Category: General blog

RNA Conference : A quick round up plus photos

Published on by suefortin6 Comments

As always, the annual Romantic Novelists’ Association conference is always a blast. This year was no exception. Held at the Harper Adams University in Telford, the talks were great, very inspiring and the company fantastic.

For me, it started the Thursday night after an epic drive to meet my Romaniac girls at Debbie Fuller-White’s house which is approximately 40 minutes from the campus.  I eventually arrived at Debbie’s around 11.30pm and the girls, who had held off eating until I got there, had quelled their hunger pains with wine – say no more!

Dinner at Dbes

 

Debs' garden

The following morning, we started the day with a lovely walk near to where Debbie lives. I was instantly taken with the beautiful scenery and have made a note to come back with my walking boots to explore this part of the country more.

Friday morning walk in the Church Stretton area

Conference started on Friday afternoon and continued through the weekend. The talks I attended were very interesting. I would like to have gone to many more but, sadly, with 3 or 4 going on at the same time, you have to pick and choose. The talk given by Waterstones and WH Smith Travel was very insightful. It was interesting to hear about their approaches, vision and restrictions. Talli Roland and Nick Spalding gave another great talk on being both a traditionally signed author and a self-published one. While Phillipa Ashley and Nell Dixon gave some excellent advice on writing series novels.

talk
Talks from WH Smith Travel, Waterstones, Phillipa Ashley & Nell Dixon, Talli Roland and Nick Spalding

The gala dinner was fabulous. Catering for 250 RNA members, is not easy task, but they managed it with ease. The food, all sourced locally, was delicious.

 

I am reliably informed there were 235 women attending and 5 men.

I have to mention that Romaniac and friend, Vanessa Savage, came second in the Elizabeth Goudge opening chapter competition with her modern take on a fairy story – Vanessa used Sleeping Beauty as her inspiration for a YA version entitled ‘Hush’. I have actually read it and, although I am biased, it is a great opening chapter; dark and intriguing.

Vanessa with her goody bag for 2nd place in the opening chapter competition

A big thank you to the RNA and everyone involved in making it such a success.

RNA ladies
Sue Moorcroft, Katie Fforde, Christina Courtenay, Jan Jones – wonderful RNA ladies

I’ve shared some photos here and put more on my Facebook page.

various photos

 

So now back to finishing the first draft of my current WIP.

Sue

x 

I get to be Cinderella after all

Published on by suefortin1 Comment

As a member of the Romanitic Novelists’ Association, there are several events throughout the year that I like to attend and the annual conference is definitely the highlight.  I was very disappointed not to be going this year but, at the very last minute, it seems my Fiary Godmother has been fixing things for me. I was delighted when I was able to work things so I could attend for one of the days and now, to top that, I can also attend the gala dinner and stay overnight at my lovely Romaniac friend’s house, Debbie Fuller-White, who lives close to the Telford site.

I’m very much looking forward to meeting up with lots of writer friends, especially the lovely Romaniacs – this year seven of us are going to be there – Yay!

So all that’s left for me now is to find something to wear.  Easier said than done, but I’m sure I’ll manage it.

 

The Romaniacs at RNA Conference 2013 – The Usual Suspects

Sheffield Romaniacs

 

My Main Character Blog Hop

Published on by suefortin4 Comments

I’ve been invited by Celia J Anderson, my lovely Romaniac pal, to take part in this blog hop. You can read about Celia’s main character from Sweet Proposal here.

I thought I would let my main character from Closing In answer the questions herself.

Closing_in

What is your name and are you real or fictious?

I have had two names. My birth name was Helen Matthews but I had to change my name by deed poll. I chose Ellen Newman. I wanted something that was close enough to my original name to make it easier, so I came up with Ellen. As for my surname – Paul Newman has always been one of my Hollywood idols and also because it symbolised the reinvention of myself. I was a new man – man as in humans. I thought I was being quite clever, but it turned out not to be the case.

When and where is your story set?

My story is contempoary, set on the south coast of the UK, in a small seaside village called Felpham.

What should we know about you?

