Julia Williams - One Thing I've Learnt

Julia, aged 18

As a teenager, I was typically awkward and lacking in confidence. Wearing NHS specs, and being a girly swot didn’t help. My mother used to say: “You’re no better or worse then anyone else.” ie. Don’t waste time comparing yourself to others. It took me YEARS to see she was right.

But one day, while at university, I met an old school friend. I say friend. I had admired her from afar throughout my school days, assuming she would never be interested in me. To my astonishment I discovered that far from being in control and confident as I had fondly imagined, she had gone through the same wretched self hating process that I had.

Julia and her twin sister

It was then that I realised that it’s the same for everyone. No matter how old we are. No matter how we project ourselves: with confidence or without. We are all at heart that same scared unconfident teen. Discovering this was liberating, and gave me a confidence I’d hitherto lacked.

Julia and her best friends c 1982

Now I tell my girls when they stress about friends being prettier, cleverer, more popular, that it’s the same for them too.

I don’t expect they’ll believe me till they’re grown up, either.

www.juliawilliamsauthor.com

http://maniacmum.blogspot.com

The London Launch of Like Bees to Honey

Last night I ventured into North London for the London launch of Caroline Smailes's third book LIKE BEES TO HONEY and what a wonderful night it was. The Big Green Bookshop was packed and buzzing when I arrived with Bridid Coady. My quickly snapped photos don't even begin to capture the atmosphere -I have to say it was a bit like old home week in a very weird way. Why you ask? Well, yes, I knew a few of the people from elsewhere (Julia Williams and Brigid from the RNA for example and a wonderful group of Novel Racers past and present - Cathy W, Helen, Kev, Tali....) but I knew so many people from Twitter. There were a few squeals and oh my God going around all over the place as in flesh connections were made - it was brilliant. The only time silence descended on the room was when Caroline read beautifully from the book. (I have to say I always hear her voice when I read her words - the rhythm and tone of her voice is perfect for her words).

Below where possible I have identified people in the photos. (If I haven't named and shamed you and you'd like to be please let me know or if I have and I have missed you up or misspelled your name again please let me know!). It was simply a brilliant night...thank you Caroline and The Big Green Book Shop

The venue

A glimpse at the packed room

Julia Williams in conversation (she's in black and red)

Scott Pack, Julia Lampam and Brigid Coady

Caroline signing books

The hush during the reading

Caroline back signing again

Caroline and DJ Kirby

Moi and Caroline

Note the Maltese beer

Jen @ SpiralSkies

A group shot but in the centre Tamsyn Murray enjoying the beer with Josa Young beside her
Kev aka Captain Black

A group shot - man in hat, Lacy Tiger, MissCellany, Ben Johncock, pretty blond lady and the back of Nina Douglas

Caorline, Brigid Coady and Tamsyn Murray (who also have a luanch for her book this week - note the Stunt Bunny stickers :-) )

p.s. i have a feeling the tags will not match the photos when I press publish so apologies for that - they do right now!

Dongle Difficulties and the RNA's Awards Lunch

I have had terrible time trying to connect to the internet due to dongle difficulties and have been trapped (happily) in new flat waiting for deliveries. This morning I'm sitting a cafe with brilliant wifi!

The lunch was amazing.....truly amazing. I snapped away and most of the photos will go up on RNA Blog this weekend but here's a few for now.

(l to r Miranda Dickinson, Julia Williams and me)

Soundtracks or Music and Creativity

Back over a month ago I was having a chat with DS1's art teacher. He was suggesting that DS1 listen less to his ipod while working to allow the creativity to flow unhindered just for a bit. That led to an interesting discussion and one that was at the forefront of my thoughts.

I know several writers have clear sound tracks for their novels (click on the names for the link) - Julia Williams and Elizabeth Chadwick and I know Julie Cohen may not have a soundtrack as such but music plays a key part in writing for her.

Now I can't listen to music during the first draft unless it is classical music I am so familiar with that it soothes and in truth goes through me. It does not take an active part of my brain to interact with it. However I have discovered during this rewrite of August Rock that music has really hit me. I will hear a song and think -YES!! Whether it is the lyrics or the tone or the voice its self something has jumped out and said August Rock. So I know have a sound track for it which is growing. I find that listening to it helps me carve more definition in the story.

Now going back to the discussion with the art teacher and DS1, I mentioned this aspect - the carving-fine tuning and the teacher said that he could see that working and possibly being helpful at that stage. DS1 looked a bit sceptical but he was willing to give it a go - although I think it meant surgical removal of the ear buds!

