Today I thought I’d give readers
an insight into the life of a writer.
I bet you think that I wake up, fresh as a daisy,
and spend the day in my home office hidden in a world of romance and intrigue.
Perhaps there is a mug of freshly ground coffee sat by a plate of freshly baked
croissants, all in front of a large window that overlooks a vast garden, or
perhaps the sea or a forest. Ha! I wish. That’s exactly how I pictured being a
writer when I published my first novel.
Seven Dirty Words has been re-released by Tirgearr
Publishing this year, and dreams of working in my PJs, with an entourage of
PAs, PR assistants, an agent and personal editor have been well and truly
dashed. I don’t get invited to expensive lunches at top-notch hotels. I don’t
have a gazillion fans lining the streets waiting to have their book signed.
My home office is my front room. Writing this, I am
sat in front of the TV while my two kids play Worms on the Xbox and a kitten is
batting my ponytail. My laptop is a refurbished machine that my husband managed
to a good deal on, and has been decorated in Star Wars stickers. I’m writing
this post today, because tomorrow I return to work after spending half-term on
Brownie camp. No PA is going to do it for me. No PR assistant has booked me in
for a signing, and no fans are constantly bombarding me with Facebook friend
requests.
Tomorrow, I will do the school run, go to the gym,
write a chapter of Educating Miss Beauchamp (my next novel!), and go to work.
I’ll come home, feed the kids – maybe the husband – and walk the dog. I’ll put
the kids to bed, sit down in my “home office” and write another chapter while
the husband plays on the Xbox, email a few reviewers, maybe update Twitter and
Facebook with a buy link, and be in bed with a cup of tea and an episode of
Bones or Castle by 10pm. The day after that, I’ll do it all again.
I’m still hoping that one day I’ll be a
multi-best-selling author, globe-trotting to meet my adoring readers, taking
selfies with the likes of Sylvia Day and EL James, and fighting over the film
rights to my latest book. But until then, I’ll see you all at the next
SmutFest, or Literary Festival, mingling with the other authors who work their
butts off to get noticed.
Don’t feel sorry for me though, and please don’t
think I’m depressed or begrudge my life! On the contrary, I’m lucky that I get
to work part-time so that I can concentrate on my writing. I’m lucky to have an
understanding and supportive family. But I’ve already fulfilled the dream of
becoming a published author, and so now I dream of bigger things. Of being on
the Sunday Times, USA Today, and New York Times best sellers lists.
Excerpt:
A couple of hours later, I
woke to the sound of male voices chatting and laughing in the room below mine. I
stood carefully, straining to hear the topic of conversation. I caught the
words “money”, “sport” and “pavilion,” and knew instantly that TDS was in my
childhood home.
Suddenly, I yearned to see
him again. But, glancing in the full-length mirror by the door that led to my
en suite bathroom, I saw that I was in no fit state to be speaking to handsome
older men.
Dishevelled was an
understatement. My hair resembled a bird’s nest, my eyes had purple rings
underneath them, and the stench of sweat and sickness leaked from my pores.
I dragged myself to the
bathroom, switching on the shower and letting the water run until it was almost
scalding. My body trembled with a cold that only I felt. A hot shower was
desperately needed. Before long, clouds of steam billowed over the top of the
glass doors, informing me that it was time to cleanse away the illness that
stuck to me like goosegrass.
Blurb & Buy Links:
Paige Holmes hides
herself in a masculine world in a desperate attempt to remain safe.
Just as she is ready
to face her fears and her past, she finds herself torn between Matt Jackson and
Vance Ellery: handsome, rich, and safe – or handsome, rich, and dangerous?
Which will she
choose?
The one who appears
to be the most perfect, or the one who makes her use all Seven Dirty Words?
Bio & Social Media Links:
My
career as a writer started when I was young, writing poetry and flash fiction
for my friends and family. After a few minor successes of having pieces
published in anthologies, and later on-line, I decided to have a go at writing
a full-length novel. My first attempt was a bit of a disaster, but after years
of practice, I finally got that coveted First Contract. Since then,
I've written several more novels and short stories, and I don't intend to
retire for at least another 50 years.
Charlotte
lives in Somerset with her husband, two children, and growing menagerie of pets
and can always be found with a cup of tea in her hand. When she's not writing
or running around after small people and animals, she loves to eat curry and
watch action films.
Charlotte
is an active (and vocal) member of the Yeovil Creative Writers.
choward2614.wordpress.com
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