New Novel - Tuesday's Child

I knew who the heroine of Tuesdays Child, the sequel to Sunday's and Monday's Child, Regency Romances, will be, and what  her circumstances are, but until I visited the National Portrait Gallery's Wellington Exhibition I didn't have an inkling of the plot. After viewing the exhibition I jotted down the outline while I ate lunch. All in all a satisfying day. I now plan to visit The Regency Exhibition at The National Gallery.

Chiltern Open Air Museum

I took three of my grandchildren to Chiltern Open Air Museum to see reconstructed historical buildings, which include an Iron Age House, Leagrave Cottage, 18th Century, Leagrave Cottage 19th Century and also a working farm, to name only a few.

My small granddaughter was fascinated by the rag dolls on one of the beds and by a patchwork quilt. The boys were interested in machinery, chimney sweeps brushes, bellows and fire irons and much more.

We enjoyed making friends with the shire horses and marvelled at the size of the oxen.

The weather was perfect, neither too hot nor too cold. W e appreciated our picnic, cheese and cucumber sandwiches, crisps, grapes, small squares of millionaires shortbread and apple juice, which we ate in a clearing in the woods to the tune of birdsong and chattering squirrels.

Tired but happy we went home and decided to return to watch jousts later in the year.

Agatha Christie and Syria

I am reading 'Come Tell Me How You Live' by Agatha Christie Mallowan.

In 1930 Agatha Christies married Max Mallowan a young archaeologist. According to the foreword by Jacquetta Hawkes 'Agatha did not see her own renown as any bar to sharing in her husband's work. From the first she took full part in every one of Max's excavations in Syria and Iraq.'

After the 2nd World War Agatha wrote: 'My thoughts turning more and more to those days spent in Syria, and at last I have felt impelled to get out my notes and rough diaries and complete what I had begun....For I love that gentle fertile country (Syria) and its simple people, who know how to laugh and enjoy life; who are idle and gay, and who have dignity, good manners, and a great sense of humour, and to whom death is not terrible.

'Inshallah, I shall go there again, and the things that I love shall not have perished from this earth...

Spring 1944.

Yet, seventy years late, moved to tears by her words in the knowledge of recent events in Syria, I ask myself if anything remains of the Syria she knew and loved. 

Young at Heart

Yesterday, I took my granddaughters to see the new Disney production of Cinderella. The ten, nine and five year-olds loved every minute of it, and so did I. It's very enjoyable to recapture one's childhood by immersing oneself in a fairy tale.

Easter Monday

Nothing exciting on Easter Monday, but the sunshine was very welcome.

I fitted in a lot of writing and enjoyed a satisfactory day. My daughter's 13 year-old son very kindly came round to help me to finish clearing a garden shed in which son number two had stored a lot of junk, some of it too heavy for me to shift. By now, the rubbish, which included ancient tins of paint, rusted tools etc., etc., filled about ten dustbins. My grandson insisting on sweeping away all the cobwebs and the floor while muttering, 'disgusting,' at regular intervals.

After my grandson left, I moved a pot of lilies, which will be scarlet when they flower, to the front garden and then planted a rose bush, which will have red blooms, and some polyanthas  at the front of the border. I then picked curly kale from the garden and made colcannon topped with grated mature cheddar cheese for lunch.

Ashridge Estate on Easter Sunday

Yesterday, it was a little chilly at Ashridge Estate but  my daughter, my twin sons and nine grandchildren enjoyed giveing and receiving Easter eggs and cards, and each other's company. After a long walk we sat outside the café having hot drinks and scones full of cream and strawberry jam. From our seats we were entertained by the sight of my two taller grandsons trying to hoist my daughter's shorter son up into a huge tree. Eventually, my twin sons heaved him up and then helped the other two into the tree. The branches spread out leaving a hollow where the three of them sat and chatted for ages. The three girls entertained themselves, climbing another smaller tree and the two younger boys found plenty to do.

We finished the day off with a delicious, vegetarian meal at an Indian restaurant down the road from me. By the time I reached home at half past eight I thought I would drop off to sleep while watching Poldark but managed to stay awake.

Today, after I finish writing and 'writerly' matters,I plan to get on in the garden, planting out more broad beans which are in the greenhouse etc., etc.

Eyes Which Do Peculiar Things

I don't like eyes which do peculiar things.
She dropped her eyes. I have a vision of her taking her eyes out of their sockets and dropping them. Why not write; She looked down.
His eyes darted. Where did they dart to/
She fixed her eyes on him. Did he appreciate her fixing her eyes on him. With what did she fix them?
His eyes stabbed her. Weird eyes, did he sharpen them?
Also, I'm not keen on body parts which do peculiar things.

Cottage Garden, Lilies.

After the rain stopped while I got on with 'writerly' matters, I worked in the garden. I tidied the back yard and the greenhouse and planted some scarlet lilies in a tall terracotta pot. The lilies will be 18 inches high and look beautiful at the back of the border beneath my sitting room window. I'm also looking forward to the stargazer (pink lilies), which I potted up earlier in the year, flowering. Pots of perennials are useful. They fill gaps year after year and need little more than an annual feed.

Writing,Cinderella, Garden Centre, Grandchildren Peach and Nectarine Trees etc.

I was shattered on Tuesday and even more shattered by yesterday evening. I devoted four hours to 'writerly' matters and went out at 11 a.m. I bought tickets for Cinderella for next Tuesday when I and three granddaughters will see it. The tickets bought, I went to the Garden Centre where I bought, 2nd early seed potatoes, red geraniums for the window boxes and red lily bulbs. They will be 2ft high and look good at the back of the border beneath my sitting room window. I also b...ought golden rod that will make a splash of colour next to the Michaelmas daisies in the autumn.

