Nicola Marsh's Blog, page 117
September 30, 2009
Edible
Remember I mentioned spoiling myself after selling book 21 by purchasing some of Max Brenner's new spa range?
I bought this scrub but haven't tried it yet.
What I've been slathering on every day is the Body Butter.
Listen to this (excerpt from the box):
"Cocoa butter is the heart of premium chocolate manufacturing... It is the cocoa butter that defines the special texture of chocolate and gives it the sumptuous 'melt in the mouth' feel that we all love...Max Brenner chose to use premium cocoa bu...
I bought this scrub but haven't tried it yet.
What I've been slathering on every day is the Body Butter.
Listen to this (excerpt from the box):
"Cocoa butter is the heart of premium chocolate manufacturing... It is the cocoa butter that defines the special texture of chocolate and gives it the sumptuous 'melt in the mouth' feel that we all love...Max Brenner chose to use premium cocoa bu...
September 29, 2009
Top 10 school holiday tips
I adore school holidays.
Here are my reasons why:
1. No battling peak hour traffic to reach school on time.
2. 'Jammie' days. Kidlet likes to spend at least one day in the school hols in his PJs all day.
3. Baking. We do loads more baking together in the school holidays. ANZAC bikkies are a favourite (if non-Aussies want the recipe, holler!)
4. Building. Boxes, sheets, sofas, pool table, cushions, whatever's handy is called into use for building elaborate structures like dinosaur caves and pirate ...
Here are my reasons why:
1. No battling peak hour traffic to reach school on time.
2. 'Jammie' days. Kidlet likes to spend at least one day in the school hols in his PJs all day.
3. Baking. We do loads more baking together in the school holidays. ANZAC bikkies are a favourite (if non-Aussies want the recipe, holler!)
4. Building. Boxes, sheets, sofas, pool table, cushions, whatever's handy is called into use for building elaborate structures like dinosaur caves and pirate ...
September 28, 2009
Resolving issues
Chapter 6 of ONE INDIAN SUMMER
, my weekly online read at eharlequin is now live!Truths are being revealed.
Plans are being made.
The black moment is upon Harrison and Khushi.
Khushi can't leave India.
Harrison must return to Australia.
I wonder what happens next...
September 27, 2009
Don't be an ostrich
October is Breast Cancer month in Australia.
Rather timely considering what I've just been through.
Yes, I had a rough week, with an odd, tender spot in right breast. As soon as I felt it, I worried for a few days before making a doctor's appointment. She immediately sent me for an ultrasound, which I had on the weekend.
The young guy who did it asked me how often I did breast checks, then tried to scare me by mentioning I was having the ultrasound to check for cancer.
Well duh!
Though he hummed...
Rather timely considering what I've just been through.
Yes, I had a rough week, with an odd, tender spot in right breast. As soon as I felt it, I worried for a few days before making a doctor's appointment. She immediately sent me for an ultrasound, which I had on the weekend.
The young guy who did it asked me how often I did breast checks, then tried to scare me by mentioning I was having the ultrasound to check for cancer.
Well duh!
Though he hummed...
September 25, 2009
Odd spots
A few random thoughts.
Today, come visit me while I guest blog with Tawny Weber . Fun!
The AFL Grand Final is also today, with the Saints playing the Cats.
Unfortunately, my beloved Roos were nowhere near it this year, but I'll still be glued to the game as always, hoping for a tough, skilful contest.
Lastly, I'm off for more medical tests today, on a different area, and facing another anxious wait for results.
That'll be the 3rd time this year I've had to endure a dreaded wait for medical result...
Today, come visit me while I guest blog with Tawny Weber . Fun!
The AFL Grand Final is also today, with the Saints playing the Cats.
Unfortunately, my beloved Roos were nowhere near it this year, but I'll still be glued to the game as always, hoping for a tough, skilful contest.
Lastly, I'm off for more medical tests today, on a different area, and facing another anxious wait for results.
That'll be the 3rd time this year I've had to endure a dreaded wait for medical result...
September 24, 2009
Switching POV
Another interesting tip while revising your manuscript: switching point of view can make all the difference.