Also playing into this is the comment that I made to DH after seeing the Watchmen the other night. I thought it was a brilliant soundtrack. The music truly enhanced the film for me. I can say the same of the soundtrack to Twilight which thanks to dd's fascination I have seen four or five times (The baseball scene with the Muse's Supermassive Black Hole is stunning). Are there any films that you feel the soundtrack has either killed the film or set it on fire?

For the curious the sound track for August Rock is:

Broken String - James Morrison and Nelly Furtado
Breakeven - The Script
Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
Gotta be Somebody - Nickelback
I'm With You - Avril Lavinge
Greatest Day - Take That

Do you have soundtracks for your work? Do you listen when you write?

The Lords' Taveners' Dinner

One of the delights of expat life can be the balls and charity galas. On Friday night I was lucky enough to attend The Lords' Taverners' Dinner at the Westin. The ballroom was filled with glamourous and the rest of us mere mortals! Chris Tarrant was the mc of sorts and really got wound up during the auction. The surprise item was the final one - not listed on the programme. The bidding went like wild fire for the first dance of the evening with Darren Gough. Now, I haven't been following Strictly Come Dancing here in Dubai so was a little late understanding why a dance with a crickter went for 9000 Dirhams (memo to self - get to Julia Williams' book - Strictly Love on the TBR pile!). What I hadn't was missed though was that it was a wonderful gentleman buying it for his wife, who wasn't even in the room. The look of surprise of her face was magic!

The evening was also graced with an outrageous performance by Rory Bremmner. Some times I just love being a expat!

P.S. I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would be pulling my mother's old fur from the closet to wear - but as pre-dinner champagne was on the terrace I was the only woman not freezing in their finery!

Soundtrack of My Life Meme

Over on Jen's blog http://www.spiralskies.com/ she pinched from A. Writer the for the soundtrack of your life meme. I approached this with hesitation as my ipod holds all the family's music - 2 teen boys, 1 eight year old girl and of course dh (here read Shania Twain). I wouldn't know if I would even know the music that could be thrown up..........something by Linkin Park or White Stripes. We play a game in the car on long drives........throw the ipod on shuffle and everyone getss three rejects and three defends............it makes for an interesting journey. How do you like your Disney? With Emimen? With Russian Monks?

However the process hit a cord with me as two writers I know seriously work with music when they are writing - Julia Williamsand Elizabeth Chadwick.

So without further ado..........

If Your Life Were a Movie…What Would the Soundtrack Be??

So, here’s how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that’s playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don’t lie and try to pretend you’re cool…because you’re not!
7. Stick the soundtrack on your mp3 player and listen away during the day.

Here goes:

Opening Credits: I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out of My Life - Natalie Cole

Waking Up: You're Beautiful – James Blunt (this made me laugh)

First Day at School: di Capua: i'Turin Vurrua Vara- Andrea Bocelli (Haven't a clue but it sounds beautiful)

Falling in Love: Sisters are Doing for Themselves - Eurythmics & Aretha Franklin (????)

Fight Song: Macarena - Los del Rio (now this is getting really bizarre)

Breaking Up: Missionary Man - Eurythmics (itunes was clearly having an Eurythmics fit)

Prom/Dance/Ball: De Curtio - No Ti Scorda Di Me - Three Tenors (?)

Life’s OK: Massenet - Three Tenors (must say it doesn't shuffle very well!)

Mental Breakdown: When Tomorrow Comes - Eurythmics again

Flashback: Buck's Nouvelle Jole blond - Buckwheat Zydeco (from sound track to the Big Easy in case you were wondering!)

Getting Back Together: Your Love is King - Will Young

Birth of Child: My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion

Wedding: O Come All Ye Faithful - Josh Grosban (now this is getting weird)
Final Battle: White Christmas - Frank Sinatra (clearly this film has its high points at Christmas!)

Funeral Song: CHeeseburger in Paradise - Jimmy Buffet (no comment)

End Credits: Seven Year - Norah Jones

Christmas Come Early

Sil arrive late on Thursday night and she brought with her my Amazon order!!!!

So where do I start? With Julie's One Night Stand? With Julia's Pasture's New? With Jan's Stage by Stage? With C.S.'s When God's Die? Or with Phillipa's Wish You Were Here?

I don't know but must be discipled and finish the Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox first.....which I am really enjoying but I have waited for these books for so long......

With sil here I may not get much reading or writing done but I used her as a sounding board last night for the changes in A Cornish House and she said to her they worked. DH who was listening said 'and this has a happy ending? How? It sounds more like a slash your wrist job.' It will have a happy ending because that is just me!