The pot in which I had planted a bay tree broke so I chose a heavy clay pot that I hope the wind won't blow over and planted the bay tree in it. What else? Oh yes, some succulents two green ones and a dark red one which are now on the kitchen window sill. I like the rosettes the leaves form. After unch out I went to the library to collect books I had reserved.
My daughter had an early appointment in London this morning, so I stayed at her house for the night. I gave the children their dinner, heard my 5 year-old granddaughter's reading, put her to bed and read a story about Aladdin, a princess, a genie, a villain and a baby camel to her. Then I played draughts with my 10 year old grandson until it was time for him to go to bed. Afterward, while waiting for the 13 year-old to go to bed I got on with some more 'writerly' matters. When he went to bed I read for a while before going to sleep.
This morning was busy after we all had porridge for breakfast and the children went to school. I worked on writing projects, then sorted out my mini peach and nectarine trees. Last year there was loads of fruit on them but it dropped off before it ripened. I've re-potted them in John Innes No 3 and pollinated them with a paintbrush. The pink flowers are so promising and pretty that, fingers crossed I will enjoy the fruit this year. Any advice about their nurture would be welcome.
Made a vegetable curry for lunch and then read until I returned to the laptop.
Hopefully the weather will be good for two days and I'll be able to do much more in the garden - but I must remember to wrap up all the Easter eggs.

Visit Rosemary Morris

Some years ago, I thought I would never have a novel published. Today, I googled: Rosemary Morris at MuseItUp Publishing, and am impressed by my publisher's display of my mini author biography and details of my novels, etc.  With pride I invite my followers to visit me.

Find Out About Rosemary Morris & Her Traditional Historical Novels

Things To Do in My Shorthand Notepad

At last I have worked my way through many notes in my shorthand notepad. I visited some online sites which were interesting and others that had no significance for me. I transferred e-mail addresses into my on line address book and contacted people about 'writerly' matters.




Some things were fun. For example I googled and listened to the 7th Hussars Regimental Tunes. Canter, The Cambells are Coming, Quick  Bannocks o’ Barley Meal, Slow The Garb of Old Gaul, which I decided I preferred hearing them played on the bagpipes.




I also added lots of books to my To Be Read List.

Shorthand Note Pad Crammed With Notes on Things To Do.

At long last I have finished going through my shorthand notepad which was crammed with things to do. I had made a note of the

5* Review of False Pretences

Roland, hero of False Pretences, a traditional Regency romance, makes a low bow in appreciation of Great Historical’s review. He is delighted because the reviewer thinks he will linger in the reader’s memory.

 

Amazon Review. 5.0 out of 5 stars. A sweet and suspenseful Regency Romance. Kindle edition.

 

“Rosemary Morris has penned a delightful romantic story about a young woman named Annabelle in search of her family. Raised in a boarding school, with no contact with any family, and in the charge of a guardian she has never met, she runs away only to find herself in danger. Roland, a handsome man of means, saves her from imminent danger. He takes her under his wing and together they unravel a web of lies until the shocking truth of Annabelle's past life is revealed.

Rosemary Morris writes with ease and readability. Her characters are well rounded, evolving as the plot unfurls. This novel has a bit of everything - an endearing romance, a hint of mystery, dastardly villains, plenty of suspense, and a memorable hero and heroine who will stay with you long after you finish reading. The ending is intense as all the secrets are revealed, leading to a highly satisfying conclusion. A lovely sweet romance worthy of all age groups!”

 

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/our-authors/63-our-authors/authors-m/378-rosemary-morris

www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.com False PretencesB009YK1MFO, Nook and other online retailers.

 

 

Review of False Pretences A Traditional Regency Romance

False Pretences - A Traditional Regency Romance - Back Cover

False Pretences

By Rosemary Morris

Traditional Regency Romance

 

Five-year-old Annabelle arrived at boarding school fluent in French and English. Separated from her nurse, a dismal shadow blights Annabelle’s life because she does not know who her parents are.

Although high-spirited, Annabelle is financially dependent on her unknown guardian. She refuses to marry a French baron more than twice her age. 

Her life in danger, Annabelle is saved by a gentleman, who says he will help her to discover her identity. Yet, from then on nothing is as it seems, and she is forced to run away for the second time to protect her rescuer.

Even more determined to discover her parents’ identity, in spite of many false pretences, Annabelle must learn who to trust. Her attempts to unravel the mystery of her birth, lead to further danger, despair, unbearable heartache and even more false pretences until the only person who has ever wanted to cherish her, reveals the startling truth, and all’s well that ends well.

 

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/our-authors/63-our-authors/authors-m/378-rosemary-morris

www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.com False PretencesB009YK1MFO, Nook and other online retailers.

 

 

False Pretences - A Tradtional Regency Romance. Back Cover.

False Pretences

By Rosemary Morris

Traditional Regency Romance

 

Five-year-old Annabelle arrived at boarding school fluent in French and English. Separated from her nurse, a dismal shadow blights Annabelle’s life because she does not know who her parents are.

Although high-spirited, Annabelle is financially dependent on her unknown guardian. She refuses to marry a French baron more than twice her age. 

Her life in danger, Annabelle is saved by a gentleman, who says he will help her to discover her identity. Yet, from then on nothing is as it seems, and she is forced to run away for the second time to protect her rescuer.

Even more determined to discover her parents’ identity, in spite of many false pretences, Annabelle must learn who to trust. Her attempts to unravel the mystery of her birth, lead to further danger, despair, unbearable heartache and even more false pretences until the only person who has ever wanted to cherish her, reveals the startling truth, and all’s well that ends well.

 

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/our-authors/63-our-authors/authors-m/378-rosemary-morris

www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.com False PretencesB009YK1MFO, Nook and other online retailers.

 

 

False Pretences - back cover.

False Pretences

By Rosemary Morris

Traditional Regency Romance

 

Five-year-old Annabelle arrived at boarding school fluent in French and English. Separated from her nurse, a dismal shadow blights Annabelle’s life because she does not know who her parents are.

Although high-spirited, Annabelle is financially dependent on her unknown guardian. She refuses to marry a French baron more than twice her age. 

Her life in danger, Annabelle is saved by a gentleman, who says he will help her to discover her identity. Yet, from then on nothing is as it seems, and she is forced to run away for the second time to protect her rescuer.

Even more determined to discover her parents’ identity, in spite of many false pretences, Annabelle must learn who to trust. Her attempts to unravel the mystery of her birth, lead to further danger, despair, unbearable heartache and even more false pretences until the only person who has ever wanted to cherish her, reveals the startling truth, and all’s well that ends well.