During the black moment of THE TYCOON'S LIVE-IN LOVE, I had Starr seeing red and losing her cool with Callum.
In the revised version, I need Callum to push her away so rather than slashing the scene, I changed POV.
Amazing how powerful it can still remain with just a few tweaks, adding new dialogue, changing things around a bit.
So before you cut that scene you love completely, see if it w...
During the black moment of THE TYCOON'S LIVE-IN LOVE, I had Starr seeing red and losing her cool with Callum.
In the revised version, I need Callum to push her away so rather than slashing the scene, I changed POV.
Amazing how powerful it can still remain with just a few tweaks, adding new dialogue, changing things around a bit.
So before you cut that scene you love completely, see if it w...
September 23, 2009
Cutting characters
Here's a tip to all you writers out there: don't let your secondary character overshadow the hero.
While I was writing THE TYCOON'S LIVE-IN LOVE, Callum's brother Rhys strutted onto the page. And I do mean strutted. As a semi-naked waiter on the first page.
Rhys refused to take a back seat in this book.
He muscled in, in all his charming glory, refusing to wait for his own story, my next Mod Heat, GETTING WILD WITH THE BOSS.
My editor knows about the linked story, I mentioned it at the end of ...
While I was writing THE TYCOON'S LIVE-IN LOVE, Callum's brother Rhys strutted onto the page. And I do mean strutted. As a semi-naked waiter on the first page.
Rhys refused to take a back seat in this book.
He muscled in, in all his charming glory, refusing to wait for his own story, my next Mod Heat, GETTING WILD WITH THE BOSS.
My editor knows about the linked story, I mentioned it at the end of ...
September 22, 2009
New cover
I love getting a first glimpse of my covers.
Here's the UK version of MARRIAGE: FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE?
Britt is spot on with the red hair, Italian Nick is sexy, and the room is perfect (the French Suite in Nick's hotel which features prominently in several scenes!)
Nice, huh?
Here's the UK version of MARRIAGE: FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE?
Britt is spot on with the red hair, Italian Nick is sexy, and the room is perfect (the French Suite in Nick's hotel which features prominently in several scenes!)
Nice, huh?
September 21, 2009
Slashing scenes
When I first wrote Starr and Callum, I had such a clear idea of who the heroine was.
Fun, flirty, sassy, resilient.
Yet there's a scene where she stops a scintillating kiss from Callum.
I need her to do it yet it doesn't fit in with her character.
This is just one of the dilemmas facing me as I tweak this Modern Heat.
I'm a third of the way there. Have slashed scenes (which always kills me!) and tweaked others.
Aiming to have this done by the end of the week...hopefully!
And Chapter 5 of ONE INDIAN...
Fun, flirty, sassy, resilient.
Yet there's a scene where she stops a scintillating kiss from Callum.
I need her to do it yet it doesn't fit in with her character.
This is just one of the dilemmas facing me as I tweak this Modern Heat.
I'm a third of the way there. Have slashed scenes (which always kills me!) and tweaked others.
Aiming to have this done by the end of the week...hopefully!
And Chapter 5 of ONE INDIAN...
The slasher
When I first wrote Starr and Callum, I had such a clear idea of who the heroine was.
Fun, flirty, sassy, resilient.
Yet there's a scene where she stops a scintillating kiss from Callum.
I need her to do it yet it doesn't fit in with her character.
This is just one of the dilemmas facing me as I tweak this Modern Heat.
I'm a third of the way there. Have slashed scenes (which always kills me!) and tweaked others.
Aiming to have this done by the end of the week...hopefully!
And Chapter 5 of ONE...
Fun, flirty, sassy, resilient.
Yet there's a scene where she stops a scintillating kiss from Callum.
I need her to do it yet it doesn't fit in with her character.
This is just one of the dilemmas facing me as I tweak this Modern Heat.
I'm a third of the way there. Have slashed scenes (which always kills me!) and tweaked others.
Aiming to have this done by the end of the week...hopefully!
And Chapter 5 of ONE...
