Routine

I know how what my problem is.......my routine is out the window and therefore nothing is getting done or not at least the things that I want. Not that I am complaining about a week in Rome but it breaks routine big time. Rome was fabulous. I spent much of my time wandering the back streets inhaling expresso and absorbing the essence of the churches. One warm day just before noon I slipped into a small bascillica for cool peaceful reflection. Being a well raised and true Irish Catholic I knelt to say my prayers and make my three wishes (each time you enter a new church) when I was transported to another world. The organ above began playing the most sublime baroque music. I looked at the the vast paintings of the agony and extacy of the the lives of the staints and inhaled the scent of candle wax and was truly in a place where three senses met and blended to such an extent that thinking about it still brings me out in chills. I have always loved churches and enjoyed the blending of architecture and art to acheive a place that brings you closer to the divine. Music too has always had a way of reaching places inside. Smell is the sense that can invoke the strongest reaction. I have never put all three together and have them work something that left me breathless as the chords of the music spiralled up to the vaulted dome I was literally swept away..............

Enough of the glories of Rome and back to the reality of the writing life. I had optimistically brought the lap top thinking I would work on A Cornish House for at least an hour a day - hah more fool me. Who was I to even think I could work when Rome bathed in sunshine beckoned. So now back to Dubai I am struggling to get back into routine knowing I am winding up here for for the summer in Cornwall. So yet again routine goes out the window. Hopefully the old subconcious has been working while I wasn't.

Rome did bring three new books. The first was Pandora's Box by Giselle Green. This book was amazing. It takes a heart wrenching situation and treats it with such love, humour and lack of melodrama. All I can say say is five out of five - read it. The while idling away time on my own in cafes in Rome I read Wish You Were Here by Philippa Ashley. The perfect holiday read which kept me away from ogling the Italian men - 'nough said there. Finally on the return flight which was a bit conveluted due to over booking I read and unfortunately could not put down (over night flight - no sleep) The Bride Hunter by Amy Appleton. This story told in first person juggles many characters and I cared about each and everyone of them. It was a superb example in page turning writing told with heart and humour.

This bring me to a superb link here. Way to go Joanna Trollope - I love the term wit lit and I think Melissa Nathan has left a wonderful legacy with her prize for comedy romance. So here's to finally people acknowledging that women's fiction is good in fact better than good!