I don’t want to give too much away as I’m hiding from someone but what you need to know about me is that it has taken great courage for me to make this life changing decision, to reinvent myself, and start anew. My escape and reinvention took many months to plan and although I was frightened, I knew it had to be done. However, I have come to realise that I can’t run forever.

What is the main conflict? What messes up your life?

My main conflict is whether to run or to face up to my past. A classic case of Flight, Fight, Freeze or Fawn.

What messes up my life – is having to face up to things I never wanted to.

What is your goal?

To be free. To be happy. To love and be loved.

What is the book title?

Closing In.

Closing In is available through Amazon UK, Amazon.com, Kobo, GooglePlay, iTunes

 

Thanks for tagging me Celia, I’m now nominating my fellow HarperImpulse author Wendy Lou Jones, author of ‘The Songbird and The Soldier’, with her soon to be released second novel, ‘By My Side’.

 

 

 

Three Things I Write and Three Things I Don’t

Published on by suefortin10 Comments

I’ve been invited by horror writer, Mark West (click on Mark’s name to see his post), to take part in this blog hop – the title pretty much explains what it’s about. So here’s my contribution.

Three Things I Do Write

1. Romance

All my books so far have had romance in them, but to varying degrees. United States of Love is a full on romance but Closing In, although it does have a romance, it isn’t the overriding story. I’m working on book 3 at the moment and, again, the romance is there but not pivotal.  Why do I write romance? It’s all about feelings and emotions which make us human.

2. Mysteryinspector calls

I always enjoy reading books where there is some mystery or secret to solve. Something that keeps you guessing again and again. I like a good crime story and have enjoyed weaving mini-mysteries into the plots of my books. It gives it another dimension.

3.  Themes

When I wrote my first novel, I had no idea what the theme was, I just knew I wanted to write a romance which, I suppose, is quite a broad theme itself.  I attended a workshop run by Julie Cohen and the subject of theme came up. It was a light bulb moment for me, I realised if I knew my theme and kept that at the front of my mind when writing, it would keep the story tight and on track. So now, I always identify my theme before I begin, it’s the starting block for me.

 

Three Things I Don’t Write

1. Horror

the fogI don’t think I could ever come up with anything that was scary. I’ve read some horror books in the past – I distinctly remember reading a James Herbert book when I was about 14 and it scared me so much, I was literally checking the air vents before I went to bed. I just don’t think I could create anything that frightening. It’s a lot to live up to.

2. Historical

I haven’t written anything historical … yet. I would like to but I’m painfully aware of the huge amount of research that I would need to undertake and, currently, I just haven’t got the time. It would do historical writing a great injustice if I didn’t get the facts as right as possible. One day, when I have more time, I do plan to start gathering together information that will allow me to write in this genre but, for now, it’s a bit of a way off.

3. Fantasy

I know there are some great books and films out there, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Hunger Games, Harry Potter – the list is endless, but, it’s just not my thing. I wouldn’t know where to start writing some alternative world, I prefer to write what I know in the real world. However, as with historical writing, I can’t rule it out for ever. I may suddenly wake up one morning with a whole new world in my head with a story desperate to be told but, until then, fantasy is not for me.

 

It’s been an interesting exercise and wasn’t as easy as I thought. I’m ‘nominating’ Nic Tatano and Anneli Purchase to take part next.

 

Cover reveal for novel number 2 : CLOSING IN

Published on by suefortin3 Comments

I’m delighted to be able to announce that my second novel, Closing In, is to be  published by HarperImpluse, and will be released on 15 May. Initially, in digital format but paperback to follow soon afterwards.

I’ve prepared a book trailer to show you the cover and give  you an idea what Closing In is about.  So, if you have less than a minute to spare, I’d love you to take a look.

Sue

x

The Writing Process

Published on by suefortin3 Comments

I have been invited by ChocLit author and Romaniac pal, Laura E James, to take part in a blog hop where we answer a few questions about our writing process. Laura posted last week; it’s fascinating to see how everyone works. You can go to her blog by clicking HERE.

