by Maggie Fogarty | May 1, 2017 | Uncategorized |
Hey – it’s little ol’ me again, Bonnie the dog blogger.
Just got back from a great break away with my rents – we stayed in a cottage right up in the Malvern Hills, so lots of great walkies and pub visits. (You guys know how much I love a good long stroll followed by a drop into a pub). Let’s face it, the two go together like – er – chicken and kibble or Tui my Havanese friend and me.
Saw lots of peeps and met a few new pals too. You’re never short of a friend when you’re out with a cute dog like me. That’s what my rents say anyway, so I’ll take the compliment thank you.
Now it’s back to work and there’s lots of stuff for me to do around rent Maggie’s books. With the three novellas all done and dusted, it’s full speed ahead so watch out for me with my ‘marketing mutt’ hat on.
Trust me, by the time we’re finished I’ll be even more of a celebrity than I am now!
Anyway, here’s a piccy of yours truly sizing up the job.
Look good don’t I? Next week there’s a proper photo shoot lined up with beautiful Cornish back-drops. Yes, sun, beach, Bonnie and (must not forget!) books. Never mind whether you are summer body ready yet. The real question is, are you holiday book ready? Just sayin…
That’s it for now folks and keep an eye out for those great snaps. When you spot them, let me know what you think because this gal just loves a bit of feedback.
Woof and out….
by Maggie Fogarty | Mar 31, 2017 | Uncategorized |
‘Hey – bet you thought you weren’t going to hear from blogger Bonnie again. How wrong were you?
Things have been a bit busy in my world, so I’ve got my excuse in early!
First, the rents headed off on a trip to London, staying at some amazing river side apartment belonging to friends. I’ve seen the photos and trust me the views are to die for. Take a look below, to give you an idea. That’s the Millenium bridge to the right and the Tate Modern straight ahead. Not bad eh?
Me? I stayed in Cornwall with my lovely minder, cos I’m not much of a city girl. The rents drove all the way down – the apartment has its own underground parking – and lets face it, a five hour journey doesn’t suit little ol’ me.
Nah, give me the beach and sea air anytime. The folks were laughing because a London restaurant they visited had a Cornish themed menu! Fish, cheese, the lot – yes, my little bit of the world was right there on the foodie map. If they’d stayed put, they would have got things much fresher. Just sayin…
Now for my main blogger job this month. My rent Maggie has told me that I’ve got to say something about her latest book, a thing called a ‘novella’, which is available today and you can get it on Amazon either in Kindle form or as a paperback. It’s called ‘Backwards and Forwards’ and it will be the last one for a while, so I’m told. I like the pink cover – check it out below – but think she’s missed a trick by not putting yours truly on the front.
I mean, us mutts are a great draw aren’t we? If you think I’m joking, try going out for a walk or a visit to the pub with mini me. Someone said recently, that I get treated like a rock star whatever that is. Hell, I love all that attention and what girl wouldn’t?
Apparently, I’m going to be in some of the publicity photos for the book so I’ll have to look my doggy best, smiling for the camera. I don’t mind as long as I get a decent wage, (biscuit currency will be fine), along with walks in some of those scenic locations. If there’s a pub visit involved as well, all the better.
On the suject of fab scenery, now that the weather has improved, there’s talk about trying some of the walks in a friend’s latest publication – she’s called Sue Kittow and her book is ‘Walks In The Footsteps Of Winston Graham’s Poldark’ www.sigmapress.co.uk. Grab hold of a copy if you are coming down to Cornwall and fancy some good old fashioned outdoor exploring on two or four legs. I’ll keep you posted on how we get on.
Well that’s me done for now, I like to keep things short and sweet. Check out the new novella and watch out for the tie-in publicity – did I mention I’d be taking part? Whoops, a repeat bit of information, ahem, ‘accidentally’ slipped in.
Woof and out…’
by Maggie Fogarty | Feb 12, 2017 | Uncategorized |
Hiya folks,
If you’ve been reading this blog spot, I’m usually the little ‘footnote’ – the bit that comes after my rent Maggie’s piece.
Not any more though! From now on, Bonnie’s the star of the show and about time too if you don’t mind me saying so. (Tough if you do).
Anyway, for those of you not already in the know, here’s a bit about little ol’ me, the west country cockapoo with attitude…..
