Sharon Kendrick's Blog, page 14
July 9, 2011
TEA AT THE PLAZA, NYC
We Presents authors enjoyed the most sumptuous tea at the Plaza Hotel in New York, courtesy of the lovely Jane Porter.This was a huge thrill for me - not just because the food was so sublime or the decor so amazing - but because one of my favourite films was set here. (And Home Alone 2 is still a must-see for me every Christmas!)Here I am pictured with Caitlin Crews (centre) and Jane.
And this is me in the same hotel two days later, when I blagged my way in to use the wood-panelled washrooms and couldn't resist reclining on this completely OTT leopard-skin covered sofa..... Thanks to Sarah Morgan for taking this photo, even though she was fearful we were going to be turfed out any second!
Have you been anywhere sumptuous recently?
And this is me in the same hotel two days later, when I blagged my way in to use the wood-panelled washrooms and couldn't resist reclining on this completely OTT leopard-skin covered sofa..... Thanks to Sarah Morgan for taking this photo, even though she was fearful we were going to be turfed out any second!
Have you been anywhere sumptuous recently?
July 7, 2011
TWEETIE-PIE
I've caved in and joined Twitter - mainly because I felt I was missing out on a conversation that the rest of the world was having.
So do you Tweet?If so, please come and find me @Sharon_Kendrick
So do you Tweet?If so, please come and find me @Sharon_Kendrick
July 5, 2011
HAIL, FELLOWS - WELL MET!
My first morning in New York was spent in the Metropolitan Museum of Art with other Harlequin Presents authors and our lovely editors. (Note the misty skyscrapers in the background).
This private tour was organised by the lovely Kate Hewitt and the museum was brought to life by her sister-in-law, Anne - an art historian who magically managed to convey the sheer, impressive scale of the collection. Somehow, she made it seem both accessible and cosy - and not in the least bit daunting.
Here I am, standing in front of an exquisite pastoral stained-glass window.
We gazed in awe at the fabulous but slightly scary work of Alexander McQueen - in an exhibition appropriately titled SAVAGE BEAUTY. In among the carefully-crafted garments you could find glitter galore and the flutter of feathers - as well as the occasional quirky accessory such as epaulets made from alligator heads! Afterwards, we went to Kate's apartment which is just off 5th Avenue and which made me feel like I was peeling away the outer skin of the city to take a closer look inside.
I love New York.Do you?
July 4, 2011
THE LIFE OF A ROMANTIC NOVELIST
Just arrived back from a writers' conference in New York, where I'm pictured hamming it up in a stretch white limo!
It was fab. It was fantastic. And it was best summed up by the bus driver who said (when I started singing): "Lady, you bin hangin' around Broadway too long!".I will post more details and more completely over-the-top photos when I've recovered - but for now I'm off to run around the water-meadows in an attempt to work off the cheese-cake!
What have I missed (apart from a great Wimbledon Mens' Final...) and what has been happening in your world?
It was fab. It was fantastic. And it was best summed up by the bus driver who said (when I started singing): "Lady, you bin hangin' around Broadway too long!".I will post more details and more completely over-the-top photos when I've recovered - but for now I'm off to run around the water-meadows in an attempt to work off the cheese-cake!
What have I missed (apart from a great Wimbledon Mens' Final...) and what has been happening in your world?
June 25, 2011
HELLISH REVISIONS AND NOO YORK
Here's a peak preview of a book which is out in the UK in September, entitled MONARCH OF THE SANDS. (Do you like the title?)
I've been working like crazy on my latest manuscript, trying to revise it before I go off to the RWA conference, which is being held in a city which seems to get an enthusiastic response whenever I mention it.Yes, it's New York. I'll be staying on Times Square and collecting an award from Harlequin for having published 75 books. It all feels a bit unreal....
Sooo, I've only ever been to this vibrant town once before - and that was years ago. Do you know it - and do you have any secret or exciting places to share?
June 15, 2011
BEAUTIFUL, AND BEREFT.....
I'm featuring this rose because it's beautiful.(And wondering what colour you'd call it?)
Not just "yellow" but maybe marzipan or saffron.....?
Have just delivered my manuscript - a lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into the story of Sheikh Hassan Al Abbas and Ella Jackson and now all I have to do is wait (rather neurotically) for my editor to come back to me.All kinds of worse-case scenarios will flit through my mind - but none can possibly be as bad as the time when I said (quite earnestly) that I thought my submission was pretty good.And then she phoned back the next day to ask for extensive revisions (read: rewrite!). Ever since that day I've never offered an opinion on a book....
So now I'm in that strange space where there is no longer a pressing deadline making you feel guilty if you're not writing. No alarm ringing at 6am to send you stumbling sleepily towards the computer. No conversations in your head which will suddenly make you understand a man who is very complex. In short, I'm missing my characters!
Which is why I'm hoping you'll tell me what you're doing, wherever you are in the world....
