Sarah E. England's Blog, page 10
October 17, 2013
Younger, Thinner, Blonder
http://www.fictionhotel.blogspot.com
Today in Fiction Hotel - link above - we've had such a brilliantly funny time. Sue Watson - author of brand new comedy 'Younger, Thinner, Blonder,' who is well known for the hilarious 'Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes' chicklit novel - is my guest.
We start in the spa getting a rub down by some hot guys, while she has to also concentrate on answering questions. Then transfer our oiled and massaged bodies up to the rooftop garden restaurant and bar - where hot guys serve us cakes and cocktails among the swaying palm trees on a balmy afternoon - barmy or balmy? I did say it was fiction... hope you can join us!
And all books are in the hotel library with links to amazon.... mine too...hopeful smile!
Expected
Today in Fiction Hotel - link above - we've had such a brilliantly funny time. Sue Watson - author of brand new comedy 'Younger, Thinner, Blonder,' who is well known for the hilarious 'Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes' chicklit novel - is my guest.
We start in the spa getting a rub down by some hot guys, while she has to also concentrate on answering questions. Then transfer our oiled and massaged bodies up to the rooftop garden restaurant and bar - where hot guys serve us cakes and cocktails among the swaying palm trees on a balmy afternoon - barmy or balmy? I did say it was fiction... hope you can join us!
And all books are in the hotel library with links to amazon.... mine too...hopeful smile!
Expected
October 14, 2013
Murder-Mystery
I've had some brilliant news today - which makes up for a run of bad luck... Talk about sunshine after the rain!
Today Woman's Weekly bought my second murder-mystery serial. I had my first ever serial published by them in March (Someone Out There) and this one will hopefully be out before Christmas but I haven't been given a date yet. I am just so thrilled - again it is another dark, haunting tale set high on the moors.... Anyway, it's massive news and I'm sky high. They are also going to publish my website details so hopefully a few readers will find me...
I'm also going to feature in Writers' Forum on the 'Where I Write' back page... got to get some photos done then...
And my local paper is also doing a feature on my books and my writing so far... that will be in the November issue of 'Shaftesbury Matters' in Dorset (UK).
I'm so high up on the ceiling today that it's difficult to get on with my writing and I've so much to do - I really want to finish my thriller before Christmas... ha ha !
And I've also had some great messages about 'Expected' and how people have enjoyed it. I'm really hoping they will write those reviews because it makes it all worthwhile when the reader has enjoyed what you've done, doesn't it? That's what it's all about....
Until next time...
Expected
3am and Wide Awake
Today Woman's Weekly bought my second murder-mystery serial. I had my first ever serial published by them in March (Someone Out There) and this one will hopefully be out before Christmas but I haven't been given a date yet. I am just so thrilled - again it is another dark, haunting tale set high on the moors.... Anyway, it's massive news and I'm sky high. They are also going to publish my website details so hopefully a few readers will find me...
I'm also going to feature in Writers' Forum on the 'Where I Write' back page... got to get some photos done then...
And my local paper is also doing a feature on my books and my writing so far... that will be in the November issue of 'Shaftesbury Matters' in Dorset (UK).
I'm so high up on the ceiling today that it's difficult to get on with my writing and I've so much to do - I really want to finish my thriller before Christmas... ha ha !
And I've also had some great messages about 'Expected' and how people have enjoyed it. I'm really hoping they will write those reviews because it makes it all worthwhile when the reader has enjoyed what you've done, doesn't it? That's what it's all about....
Until next time...
Expected
3am and Wide Awake
October 8, 2013
Flawed heroines
Flawed heroines - do you like your main female character to have flaws? Or do you want perfection - someone you can admire and want to be? Funny, isn't it, that some of the most brilliant literary classics actually feature flawed heroines - female characters who would probably be slated by reviewers for being petulant or selfish or deceitful... and yet... that is surely what made the story?
Example - Catherine in Wuthering Heights! I would imagine a lot of people would say she was selfish and even downright nasty to poor Heathcliffe. There wasn't a lot of tenderness in Wuthering Heights. And yet it is a love story and one of the best of all time. I can only imagine how Emily Bronte would get panned on Amazon by readers who hated Cathie, though....
And then there is Becky Sharp - what a piece of work eh? Oh and Scarlett O'Hara in 'Gone With the Wind' - a study in histrionic personality disorder if ever there was one! Oh and Emma by Jane Austen - manipulation hardly covers it! Not to mention all those pathetic creatures in Mills and Boon - which sell millions!
As a writer I suppose we must decide with our fiction - do we present Mrs Wonderful with just the odd little quirk like um... being too generous or a little bit ditsy? Or do we show real characters in fictional situations, and how she must address those issues in order to develop? I suppose I chose the latter with Sam Sweet in Expected. And because of that there is controversy and some people don't like her. She's flawed - yes she is. But she knows it and she laughs at herself and she's trying to get better...maybe in the sequel I'll help her along a little more....