 

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/our-authors/63-our-authors/authors-m/378-rosemary-morris

www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.com False PretencesB009YK1MFO, Nook and other online retailers.

 

 

Revision and adverbs.

Amongst other things, I revised the final chapter of my mediaeval novel set in Edward II's reign. I am now asking myself whether 'He laughed drunkenly,' or 'His drunken laughter rang out,' reads best. I chose the latter because I prefer to get rid of adverbs.

Planning My New Novel, Tuesday's Child

The heroine of my new traditional Regency romance, Tuesday's Child, will be a character from Monday's Child. She is Lady Harriet, a widow, and mother of a young son. Lady Harriet is not beautiful but she is full of grace, both inner and outer.


After reading a chapter in a non-fiction book, I know where the novel will begin.


So, I have answered the question who about the heroine and two questions when and where. I know have to answer the questions what and how. In other words, what happens in the first chapter and how does it happen.


I am now looking forward to meeting the hero.

Novelist's Shorthand Notepad

I am applying all the notes crammed into a shorthand notepad. Websites to visit, on line groups to consider joining, titles of books I want to read, web.sites with interesting information, blogs I want to follow, notes for research, e-mail addresses, etc. etc.


Last time I did this I decided to do this once a week but while writing Monday's Child I allowed the list of things to do to increase.


I've joined some new groups and am looking forward to participating in them.

Writing A New Novel

At the moment, I am revising my mediaeval novel set in the reign of Edward II of England. I have entered the first 5,000 words in two competitions and am keeping my fingers crossed. To be long listed would be an achievement.


It seems strange not to get up in the morning and work on my new novel, which will be Tuesday's Child a follow on novel from my Traditional Regency Romances, Sunday's Child and Monday's Child. However, I have a lot of  'writerly' matters to deal with so I have set myself a deadline to write about 'Tuesday's Child' aka Harriet who 'is full of grace'. In the meantime, I shall be thinking about her a lot.

Puncture on the way to Lunch

Yesterday, my daughter and three grandchildren and I left in good time to lunch at Sakoni's vegetarian Indian restaurant in Harrow. We looked forward to the Gujerati style food or  pizza or lasagne. Halfway there a tyre punctured. There's nothing like waiting for three-quarters of an hour for the AA mechanic to arrive while listening to a hungry five-year old grumbling.

Eating Out

Much better yesterday and today. I took two of my grandchildren to the pizza hut yesterday while their lucky mum shivered at a football stadium, while her son number two participated in a special event. She was pleased to go home and leave him with his coach and his team while they watched a football match, and then returned to collect him.


Today, the five of us are making up for Mother's Day on which I was to ill to go out to lunch. We are going to Sakonis our favourite Indian, Vegetarian restaurant in Harrow.
Yummy, yummy for the tummy but I shall eat sparingly.

Workshop, Ill Health and Competitions

Eight days since I became ill. After five days on antibiotics I'm recovering.


On Monday evening, as I did not have a contagious infection, I managed to fulfil my commitment to conduct a workshop at the writing group I am a member of. The topic was How To Be Your Own Copy and Line Editor Before Submitting Fiction. Although I was so ill,  the workshop was very well received. Afterwards, I was very pleased to drive home safely and delighted to sink into my comfortable bed.


During the rest of the week I slept, read and watched television a lot, but I did manage to edit and submit the synopsis and the opening pages of my novel to two prestigious competitions. My main fear is that the judges will prefer literary novels or novels based on the lives of known historical figures. However, with regard to the latter, I prefer fictional characters, although real-life ones feature in my novels. 


I am looking forward to comments on the submission from one of the competitions. I also look forward to sending more entries. To use a cliché 'nothing venture, nothing gain'.

Unwell.

On Friday I felt very unwell. I became worse during the weekend, which ruined our plans for Mother's Day, and on Monday dragged myself to the urgent clinic at my doctor's surgery. I have an internal infection, the details of which I won't bore you with, and am taking antibiotics. For two days I've done next to nothing, other than sleep, watch some television and read. I am a little better today am looking forward to again being 100%,

Submission to my Publisher

At last, I finished my novel Monday's Child  a traditional Regency novel, which is set in Brussels in 1815. I have submitted Monday's Child together with the synopsis, a letter about the novel and a brief author biography to my publisher. It has taken me a year to research and write Monday's Child, during which time I worked on the edits of The Captain and The Countess, and dealt with various 'writerly matters'. For now it is sad to say goodbye to the hero Major, Lord Langley and the heroine Miss Whitley, who together with other characters have been in my mind for so long, but they will re-appear in my next Regency Novel, Tuesday's Child.

Synopsis & Garden Plans

First thing this morning, I drafted the synopsis of Monday's Child, the follow on novel from my traditional Regency Romance. I dread writing a synopsis so I took a deep breath and confronted my fear.


Last year the fruit on my patio peach and nectarine trees grew to the size of table tennis balls and then fell off. I think the pots I planted them in are too small and the compost is wrong. Today I bought John Innes No 3, which is more suitable for them. Tomorrow, I shall re-pl...ant them in larger containers. I also bought a red climbing rose to plant on the left hand side of my front door. I already have a red one on the right hand side. I also bought 12 beautiful primulas which are different colours to edge a narrow border beneath my dining room window. I also hope to have time to plant out my broad beans which are growing in the greenhouse.

Raised Bed

Cold wind and even snow was forecast, unless I misunderstood and it did not apply to S. E. England. Anyway, I expected bad weather so, on Monday, I did the week's shopping and on Tuesday tidied the house instead of getting on in the garden. Today, I sowed sowed seeds in an 8ft by 4ft raised bed. Row 1 cut and come again lettuce  leaves. Row 2 mixed  parsnip and radish seeds. The radishes will mark where the parsnips are and crop when the parsnips have sprouted. Row 3. Quick growing baby carrots. Row 4. Turnips. Row 5. Choggia, a red and white striped beetroot. There is room for a 6th row in which I will plant more cut and come again baby.

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.

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.

Edited Monday's Child & Worked in the Garden

I finished editing Monday's Child this morning. I couldn't believe how many gerunds I had used. I hope the novel reads well and that I have not missed any typing errors. I reach a point at which I sometimes see what I think should be on the page instead of what is on the page. Thanks to the spelling and grammar facility I hope there are no typos, grammar or spelling mistakes.


