It’s been one of those rather special weeks. A week when I have enjoyed the unexpected,
sideline
joys of being a writer.
When I first started writing, all I focussed on was the hope
of getting published. I wanted
a publisher to buy my story, put it into
book form and put it out on the shelves in the bookshops. I remember I said to the Senior Editor I met
on my very first trip to London to meet someone from the Mills and Boon
Editorial team, ‘I just want to see my name on a book and I’ll be happy.’
Of course there’s more to it than that. When you hope to be published you also hope
that people will read your stories. You
hope that people – lots of people! – will buy
your book and read it, and enjoy it and buy the next one. . .
You hope for readers out there in the world. But I have to admit that I never got to
thinking about those readers - and other
writers - and that they might become
friends and maybe even part of my life.
I also never thought, back in those early days, when The
Chalk Line was first published, that I’d get to know other writers, or that
the internet, email, Facebook, Skype etc would make the world seem so much
smaller and people so much closer and
communication so much easier.
This was bought home to me in the first couple of weeks of
March as it seemed that every day brought another connection, another
communication, with a friend I had
made as a result of being a writer.
Someone I would never have met up with, or even communicated with if it hadn’t been for this unique job I
have.
March has the birthdays of a couple of friends – Irish author, Abby Green has her special day on March 3rd ,
and then Tote Bags ‘N’ Blogs own Lee
has her birthday a day later – on the 4th. Next up was a special visit from a dear friend
from ‘across the pond’ as AnneMcAllister was always described in the past when my cat Sid and she were great friends. This time
Anne came to stay for a few days while she’s in England researching a new book in
a quartet for Tule that she’s
writing.
Sadly, Sid the Cat is no longer with us but she had two new felines to
get to know – Ruby the black and white rescue cat is always friendly and
welcoming, but unexpectedly Charlie the Maine Coon, who is usually rather
stand-offish – decided to become her best friend. This can be a double-edged privilege
as Charlie is a very large cat - and when he decides to sit on your knee . .
.well, look at the photo of him and Anne
together!
Another friend this
week let me know that she is embarking on a big adventure later in the year.
Rachael Thomas, who was once one of my students at the Writers’ Holiday Fishguard course and is now
multi-published in her own right, has signed up to walk the great wall of China
forcharity. Go for it Rachael – I’m so
happy to support her in this.
And talking of courses, I have another one coming up in
Cirencester in April – and then a get together
for my birthday in May with some one of the students who have become ‘regulars’
on my courses and are affectionately known as Walkers Stalkers. When I first started writing, I
never even dreamed of doing any teaching but now I meet up with ‘stalkers’ regularly - and
their company is another joy I never expected to receive as a result of
my writing.
Then there are so many people, more widely flung, sometimes
known, sometimes never ever met in any way - the hundreds, thousands of readers who have bought
and enjoyed my books so that I can
continue to write more for your enjoyment. I have had a lot of emails since the
publication of Indebted to Moreno and
recently one of these was a reader who has been in touch with me since way back
when. 15 years or more I think. I love it when readers get in touch with me –
and just lately people have been asking
just when my next book is coming up. So
I’m happy to be able to say that this
new story – current working title is Claimed by The Corsican – will be out in
February 2018/ I know, it’s a
long time to wait, but in the meantime I have to
get on with and complete the second part of the duet. These two linked books I’ve
called The Scandalous O’Sullivan Sisters
- the first one is Imogen’s story
and now I’m at work on her sister, Ciara’s
romance. I need to get it finished so that they can come out close together.
So while I’m thinking about all these wonderful friends and
readers I’ve gained as a result of being a writer – I just wanted to say a great big thank you to all my friends and
readers out there, wherever you are in the world. I value you all and appreciate your support and the lovely emails you send me. After all, that’s why a writer writes- to be read and the sales of the books means I
can keep going, write some more romances – so I couldn’t do it without you!
Thank you to all my friends and my readers (and Student Stalkers!) Wherever you are, I’m so
glad you’re there.
3 comments:
Thank you!
denise
Thank YOU Denise!
Hi admin
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