Nicola Marsh's Blog, page 90

Weekend Book Club: The Hunger Games

I'm always wary of hyped books.
You know the type, where everyone raves to the point you wonder 'Can it really be that good?'
It's why it took me so long to read the Twilight series and with The Hunger Games, I finally gave in to see what all the fuss was about.

Now I know.

Here's the blurb:

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone fighting against you?

Twenty-four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives. In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation...

All systems go

My fab editor loves my newest proposal so it's all systems go for RETRO A-GO-GO, the working title for my next Harlequin Romance.

With Rob Lowe cast as the hero Cameron Etheridge, meet the inspiration behind retro heroine Lola Lombard.

Can't wait to start writing this one!

The chosen one

This is the pic I sent to my editor as part of the proposal for Retro A-Go-Go, what I hope to be my next Harlequin Romance.

I think Brad Pitt is definitely more a Mod Heat hero: more laid back, more cheeky, so I'll save Brad for another day.

In the meantime, I'm more than happy with my choice :)

Decisions, decisions...

I have a new plot for my next Harlequin Romance whizzing through my brain.
But I need your help.
Cameron Etheridge runs an entertainment agency.
He's gorgeous, the type of guy to make girls' eyes pop out of their heads.He's charismatic, charming and business focussed.
So who fits the bill better?OrNot often a gal gets torn between Brad Pitt and Rob Lowe!

Jeez, I love this job...

Free online conference

Check this out. A totally FREE online conference! It's mainly for kidlit writers but everyone is welcome and the line up (including my fabulous agent, Suzie Townsend)...wow! You absolutely must check it out. Starts today! For the full schedule, check here .

Charming

I could apologise for posting this pic yet AGAIN but I won't because frankly, this pic inspired me to write a book in 21 days, one of those lovely magical stories that flow from our fingertips and make us fall in love with writing all over again.

(Yes, I know, they're not all like this so when it happens, rejoice!)

This pic inspired my hero Luca.

He's the ultimate charmer. Irreverant, funny and incredible sexy.

My lovely editor said I'd hear back by the end of this week so I'll keep you posted....

Weekend Book Club: Beautiful Malice

I don't read newspapers or listen to the news, so I missed the hoopla surrounding Rebecca James' sale of Beautiful Malice, a YA novel that sparked an auction frenzy worldwide in many countries.

Then I read the blurb in a recent Borders catalogue and was intrigued.


So. Were you glad, deep down? Were you glad to be rid of her? Your perfect sister? Were you secretly glad when she was killed?

Following a horrific tragedy that leaves her once-perfect family devastated, Katherine Patterson moves to...

Words of wisdom

Writers all have times when the going gets tough.

Life intrudes.
The story won't flow.
The ideas are scarce.
The rejections keep flowing in.

This week, Rachelle Gardner had a fabulous post titled 'Good to Great' and it really resonated with me.

What really hit home:

Just because it's hard work, it doesn't mean you're not good. Sometimes it's hardest for those who are the best.

Commitment, dedication, persevering, and working harder in the face of stiff competition - these are the traits of a winner.

Cuppa anyone?

My mum sent me this email the other day.
Made me smile.

One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge of me. I was maybe 2 1/2 years old. Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a gift, and it was one of my favorite toys. Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when I brought Daddy a little cup of 'tea', which was just water. After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came home. My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch me...

Prizes you really want to win

Remember I mentioned a contest last week, run by agency sister Julie Cross?

Well, here are the fantastic prizes up for grabs:

Hannah Moskowitz's Break

Lisa Desrocher's Personal Demons (ARC)

A query or first five pages critique from Fine Print Lit's intern, Gemma Cooper

A query or first five pages critique from Janet Reid's assistant, Meredith Barnes

A query or first five pages critique from agent Suzie Townsend

A query or first five pages critique from editor Brendan Deneen.

Entries will be acce...