After I finished Monday's Child a traditional Regency novel, the sequel to Sunday's Child, I had breakfast and then worked in the garden. I finished the bed I have  been working on for most of the week. It is planted with a well established redcurrant bush, a rhubarb plant, a blackcurrant bush, another rhubarb plant, a desert gooseberry and a small cherry tree, which I transplanted to make room for a greengage tree.


I might prettify the bed with some pots of stargazer lilies in between the plants and, maybe edge the bed with lettuces and alpine strawberries.

Spring is Here

The first two daffodils of many daffodils in my garden flowered to day. Spring is really here.

I had intended to plant rhubarb today. Instead I cut weed suppressant to fit it the top left hand corner of my garden. I then stood and one of my compost bins and the tumbler to it. The weed suppressant hardly shows now that they are in place. The advantage is that it will prevent roots growing up through the compost, save a lot of time weeding and make it easier to collect the compost when I tip it out. I have a third bin in another part of the garden. My first attempt to make compost resulted in a smelly, soggy mess. Yuck. Now I layer the different components and the compost is odourless and dry. The first layer is shredded paper most of which comes from junk mail.

Recyling in a Spring Garden

Yesterday and today I enjoyed the mild weather while tidying up my garden. I am all in favour of recycling to I used old strips of carpet to make paths between the bed planted a gooseberry bush, two apple trees, a William Bon Chretien pear tree and a plum tree, and a second bed planted with a red currant, dessert gooseberry and a black currant bush in which I plant rhubarb tomorrow.

I also emptied a compost bin and mulched the gooseberry and the red currant with compost, which is, after all, recycled material.

I'm looking forward to more gardening during the weekend.

Yesterday, a gardener pruned the hedge around my garden. The Hedge is a mixture of evergreens, a bullace (wild plum tree), forsythia, laurel, etc. It took him eight hours but is well worth it. The hedge is neat and the reduced height has let more light in.

Today is lovely early spring day today, so I cleared weeds from a vegetable patch then planted a desert gooseberry and a blackcurrant bush. I dug in plenty of manure so hope they will thrive and provide several pounds of fruit.

Revision. Monday's Child Traditional Regency Novel.

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.

Lucky Grandmother

I spent last night at my daughter's house. My 5 year old granddaughter didn't want to go to sleep until I arrived. As soon as I did, I popped upstairs to see her. She cuddled up to me and told me about her day. She is sad because one of her friends has left her school to go to a new one. She and three friends divided into pairs to go down the slide. Someone pushed her. It upset her. I told her she should tell the teacher if someone hurts her. 'No,' she said, 'we sorted it out.' Miss Adorable settled down with her doggie, a soft toy, and her Cinderella rag doll. A last kiss and she went to sleep.

Amarylis

An amaryllis called Apple Blossom which I was given as a Christmas present flowered for the first time a month ago. The flowers were a very pale pink and white. When they died I cut them off and both immediately and very rapidly a new stalk grew. The amaryllis has blossomed again. This time the upper petals of the flowers are apricot, another petal is apricot striped with white and the lower petals are white. After these flowers die I think two more stalks will grow one after the other and more flowers will be produced.

Child-Sitting & Cottage-Style Garden

I stayed at my youngest son and daughter-in-law's house yesterday night to look after the two younger children while the eldest one went to school to discuss which subjects he will take for his GCSEs with his parents and teachers. I enjoyed playing draughts and Rummy Cub with my enthusiastic younger grandson and my granddaughter. Lots of laughter - lovely.




Today, the weather was much milder than yesterday, so my daughter-in-law and I went to a garden centre. I used some of the vouchers given to me at Christmas to start restocking the front garden which was destroyed when the house was cladded to make it warmer. I bought a red, rambling rose which I shall plant to the right of my front door. I hope it will grow up and over the what-do-you-me-call-it? that protrudes from the wall to provide shelter from the rain and down the left side of the door.




The flower bed under my dining room window is very narrow, so I'm going to intersperse hollyhocks and lupins, which I bought today, with lavender that I shall transplant from other parts of the garden. To this mix I plan to add delphiniums. I shall edge the front with green and purple lolla rose lettuces, and in the autumn plant spring bulbs. One of my opium poppies survived and, with luck some of the foxgloves, evening primroses and last year's hollyhocks might have self-seeded.




I don't live in a cottage but I want to achieve a cottage garden so I shall plant a row of lettuce at the front of the flower bed and, maybe, tuck in pots of herbs and stargazer lilies.




Goodness, at the thought of all this gardening I feel tired.

Pot Hole

Late yesterday evening, coming home from Watford Writers my car bumped hard over something and then the weird noises started. I was too frightened to stop the car, crossed my fingers and hoped I would reach home safely. Parked outside my house I couldn't see what the problem was. I lay awake dozing and worrying about the car. In the morning I realised one of the tyres was punctured, probably due to a pothole which I couldn't see in the dark. I called the AA, The mechanic arrived, removed the punctured tyre and replaced it with the spare tyre. I then bought a new tyre. Phew! Problem solved. It really is worthwhile belonging to the AA.

Gone With The Wind

Gone with the Wind, published in 1936 won the Pullizer Prize in 1937. It is one of my favourite novels, and I have enjoyed watching the film several times. The author, Margaret Mitchell was killed by a drunk driver in 1949 so she was not subjected to later accusations of racism which in my opinion were unfair. She was a liberal, who lived when racicism was rife but endowed scholarships at Morehouse College for black students.  Scarlet O'Hara, the  heroine in Gone With the Wind, raged against women's passive lived a privileged life protected from the cruel brutality of slavery.

Flash Fiction

This morning, I wrote a 250 word flash fiction for a competition. Because it will soon be Watford Writers 10th anniversary the chosen subject is Ten. Writing short fiction on a topic I would not have chosen is good for me. It jerks me out of my 'comfort zone' and forces me to experiment. My piece, set in the modern day, is called Ten Steps. It is my first short, short story written in the present tense.

Next Task After Finishing Edits.

I have finished the pre-edits, which I wrote about recently, and have now finished editing Monday's Child the sequel to Sunday's Child, traditional Regency Novels.