First off, I’m not really that old – just three at the end of next month – and I’m a Cornish gal through and through. (Born in St Austell).
I now live with my rents in Marazion – just across the road from an awesome beach and St Michael’s Mount – and I’ve got loads of local doggy friends including my bestie, a handsome Havanese called Tui. More about him later.
When the rents Maggie and Paul are away, (how they can even bear to leave me is still a mystery!), I stay with my lovely minder, Leda. over at nearby Praa Sands. There’s another beach to die for and even more doggy pals to run around with. Leda teaches me tricks and it’s like a holiday when I stay there – a deep memory foam mattress in my overnight crate and a new comfy bean bag to lounge about in. Of course I miss the rents – I have to say that don’t I?- but Leda’s place is something else, a real home from home.
Once a week I go visiting a care home as a ‘Pets As Therapy’ dog and it’s great seeing everyone there. I always get loads of treats and pats and I’m told that I make everyone smile, which is no bad thing to do in life.
What else should you know about me? My favourite snack is ‘a Smart Bone’, especially the beef flavoured ones, and I love a bit of roast Lamb if the rents have it on the menu. Just saying.
I’ve also featured in a Calendar with me posing outside my favourite Cornish dog friendly pubs. Some people have already asked for a copy of it for their holiday guests, so I think I’ll be pushing the rents for royalties. (Actually I’ll settle for a few extra Smart Bones as an early negotiation tactic).
Tui, the handsome Havanese, is my ‘boyfriend’ but I only see him from time to time because he’s taking a while to recuperate from a back injury. Still, absence makes the heart grow fonder don’t you think? Roll on summer when we can hit the beach and share that specially made doggy ice cream he introduced me to.
My favourite room in the house is the new conservatory which I’ve named ‘Bonnie’s Crib’. Not far to run out into the garden but nice and cosy when it’s wet and windy outside. Rumour has it that I’ll be having a birthday party in there soon – I suppose you could call that ‘fake news’ but I’m putting it out there anyway and we’ll see what happens.
Well, that’s about it for now folks apart from some necessary pics of me, the newly appointed dog blogger. Can you believe it? Just writing that makes me blush. (Like hell it does – I just love my new opportunity to ‘paws’ for thought and write it all down).
Woof and out….’
by Maggie Fogarty | Jan 2, 2017 | Uncategorized |
Are you one of those people who gets excited by the arrival of a New Year? Me too, despite the uncertainties and horrors that haunt the world stage.
Let’s face it, most people are fundamentally good even though the bad ones usually punch well above their weight – often literally.
So here’s to 2017, whatever it brings.
It’s also time to hand things over to Bonnie dog with the launch of her very own ‘dog blog’. (Of course, she’ll be giving snippets of news about her ‘rents’ from time to time).
Bonnie’s already quite a star in her own patch of west Cornwall – she’s been out with me on TV film sets, is a Pets As Therapy (PAT) visiting dog, has been mentioned in a BBC Radio interview, has been a charity collection magnet at our local supermarket and has her own ‘Bonnie’s Favourite Cornish Pubs’ Calendar. There’s even been a request for one to be made available to local visitors so they can see what dog friendly pubs she recommends!
So from now on, she’ll also be a lone blog star! Move over Maggie and make way for….drumroll….Bonnie the Very Cornish Cockapoo!
But before the mutt takes over completely, a few final thoughts. I’m currently coming to the end of the third novella in the Dilemma Novella triology – the one where the ongoing family dilemma saga comes to a conclusion. It will then be sent out to test readers for their reactions and published in March. A wee bit later than planned but it has to be right, with all those loose ends tied up good and proper.
I wasn’t entirely sure how the story would pan out but it has taken on a life of its own and endings are always the hardest to get right.
Writing a ‘serial novel’ has been a steep learning curve and I’m grateful for a story lining course I did a few years ago at the National Film and Television School, with Yvonne Grace who has worked on Coronation Street and other top dramas. Her advice on serial story telling was insightful and inspirational.
Once this latest book is out, the novel writing will be put on indefinite hold for a while. After writing a book a year since 2012 – including a number of short stories – on top of other work, it’s now time to focus on marketing and getting the books to a bigger readership. On that front there could be some exciting news in 2017 but that’s all I’m saying for now!