Yesterday which went to Friday (remember Friday is Sunday here) Brunch at the Al Muntaha restaurant (200 metres above sea level - the sticky out bit in the picture! ) in the Burj Al Arab. It was too die for........I skipped all the lovely salads, breads and things I could have anywhere and went straight for the lobster tails and prawns. Not that the lobsters were not Maine lobsters or even Cornish ones but they were fabulous and such a decadent treat as was the caviar (got used to this when living in Moscow). I then managed to fit in some prime rib before dd lead me to the puddings. Lets just say that one has to put all thoughts of diets aside and just enjoy. It was a buffet worth living for.....

(the colours in this photos are muted but in life think crayon box primary - red, blue, green!)

Romantic Novelist Association Award Lunch

Well, finally I am on line. It's strange how I was connected in the Maldives and yet couldn't connect in the New Cavendish Club! Having said that I think anything that I may have written yesterday would have been complete and utter gibberish. Between lack of sleep, jet lag, and far too much wine yesterday did pass in a haze.

Monday was my 3rd RNA award lunch and well it felt like a home coming as opposed to the fear and trembling that gripped me the first time. My day began at Jenny Haddon's house and where I laughed till I nearly cried with her and Anne Ashurst (aka Sara Craven). Once in me finery - such as it was- we set off for the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington. The first familair face was that of Janet Gover who is the lucky friend that just signed the contract with Little Black Dress. (pictured l-r Liz Baily, Janet Gover and Susie Vereker)

Then I bumped into friends who were up for the Romance Prize - Julie Cohen and Fiona Harper with Kate Hardy (who won!!!) and the lovely Anna Lucia. (l-r Anna Lucia, Kate Hardy, Janet Gover and Julie Cohen)

Events on this scale don't take place without huge effort on many people's part and here are two - Jane Gordon Cummings and Jan Jones. Catherine Jones (aka Kate Lace), the chairwoman, did a fantastic job thanking all those involved.

So the drinks reception allowed me to catch up with fellow Novel Racer while she was chatting with Katie Fforde. We tried to persuade Katie to join but she was too afraid she couldn't keep up!

I glanced at the seeting arrangement and was delighted to see that I was sitting with the lovely blog friend Ray Anne, editor Gillian Green from Ebury, Bex Leith, reader/reviewer Lizzie Roach,Henri Gyland, Jan Sprenger, and the big surprize was a distant relation by marriage the elegant Una Mary Parker. (pictured l-r Pia Tapper-Fenton, Gillian Green and Ray-Anne Lutener)

Trisha Ashley did a wonderful presentation of the romance award which the lovely Kate Hardy won and then Helen Lederer (pictured here with l-r Anne Ashurst, Helen and Evelyn Ryle) had us all in stiches with her chat before presenting the Romantic Novel of the Year Award which went to Freya North for Pillow Talk. Freya's speach was wonderful and brought a tear to my eyes as she dedicated the award to a friend who had died of cancer and she was donating her prize to a cancer charity.

(pictured Lizzie Roach and Freya North)

After a final word by Diane Pearson, the President of the RNA, we emerged for another drink in the reception area where I caught up with the lovely Judy Astley. The crowd moved to the Goat across the road which finally gave a me chance to a decent chat with Julia Williams and moan about not being to get my hands on a copy of her book. In fact I am leaving London very frustrated today as thus far I have not been able to put my paws on Julie Cohen's latest One Night Stand, Julia Williams' Pastures New and Jan Jones' Stage by Stage. I think I will have to do a massive Amazon order that my sil will have to bring out to Dubai with her in March. (picutred below Julia Williams and Kate Hardy)

The pub also brought a chance to catch with with Biddy as she flew in after work to join us and was kind about our obvious intoxicated state.

The evening wound down in a wonderful restaurant in Kensington Church Street with Katie Fforde, Jan Jones and the suprememly kind Nick Robinson of Transworld.

I have to say it was well worth the treck to come. I connected not only with friends but editors again which makes it much easier to approach them later. I think the thing that stays with me most is the friendship generousity of of my fellow writers.

Romantic Novelist Association - Romantic Novel of the Year Shortlist Has Arrived

Well, I was sad not so see Rowan Coleman's name one the shortlist but the list is good and very varied. The link is here http://www.rna-uk.org/index.php?page=awardlist&id=10&type=shortlist. I have to say the book that appeals to me most is One Last Summer by Catrin Collier (Orion) . The synopsis:-

“Allenstein, East Prussia, 1939 – Charlotte von Datski’s parents hold a glittering ball to celebrate her 18th birthday and to announce her engagement to a Prussian count. Meanwhile, Hitler is ready to plunge the world into war, one that will wipe East Prussia from the face of the map. Charlotte is eventually forced to leave her beloved homeland and by 1946 finds herself in London with her young son, struggling to adapt to a new country and a new way of life. The secret of Charlotte’s life is revealed when a book entitled One Last Summer is smuggled out of a Russian prison camp and tells of an affair between a Russian POW and a Prussian aristocrat. It becomes an instant international bestseller. Years later, Charlotte’s granddaughter Emma comes across material relating to these events and she and her grandmother embark on a journey into Charlotte’s past. Charlotte finally faces the demons that have haunted her for over half a century and recalls the one great love of her life. A moving and turbulent novel unlike anything Catrin Collier has written before, but with her trademark storytelling skill and her ability to portray characters with depth and sympathy.” (The novel is based on the life of Catrin’s mother and grandmother).