Until next time....
Expected
Example - Catherine in Wuthering Heights! I would imagine a lot of people would say she was selfish and even downright nasty to poor Heathcliffe. There wasn't a lot of tenderness in Wuthering Heights. And yet it is a love story and one of the best of all time. I can only imagine how Emily Bronte would get panned on Amazon by readers who hated Cathie, though....
And then there is Becky Sharp - what a piece of work eh? Oh and Scarlett O'Hara in 'Gone With the Wind' - a study in histrionic personality disorder if ever there was one! Oh and Emma by Jane Austen - manipulation hardly covers it! Not to mention all those pathetic creatures in Mills and Boon - which sell millions!
As a writer I suppose we must decide with our fiction - do we present Mrs Wonderful with just the odd little quirk like um... being too generous or a little bit ditsy? Or do we show real characters in fictional situations, and how she must address those issues in order to develop? I suppose I chose the latter with Sam Sweet in Expected. And because of that there is controversy and some people don't like her. She's flawed - yes she is. But she knows it and she laughs at herself and she's trying to get better...maybe in the sequel I'll help her along a little more....
Until next time....
Expected
October 5, 2013
Little gem...
Sometimes - very occasionally - something really really wonderful happens... and this is one of those times! Thank you Richard Harrington for posting this on facebook about 'Expected' yesterday:....
'Recently, talking to a lady friend about books, as you do, she mentioned that she loved Bridget Jones Diary.
I then asked her if she'd read 'Expected' by Sarah England.
She gave me a blank look - but later she gave me a call - said she'd tried the free bit, loved it and downloaded the whole thing.
Just goes to show how little gems are just round the corner.'
My little heart sings........
Expected
3am and Wide Awake
'Recently, talking to a lady friend about books, as you do, she mentioned that she loved Bridget Jones Diary.
I then asked her if she'd read 'Expected' by Sarah England.
She gave me a blank look - but later she gave me a call - said she'd tried the free bit, loved it and downloaded the whole thing.
Just goes to show how little gems are just round the corner.'
My little heart sings........
Expected
3am and Wide Awake
October 4, 2013
Controversial Sam!
Today 'Expected' had its 20th review on Amazon.co.uk - and the reviewer - a man! Shriek! - has quite a bit to say... I've copied and pasted it here!...
'Sarah England obviously has a talent essential in comedy writing - the ability to build empathy with the main character. It is easy to simply ask 'why doesnt she just leave' but that is to suppose that people like Sam Sweet dont exist. Basically people who try to please others first, are overly compliant and easily manipulated. We do exist! You dont have to admire Sam, or even understand her, you only have to like her....and it will be very difficult to not! The author raises some interesting questions too regarding the cosmetic beauty industry and of course how society views women who choose to remain childless. Easy to read,thought provoking, fun, believable! '
So what intrigues me here is this - Expected is not simply a comedy but also addresses issues pertinent to many women, and yet a MAN has identified with being a people-pleaser and with being manipulated - and that has really surprised me. And heartened me too. I wish I could thank this reviewer.
Expected
'Sarah England obviously has a talent essential in comedy writing - the ability to build empathy with the main character. It is easy to simply ask 'why doesnt she just leave' but that is to suppose that people like Sam Sweet dont exist. Basically people who try to please others first, are overly compliant and easily manipulated. We do exist! You dont have to admire Sam, or even understand her, you only have to like her....and it will be very difficult to not! The author raises some interesting questions too regarding the cosmetic beauty industry and of course how society views women who choose to remain childless. Easy to read,thought provoking, fun, believable! '
So what intrigues me here is this - Expected is not simply a comedy but also addresses issues pertinent to many women, and yet a MAN has identified with being a people-pleaser and with being manipulated - and that has really surprised me. And heartened me too. I wish I could thank this reviewer.
Expected
September 30, 2013
Review and interview news!
Well what an amazing day! 'Expected' now has 19 reviews on Amazon.co.uk and is it 14 on here? The latest is from Jenny Marston, who has also asked me some highly searching questions about Sam Sweet and the emotional abuse she is subjected to by her psychopathic surgeon boyfriend - the horrid Simon!
Jenny's extensive review can be found on amazon, goodreads and on her blog - newly posted this evening - http://www.jennyinneverland.wordpress...
I am particularly thrilled with this because for someone to really take the time to read, analyse, and then write up their thoughts on my first book - a comedy at that - well it's staggering! And most of all I'm very happy that she enjoyed it and had lost of LOL moments! Oh and she asks about a sequel.... yup! And if I think about it too much I'll start unladylike snorting because of what I have in store for Sam Sweet....
If you prefer the darker side, my collection of 25 chillers - '3am and Wide Awake' is also out on Amazon. Meanwhile I'll get back to my supernatural thriller - getting deeper into this and very excited!!
