Holidays - I love 'em!

This week my thoughts are turning to the warmer months and the holidays we've got planned. I used to work term-time, so we were forced to take our breaks in the school holidays when the aircraft was full of excitable children, the beaches were jam-packed and the weather was stifling. Not any more. Since my husband and I went part-time, and I changed from secondary to HE, we can plan our holidays at a time to suit us.

This year we are returning to a little resort called Agios Georgios North on the beautiful island of Corfu. We discovered Corfu last year after a recommendation from a friend of mine who has a holiday home there. This quiet resort lies about 39 miles from Corfu Town and is accessible down a long, winding, twisty road.  Getting to and from the resort is not easy and even the Thomson bus had to give up and transfer us all to a smaller mini- bus.  Last year, fancying a change from the beach, we caught an old clapped-out bus to Corfu Town which took about an hour and a half to reach its destination. On the way back we were puzzled as to why the bus driver stopped several times to pick up children en route, but then it all became clear.  Yes, we had inadvertently managed to catch the SCHOOL bus. The Greek kids were extremely well behaved but we did wonder why they kept pointing repeatedly to the side of the vehicle, and shouting to the driver. Eventually, it turned out that one of the windows was falling out of its frame, so another half a dozen stops were needed to adjust this. We never left the resort after that, and this time, if we decide to have a wander, we will definitely hire a car.

Later in the year, we are once again holidaying on our favourite Balearic Island, Menorca. Last year we had a change from our usual routine of lying on the beach, and started to walk the Cami De Cavalls, which is the walking circuit of the island using the perimeter path. We were staying in the quiet resort of Santo Tomas and one particular day decided to turn right to walk part of the path to Cala Galdana. Now, Menorca is extremely picturesque, but unfortunately for us on this particular day, the views we stumbled across turned out to be a little different from what we expected.  The route started off like any other. The day was warm.  The sky was exceptionally clear. The still, calm sea was a perfect shade of blue, but as we turned a corner around the headland, we spotted the naked bodies. Lots of them. Oops.

Of course, as well as spending time with my dear husband, the best thing about holidays is that I can get lots of writing done. My trusty ipad follows me everywhere. I've even been known to write on the aircraft.. There's no housework, no cooking, no shopping and no distractions. Whatsoever.

 Marvellous.

 Until next time.

 Kim x

I quite like February.  For quite a few reasons.

Firstly, it's my birthday month and that's quite exciting in my book.  My birthday falls the day before Valentine's Day so I get two cards from my husband in quick succession.  We've been married 35 years this year and my lovely man has never missed a Valentine's Day (or a birthday) in all of that time.  We're not mushy about it - I'm not talking bunches of flowers or boxes of chocolates - but a lovely romantic card really makes my day.

Depending on when Easter falls, of course, there's also Shrove Tuesday, and let's just say this conjures up oodles of delight for the men in my life.  We never eat pancakes ordinarily, and I detest them, but Shrove Tuesday every year sees me standing by the stove in a haze-filled kitchen cooking the little blighters to order (the pancakes that is!).  The men folk line up in an orderly queue, surrounding me, with their plates clutched tightly in their hands, until a steaming hot pancake gets slapped on their plate.  For probably about thirty seconds they disappear to the table, and then they're back, clamouring for more.  A bit like Oliver Twist.  This all has to be done in strict rotational order.  I'm sure all hell would break loose if I got mixed up and one of them had two in a row.

Shrove Tuesday or Pancake day is the last day before the period Christians call Lent, and always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday.  As Lent is supposed to be a period of abstinence or giving things up, Shrove Tuesday is the last day to indulge yourself and use up the foods that aren't allowed during Lent.   Not in our house.  Every year, I find myself buying the flour, extra eggs, chocolate sauce, sticky syrup, lemons and everything else that we need for the indulgent feast.  What's that all about then?

Finally, February is supposed to be the last month of winter, when hopefully the weather is on the turn.  I think the birds in our garden are already under the impression Spring has arrived, for I've heard them singing again in the mornings.  We live on the crest of a large wooded area, so we are lucky enough to see lots of them.  My favourite though, by far,  is the owl that hoots in the dead of the night.  I've never seen it, but sometimes I hear it just as I'm falling asleep.  What a lovely sound it is.