The other five are intriguing too but the best best thing is that I will be there to see whoever wins pick up their award. Yes, I am flying back for it. I have promised the DH that is not just a knees up with the girls, it is serious networking. Hell last year I met the most powerful woman in British Publishing, Amanda Ross of course I didn't realize who I was chatting to at the time....

Again, I find myself in the position of apologising for being a bad blogger. Dh is now on gardening leave and my parents seem to be stranded here in rainy Dubai. Yes, very rainy Dubai. My parents are longing to get back to Sunny FL but they are on standby and with George Bush's visit here yesterday it didn't seem a good idea to venture to airport last night. It might have been chaos.

I have been meaning to write about my delight at Heathrow terminal 3 as we left the UK. I wandered through Borders and found Patricia Wood's Lottery smothering the front tables in the store where I also found Lucie Whitehouse's The House at Midnight. It was so exciting as I almost felt as if they were my own books on display. I have followed Patricia's blog regularly and many of you know that back when Lucie was wearing her agent hat she gave me some of the best advice I have received in this writing lark.

I was also able to pick up Rowan Coleman's The Baby Club - so all in all I was well pleased with Borders except that they didn't have Julia Williams' Pastures New. However all is not lost as I will be back briefly in the UK. Did I mention that already?

Now finally on to my won writing........none, zip, zilch but I do plan to start today. I will keep you posted.

So much news has happened in the last few days.....all of the good kind. Julia Williams (first time round Novel Racer Jane Henry) is launching her first book here . Go celebrate!!!

My dh has finally updated his web site with more photos! He's really the creative one in the family. His site is here http://www.fotofenwick.com/ .

On the home front I can report the tree is up, the lights are up, the pudding is made, the cake is made, the pressies are wrapped and I have just discovered I am not cooking Christmas dinner this year!!!!

Oh and while I was fighting my way through Asda for more Christmas lights I fell upon the books shelves and found a little pressie for moi - Michelle Styles' A Christmas Wedding Wager (it's part of a two book collection Christmas by Candlelight). I cursed Michelle as she kept me awake last night........my eyes finally gave in but I was only half way through. Now as I have done most of my tasks maybe today i can sit by the fire and read????

My big bonus of the week aside from having two more family members in the house is I'm having coffee with fellow Novel Racer Flowerpot on Friday!!!!

RNA Conference Part 8 and Award

First the lovely JJ had awarded me and Helen with the Inspiration Blogger Award for as she says 'because they both get on with the job (writing) without all the fannying around'. I am very touched. Now for my five nominations .......
1. I nominate Nicola for The Courageous Blogger Award; a while ago she bravely told her story and her strength has remained with me.
2. I nominate Therese Fowler for The Inspirational Blogger Award because she writes and shares what she had learned on the road to publication.
3. I nominated Amanda Grange http://www.historicalromanceuk.blogspot.com/ for The Thoughtful Blogger Award for all the help she has given to other writers to set up and make their blogs work.
4. I nominated Maht at The Moon Topples for The Creative Blogger Award because his blog is full with images and is so innovative.
5. And the last nomination goes to Caroline at In Search of Adam for The Thoughtful Blogger Award for her lovely comments she always leaves.

Now those nominated should pop over to here to receive their awards and find out what to do.



The next session of the RNA Conference 'Three Ways Into Print - Newly Published Panel'. Julia Williams(novel racer - Jane Henry) who book is due out this autumn by Avon, Jean Fullertonwhose book came out with Triskelion, and Natalie Rivers with Harlequin/Mills & Boon. The wonderful Katie Fforde chaired the session and each of the authors spoke of their journey into print.



Julia began by saying don't give up as it has taken her nine years to reach this point and she began as an editor! She reminded us that nothing is ever wasted on the journey and what doesn't work for one book may well work for another. Finally she said you need that all important dash of fairy dust to get you on your way.

Natalie's route started early and when she was so close she packed it all in. It was only many years later that she picked up again and reached her goal.

Jean's route has been hit by her publisher going bankrupt but she won the Harry Bowling Award last year and had just signed with an agent so things were looking up. he left us with a powerful image regarding editing your work. Remember that when you cut back the hedges you then see the weeds underneath!