Writer or not?

I'm in a dilemma! I visit lots of blogs and like to leave comments. I refer to myself as "unpubbed", describing myself as a would be writer (of books). But...I have had a short story published here in the UK - and was paid for it.

So...do you think I can call myself a "published author" or not? I feel it's a bit cheeky to say that I am if I'm honest. In addition, when it comes to writing competitions I'm still eligible to enter if I've not had a book published.

Any thoughts? Caroline x

What'da get for Christmas?......

....Hope it was what you wanted.

I did! DH brought me a Kindle. Just the bog standard one - that's all the technology I can deal with! But it's enough! I LOVE it!! I didn't get a chance to play with it on Christmas Day - way to busy cooking and looking after guests and flying around all over the place. But since then I've downloaded and read the following:

Lethal - Sandra Brown
The Perfect Concubine - Michelle Styles
One Perfect Night - Rachael Johns
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (quarter of the way through) and
Dracula - Bram Stoker (not yet read) - but I downloaded it 'cos it was free!

I can see I'm going to have to keep a reign on how much I'm spending - but my excuse is that they are a lot cheaper than buying a hard/soft copy from the shops. And I'm also going to have to keep an eye on the reading - I can see it stopping me from writing! Hey ho - see ya. Caroline xx

Sad today...

.....sorry I haven't been around for a while - there has been a lot going on.

I lost my gran today. She was 93 and I was there when she passed. It was a blessing in the end as she was suffering with pneumonia and it was sad to see her struggling so. I was so lucky to have a gran like her and for so long - I'm 48 now. She didn't have a bad bone in her body and will be much missed by all of her family.

Other news? Ehh not a lot really - except I did celebrate my DH's 50th birthday on the 14th. We had a great day - and he was well chuffed with the surprise prezzie I bought him.

Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and a propserous New Year. Caroline x

I may be gone some time...

...well like I said on my last post, I'm trying to knuckle down to some serious writing. Hence my attempt at giving NaNo a go this year.

As you may, or may not know, NaNo kicks off today, so I've given myself a SERIOUS talking too about the amount of time I spend blogging and not writing. I'm limiting myself to half an hour of blogging a day (yikes!) and then it's knuckle down time on the WIP.

I've decided to go with the "Viking" book. This particular book has been "calling" me to write it for over 2 years now, so I think it deserves to be written! It has a working title of "Viking Temptress." It's a Viking story with a twist (I hope) in that the Heroine is the Viking who is captured by an Anglo Saxon Hero. Like I say, a slight twist on the normal "Vikings" which normally have the Viking as the Hero.

Anyhoo....drum roll please......So far (and bearing in mind it's only the 1st of November)....my word total is.....2449 words. Not bad Caroline, not bad. The only thing is...can I keep it up? I'll stick my neck out and say that I'll post a weekly sub total through out November so you guys can keep me on my toes! Caroline x

2449

It's about time.....

....that I buckled down to some *serious* writing. 2011 has been a very poor output year. Yes I can (and frequently do) make excuses - but the upshot is that I've hardly written anything this year.

So...what am I going to do about it? Well I'm going to attempt NaNoWriMo - it starts in November and I'm going to have a go. 50k words in a month! More than I've done in about 2 years I'm sure. It is dooable - I have written that amount before - but it was a while ago. But I need to do it - for my sanity if nothing else.

I've got all these books fighting to get written. But which one? The "Viking"? The "Romantic Suspense"? A "Contemporary Romance's" - a choice of 3 of them! Perhaps another "Roman" or how about the "Regency" that's been brewing? I've even got a "Christian Romance" up my sleeve! Anyone got a favourite that you think I should start with? (((SIGH))) Let me know - if not - it's the Viking that's calling me at the mo.

Caroline xx p.s it goes without saying that the blogging is going to have to STOP!!!!

Pssst. My New Voices entry is up....

.... and I would love it if you could have a look see and pass on any comments you may have.

It was hard pressing that "send" button I can tell you and I nearly chickened out! Nerve wracking more like - like airing your dirty laundry for all the world to see.

But it's done now. So if you fancy a read (and would like to vote) you can find my entry here. Just in case I cock up the link - it's on the New Voices (Romance Is Not Dead) website - in the Historical section and it's called "Mistress to the Roman." Thanks - Caroline x p.s as I'm a coward I entered it under my married name of "Caroline Hartin" ;o)

10 Random things about me...

Thanks to Teresa for for nominating me for this. So here goes....

1. I got my motorbike licence before my car licence. One day I aim to get another motorbike (or trike) and become an eccentric old lady.

2. I spent most of my early years living in Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf.

3. I'm really bad at grammar - a trait that brings constant frustration in my urge to be a writer.

4. The "Teresa" link is the 1st time I've managed to insert a link into a blog; and only because my step son is sitting next to me as I type this and showed me how to do it! So, in essence, I'm rubbish at technology!

5. Since 2001 we have moved house/flat 9 times! The latest was in Feb this year. I've now laid the law down and said this is the last time!

6. I love Spitfire aeroplanes and one day would love to fly in one.

7. I love the mini series "Band of Brothers" and I've watched it every year since it came out - notably on the 6th of June each year - D-Day.

8. If the TV exploded I wouldn't be bothered one bit. But if my computer exploded....well that's another matter.

9. I love motorhoming We have an old 'van - and go to our favourite campsite whenever we can. The fact that the campsite is only 10 miles away is irrelevant. Once we are "away" we are away and on holiday!

10. I used to be a slavish follower of heavy metal and in my 20's and spent all my money going to concerts. I still love rock music. My one regret was that I never saw Led Zepplin.

Thanks Teresa. I'm now going to nominate anyone who wants to have a go Caroline ;o)