I’ve seen lots of FaceBook posts on the run up to Christmas about having a break from social media. I’m pretty sure that’s a good thing, although I can’t say I’ve given up that vice during the festive season.
For some of those writers, I’m sure they will be using that time wisely and relaxing with family and having a holiday of sorts. At Romaniac HQ we have a mixed bag: writers with deadlines working some of the Christmas period and others having a break.
But do we ever really manage to have a day off as a writer? For me, when I am at my most relaxed, it’s when my imagination kicks into play and before I know it I have an idea forming that wasn’t there before. I’ve created work by relaxing. And if it’s not that, it’s the next chapter, the next part of the story pushing for attention. My brain does not have an off switch (apart from when I’m sleeping. Thankfully, my brain let’s me sleep most of the time.)
I do have days off (Christmas being one of them), and like my children, my books call to me. They holler often and with annoying persistence until it reaches the point when they can’t be ignored. This is true of my kids and the books. And striking a balance is both exhausting and worthwhile. This Christmas I will be at the keyboard, but that’s in the knowledge I can relax more over the summer. The only problem with relaxing, is those pesky ideas that show up and want to be worked on. But, again, a bit like my children, I wouldn’t be without them because where would that leave me?
I hope whatever you are up to, you’ve had a wonderful Christmas and 2016! Romaniac HQ can’t wait to 2017!
Oh my goodness, the last 24 hours have been crazy! I have woken up this morning with sore feet, tired eyes and a fuzzy head. Why? Well, for those who did not see my announcement on social media yesterday, here it is…
I have signed a TWO BOOK DEAL with publishing giants Harper Collins under their digital first imprint, Harper Impulse.
I still can’t believe it. I cannot even begin to describe the feeling when I say those words because I have waited so long to. And I attended the Harper Imprint Christmas party last night which provided the perfect setting to celebrate my announcement, and was made that little bit more special as I had two other Romaniacs, Sue and Catherine, either side of me making sure I celebrated in true Romaniac fashion.
Pre-drinks with Sue and Catherine
I don’t have your average author story. I didn’t grow up wanting to write books or reading every single childrens book after hours with a torch under my pillow. I haven’t read all of the classics that I thought all people who wanted to be authors had. I haven’t got a degree in English or writing – I didn’t even take English for my a-levels. Yet something inside me changed that first time I attempted to write my first story.
I remember it like it was yesterday. I’d just had my daughter – who is known on social media as LO – and I was incredibly lucky to be able to stay at home with her whilst my husband worked very hard to look after us. But instead of doing what sane people do and ‘nap when baby naps’, I started writing down little stories and characters. By the time she was a few months old, I had some chapters down. It wasn’t in the genre I write in now but I really believed in the story. I remember sitting in the garden with one of my best friends and telling her that I had written it and how much I enjoyed it. I still have that story, although I don’t think it will ever see the light of day. But it is special because it was my first.
However, I wasn’t dreaming of being published, I just enjoyed the writing.
Fast forward four years and I was still dabbling in writing little stories here and there for fun. Then one evening I went along to an event where I saw a clairvoyant. It was the one and only time in my life where I indulged in anything of that kind but as a bit of fun, I decided to give it a try. That lady said one thing to me that stuck in my mind ever since and really changed my life.
‘That thing you are doing right now, you should keep doing it and take it seriously – you’ll be good at it.’
It was a throwaway comment which could be interpreted in whichever way the recipient wanted, I understand that. But to me, at that point in my life, my first thought was, she’s talking about my writing. So the very next day I signed up to do a novel writing course with the London School of Journalism. And this was when I stopped writing just for fun, and started writing with a view to getting published.
Fast forward another six years, and here I am! It has taken me ten years to get to the stage where I can say I’m going to be a published author. And it feels incredible.
At the Harper Christmas party: L – R Sue Fortin, Charlotte Ledger (one of my editors), me, Jules Wake
So, back in June I had a very exciting meeting with a lovely editor, Charlotte, from Harper. It was amazing to talk to someone who loves my writing and genuinely enjoys reading my work. She offered me a book deal there and then and I spent the rest of the day in a haze, super excited to get home and tell my husband and daughter the amazing news. Only problem was, I hadn’t actually written the book yet! Whilst Charlotte and her team had read my previous work, the book deal was for a book that, at that time, was just a concept I had written down. Now I had to write the book and make it good!
The whole time writing it, I was terrified they would read the finished version and take my deal away. Was I going to live up to their expectation? Did I have the time to write the book as it was the summer holidays and I had a child to entertain? Did I have what it takes to turn that concept into a fully fledged novel?
I am so relieved to say that I wrote the book, I still have my book deal and they loved it! Cue lots of jumping around and whooping!
My agent, Kate Nash, and I at the RNA Conference this year.
My agent, Kate Nash, has been absolutely amazing every step along the way. They say you should have an agent who loves your work as much as you do and I think Kate is perfect for me and my writing. Her enthusiasm and determination for my work is incredible and she is always on the end of the phone when I need her, rooting for me and fighting my corner and I couldn’t be more grateful to her.
So, what’s in store for the next few months?
