
out at the cold, wet, grey and gloomy day,
I wonder why I ever agree even to set foot outside my home, let alone
face a long, winding, rain lashed journey.
But once I’ve made the trip and I’m in my bedroom with its wonderful view of the sea,
I feel
so glad I made the effort – and happy at the thought of the time I’ll
spend with friends I already know and
the chance of making new ones over the weekend.
I think that’s why I appreciate the fact that this weekend is always held just around the time
when all the shops are filled with bunches of red roses,. Chocolate hearts and
teddy bears that they seem to think people want in order to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I’ve
never been a great fan of Valentine’s day.
It started out as a secret – and rather romantic way of letting someone know you loved them,. By sending
a card. Usually an anonymous one. Now
there are special Valentine’s dinners, wines, presents . . . I have to admit that I don’t go in for those
sorts of things.
But when I think about my trip to Wales and the way that everyone who meets up in Fishguard after they’ve gone to the trouble of making that extra effort, travelling that journey so we can all be together, then I sort of understand more about why we need something like Valentine’s Day in the dark, miserable days of February – which has to be one of the gloomiest months of the year. Christmas is behind us, New Year Resolutions are forgotten, Easter is still on the horizon . . .
But when I think about my trip to Wales and the way that everyone who meets up in Fishguard after they’ve gone to the trouble of making that extra effort, travelling that journey so we can all be together, then I sort of understand more about why we need something like Valentine’s Day in the dark, miserable days of February – which has to be one of the gloomiest months of the year. Christmas is behind us, New Year Resolutions are forgotten, Easter is still on the horizon . . .
Because isn’t that what Romance is all about? It’s not just about love and marriage and
happy ever after, at least not for me. It’s about my hero and heroine, making
that extra bit of effort, finding ways
to show each other that they care, that
they want to be together. Real romance
isn’t about picking up one of the hundreds and thousands of bunches of red
roses mass produced for the 14th
February. Or handing over a box of chocolates
that are piled high on the supermarket shelves. It’s about
finding a way to show the person you care about that you feel something
special for them – and you want them to know it.
So that’s really
why this
weekend away in Wales is all about the ‘Advanced’ Romance writing! That’s about finding something
special in your own writing and to put into the world of your hero and heroine to help them forward into that happy ever after. It’s
that that puts the ‘romance’ into their world, not the mass-market cards and
gifts. At least that’s how it is for me and that’s what I always hope to put
into my books to bring that extra romance into my readers’ lives.
Wherever you are, I hope your Valentine’s Day will be a
lovely and a special even for you. I hope that every one of you has someone
special who will find a
way to mark this day to brighten up dark and gloomy February - and hopefully the rest of the year.
My latest Harlequin Presents title was published last year - that was Indebted to Moreno. Since then I've had another book - my 66th title accepted and bought but I don't yet know its title or exactly when it will be out - but as soon as I have that information I'll share it with you.
What I can tell you is that this new title is the first book in a duet of linked stories that I have given the working title The Scandalous O'Sullivan Sisters. These two books tell the story of two sisters . The first book - the one that's just accepted is Imogen's st(the older sister) story,. The one I'm working on now is the younger sister's story - her name is Ciara.
If you want to most up to date news on my books and my writing, check out my web site or my blog. Or you can catch up with me on my Facebook page
Happy Valentine's Day to you all!
way to mark this day to brighten up dark and gloomy February - and hopefully the rest of the year.
My latest Harlequin Presents title was published last year - that was Indebted to Moreno. Since then I've had another book - my 66th title accepted and bought but I don't yet know its title or exactly when it will be out - but as soon as I have that information I'll share it with you.
What I can tell you is that this new title is the first book in a duet of linked stories that I have given the working title The Scandalous O'Sullivan Sisters. These two books tell the story of two sisters . The first book - the one that's just accepted is Imogen's st(the older sister) story,. The one I'm working on now is the younger sister's story - her name is Ciara.
If you want to most up to date news on my books and my writing, check out my web site or my blog. Or you can catch up with me on my Facebook page
Happy Valentine's Day to you all!
4 comments:
Wishing you and The Prof UK a happy Valentine's Day -- and a wonderful restorative time in Fishguard. It sounds lovely. See you soon1
sounds like a lovely place to teach a course
Happy Valentine's Day
denise
Thank you Anne - we're looking forward to the time in Fishguard - and then we're looking forward even more to your visit. Charlie and Ruby are full of anticipation too
See you soon!
It is a wonderful place to stay - and to teach - or study - on a course, Denise. Happy Valentine's Day to you too
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