My Recent Comments

Lynn, I can't believe I didn't meet you until we were on the Hqn party dance floor! Wasn't the conference just huge! Sorry to hear you went home sick. Hope you're feeling more chipper now.

I've been quiet since returning a week ago, (something about a book to write ((mumblemumblemumble))) but just want to say a quick hello to everyone out there. I've posted a few pics on my blog. There's more to come when I get the chance. Aussie conference next week so it's a bit crazy down here.

Waves to all!

Trish

Congratulations on the latest addition to your growing and fabulous book list.

Sorry we won't see you in SF, but Melbourne is just around the corner! Will definitely catch up there!

Hope the RNA weekend went well. Look forward to the reports!

All best,

Trish

Welcome to Passion: Presents style! Great to see you here and it'll be fabulous to see you in San Fran!

Congrats on getting the book in and on the new start. Well done you.

And Chris, your hubby is a real keeper. How are you finding Kate's book?

Very quiet in here lately. Waves to all the lurkers out there!

Betty, it has been quiet in here - I think we were waiting for you for the party to start. I'd blame it all on our cold temps downunder - like Annie said, it's pretty cool and the fire is certainly my best friend, but I guess it's a bit warmer up where you all are.

Carol, I hope that submission is working well and you'll have it done in plenty of time. It's such a fabulous opportunity to enter that contest. All the best!

Lou, as Annie said, working out where your voice fits is one of the most difficult things in this business, but certainly, finding out what you love to read is usually a great indication. Might be worthwhile entering a few romance writer contests too, as that can help hone in on where your voice fits.

I have my new title - Forced Wife, Royal Love-Child - and a release date of April 09 in both US and UK. Seems such a long time away but I know it will come around so quickly. How can it be the end of June already?

And just for fun, I received my latest Hebrew translation the other day, and I've put up the covers of the three I've had on my blog. Quite different, I think you'll find...

Have a great weekend everyone, wherever you are in the world,

Trish

Cheers everyone, and thanks Annie for your congrats. Rounded off a good anniversary week with a sale - my latest revised manuscript has been accepted and I have a new title - still to be finalised, but something to do with a prince, a bride and a love-child.

It's been a lovely week or so awaiting editor's opinion, while I've caught up on life, the universe and the ironing, but it looks like it's nose to the grindstone next week with no more excuses for housework. What a shame!

Hope everyone is having a fantabulous weekend!

Trish

Thanks Chris, I can't believe where the five years has gone, then I look at my bookshelf and think, oh yeah...

Kate H, I have your book on my tbr pile and I can't wait to read it. I have so many books lined up now revisions in. Love this wee chance to catch up!

All best to everyone,

Trish

 Hey Janet, that writing bug is contagious  And once bitten, it's the itch you have to keep scratching. Annie's already given you some great advice, which I see you've taken on board. I'm going to offer some more  Get yourself a copy of Kate Walker's 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance - the new edition is hot off the presses so I know you'll be able to pick up a copy on amazon.com etc, and it's fabulous. It sets everything out so brilliantly in easy to digest chapters on everything from conflict through dialogue, sensuality, passion, heroes, heroines, the black moment and more with fabulous checklists to help you focus.

I'm sure you'll find it a great help. Oh, and where you said... I usually start because I get this idea in my head for my "ideal story" (I'm a picky reader who likes things a certain way), but then I start thinking that I'm not doing justice to the story and that it's not forming properly (there's too many holes and things I've done wrong). 

Can I just say that this happens to me all the time - and indeed to most writers I know. Rarely are the words on the page anywhere near as sharp and clear, as emotional or powerful,  as the image of a scene I have in my head. The good news is, that's where editing comes in. Get something down, you've got something to work with. But you have to get it down first.

It's intensely frustrating when the words just don't do the story in your head justice. On the other hand, it's intensely rewarding when, with a bit of work, that story leaps from the page. So do stick with it.

And good luck!

Trish

Passion: Presents moves! And then it takes me an age and a  half to successfully log in and find my way back (am I the only one still struggling with this new format???)

Sorry to be absent for so long. Had a busy few weeks finishing ms, then the RWAustralia Romance Roadshows, then revisions, so it feels like I've been gone forever, though have been trying to keep up along the way.

But revisions went in last night (phew) and I have a wee chance to draw breath. Anne, I love those no revision books - good on you for nailing it first time! Unfortunately this wasn't one of them for me but that happens too. It does make you appreciate those no revision manuscripts though. Always a positive.

Can't believe it's already June - and just about mid way.  Next month is Nationals and the month after the Aussie conference and the month after that I'll be in London for AMBA! What's that about another book before then?

But it is so nice to come out and play for a wee while.

Lovely to see you all again

Trish

Could be the name of a Stephen King novel, and to be sure it's a dull little town with little company and no nightlife. But it's where I'm hanging out the next week or so while I finish the book. We're hoping it's not a horror story

I've been away a while with lots of things happening, but I did get a lovely post yesterday from a reader in North America who cheered me no end because she sent me the cover for my August Presents. Already! I know it's May, but to have August books out already is mind boggling. Any hoos, you can check it out on my blog if you like - with apologies for the quality as I mucked around with the scan and it's the best I can do for now.

Wayne, many belated happies to you! Never get sick of birthdays. Always an excuse to have a fuss made of one. It's Mother's Day here in Oz on Sunday (there too in NA?) and I'm hoping for a big fuss down these parts

And mulberry, great advice, checking out new authors. Make sure you read their second and third books too, because often it takes a while for an author to grow into what makes her voice special for the line. But it is so important to see what's ringing the editorial bells, and new writers especially are a good way of checking that.

Cathy, I love your new Alcolar series cover and blogged about that too, after spotting it on yours. Lovely to share a cover with you, my fave as well. And a big thanks as your new 12 Point Guide hit my PO box today. A real treat. Many thanks!

Best wishes all,

Trish, hopping back on the Lurksville bus

Congrats on your letter, which you described as...

 It looked to me pretty much like a form rejection letter, tweaked a little for the competition entries. But it did say that they felt my writing showed promise, and there were a couple of positive comments handwriiten on the hardcopy of my entry cover letter. I am very happy to get a little encouragement with my first submission! But it also implies that they don't want to see more of that story, as the letter enclosed a "With Compliments" slip with an editor's name on it, to attach to the first three chapters and synopsis of my next manuscript. So now I don't know what to do.

Mulberry, you should be celebrating!Not prevaricating. They want to see your next manuscript. What the heck are you waiting for???

Get on with it

Trish