One chapter to go!

I wish! That's one chapter to go until I have three solid sample chapters to proffer to agents. The synopsis and book blurb is sleek and polished. It would get my literary cravings going, but then, I'll read anything.

Having been working intensively on this project in the last few weeks, I'm feeling confident enough to bite the bullet and begin approaching agents. Once I have a draft I'm happy with, I'll be sending it off before I can talk myself out of it. As per normal for me with poetry. I have an entire folder on my computer of un-submitted poems. Come on girl,  is it too hard to post them off to even just the local paper?!

I'll also be turning in a book review to trashionista soon. It's done and dusted, I just need to find the inner courage to press send.

Discovered Cathy Kelly just last week. My partner is Irish and he has some very unsubtle cravings for home, leaving me with a craving for Irish Chick lit. I'm currently tearing though Always and Forever. It's set in a health spa - just reading about the heavenly treatments and luscious grounds puts me in a deep sense of relaxation. And whoever put  the Galaxy chocolate stickers on Cathy's books needs a stern word - I'm going to have bed sores and chocolate coating of my own by the time I reach the final page. Coincidentally, I had an email from Ragdale Hall spa, advertising 33% off spa breaks this morning. That's a sign!

All partied out

Have you ever tried to read after a few too many glasses of wine? Well don't, the book will make no sense at all and you'll be wasting your time. I've forgotten about the characters characteristics, forgotten where the plot is going....pretty much like having a drunken conversation - you might as well be conversing with a cardboard cut out.

I'm in danger of writing a drunk Bridget Jones-esque post, so I'll sign off now and get some healthy water down me.

Hope you're all having a fabulous Saturday night, whatever you're doing

Monday Morning - Weekend Hangover

Is it possible to be hungover, not from alcohol, but tiredness alone? If it is, then that's me.

I woke up this morning and for the first time ever, spotted a bloodshot left eye. Tried pointing it out to HisLordship for inspection, but still in Valentine's charm mode, he denied its existence - Liar! A quick analysis of the weekend would suggest that I'm tired from oversleeping - and yes, that is entirely possible, according to sleep researchers and consultants. Friday 13th (no less) was spent in a Tapas restaurant in a flurry of Rose wine - delicious! My four-glass indulgence wrecked my sleep and I finally admitted defeat to my body's desire to toss and turn when HisLordship woke me up with a gentle shake and an offer to make me breakfast. The breakfast offer was nothing but a ploy to ensure he had company for the morning. Two six nations games and a bowl of chips later, I'm fast asleep again. I can't remember the last time I passed out at 8pm from exhaustion alone, but I am acutely aware it has happened before.

Sunday was the perfect excuse for some light shopping - another pair of suede boots (totally impractical for this side of winter), a chunky belt (which I hope is supposed to snugly fit the waist, and not the hips) and best of all, a copy of The Secret Shopper's Revenge by Kate Harrison. This book is perfect for Sunday coffee shop post-shopping reading. I'm 167 pages in and hooked - I've even started ignoring conversations with HisLordship, so that I can cram a few more pages in! It's exactly the kind of book I'd like to write - from the gorgeously kitsch cover, to the sharp but dowdy wit of Emily that you immediately bond with, which is a massive contrast (put this choice of phrase down to the tiredness hangover) to Sandie, who seems guarded and vague - I know she has a good side in there and I'm reading on trying to uncover it! It's real comfort food for the brain and it's fab knowing that I will be pulling out the book again tonight on the train.