In the meantime, here’s how I do it …

1. What am I working on?

I am currently working on my third full length novel called, Where It All Began. The premises or theme, if you like, of the story is what mothers do for the love of their child; it looks at the extremes of that love and the reasoning behind their actions, both good and bad. There is, of course, some romance and a bit of a mystery.

Screen shot

2. How does my writing differ from others in that genre?

Ooh, a tough question. First of all what genre am I writing in? Romance. Suspense. Mystery. Crime. Women’s fiction. Yes, to all of those, I suppose.  When I was writing my second novel, Closing In, which is currently with my publisher, I was often asked the genre. My reply was that it’s a mixture of romance and crime, so I coined the term ‘crimance’. Where It All Began has those elements too, so I’m carrying on in the same genre of ‘crimance’. How does it differ? I can only say is that I write it my way, with my voice.

3. Why do I write what I do?

That’s a more easy question. I love reading thrillers, whether they are police procedural, suspense or mystery, I really enjoy that sort of story. Equally, I enjoy reading about relationships; all that love and stuff! Combining the two is what I get the most pleasure and satisfaction out of when I’m writing.

books for blog

4. How does my writing process work?

My process has developed over time. These days I like to come up with a theme or a premise first. Once I’ve got that then I can start creating scenarios, mysteries, conflict. The characters seem to come along simultaneously. Sometimes, especially at the early planning stages, there is such a mish-mash of ideas going on in my head that I’m sure if you look at my thoughts, they would resemble an old fashioned jumble sale circa. 1975, about 10 minutes after the doors have opened, where everything is a complete mess, items tossed around, discarded, picked back up again, put in the wrong place and every now and then you find a gem of a buy for 10p. By the time the sale is over, you’ve come away with some great items and some not so great ones. In the safety of your own home you can sort through and decide what to keep and what to put back in for the next jumble sale. Well, that’s my writing process.

Jumble Sale of Thoughts
Jumble Sale of Thoughts

Next week, I’m passing the baton onto my fellow Harper Impulse author, Teresa Morgan who blogs as The Wittering Woman and this is what she says about herself.

I was born and bred in Surrey, but since 1998 I have lived in sunny Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset. I live with my two sons – trying very hard to hold onto my Surrey accent!

I am at my happiest baking cakes, putting proper home cooked dinners on the table (whether the kids eat them or not), reading a good romance, or sitting at my PC emptying the thoughts from my head onto the screen.

I love writing contemporary romance, creating heroes readers will fall in love with. Men who in reality, let’s face it, just don’t exist.  I love creating stories with a touch of escapism.

Getting The Timing Right

Published on by suefortin7 Comments

It’s been six months now since I signed with Harper Impulse and during that time, I’ve seen United States of Love (previously self-published) being given a make-over, a tidy up and relaunched, I’ve submitted book 2 ‘Closing In’ and as I wait for feedback, I have book 3 well under way.

I am regularly asked how I got my publishing deal. I’m hoping it’s out of curiosity rather than incredulity. Anyhow, I think a lot of it has to do with luck – my book landing on the right desk at the right time.  Harper Impulse were looking for new authors (and still are, click HERE for their submission guidelines) and United States of Love had been well received as a self-published book, it had also received a thoroughly encouraging and complimentary RNA report under their New Writers’ Scheme and it had also gained interest from an agent. So, after being urged on by one of my Romaniac pals, I sent it off to Harper Impulse.

The timing doesn’t end there though. Getting a book published is one thing, but making it a success is another. Some books hit the market at the right time and really take off. It could be tied in with a TV series, a topical event, a trend, a genre of book, a film or even the look of the cover could be on-trend – all these things can help promote the book and the timing of publication is just right. Sometimes it’s a coincidence and sometimes it may be more orchestrated. Whatever, a lot of it can be down to timing and, of course, a great story.

Who knows when ‘Closing In’ is published whether it will be a subject of the moment/on trend – it’s just something that can’t be predicted.  I do hope, however, my timing will be better than my timing at the weekend. That will teach me to sit on the slipway and play chicken with the incoming tide! 🙂 You can see video evidence on my writer’s page via this link – I apologise in advance for the squealing and giggling, you may want to turn the volume down before watching it!

Sue

X