Unlike television production which is a team effort, writing can be quite lonely so it’s been great to get feedback from readers and book clubs. Another very successful novelist told me recently that she always cherishes those early book reviews – the ones she got before things really took off – and the fantastic support she received from other writers.
It’s amazing how people will line up to give congratulations once they sniff success by way of accolades and sales. As my author friend said, it’s the people who’ve supported you on the rocky road up that really deserve appreciation. Too true and that goes for all aspects of life .
Now for Bonnie’s big announcement – in her own words…
Hiya folks,
Well, well. I was gob smacked to hear that this space will now be handed over to little ol’ me.
I mean, who’d have thought it? Me the doggy blogger, with her own space to rant and rave. Yeah!
Now I’ve gotta think of things to write for my followers. That’s gonna be the hard bit but I’m sure I’ll cope.
Still basking in the glow of my Calendar, I’ve started to get a bit of interest from outside the friends and family. My handsome Havenese beau Tui can now look at me every day and see what’s he’s missing. Actually, he’s recovering well from his back injury and we’ve even had a few play dates recently.
Still, I’m playing hard to get because there are another few potential suitors lurking around. (Not naming names Tui – but you just might know some of them!)
Anyway, time to get the thinking cap on for future blogs. While the rents are off on holiday later this month, I’ll be staying with my lovely minder Leda over in Praa Sands. I’m sure I’ll get inspiration there and I’ll be raring to go by the time you hear from me again.
Woof and out for now…’
by Maggie Fogarty | Oct 9, 2016 | Uncategorized |
There’s been a bit of a gap between the last blog and this one. Blame the building work, visitors and writing deadlines. A feeble excuse I know, but life really has been extra busy recently.
Take the builders. They’ve been a great bunch and have done a fantastic job. Like anything in life, a good job takes time and for the best part of two months, various workers have been doing their bit to build our new Conservatory. As someone quipped the other day, a Conservatory is basically an extension – with a bit more glass – and I have to admit that a lot of skilled work goes into the construction. It’s all been worth it though and we now have an extra sitting room with a pleasant job of choosing the furniture.
Bonnie dog has already made herself at home on the new rug and once the inside decor is finished, we’re going to have a ‘grand opening’ – with Champagne and cutting of a ribbon! Think we deserve a celebration which of course will include the guys who did all the hard work.
Despite the temporary chaos, we’ve welcomed several visitors, including a former work colleague who I hadn’t seen for over twenty five years. It’s funny how you can go a long time without seeing someone and within minutes are chatting away like old mates. There was a lot to catch up on but we’ve agreed to stay in touch. She also recommended that I put the first of my novellas, ‘Dear Mr DJ’, out to a Birmingham based readers’ group she’s involved with.
It’s not something I’ve done before, so told her to go ahead and held my breath. Wisely the group wasn’t told that she knew me – we didn’t want them being nice about it just because I was a friend of hers. The response went way beyond my expectations and has given me an extra push to get the final of the trilogy finished. Then the complete book series can be marketed next year and on that front, I’m calling on the professionals . Believe me it is much easier to get someone else to market your book rather than to do it yourself.
As for Bonnie the very Cornish cockerpoo, she’s doing a great job as a ‘Pets As Therapy’ visitor to our local Leonard Cheshire Disability home and will be helping with some fund raising in November. So now over to her for a Bonnie update….
‘Hiya folks,
Been meeting quite a few new peeps since my last posting. Lots of builder chaps and other people passing by. Can’t say I remember all of the names but I’m a social type of gal so I’ve been loving all the attention.
Now for a great bit of news. I’ve finally tasted that doggie ice cream – it’s called Frozzys – and I got a Cranberry flavoured one as a present from my handsome Havanese Pal, Tui. Definitely a few steps up on the taste front from my usual treat of crushed ice. It’s a frozen yoghurt really but now I’ve had a lick there will be no going back!
I want to try the other flavours, so I need to get this one finished double quick. Sorry Tui but this little tub is all mine!
Got to say that I’m loving the new room at the back of the house and have decided that its a great doggy flat. Nice new fluffy rug, sofa and an easy run into the garden. What’s not to like? The rents just need to put a sign over the door saying ‘Bonnie’s Room’ and I’m all set. Yeah life is good!
Woof and out….’