Not just "yellow" but maybe marzipan or saffron.....?
Have just delivered my manuscript - a lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into the story of Sheikh Hassan Al Abbas and Ella Jackson and now all I have to do is wait (rather neurotically) for my editor to come back to me.All kinds of worse-case scenarios will flit through my mind - but none can possibly be as bad as the time when I said (quite earnestly) that I thought my submission was pretty good.And then she phoned back the next day to ask for extensive revisions (read: rewrite!). Ever since that day I've never offered an opinion on a book....
So now I'm in that strange space where there is no longer a pressing deadline making you feel guilty if you're not writing. No alarm ringing at 6am to send you stumbling sleepily towards the computer. No conversations in your head which will suddenly make you understand a man who is very complex. In short, I'm missing my characters!
Which is why I'm hoping you'll tell me what you're doing, wherever you are in the world....
June 7, 2011
BUSY - AND BOOKING!
I rushing to meet my deadline and trying (but failing!) to tame my latest hero. His name is Sheikh Hassan Al Abbas and he'll be appearing in a brand-new continuity series which will be coming soon.
I've also penned a short story for Woman's Own - which is an offshoot of my take on Jane Eyre, THE FORBIDDEN INNOCENT. It was great fun to take a minor character from a full-length novel and to give them their own story. I'll let you know when it's coming out.
Meanwhile, I'm counting down the days until I go to New York to the extravaganza of a conference which is thrown annually by the Romance Writers of America. I've just been invited to a fancy party where the dress code is black or white. And my dress I'd been planning to wear is the colour of a smudged rainbow. Oh, the dilemma!
And to those of you who wanted to know when my next Tuscan writing course will be - it's been confirmed as 5th- 12th May, 2012 at the Watermill. So why not get booking?
Here's a picture of me with with some of the students from this year's course. In the background are the lush, verdant mountains you'll find in this picturesque region of the Massa Carrara which is where the Watermill is tucked away.
Tempted? You should be.....
So that's me and my life.Will you please provide me with inspiration and tell me what's happening in yours?
I've also penned a short story for Woman's Own - which is an offshoot of my take on Jane Eyre, THE FORBIDDEN INNOCENT. It was great fun to take a minor character from a full-length novel and to give them their own story. I'll let you know when it's coming out.
Meanwhile, I'm counting down the days until I go to New York to the extravaganza of a conference which is thrown annually by the Romance Writers of America. I've just been invited to a fancy party where the dress code is black or white. And my dress I'd been planning to wear is the colour of a smudged rainbow. Oh, the dilemma!
And to those of you who wanted to know when my next Tuscan writing course will be - it's been confirmed as 5th- 12th May, 2012 at the Watermill. So why not get booking?
Here's a picture of me with with some of the students from this year's course. In the background are the lush, verdant mountains you'll find in this picturesque region of the Massa Carrara which is where the Watermill is tucked away.
Tempted? You should be.....
So that's me and my life.Will you please provide me with inspiration and tell me what's happening in yours?
June 5, 2011
THE ULTIMATE RUSSIAN ROMANCE...
Listening to this has made me want to rush out and see the film again (which gives a very interesting version of the eternal triangle).Or to write another Russian hero......So for Michela and all fans of this haunting melody, I give you: SOMEWHERE MY LOVE.
Does the music "do" it for you - and is the film among your top five?
Does the music "do" it for you - and is the film among your top five?
June 2, 2011
A SUBLIME PIECE OF MUSIC
awaits you over on ihearts, where I'm blogging about my version of Jane Eyre - THE FORBIDDEN WIFE, which has just been published in north America.
So why don't you stop by and make a comment? And tell me what you think of the music....
So why don't you stop by and make a comment? And tell me what you think of the music....
June 1, 2011
SIZZLING AND SEXY SICILIAN!
Giovanni bit back his irritation, for why should this pale and unknown Englishwoman know anything about the deep, secret place which was his home? The place in love with its own silence, which shaped the impenetrable character of all Sicilians.
For me, the two sentences above perfectly encapsulate what makes Giovanni Calverri such a delicious and challenging hero. He's proud and he's arrogant - so arrogant that he makes Kate want to scream.....or to kiss him.
THE SICILIAN'S PASSION is out in north America right now. So if you want to be taken on the twisting and evocative journey which is Kate and Giovanni's - why not buy it?
There's a magic about Sicily which seems to snare people's hearts.So where's your own particular heart-snaring place?
For me, the two sentences above perfectly encapsulate what makes Giovanni Calverri such a delicious and challenging hero. He's proud and he's arrogant - so arrogant that he makes Kate want to scream.....or to kiss him.
THE SICILIAN'S PASSION is out in north America right now. So if you want to be taken on the twisting and evocative journey which is Kate and Giovanni's - why not buy it?
There's a magic about Sicily which seems to snare people's hearts.So where's your own particular heart-snaring place?
