Of course, there will be occasions when an outward show of happiness really won’t be appropriate, like if Monty Dog does a flyby lick of QT’s bare foot and she’s howling like it’s the end-of-the-whole-wide-world, or indeed if it really is the end of the world, or someone is seriously ill, suffering, living in a war zone, experiencing bullying, racial abuse etc, but on the whole, when it comes to a mindset over the mundane or how we respond to those moany, negative, soul sucker types who just can’t help swathing you in their gloom,  I think it is possible to choose happy. And besides, by sheer definition, a soul sucker is never happy, no, not ever… so I sure don’t want to be one of them.    

And in case I forget, I’ve stuck a little reminder on my bathroom wall.

And here are some pics of QT attemtping yoga to Waybuloo… this makes me happy.

But seriously, this time of year is all about reflection for me, looking back and remebering what’s happened, the highs, the lows, the exquisite moments where dreams come true, they don’t come along very often but I was lucky enough to have two this year. The first, QT’s new birth certificate arriving in the post one mundane Monday morning, with no warning, fanfare, not even a covering letter, just a piece of paper with our names next to boxes labelled ‘Mother’ and ‘Father’.  I had a cup of tea and a CurlyWurly to celebrate. The second moment is still ongoing, so if you hear a big squeeey scream, then you’ll know that dream has come true too.

Thought I’d share some of our Christmassy pics. The pink box in this picture has a tag on saying ’special little girl 2010′, I bought it last year to celebrate our first Christmas with QT, and the sparkly white seal below was chosen this year by QT because… quote, “he pants like a doggy”. The mind boggles.         

Here’s Rudolph, the reindeer who greeted us at the Christmas tree plantation.   

Happy Christmas and may all your dreams come true too…

As you can see, I haven’t got very far with the unpacking yet, although you might just be able to make out my most treasured possession, the Jackie Collins signed photo to yours truly on my desk, yep, I wasn’t taking any chances with JC going AWOL… so I stashed her in my handbag on move day.

 It’s West Dean College in Chichester, and I got to stay there for a writing retreat over the weekend before doing a talk for the MA Creative Writing students, although I suspect they probably know much more than I do about the craft of writing. Anyway, pushing this thought aside I was welcomed by the course leader Greg Mosse, husband to acclaimed author, Kate Mosse… so no pressure then.

The talk was delivered in a ‘chat show’ style, expertly facilitated by Greg, where I answered a variety of questions. I read an extract from my second novel and we chatted about characterisation and discussed the main character. The importance of creating believable characters and making their actions plausible for them. One student summed it up perfectly by saying, ‘I might not do it, but I love reading about someone else doing it. It’s about escapism.’  Quite… told you they knew more than me.

We talked about writing in the ‘first person present’ and how the reader can live the story with the main character, experience a very immediate section of her life. How the main character’s neutral narrator voice can co-exist with her emotional one and the rhythm that passes from one to the other is what drives the narrative.

They asked me about writers block, and I explained what works for me… my secret ‘third person bonkbuster’ (the book I’m writing alongside my real work in progress) which they all thought was hilarious. I explained that it keeps my writing on track, how whenever I feel the urge to waste twenty minutes sniffing hyacinths in the window box by my desk, I bang out (pun intended) a few paragraphs so I can then go back to the WIP and carry on with renewed enthusiasm. Works for me every time.

In summary, it was my first ever author talk, and although I was nervous beforehand, Greg and his students made me feel so welcome, they treated me like a proper published novelist, even though I explained that I’m still working on that dream, and that masquerading as a newspaper columnist* isn’t quite the same thing. But it didn’t matter to them, they were enthusiastic, engaging and interested in my writing… and that’s a truly flattering feeling. Thank you so much for having me.  

* You can read about that escapade on the ‘How I Became A Writer’ page

Yep, that’s right, it was a party organised by the Romantic Novelist’s Association, held in the glorious library at the IMechE building in Westminster, just around the corner from Buck house.  

I met a variety of women of all ages, either top of their game or aspiring to be – bestselling novelists, super agents and editors from world class publishing houses and literary magazines all willing to share and encourage.

The atmosphere was exciting, glamorous and scented with Halston, ok that was me, but you get my drift… it was modern and fashionable. Sooo, imagine my surprise when a Daily Moan (Mail) journo, claiming to be at the same event, reported a room crammed full of old biddys in twin sets and pearls looking to top up their pension pots or whatever by banging out a few saucy sex scenes, bla bla bla… I can only presume that she slipped into a parallel universe on the way to the event or accidentally stumbled into the Buck house monthly WI convention.

Anyway, after twenty years in the world of corporate business, I think I know a bit about networking parties, and trust me, this was one of the best… and I promise you, not a blowsy old dear in a dowdy outfit in sight, unless you count the floral number the journo was working…

PS – my nan had one just like it!

PPS – her photographer was pretty reem though, so not all bad..

Authors for Japan

Well, the wonderful author Keris Stainton has come up with an amazing initiative where authors are auctioning all kinds of fabulous writery things, books, mentoring, critiques etc. to help raise funds for the Red Cross.

So, if you fancy winning any of these and helping a good cause then shifty over to here http://authorsforjapan.wordpress.com and get bidding.

Thank you kindly xx

Anyway, who cares, it is Valentine’s Day after all, so here is a gratuitous picture of the man himself. Mark Ruffalo.

Oh my…

Her nail polish of course, and truly sublime. Think peach Fruitella, and just as delicious, not that I would know these days with being a fully paid up member of The Chub Club (Weight Watchers) oh no no no, but that’s a whole other story.  

Moving swiftly on,  the next glimpse came as Lady Holland’s lady-like hand (did you see what I did there?) clutched at the rim of the slipper bath as she braced her way into a very breathy, but dignified labour, while the butler politely but firmly asked her to imagine blowing out a candle. And as if by magic, a three month old baby appeared, all clean and snuggy in a blanket, like they always do on the tellybox.

Anyway, back to the nails, and after trawling the internet I managed to find the exact same colour.

And here it is… made by Essie, and aptly named Tart Deco. I recommend two or even three coats to achieve the same gloriously tangerine tips. Splendid, as Lady Holland would say.  

No, these were proper one-foot-in-front-of-the-other steps, five to be exact, and we like to think that she saved them up especially for us. A present from QT… and on Christmas Day too. Perfect timing.

And talking of timing, check out QT in her Santa suit as she wiggles along to Louis Spence’s queen’s speech.

Click here to see QT shaking her booty

Anyway, moving swiftly on, it’s the 23rd December today, and QT’s very first Christmas with us. To say that I’m excited would a whopping lie… I’m ECSTATIC, so much so that my house looks like a theme park, I’ve bought enough pressies to last QT until she’s twenty-one at the very least, and I’ve even made my own mince pies, cards and a very pretty ceramic tree and Santa that light up inside and everything. Yep, I’m a proper Christmaszilla, me.

So what’s changed? QT of course, she’s given us our first real family Christmas, and I intend to savour every exquisite memory-moment going. I’ve already taken her to see Santa, three times, and I only welled up twice, couldn’t help myself as she sat on his knee in her little red baby Barbour-style jacket with the biggest grin ever on her cheeky chubby face. Awww.    

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and best wishes for 2011, where all your dreams come true xx