I shall now make my contents editor happy by reading over 97,500 words aloud and tweaking the final revision.


My next task will be to the synopsis, then the happy day when I submit Monday's Child and the synopsis will arrive.


 I shall also list all the characters because I shall write a follow on novel called Tuesday's Child.

Non-Fiction To Be Read Pile

As well as my pile of to be read fiction, I have a pile of non-fiction to be read which are either for research or to promote or study the market.


The Private World of Georgette Heyer by Jane Aikin Hodge.


A History of Shopping by Dorothy Davis which begins with Town Markets in the late Middle Ages.


Cassiobury The Ancient Seat of the Earls of Essex by Paul Rabbits & Sarah Kerenza Priestly.


Kathryn Warner's Edward III with a foreword by Ian Mortimer. "richly detailed, compelling look at one of England's most misunderstood kings ... this is the biography of Edward II for which I have been waiting."


Jane Austen's England by Sue Wilkes.


Good Reads for Authors  How to Promote Your Books with Good Reads by Michelle Campbell-Scott. (I began it and applied a few suggestions but writing my novel has kept me too busy to finish it.)


Writers and Artists Year Book 2015. (I intend to read the articles.)


There are a lot of other non-fiction books I intend to read but this list will keep me busy for a while.

To Be Read Books

I always have a pile of to be read novels. Some of them have received excellent reviews in the Historical Novel Society's magazines, others have been reviewed in newspapers or elsewhere and some have won awards or been shortlisted by the Romantic Novelist's Association. The titles on my current pile are: Home for Christmas by Lizzie Lane, From Ruin to Riches by Louise Allen, A Barefoot Queen by Ildefonso Falcones, The King's Curse by Phillippa Gregory, Teardrops in the Moon by Tania Cross and A Liverpool Legacy by Anne Baker. The variety of themes and plots will be interesting.

Winter Garden

The sun shone today so, although it was cold, I took the opportunity to get on in the garden. I swept the back yard, began to clear up the garden shed and sort out plant pots. Then I enjoyed sewing seeds in modules in a heated propagator. I've sown brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kohl rabi (sprouting broccoli) and three types of tomatoes, standard size, cherry and baby plum.

Books which I'm reading.

I'm reading Terror and Wonder The Gothic Imagination published by The British Library section by section. I'm also reading Writing Historical Fiction A Writers and Artist's Companion published by Bloomsbury Academic bit by bit.

I'm also reading Bittersweet by Colleen McCullough about the lives of two pairs of twins who train to be nurses in the 1920's. The Lady (Magazine) caption is: "A novel of love, loss and betrayal - think of Scarlett O'Hara and multiply by four." I disagree, the characters are not as compelling as Margaret Mitchell's famous heroine. I'm half way through it and losing interest. Part of the back blurb reads "from the author of The Thorn Birds, one of the biggest-selling books of all time, comes this sweeping saga of love and betrayal and redemption in 1920's Australia.

'As clever and compelling as its four heroines.' Australian Woman's Weekly.

Half way through the novel my problem is that with four heroines and a cast of other characters important to the novel I am not identifying with them sufficiently to care what happens to them.

I wonder what other readers think of Bittersweet.

Garden and Bird Feeders

Yesterday, I bought bags of compost to add to either manure or my homemade compost to top up a raised bed. I also bought a packet of geranium seeds. It’s so much cheaper to grown my own instead of buying plants. I like potted red geraniums both indoors and outdoors. I also bought a red, a yellow and a pink rose bush and two rhubarb plants.

My squirrel proof bird feeders arrived today. Small birds fluttered through the one I filled with seeds. I have to buy peanuts for the other one. The wood pigeons strutted around on the lawn but I didn’t see any squirrels today.

Wolf Hall

I did not enjoy the first quarter of Wolf Hall which I began reading with high hopes and didn't finish it. Yesterday, I watched the latest instalment of the t.v. series. Half way through I gave up because I found it dreary. Also, during the first two episodes, and the part I watched yesterday, I did not believe Henry VIII would have been fascinated by the Anne Boleyn depicted in the series.

Monday's Child Final Revision.

I finished the pre-edits of Monday's Child and am now working on the final revision, deleting everything unnecessary, checking the dialogue to make sure it isn't stilted and rephrasing any sentences which are awkward. I'm nearly half way through the novel and looking forward to finishing it. When I have I'll write the synopsis for which I'm making notes as I read the novel.

Revision of Monday's Child.

I finished the pre-edits of Monday's Child and am now working on the final revision, deleting everything unnecessary, checking the dialogue to make sure it isn't stilted and rephrasing any sentences which are awkward. I'm nearly half way through the novel and looking forward to finishing it. When I have I'll write the synopsis for which I'm making notes as I read the novel.

Out of Action

Somehow or other a programme was deleted from my laptop so I haven't been able to blog for a few days. Fortunately, my sons own and international it company so one of their staff sorted out the problem for me. Phew!

Happy Novelist. Happy Grandson.

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.

Terror and Wonder

I went to The Gothic Exhibition at The British Library and bought the book: Terror and Wonder, The Gothic Imagination. I am very amused by an illustration in it of an 1802  lithograph by James Gilray, printmaker and caricaturist. The inscription reads; 'This attempt to describe the effects of the Sublime and Wonderful is dedicated to M.G. Lewis Esq".  The caricature is of 'four spellbound women poring over a copy of Lewis's collection in a bourgeois parlour room, with a copy of 'The Monk' placed on the table. The women's faces express their horrified reaction to gothic tales of terror and wonder.

That darn squirrel.

This morning, I finished the pre-edits for Monday's Child, the follow on novel from Sunday's Child. Afterwards I went into the garden to get some fresh air. I checked the bird feeders, then saw some holes on my lawn. That darn squirrel dug them and buried peanuts. I don't begrudge the creature some food but this is too much.

Passive and Active

I'm still slogging away at the pre-edits of Mondays Child the follow on novel from Sunday's Child a traditional Regency Romance. To be honest, I find the pre-editing boring and too time consuming. I console myself with the knowledge that when I finish Monday's Child will read much more smoothly. Also, last evening, I let off a little steam about the darn things and felt a little better about them today.

