It wasn’t quite a repeat of that fabulous moment in ‘Love Actually‘ when Karl gives Sarah a lift home. If you don’t know the movie, it’s the moment when, at long last, two of the characters find themselves alone together. It’s a pivotal – and exciting – moment. He stands at the door:
Karl: Goodnight.
Sarah: Goodnight.
[he gives her a quick peck on the cheek, then they begin to kiss passionately]
Karl: Actually, I don’t *have* to go.
Sarah: Right. Good.
Karl: I mean…
Sarah: No-no that’s good. Just, um, would you excuse me for one second? Just…
Karl: Sure.
[she moves round the corner, out of sight of Karl, dances a little jig for joy, then returns]
Sarah: Um, okay, that’s done. Um, why don’t you come upstairs in about ten seconds.
There were no tasty guys involved in my little happy jig, well, unless you count a hero named Adam. I had just said goodbye to the awesome Lyn Vernham, the director of Choc Lit and been offered a contract for Sweet Occasions!
Did I have to think about it? I think the words were out of Lyn’s mouth for all of three seconds before we sealed the deal with a hug! I tried to remain cool, despite my nerves literally making my legs wobble all over the place. As Lyn left Starbucks, I walked purposefully to the ladies cloakroom. Once inside, and with my hand clasped firmly over my mouth, I literally jumped up and down. Then I calmly washed my hands and went to the car to call my husband, Lawrence.
When watching X Factor, one repetitive phrase keeps coming up whenever contestants are asked what it means to them to be on the show: ‘It means everything to me, it’s my dream’. Well, when I began writing I didn’t have a ‘dream’, I just began and kept going – not really thinking too far ahead. I CAN say that ‘I’m over the moon’, ‘I’m so excited, I’m still on a high’ AND
I’m feeling truly blessed, extremely proud and honoured!
And, of course, aside from the prospect of sharing ‘Adam’ with you very soon (who is a heart-melting hero with a heart of gold), I have a virtual chocolate-fest to share, too !
Seriously, though, I don’t believe in ‘wishing’ for things unless it’s connected with good health, release from pain, relief from terrible situations etc. All families/friendships have their fair share of situations where a wish, or a prayer is a very meaningful, and special, act.
When it comes to my guilty pleasure – writing – just being able to have the luxury of giving up work to write, IS ‘the dream’. I simply believe in working hard, being eternally thankful for every single review anyone has ever done for me, and being grateful for all the new friends and colleagues I’ve met since I began writing in 2009.
So what’s next? Well, I keep on working hard and trying to up that bar, so that I can be a worthy member of my new writing family:
the Choc Lit team
But I would not be at this point in my writing career if it wasn’t for the awesomely professional book bloggers, readers who have been kind enough to post reviews, and lovely people who have purchased one of my novels. It’s humbling. My wonderful husband, Lawrence, has put up with me burning the candle at both ends for nearly six years now. He doesn’t complain and is always the first person to read the polished version of each new story. He knows I’m a hopeless case, I’m afraid, as the truth is that I’m never going to stop. When I die I want to be buried with my iPad and a fully-charged keyboard …
Thanks for coming to visit and allowing me to share my news with you – the fact that you are here means a lot to me! Without the support I’ve received I would not be celebrating this moment.
On that note, I’d better get back to work – there are some characters waiting to tell me what to write next … have a fab day!
