NEW BOOK AND BONNIE’S LATEST NEWS…

by | Feb 28, 2015 | Uncategorized |

The past week has been dominated by last minute proof readings and checks for my latest book, a ‘novella’ or shorter novel.

‘Dear Mr DJ’ spans the mid 1970s to the present day, and the main character is Debbie McKay, a recently widowed 50-something with a teenage daughter.

Debbie now lives in Truro after fleeing her Midlands home back in 1975. She is also harbouring a big secret from her teenage days and her life is thrown into turmoil when she decides to contact her first boyfriend, who she calls ‘Mr DJ.’

There are themes of teenage pregnancy, adoption, reunion, betrayal and finding love later in life.

The novella will ultimately be published as a 3-parter and I got this series idea after attending a course on drama ‘story lining’ – essentially plotting –  at the National Film and Television School. It was run by a leading story liner who has worked for Coronation Street and other major TV dramas.

Writing a serial book means plotting just like a continuing drama, although I still haven’t made my mind up how it will all end.

My first novel was set in Bermuda, where I was living at the time and now I’m here in Cornwall, it seemed apt to set the latest book in this beautiful county.

‘Dear Mr DJ’ is available now on Amazon in both Kindle form and as a paperback.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00U2X77AQ

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U2X77AQ

Meanwhile, Bonnie the very Cornish cockapoo has been casting her eyes over the fabulously purple and 1970s disco themed cover, designed by Spencer Smart. By the look of things, I think she approves!

So over to Bonnie for her latest take on things….

‘Hiya folks,

Just been checking out my rent Maggie’s latest book cover.

Shame I can’t grab hold of that big glittery ball at the back – I’m well liking the look of it.

And check out my very latest hair cut. This time it took three hours and Pip, my groomer, took a photo of the big pile of fur lying on the floor.

I’m feeling a lot cooler now with all that weight off my back but It’s already starting to re-grow and I’ll soon be a more rounded furrier Bonnie again.

At least all those matty bits have gone and it looks like I’ll be having more regular trims to make sure they don’t come back.

On the plus side, the rents have stopped calling me ‘Knotty Nora’ and comparing me to that Boris Johnson chappy.

Honestly, the things we poor mutts have to put up with.

Woof and out….’

DSCN1680

DEADLINES AND DOGGY HAIR CUT

by | Feb 6, 2015 | Uncategorized |

I’ve always had work that involves deadlines.

Whether it is writing for newspapers and magazines, or working on television programmes, every project has an all important deadline to be met.

The good thing is that it keeps you focussed and I’ve carried the discipline over to my book publications.

This time it is self imposed rather than being dictated by someone else but hey – a deadline is a deadline, even if it’s yourself cracking the whip. Ouch.

So February is going to be a big month of deadlines leading up to the publication of the first of my three part novella series.

‘Dear Mr DJ’ will be published on February 28 and the cover has already been designed by Spencer Smart. It looks great and as the story alternates been 1975 and the present day, there are some nice retro images.

Meanwhile, I’m already 10,000 words into the follow-up novella, ‘Decisions and Dilemmas’ – given that it is a book series, it is important that readers are not left hanging around too long for the sequel to ‘Dear Mr DJ’. No slacking then.

Add to this the publicity and a tie-in promotion in the run up to the publication date…well you get the picture.

Deep breaths as they say.

So watch this space and here’s a sneak preview of the cover.

newfront

Now over to Bonnie the very Cornish cockapoo…

‘Hi ya folks,

Just had my coat trimmed – a really big cut this time.

My rents have been nick-naming me ‘Knotty Nora’, complaining that my baby fur has got all matted. Doh – as if I hadn’t already picked up on that one.

Anyway, Pip and her new grooming assistant at ‘Just Pet Care’, did a grand job on my coat, Can you believe it took two whole hours?!

The rents sloped off leaving me to it, but I was a good girly considering the pile of fur left on the floor.

I’m back for another cut next week and something tells me I’ll be feeling a bit colder until it all grows back.

A bonus is that I can now see better – nothing gets past me on walks and I can spot a stick or smelly bunch of seaweed from a few paces.

Yeh, even doggy haircuts have an upside!

Woof and out…’