Risotto

Very cold day again so instead of tidying up the greenhouse, I worked on the pre-edits of my mediaeval novel, the first few chapters of which I am going to enter in a competition. I also made a mushroom and pea risotto, delicious, piping hot, filling and satisfying.  My daughter's children really enjoy it so I cooked extra for them.

Pre-edits - was.

I am working my way through the list of words my publisher has listed. Words which should be either be deleted or used sparingly.




At the moment I have highlighted 'was' and am murdering it when I'm not feeling suicidal. I enjoy writing novels but not the hard work of pre-edits, writing a synopsis and then the time it takes to work with my excellent contents editor and line editor.




I hoped to finish the novel by the 1st February but now think it won't be ready to submit until mid-February.

Amarylis

The Amarylis, a Christmas present, seemed to be in a sorry state when I received it. After a very slow start it has been growing an inch and a half or two inches a day. Now, it looks as though the bud is on the verge of opening. After it has flowered, if I cut the stem, will it flower again next year. Should I feed it?

Book catalobgue.

I have decided that I need to make a catalogue of all my books - particularly the non-fiction. I spend too much time searching for a book I need that has hidden itself somewhere. Oh for more space to keep them and more time to read them.

Testament to 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.

Line Editing. Checking 'and'.

Yesterday, I took a day off. Today I felt guilty so I finished checking how often I wrote 'and' in Monday's Child the sequel to Sunday's Child a romantic Regency novel. I have divided sentences into two, rephrased sentences as well as occasionally, very occasionally using gerunds.

Pot Marigolds, Lettuce, Larkspur

I have two large beds of earth in my front garden in which I combine herbs, strawberries, vegetables and flowers. Last year pot marigolds made a wonderful splash of colour. Inspired by a programme on television called The Allotment Challenge I plan to grow larkspur. It's pretty colours will add charm to my cottage style vegetable/flower patch.

The Medieval Housewife

I am reading The Medieval Housewife & other women of the Middle Ages by Toni Mount. It is only 90 pages long but packed with information and with plenty of photographs, including those of re-enactors. |A useful addition to my collection of non-fiction for research.

Gothic Exhibition British Library

Today I visited the Gothic Exhibition at the British Library with a dear friend. The exhibition traces the history of Gothic literature and films. The first emphasis is on Hugh Walpole's Castle of Otranto, but there are references to gothic subject matters in the mediaeval period and in Shakespeare.


We enjoyed the exhibits of texts, handwritten pages, books old and modern and the history of gothic films including The Birds based on Daphne du Maurier's short story. I came away inspired with material for Tuesday's Child a follow on novel from Sunday's Child, published by MuseItUpPublishing and Monday's Child which I am almost ready to submit.

Indoor Garden

At this time of the year, apart from foliage, there is little I can arrange in vases, so I have decided to have an indoor garden. I shall choose the plants carefully giving consideration to their situation. I'm not in a hurry to populate every room in the house with potted plants. Yesterday I bought a money plant to join the mother-in-law's tongue on the shelf above my built in shoe rack. I need one more plant which will also thrive in suffused light and cool conditions. Above them I have hung three photos in a single frame of my grandson performing in a gymnastic display.

Line Editing

Now that I have written Monday's Child the follow on novel from Sunday's Child, traditional regency romances, it is time to work on the line edit. I have a list of words which I check including 'and'. It is boring going through the novel deciding when to delete the word, when to rephrase a sentence and when to substitute another word. So far I've been through 150 pages and have nearly another 150 pages to check.




To mitigate my boredom I checked how many times I had used round instead of around. It's amazing how often I write - for example - she looked round instead of around. I suppose it is a minor point but in my opinion round applies to something which is round, an apple, a ball, an orange etc.




Now I have to continue checking 'and'.


Why am I being so pernickety? Because I want to write to the best of my ability.

Recuperating from Muscle Spasm

 At last the pain from the muscle in  a spasm in my back is much better. The relief is indescribable. Perhaps I'll get a good night's sleep after days and nights of acute pain. This afternoon I had a deep tissue massage which should also help.


One good thing about being forced to stay in bed has been extra time to deal with writerly matters. Today I researched competitions for novels. It's so difficult to secure either an agent or a publisher that I'll probably enter my medieval novel in one or more competitions. Mind you, I had two mainstream publishers who did not publish my novels and an agent who did not place one of them. Deep sigh.

Oca

For the last few days I have been suffering from a very painful spasm in my back. It is very annoying because I can’t do anything in the garden or greenhouse.

This afternoon I studied a gardening catalogue and wondered whether or not to grow some unusual vegetables such as Oca, which is described as having a great flavour raw or cooked. The description is: “Oca is a highly productive vegetable, it can be eaten cooked or raw and when raw it has a lemony flavour, becoming nuttier once cooked. Oca is blight resistant and requires little or no fertiliser. Harvest approximately three weeks after frost has killed plant canopy. Plants despatched February to April.” Hum, worth thinking about.

Intense revision of Monday's Child

I am revising Monday's Child, a Regency Romance and  follow on novel from Sunday's Child.


I have highlighted 'and'. Substituting other words as well as dividing sentences into two tightens the prose. It also helps me to avoid repeatedly writing 'and then'. The process is boring but the novel will read better when I finish.

Up the Garden Path

Last night the wind and rain surged against the house. By morning the sun shone and the air filled with birdsong. At the moment, I am not well but before lunch I went out into the garden for some fresh air. Although it is so cold buds are swelling on the fruit trees. I'm hoping for a good crop of apples, pears and plums this year.

Spasm & Writing

My writing schedule has be interrupted by a muscle on the right of my back. It is so bad that I didn't sleep last night. Every little movement was agonising. So, I asked for a home visit. I also have an internal infection but won't bore you with the details. The doctor prescribed various medications including antibiotics, one for my innards and the other for the muscle spasm. I swear that if you turned me upside down and shook me I'd rattle like pill box.

Children's IndoorPlay Centre

I took my five year granddaughter to an indoor play centre. Such a confident child. When we arrived she didn't wait for me to show her what to do. With delight she copied the other children. She really enjoyed it - enormous slides which she hurtled down feet first, head first, on her tummy and on her back. She explored all the overhead tunnels and climbing frames, then had a turn on the bumper cars. She also enjoyed the roundabout and loved the Cinderella's coach. The only problem is that she would like me to take her every week.

