Shopping and Writing on a Cold Day

After several balmy days snow is forecast in the north of the British Isles. Elsewhere there might be frost overnight and in the west I think there might be strong winds and rain.


Instead of working in my organic garden I did the week's shopping after the hours in the morning which I set aside every day to write.


I have to compose a letter, that will include the single sentence premise to the publisher re: Monday's Child, my most recent traditional Regency Romance. In case anyone is wishes to know what my definition means it is that as a rule I don't open the bedroom door wide in my novels.


I also have to write the 'dreaded' synopsis. Then the happy day when I can submit the novel will arrive. Hopefully, by the 15th of March.


Next week I am giving a talk on editing at the writers' group which, more often than not, I attend on Monday evenings. This evening I shall read an extract from my novel set in the reign of Edward II. It is the first of a trilogy that I began ages ago, which I have worked on intermittently in between writing other novels.

Traditional Historical Regency, Monday's Child

The final revision of my traditional Regency novel, Monday's Child, the follow on novel from Sunday's Child is taking longer than I anticipated. I have revised 100 pages out of 292. If I work hard I should finish the revision by the end of the week.

Happy Novelist. Happy Granson.

I was so bored with editing my work in progress Monday's Child a traditional Regency novel that I wondered if I ever want to write another one. Of, course, even as the thought crossed my mind I knew that I do. Today I received the boost I need. At school my 13 year-old grandson's teacher said that she enjoys historical romance. My grandson told her that I write traditional historical romances and my www. address. She visited it and, according to my grandson, was almost glued to it, and she also looked at my reviews on Amazon and played one of my book trailers. According to my grandson she loved it. Hopefully, she will read all my books.

Testament of Youth etc

Apart from being very busy with the pre-edits for Monday's Child, I've been out and about more than usual. I intended a dinner held in honour of my sister-in-law, whose mother died recently. In spite of the sad occasion I enjoyed meeting many members of her family and my late husband's family, some of whom I had not seen for years. However, I sympathise with her. She said the house seems empty without her mum. I know how she feels, I think of my mother every day and miss her.




I've been busy hanging framed photos of the grandchildren on one of the walls above the staircase. Last time the hall was decorated all the picture hooks were removed. It then seemed such a big job to replace them so I've been putting them up a few at a time.




Apart from this, I have been livening up the house with potted foliage. I love flowers but the ones in pots are over so quickly but I hope the money plant and others will survive for a long time. Today I bought a four foot tall plant with the stems plaited together with fresh foliage at the top. Even on sale it was expensive and so was the ceramic pot I chose. The problem is that now it is in the living room I'm not sure where it looks best.




On Sunday I went to see Testament of Youth based on Vera Britain's autobiography. It's years since I read the book so I can't remember if the script takes liberties but I can say I think the film is excellent. I shall buy the dvd when it is available.




Time to have something to eat and then get on with a few 'writerly' matters.

Pre-editing

I am now examining my use of that in my new novel Monday's Child. Frequently the word is superfluous, a sentence needs to be rewritten or which is more stylish. Anyway, I find pre-editing boring but necessary.

Research - Minor Detail

I can hardly believe how long it took me this morning to choose a regiment which a minor character in Monday's Child, a traditional Regency novel, joined. It must have taken me over half an hour to check non fiction books, on line and photo copies. However, it is worthwhile because I want to get all the details right.

Monday's Child Epilogue

This morning, I finished writing Chapter Thirty-One of Monday's Child, a traditional historical novel set in the Regency era. It is a stand alone novel in which some of the characters from my published novel, Sunday's Child, take part.


I spent the rest of the day considering the book and realised that all I have left to write is an Epilogue.


By the end of the next week I will have finished Monday's Child and can then begin revising and editing it.