Edits, edits…and writing the next book! Alongside university, being a mum, volunteer work, being a housewife, preparing for book events, planning a launch party….
Sleep is overrated anyway!
Thank you SO much to everyone for their amazing support and encouragement throughout my writing journey.
A new door has opened for me and this is just the beginning…
Lucie xx
You can pre-order Lucie’s debut, THE FIRST TIME MUMS CLUB, on Amazon here:
A little over a year ago, my third novel, What Doesn’t Kill You, was released as an ebook. Much to my delight, relief and wonder, it’s received a plethora of four and five star reviews, which still take my breath away. I’d like to say right here, thank you to everyone who bought, borrowed, read and reviewed WDKY. Taking the time to read and review a book is always appreciated and to find the story, characters and setting have stayed with the reader is an amazing feeling. So, again. Thank you.
WDKY is the first title under the Dark Choc Lit imprint – compelling, emotional and hard-hitting novels. It took a year to write. There were times when I thought I wasn’t brave enough to tackle the issues within, and there were times of tears – not of frustration, but of emotion – as I lived the scenes with the characters. The research was eye-opening, and often heartbreaking, but it always left me thinking long after I switched off the PC or finished a conversation.
It’s a book I hold close to my heart, so it is with great pleasure that I share my news with you.
To celebrate the launch of the paperback, I’m taking the Romaniac Mini out of the garage and going on tour, visiting these lovely people: Anne Williams (Being Anne), Sincerely BookAngels, Jo Lambert, The Writing Garnet, Linda’s Book Bag, Abbey MacMunn, and a few of my fellow Romaniacs. Dates from the 9th January onwards. Details to follow. I do hope you can join me. I can’t promise any stage diving or crowd surfing, but there may be a giveaway or two …
Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas, and I shall see you in 2017.
I can’t believe a year has passed since my debut novel As Weekends Go was published. I’ve been keeping a month by month journal to record all those exciting moments, both pre and post publication; something to treasure with fondness and pride and something I’d thoroughly recommend.
Here’s a taste of my ‘Year as a Published Author’ photo-diary …
Dec 2015 ~ Launch Day Celebrations.
Jan 2016 ~ Happiness and relief as some fabulous reviews started coming in (thank you, dear readers). I also set up my own blog and featured on several fellow bloggers’ sites with either a Q&A or guest post, all a joy to take part in and all hugely appreciated.
Feb 2016 ~ I discovered Canva – a great site for creating promotional banners for social media.
March 2016~ Cheered like crazy when As Weekends Go was selected for an Amazon Kindle daily deal promotion which subsequently saw it hit the top 100. Much Prosecco was cracked open and quaffed, I can tell you!
I also visited York and Leeds in March for sequel research purposes which was highly rewarding.
April 2016 ~ Superb news! My book would also be coming out in paperback later in the year. Cue a virtual conga at Brigden Towers.
May 2016 ~ One of my fave authors, Lisa Jewell, agreed to read my novel with a view to potentially providing a quote for my paperback (much crossing of fingers, toes and eyes!).
June 2016~ I learned I’d made ‘The Bookseller’ who reviewed forthcoming titles in paperback. A proud moment for sure. My lovely publisher Choc Lit also celebrated 7 years in business this month.
July 2016 ~ Photo-shoot month, don’t laugh! I knew I needed some updated author pics, and with my good friend Noreen being an ace photographer, a date was fixed. What a giggle we had. Here are a couple that didn’t quite make the final … 😉
KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA
KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA
I also received my first ever royalty cheque this month, as well as this terrific quote from Lisa Jewell, following her ‘thumbs up’ for my novel : “I loved this gorgeous love story written with a sure touch and a big heart.”
August 2016~ The postman delivered these beauties ahead of paperback publication. I really did appreciate what it felt like to hold a copy of my book in my hands.
September 2016 ~ Paperback Publication Day on the 7th, and some brilliant messages from my fellow Romaniacs buddies: Romaniac Cheer I even received a congratulatory tweet from Crystal Palace FC. I then discovered my book had been chosen as a weekly staff pick for Lovereading UK and was one of its debuts of the month.
Towards the end of September I attended an author/blogger meet up in London which gave me a great chance to say hello to (and thank) faces both new and familiar. A good time was had by all, with much writerly and non-writerly chat and laughter. We were blessed with glorious sunshine too – always a bonus.
October 2016 ~ I make no excuses. Not much writing took place this month as my staggered 50th birthday celebration pics reveal … I felt very loved and extremely pampered.
November 2016~ I managed to work on the sequel a bit more this month which lifted my spirits. It’s soul-destroying when the will is there but the self-belief and passion won’t play ball, so progress is progress as they say.
December 2016 ~ My book anniversary on the 4th, which I celebrated with a giveaway (runs until Friday 9th) with a chance to win a signed paperback of As Weekends Go plus some festive choccies. If you have a look at either my Facebook or Twitter page, you’ll see further details there 🙂
And now on the run up to Christmas, I thank you all for your friendship and support. I will be forever grateful for all those wise words of advice and encouragement offered to me both pre and post publication.
The Romaniacs 