Exodus - Gods and Kings

Exodus, Gods and Kings, starring Christian Bale as Moses and Joel Edgerton as Ramses in the battle for the freedom of the Israelites. I particularly admired how much emotion Joel Edgerton managed to convey with his eyes. Yesterday afternoon I took my 13 year-old and nine-year old daughter's sons to see this film. They were familiar with the biblical account and really enjoyed it, particularly the gruesome depiction of the plagues. However they thought the slaughter of the Israelite babies, which Moses escaped, and the subsequent deaths of the first born sons of the Egyptians inexplicable and unjustifiable. I'm not sure whether they were satisfied with my explanations. I enjoyed Exodus - Gods and Kings. I thought the characters are believable, enjoyed the beautiful reconstruction of the Ramses's palace in Memphis and the scenes of the backgrounds, including the desert. I also thought the depictions of the plagues were very well done. However, I didn't like the representation of God, but I won't go into that because I don't want to spoil the film for anyone who plans to see it.

Monday's Child, Follow on Novel from Sunday's Child,

I am delighted because I have written the last chapter of Monday's Child, a traditional Regency Romance. By traditional I mean that I have not opened the bedroom door wide. Monday's Child is the follow on novel from Sunday's Child published by MuseItUp Publishing. I am now enjoying planning Tuesday's Child the next novel in the series.

The Hobbit Battle of the Five Armies.

Yesterday I went with son No.2 to see The Hobbit, the battle of the five armies. I'm full of admiration for the film. I read the book some years ago and was swept away by the story. The film carried me along from beginning to end. I admired the venues, the costumes, the characters, the special effects etc.

Gardener's Diary

I have decided to keep an organic gardener's diary this year. I shall enter details of the garden and record the use to which I put my home grown fruit, herbs and vegetables. This morning the sun shone from an azure blue sky. Although there was a chill in the air it was pleasant outside. I filled up one of the bird feeders with peanuts. Within minutes, the squirrel, which often lurks in the holly bush, fed from the peanuts I spread on the grass.

Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year.

31st December. My garden.

It's the last day of 2014. This morning the garden was white with frost. When I opened the back door four wood pigeons, which had been pecking seeds spilled onto the ground, flew away their wings flapping. The grass crunched underfoot as I walked across it to top up the bird feeder. The resident robin flew to a branch and as soon as I left fed from the ground, but I didn't see any other birds. The ice on my small pond was too thick to break so I poured hot water onto it so the birds could drink. Little writing done this morning but I shopped for groceries and came home in time to put them away and have lunch.

Medieval Novel, Traditional Regency Romance, Lunch.

Am now very pleased because I have written the penultimate chapter of Monday's Child a traditional Regency Romance with a twist in the tale, a follow on novel from Sunday's Child published by MuseItUpPublishing. Today I lunched with a close friend at The Loving Hut a vegetarian Chinese restaurant. We enjoyed the buffet style meal with lots to choose from and nattering about writing and other subjects. We are now planning to visit the Turner Exhibition later in the month.

Today I Wrote 4,000 Words

After time off during the Christmas preparations and festivities from writing Monday's Child a traditional Regency novel, the sequel to Sunday's Child, I wrote 4,000 words this morning. The main difficulty was slipping in some historical facts without allowing them to take over and make the reader feel as though he or she is reading a history book. Through dialogue, action and characterisation I think this part of Chapter Thirty-Three reads well. I planned to finish the first draft of Monday's Child by the 31st of December and am now confident that, God willing, I will do so.

Quiet day today

After the Christmas and my granddaughter's birthday on Boxing Day, I enjoyed a quiet day today. Amongst other things, I added 2,000 words to my novel. After all the rich food during the last few days I decided to eat sparingly. I made soup for lunch - red lentils, leeks, fresh ginger, spice, coconut milk and lemon juice. Delicious! While cooking I looked out of the window from time to time to watch the birds enjoying seeds. A male blackbird perched in the plum tree, three wood pigeons, a sparrow and a robin fed on seeds which had fallen onto the grass, while the blue tits darted backward and forward.

My happy Christmas

I enjoyed Christmas Day. I stayed at my daughter's house and woke up in time to see my five year-old granddaughter's excitement when she realised Santa had left her presents in her Santa sack. "Oh!" she exclaimed when she saw each gift, "I've always wanted that." Her older brothers who no longer believe in Father Christmas were equally pleased with their presents. The three of them were thrilled when they opened all the presents stacked under the Christmas tree and my granddaughter continued to say: "That's what I've always wanted!" After breakfast I visited my twin sons and daughters-in-law and their children. As I handed out gifts I felt like Mother Christmas. The children were so pleased with everything that I enjoyed giving more than I enjoyed receiving my presents. I had lunch at my daughter's house with her family and my bachelor son, spent the afternoon with them and then, at the grandchildren's request. I'll have lunch with them and then we'll go to my youngest son's house to celebrate his daughter's birthday. However, this is the first time since Christmas Eve, on which the whole family ate pizzas at lunchtime and then went to see Night at the Museum, which I consider Movie Trash but the children liked, that I've been able to sneak some time on the laptop. I hoped to conclude my Christmas poems with ''Twas in the Bleak Midwinter', by Christina Rossetti but didn't have the chance,

Compliments of the Season

To those of you who celebrate Christmas, I wish you a Merry Christmas.

From 'Christmas' by John Betjeman

Christmas .... And is it true? And is it true? This most tremendous tale of all, Seen in a stained-glass window's he, A Baby in an ox's stall? The Maker of the starts and sea Become a Child on earth for me? And is it true? For if it is, No loving fingers tying strings Around those tissued fripperies, The sweet and silly Christmas things, Bath salts and inexpensive scent And hideous tie so kindly meant. No love that in a family dwells, No carolling in frosty air, Nor all the steeple-shaking bells Can with this simple truth compare - That God was Man in Palestine And lives today in Bread and Wine.

