Has someone stolen time or something? This last month seems to have flown over! I know I’ve had bits and bobs to do but it feels like I blinked and missed it!
I’ve had a couple of signings to do which have been fantastic – the response at Sunderland Waterstones (With Deadly Intent is set in Sunderland) was amazing! And I know they’ve ordered more books since which is fab – Darlington Waterstones was great too – it was a quiet day in town and still people popped in! I’m signing today at Waterstones Northallerton and then on 4th June at Waterstones Metro Centre (Gateshead) – so exciting having people buy my book and it’s been getting fantastic reviews! I’m so grateful for that – it makes me very happy knowing people are enjoying it.
I think I mentioned in the last blog that I’ve signed a 3 book deal with another publisher, Bloodhound Books. I’ve had a few people ask me why and just to clarify, it’s not because of any issues with Caffeine Nights who published With Deadly Intent – they’re fab and did a great job on book 1. It was simply a case of weighing up the options and ultimately ended up that the offer was too good to pass up.
I have some fab news too – you may or may not know that I’ve been struggling a little with the ending for book 4 – it just wouldn’t flow, everything I wrote was clunky, I couldn’t get it to say what I wanted it to etc. It almost got to the point where I gave up completely and just figured it might be time to bin it. But I decided instead to put it to bed for a while instead. I’m not going to look at it for a couple of months and hopefully when I reread it the ending will appear and it’ll be done in no time. This has meant however, that I’ve now started book 5!! Which may end up being book 4 in the series but still, I started it!! I wrote 3500 words over 2 days – and then another 1200 while I was away with mum earlier this week – and then my hard drive decided to corrupt the file containing the first 3500 words and I lost it! So I now have to rewrite! Lol. But I started it – and I already love the characters and what’s been covered so far. It’s going to be filled with action this one!
I had a lovely short break away with mum earlier this week – a couple of nights in a nice hotel with a spa – the only thing I’d have changed was that it could have been longer. But she’s now disappeared on holiday to Turkey so it couldn’t have been anyway! Me and Pete are looking after the two pups and mums bichon, Alfie. It’s all go with two pups like!
I get the next book back soon from the editor – I really hope you guys like this one. I love all my characters but there’s something about Ben that pulls at my soul. She’s amazing – and don’t worry, you’ll find out why she’s called Ben when you read it! I know it’s an odd name for a female character. I’ve got the cover design now but can’t show you yet – as soon as I can though I will! It’s fab and creepy.
I’ve been suffering a bit with my autoimmune disease of late – the fatigue has been horrendous for ages, and though the pain is much less than it was this time last year thanks to my meds, it’s still there every day. I’ve finally sorted out a slight drop in my hours at work – am hoping this will bring back a little normalcy and lessen the symptoms a bit. Hasn’t stopped me smiling though – this last month has been full of meeting new people, my first ever online chat at UK Crime Book Club on Facebook – I’ve another chat booked for Crime Book Club on Facebook in June too. It’s been a brill month! I’m so lucky to be able to write, and interact with all you lovely folk. I honestly count my blessings every day – it amazes me how amazing people are. Yes you see some scumbags and nasty folk – but mostly people are fantastic. And you guys – as well as my close friends and family – are the most fantastic of all. Never give up on your dreams my friends – believe in yourselves. And as always, keep smiling. Xx
