Writing Romance in Fishguard

Last weekend I was in Fishguard attending Kate Walker's Advanced course on writing romance. As a group we looked at digging deeper into the emotional heart of the story. It was a weekend full of fun and laughter as well as a lot of hard work. Kate herself worked harder than we did, putting together a brilliant weekend. Now we have to put in the hard work and use all we've learnt, which is exactly what I've been doing every spare minute since I returned.

The sun shone during the weekend, making it feel like a day in April rather than February. The hotel is nestled in the trees above the ferry port and the views across the bay are stunning. A perfect place to relax, write and have fun.

So if you are interested in writing romantic fiction I suggest attending the next course in 2012. Details here.

Hearts and Flowers

They are everywhere. Red roses, heart shaped boxes of chocolates and many more items we're all persuaded we need to celebrate Valentines Day. It's good and bad for me. My husband can never forget my birthday, but going out for a meal, sending flowers or buying chocolates costs him a fortune. This year I had a birthday card and a Valentine card, usually I get one or the other.

Last year I posted on why I write romance. All those reasons still apply and if anything I'm more determined than ever to succeed with my ambition to become a published romance writer. I looking forward to the weekend when I'll be attending Kate Walker's course on writing romantic fiction.

For all the lovers of romance, here's a seductive red rose.

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's arrived!

I think it's here! Spring that is. Lambs are frolicking in the fields, bleating to their mums when they stray to far. After a while they get brave and form little gangs, hurtling around the fields like mad things. It really is fun to watch.

This is one of last year's lambs as we no longer have sheep on the farm, so I have to get my 'lamb fix' from watching them on other farms!

I also drove to Aberystwyth during the week and saw Daffodils in full bloom. In my garden they are just green leaves, thinking about putting on their vivid yellow display. The farm is so high and much colder than on the coast where I saw them.

Snowdrops are also splashing the hedgerows with white and the birds are singing much more enthusiastically. Right at this moment the sun is shinning and the sky is as blue as a summer's day.

Have you noticed any other signs of spring?

Australia Day

In Australia today - although the day is almost over there, it is Australia Day. It commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in1788. The First Fleet consisted of eleven ships which had set sail from Britain on 13th May 1787 with about 1487 people on board. I just can't imagine spending that long on board a ship all those years ago.

As it is Australia Day I thought it was an appropriate day to mention the RWA Flooded Communities Book Appeal. Even just a few books would help and if you are the author you could sign them or simply send a few good condition books you've read and enjoyed.
Here's the details.
What is wanted.
FICTION BOOKS! Romance books, children's books, young adult books, genre books, whatever – either new or in sparkling condition.


Please send them to:
RWA Flooded Communities Book Appeal
PO Box 1717
Noosaville Post Office
Noosaville BC
Queensland
Australia 4566

When to send them?
Now! And any time over the next few months. The books will be boxed and delivered to the appropriate libraries/schools/neighbourhood centres/community centres in batches as soon as the communities are ready to receive them. We’ll be liaising with councils, libraries and schools to ensure this is done appropriately. Feel free to pop a note inside, or if you're an author, sign it.

I have a small parcel to post off today.

St Dwynwen's Day

Here in Wales, today is St Dwynwen's Day, the Welsh equivalent of Valentine's Day.

Dwynwen lived in the 5th century and was the daughter of Brychan Brycheiniog - one of twenty four! Legend has it that she fell in love with Prince Maelon Dafodrill, but as her father already had an arranged marriage planned nothing could ever come of her love for her prince.

Upset she turned to her belief in God and begged him to help her forget Maelon. She then fell asleep and was visited by an angel who had a potion to erase all memory of her lover and turn him to a block of ice. God then gave her three wishes. The first for Maelon to be thawed, the second for God to meet the hopes and dreams of lovers and third that Dwynwen should never marry.

After this Dwynwen never married, but founded a convent off the coast of Anglesey, where a well was named after her. This well was visited by pilgrims after her death in 465AD as it was told that a sacred fish that lived within it could predict future love and luck.

There are cards especially for today and popularity of the day is growing.

So why not say 'Dwi'n dy garu di - I love you in Welsh to someone special today.

Happy New Year

The first day of January 2011 is drawing to a close and I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I hope that it will be a creative and successful one for all my writing friends.

After a dreary day and all the recent snow I thought I'd post a sunny picture to brighten things up!

HAPPY NEW YEAR



Fantastic Competition

Could you write about being a foreigner in Italy? That's the theme for a great new competition run by The Watermill at Posara and all the details are on their website. This is a wonderful place to have a creative writing or painting break. It really is as good as it looks, that's why I'm booked to go again next year for Sharon Kendrick's course.

It is so peaceful and quiet, what could be better for writing and the scenery is stunning for those who paint.

What could be more perfect than views like this?