Expected
3am and Wide Awake
Jenny's extensive review can be found on amazon, goodreads and on her blog - newly posted this evening - http://www.jennyinneverland.wordpress...
I am particularly thrilled with this because for someone to really take the time to read, analyse, and then write up their thoughts on my first book - a comedy at that - well it's staggering! And most of all I'm very happy that she enjoyed it and had lost of LOL moments! Oh and she asks about a sequel.... yup! And if I think about it too much I'll start unladylike snorting because of what I have in store for Sam Sweet....
If you prefer the darker side, my collection of 25 chillers - '3am and Wide Awake' is also out on Amazon. Meanwhile I'll get back to my supernatural thriller - getting deeper into this and very excited!!
Expected
3am and Wide Awake
September 27, 2013
Sam goes to the seaside
A wonderful reader/reviewer I have met on fb - sent me a pic of 'Expected' at the golfing range and then one of the book at the seaside. So she has taken my girl Sam golfing and now to the beach! I can't put the pics on here but the one of the beach is on my website blog today - http://www.sarahengland.yolasite.com Honestly, it's tickled me pink!Hopefully I'll be doing an interview with this lady very soon...
And the other bit of good news I had today is that Expected now has 18 reviews on Amazon. I would really like to thank K. B. Walker - who has put one on here too. Thank you so much!! As long as people are enjoying it that is all that matters to me...
A little bit further on with my murder-mystery serial - there's a bit of re-writing to do.... I have all my fingers and toes crossed it will make it into Woman's Weekly before Christmas!!!
Expected
3am and Wide Awake
And the other bit of good news I had today is that Expected now has 18 reviews on Amazon. I would really like to thank K. B. Walker - who has put one on here too. Thank you so much!! As long as people are enjoying it that is all that matters to me...
A little bit further on with my murder-mystery serial - there's a bit of re-writing to do.... I have all my fingers and toes crossed it will make it into Woman's Weekly before Christmas!!!
Expected
3am and Wide Awake
September 26, 2013
Laughter with Expected
I am thrilled beyond words to find this on facebook from Della Galton about Expected!!! How happy am I???
'Sarah England Thank you, thank you, thank you. Was reading your novel, Expected, while I waited for the other half of my root canal treatment - and you made me laugh. Now if a novel can make you laugh in those circumstances it must be good. Am really enjoying it. Was going to post this on your wall but couldn't work out how and in hurry so it's on mine '
I hope other readers will now give Expected a whirl....??...
Expected
'Sarah England Thank you, thank you, thank you. Was reading your novel, Expected, while I waited for the other half of my root canal treatment - and you made me laugh. Now if a novel can make you laugh in those circumstances it must be good. Am really enjoying it. Was going to post this on your wall but couldn't work out how and in hurry so it's on mine '
I hope other readers will now give Expected a whirl....??...
Expected
short story writing to novel writing
http://writingallsorts.blogspot.co.uk/
I am really delighted to be on Amanda Brittany's blog today - writing all sorts - to join in the discussion on short story writing v. novel writing - which is easier? How do you start? What is the difference? Does starting with short stories help you get an agent or get your novel published?
There are lots of other writers interviewed on here too - about their journey from short stories to novels. However it is my turn today!
I hope it is interesting to a few people planning a similar leap...Expected
3am and Wide Awake
I am really delighted to be on Amanda Brittany's blog today - writing all sorts - to join in the discussion on short story writing v. novel writing - which is easier? How do you start? What is the difference? Does starting with short stories help you get an agent or get your novel published?
There are lots of other writers interviewed on here too - about their journey from short stories to novels. However it is my turn today!
I hope it is interesting to a few people planning a similar leap...Expected
3am and Wide Awake
September 25, 2013
Fictionella (and auras)...
http://fictionella.com/blog/2013/9/25...
Fictionella is a brand new blog for women's fiction and I am very happy to have been invited on there today. I have 2 books - a collection of short tales from the dark side - '3am and Wide Awake' and a comedy novel - 'Expected.' So I have talked about those and why Expected has proved controversial in some ways... Anyway, would love to see you over there!
I have had a very unusual day today as I prepare and research my supernatural novel - next project - and found out what my aura was.... as mine is so highly unusual it has taken ages to research what it means.....I'm shaken not stirred! LOL
Expected
3am and Wide Awake
Fictionella is a brand new blog for women's fiction and I am very happy to have been invited on there today. I have 2 books - a collection of short tales from the dark side - '3am and Wide Awake' and a comedy novel - 'Expected.' So I have talked about those and why Expected has proved controversial in some ways... Anyway, would love to see you over there!
I have had a very unusual day today as I prepare and research my supernatural novel - next project - and found out what my aura was.... as mine is so highly unusual it has taken ages to research what it means.....I'm shaken not stirred! LOL
Expected
3am and Wide Awake