Christmas Poem by 8 year-old Alexander Coulson

Advent Candle Commander of wax Waiting Alone Running from darkness Chameleon of light Brightest star Flame dancer Most beautiful Flowing like a wave The most powerful energy. Alexander Coulson Aged 8 December, 1999

Spike Milligan's Christmas Poem

Christmas 1970 A little girl called Sile Javotte Said: 'Look at the lovely presents I've got.' While a little girl in Biafra said: 'Oh what a lovely slice of bread.' Spike Milligan

'There is no Rose' 15th Century Christmas Poem;

There is no rose of such virtue As in the rose that bare Jesu; Alleluya For in this rose was Heaven and earth in little space Res Miranda. By that rose we well may see That he is God in persons three, Pari forma The angels sungen the shepherds to: 'Gloria in excelsis Deo.' Gaudeamus. Leave we all this worldly mirth, And follow we this joyful birth. Transeamus. 15th Century Christmas Poem Anon * * * * Translation. Res Miranda. A thing to be marvelled at. Pari forma. Of the same form. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Glory to God in the Highest. Gaudeamus. Let us Rejoice. Transeamus. Let us Depart

A Favourite 15thC Christmas Poem

I Sing of a Maiden. 15th Century. I sing of a maiden that is makeless, King of all kings to her son she ches. He came also stilly there His mother was; As dew in Aprille that falleth on the flower. He came also stilly where is mother lay, As dew in Aprille that falleth on the spray. Mother and maiden was never none but she - Well may such a lady God's mother be! Anon.

Today Will be a Lovely Day

The morning began well. I finished Chapter Thirty-Three of Monday's Child my traditional Regency romance. I struggled to write it so it's as though I've put down a heavy weight. The sun is shining and the weather is mild. I've nearly finished wrapping the Christmas presents, only have three to buy and a few cards to post; and the Christmas tree, which two of my grandchildren decorated, looks beautiful. Today is my eldest granddaughter's 10th birthday. She is having her ears pierced so I bought her silver earrings with tiny dangling hearts and a secret diary with a padlock. I'm looking forward to seeing her at her birthday party this afternoon.

Writing and Research

On Tuesday I deleted 1000 words of Chapter Thirty-Three of my work in progress, Monday's Child a traditional Regency Romance. This morning I finished the chapter. The research has been intensive and I made many notes, but in order to avoid the novel reading like a text book I could only use a few of the fascinating facts. It's a relief to have nearly finished the novel.

Nothing Added to Monday's Child Today

I was up early and settled at the laptop. I opened the file titled Monday's Child. The cursor wouldn't move. I then read a message from Microsoft which informed me that I did not have a licence to use Microsoft. What a hassle! However I'm lucky because my twin sons own an IT company. One of their technicians sorted out the problem. While he did so I had plenty of time to think about the plot and check a few historical facts, so my time wasn't entirely wasted.

Why I Deleted 1000 Words of my Novel

I had written over 2000 words of Chapter 33 of Monday's Child, the sequel to my traditional Regency novel, Sunday's Child.. This morning I wrote another 1000 words. Throughout the day I thought about them. With a deep sigh, I decided to scrap them. It's a painful decision but the right one because I allowed the principal characters to go off stage. I took a deep breath and took action, Today's 1000 words has been deleted.

Christmas is Coming

My 12 year-old grandson's birthday was on Friday. He partied with his cousins earlier in the week and wanted to spend the evening with his parents, siblings and grandmothers. As well as money I gave him a football annual, which was a great success as he enjoys playing football and has his favourite team etc. After dinner, we watched Life of Pi - not a film I want to watch again but my son, daughter-in-law and the three children enjoyed it, but like me his other grandmother was not keen on it. I stayed overnight. In the morning my daughter-in-law and I went Christmas and birthday shopping in St Albans. My 9 year-old granddaughter is having her ears pierced on Friday to celebrate her 10th birthday so we chose a pair of earrings for me to give her then and another pair for her Christmas present. In between shopping we had morning coffee, lunched and chatted before we went home. Next I went to my youngest son's house to babysit and stayed for the night. En route to their house I stopped in the village to have a look in the charity shops. I collect blue and white china and was tempted to buy a coffee pot but decided it was too pricey. On the following morning I was still tempted to buy it, if it had not been sold, but again decided not to. I don't regret my decision. Yesterday, the soon-to-be birthday girl came over with her 7 year-old brother to decorate my Christmas tree. She has been doing this for a few years and said she will even do so when she is 13. Obviously, that age is a milestone in her mind. She has her favourite decorations and oohs and ahs over them every year. This morning I had my hair cut and coloured, shopped for groceries and then dropped in at my daughter's house to give her a few bits and bobs she asked me to buy for her. Soon I'll be getting ready for Watford Writers' annual Christmas Dinner. I'm enjoying real life and metaphorically patting myself on the back because I am adding a thousand words a day to Monday's Child. As I write the most moving parts I am still wiping tears from my eyes. It took me a little longer to write today than usual because I researched nightwear. Mind you, I write traditional historical novels in which the bedroom door does not open more than an inch or two.

Tears While Writing.

While writing Chapter Thirty-Three of Monday's Child tears came to my eyes when I described my heroine's reaction to... On second thoughts I won't reveal the details.

Carol Service

This evening I returned home impressed by the carol service which my ten year old grandson participated in. Holy Rood Church was packed with parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. Children read passages from the Bible, in between carols both traditional and modern. 240 children took part and as I watched I wondered what their futures held and said a prayer for them. Tomorrow they will be singing in a local shopping mall. God bless them one and all.

Extraordinary Vegetarian Meal.

Grandson, who is also a strict vegetarian who does not eat, eggs, fish or meat, described one of the meals served at the hostel where he stayed on a school trip. Mashed potato with fried onions on top served with apple sauce.

Time to Write and Christmas

I want to finish writing Monday's Child by the 31st of December but am worried because it might be impossible. To avoid the Christmas rush I spent the better part of the last two days shopping. Yes, I could shop on line but last year some presents didn't arrive on time. I enjoy the season but it's very time consuming. I now have to wrap all the presents, including three birthday presents, decorating the Christmas tree etc. As well as all this, weather permitting, I have some jobs to get on with in the garden.

Research - Imnportance of 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.