Until next time

Kim x

Looking forward.

January- for me this month has flashed by.  I've no idea why.  Usually January is a dark, dreary, never-ending stretch of four long weeks, when most folk feel a little down-trodden after the excesses of the festive season, money is in short supply, and travelling to and from work is done in the pitch black.  Just this week, though, I've noticed the days are getting a little longer, the bulbs are popping up in the garden and the promise of spring seems to be just around the corner.

I love Spring.  The plants and shrubs are covered in big, fat buds and it's wonderful to see the fresh, green shoots appearing tentatively in the flowerbeds, ready to face whatever the weather throws at them.   Spring is like a brand new start, every year, and for me this time it is especially poignant.

When my eldest son was diagnosed with a serious illness last November it was a very bleak time indeed.  The anguish we felt when his consultant told us the news was indescribable.  Thankfully, he is now okay, and although he will need regular check-ups for the next ten years, he has come through that period with renewed vigour and a serious determination to follow the words of his Oncologist and "get on with his life".  Teacher training won't be easy, but I'm very proud of what he's decided to do.   I'm also pleased to tell you that my youngest son has also decided to go down the same route as his brother, so watch out for Mr Lain and Mr Lain, future primary school teachers in the making!

For that reason alone I am stealing their mantra and applying that same determination to my own writing career.  For the moment, and until I retire from my day job, writing can only ever be part-time for me, but from now on there is going to be no more dilly-dallying.  Life is too short.  So - what does that mean?

It means -

I've finally polished the three chapters of my work-in-progress ready to send to the fabulous Kate Walker, whose writing retreat I have signed up to in March.  (And yes, I am very nervous about this).

I'm determined to enter this competition run by Prima Mills and Boon. A couple of my friends on Facebook have won similar competitions and although this one is massive, and probably so far out of my league, I am still going to have a go.  There's nothing lost, is there?

I've also registered for Romance Festival 2015 on the 7th and 8th February.

Until next time.

Kim x

So - this my first attempt at making a blog EVER.  I've been thinking of setting one up for quite some time, and did ask my son a couple of weeks ago if he would help me, but he's gone to watch the football so I'm quite proud of the fact that I've done it all by myself!  Of course over the coming weeks it will need to be tweaked decoratively but hey, I've made a start!

I'm sat at the table drinking my favourite fruit tea (blackcurrant) and looking with disgust at the streaks on my living room window.  It's a huge window and does need a clean, but my mum always told me not to clean a window when the sun was shining (more streaks apparently) so that's my excuse for not doing that today.

What I really should be doing is polishing my first three chapters of the wip so it's ready to submit to Kate Walker in early February.  In mid March I'm due to attend her writing retreat at Weetwood Hall in Leeds and I can't wait.  I've already done her introductory writing course last year at the same venue which was utterly fantastic.  I met so many lovely people and came away with loads of hints and tips and lots of advice from Kate.  If you ever get the chance to go on one of Kate's courses, then you will definitely benefit - I know I did!

On social media at the moment there is also a Mills and Boon competition where one needs to submit an 800 first chapter plus 1000 word synopsis in order to win a publishing contract.  One of my Twitter friends has just had this happen to her through another writing competition (eek!) so that's inspired me to have a go.  Massive congratulations Lynne Shelby - can't wait to read your first book.

I'm also due to submit another contribution to Heidi-Jo Swain's blog in mid February, so all of these things are swirling around my head.  Heidi-Jo is another of my Facebook/Twitter friends who's had a lot of success this year.  Well done Heidi, it's all thoroughly well- deserved!

I've just renewed my membership of the RNA NWS, which is the  marvellous scheme for new writers run by the Romantic Novelists' Association.    I'm determined to be much more organised this year and  not submit my typescript at the very last minute.  This is my third year on the scheme and hopefully by now I'm getting much better, and learning the craft of writing.

So - what to do first?