Amandababble Week Fifty-Three
So – since I last babbled I have completed my tour of South Africa, I’ve finished my next novel ‘Christmas for One’ – my latest book Will You Remember Me? has been published in trade paperback and E-book, A Little Love is out in paperback, we have moved house (again!) I’ve done 16 radio interviews, three TV shows, 12 magazine interviews, four photo shoots and a partridge in a pear tree….!!!
I am, for the first time in years absolutely exhausted. Not just tired, but you know when you feel bone-weary, like you are lead on the inside and it takes all of your energy just to stay awake – that. And I know I need to slow down, but that isn’t an option for a wee while – maybe in a couple of weeks I might take to the sofa and only get up to visit the loo and to replenish my Pina Colada – ha! I wish.
The boys broke up for the summer a while ago and I think I saw them both for an hour or so last week. Not sure where they are lurking most of the time, but I know I miss them. I think about when they were little and the summer holidays was the greatest adventure. When not working, I’d pack up a picnic and we’d head to the fields or the beach or the back garden, we’d play under a sprinkler or fill the paddling pool and spend all day in it. Now I wash their beer soaked clothes, drive them to meet mates and drop them at train stations so they can make their way to festivals. And it happened in a blink. Do I want them to be at home with their mum? Of course not! (This is just in case they read this and I don’t want them to feel guilty, but the truth is of course I DO! I’d love them here to chat to and to sit with me in the garden! I miss them!).
Will You Remember Me? Has made quite a splash. The reviews and comments I have received are quite possibly the best I have ever received for any of my novels. Thank you for taking the story into your hearts and for writing such lovely feedback. A journalist asked me recently, ‘how could you give Poppy cancer, we love her!’ I replied, ‘that’s what cancer does, it affects people we love, it’s not discriminate, it doesn’t only aim for the wicked. It is a snapshot of real life, an ordinary family doing what we all do when that diagnosis comes, trying to get through it, nothing more, nothing less…’ You can read some of the incredible reviews here http://amzn.to/1nZiFbW and I am delighted to say that people are finding it uplifting and thought provoking – the best compliments ever. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. x
I am, as mentioned earlier, ensconced in our new little house and I LOVE it! It’s not flash or grand but it’s ours and I can for the first time paint a wall and plant a tree. You have no idea how happy this thought makes me. My neighbours have different curtains to me and do different jobs to us – only other military families who have lived in quarters will know how exciting this is! I can let the oven get dirty if I want and I can even let the grass grow long and not care a fig. Army houses, despite being ropey a lot of the time, have been a God send to us over the years, but I must confess, as I near fifty, putting the key into our little starter home and knowing that I won’t be moving anytime soon is WONDERFUL!!!!!!! I keep touching the walls and saying to the husband, ‘this is ours!’ He too loves having a garage, but doesn’t seem quite so keen on the list of jobs that I have for him. He spends hours hiding in his shed! Bless.
Another busy week beckons, I shall be on The Wright Stuff on Friday Aug 8th so tune in if you can! Right, this isn’t getting my boxes unpacked, better crack on. Rain is predicted here and I must say I rather relish the thought; just what my parched patch of grass and thirsty tubs need, plus is saves washing the cars!
I’m off to find the husband, I have a shelf that needs putting up in the kitchen –just heard the shed door hinge creak, it’s almost as if he has a sixth sense…
May your weekend by full of joy – and books!
Mandy xxxx
©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084
