Q: You attended a law school and practiced law for years. Why did you decide to start writing? I’ve wanted to be a writer for most of my life and dabbled at it for years. However, it wasn’t until I’d had my first child that I finally had the time (during his naps) to sit down and tackle a full-length novel. At the moment, the writing seems to be taking off, but there is always the chance I’ll be back in court if things don’t work out! Q: What is your favorite part of the writing process? Oooh, that’s a hard one. I think every part of the process has good bits and bad bits, but for sheer excitement, I think it has to be the moment you first hold your published novel in your hand – everything you struggled with suddenly seems worth it. Also, it’s hard to beat the moment a fantastic idea or a wonderful character turns up unannounced in your head; in my experience this doesn’t happened very often so you need to make the most of it! Q: On the other hand, what do you think is the hardest part of the writing process? I find the first edit the hardest. I write and write and write until I have a first draft and then I go back over it and try and pull it into some sort of shape. I usually end up doing at least six drafts/re-workings, but that first ‘go through’ feels as though it takes forever and by the time I’ve finished it, I’ve usually convinced myself that I’ve just written the worst book in the history of the universe! But you have to gird up your loins and go back in and do it all over again – and by the time I’ve finished the second edit, I generally feel much more positive. Q: Do you have a certain area that you get all your work done? I write in my bedroom, sitting on the bed with my laptop on my knee. I’m sure this isn’t good for me and some sort of ergonomic karma is going to get me sooner or later, but I love the peace and calm of the bedroom (unlike the crazy, untidy study that my husband occupies) and I can hide away from the washing up and unfinished housework lurking downstairs. Q: Where do you find the inspiration for your books? Sometimes it seems to come out of nowhere: I’ll be watching television, picking the children up from school or going for a run, and I’ll think ‘wouldn’t that be a good idea for a book?’ or, ‘oh, yes – that’s the way the plot needs to go!’. At other times, I’ll find myself in a particular situation, or perhaps reading an article in the paper, and ideas start sparking out of that. I got the inspiration for Tug of Love whilst sitting in a crowded corridor outside a courtroom: I suddenly wondered what it would be like if the door to that courtroom opened and your boyfriend came out – and there you were, in the most public situation imaginable, having just found out that your boyfriend was going through a divorce he hadn’t told you about. Q: How do you enjoy any free time you get? I seem to spend most of the time I’m not writing running round like a headless chicken sorting out the house or looking after the children. However this New Year I made a resolution to get back into some of the things I used to enjoy such as going to the theatre, cinema and concerts. I haven’t made it to the flicks yet, but I did go to see Noel Coward’s Private Lives a couple of weeks ago and I’ve got two more theatre trips booked – one is for a show at the Globe Theatre which I am really excited about. Q: What is one thing about you that most people wouldn’t know? Er, tough one. The answer would either have to be something a bit bizarre, like the fact that I was once in a play where all my lines were in Anglo Saxon and I had to wave a broad sword around (!) or something more serious, like the fact I am dyslexic. Thankfully my dyslexia is not at the serious end of the spectrum, but it does mean I need to put in extra effort to make sure my writing’s up to scratch. Q: Who are some of your favorite authors? I like anyone with an unusual, humorous take on life so my favourites include Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella (I have just finished Twenties Girl – it was amazing), Douglas Adams and the fantastic Jasper Fforde. Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers? Never give up: keep writing, keep polishing and keep sending your work out to editors and agents. If you give up, you can be absolutely certain you will never be published; keep going and you are always in with a chance. I think it’s also worth going to writers’ conferences or joining groups such as the Romantic Novelists’ Association (who, by the way, run a critiquing scheme for unpublished authors). By meeting and talking to the editors and agents who attend this sort of function, you get yourself known and also get a feel for what publishers are looking for. Q: What is or do you think would be your favorite place to travel? If I could go anywhere, I think I’d hop in a time machine and whiz back through some of my favourite historical eras. I studied the Middle Ages at uni, so a quick visit to the Fifteenth Century would be interesting to see if our ideas about life back then are anywhere near the truth! Then a stop-over in Regency England – possibly a visit to the great Jane Austen herself, if that could be arranged – before winding up in the Roaring Twenties for champagne cocktails and a spot of Charleston dancing!
Seth Green is engaged! The actor/producer, 36, is engaged to model/actress Clare Grant, 30. The couple was recently seen together at the Tarina Tarantino Sephora launch party in Hollywood Wednesday, but did not speak of any wedding plans, according to People.com. Grant has appeared in Black Snake Moan and most recently in the MTV series $5 Cover. No wedding details have been given so far.
Fact: I unfortunately do not have nice, groomed eyebrows. Ever since I was young, my brows have just been out of control. I started getting them waxed around the age of 13 because I hated them so much, and the myth that the more you wax something the less hair grows back over time is a lie. I’m going on 23 and the hair still grows in just as thick and just as fast. I have grown accustomed to the waxing procedures and teaching myself how to pluck fairly evenly in between my monthly waxes. When I was visiting my family in El Paso, Texas over Christmas I saw a stand in the mall for eyebrow threading. Upon closer inspection, I saw a woman moving a piece of thread along other woman’s eyebrows, cleaning up her brows and shaping them at the same time. I was intrigued- especially after I saw that the woman’s forehead wasn’t bright red after she was finished like mine always is after waxing. I decided to give it a try. Eyebrow threading is a form of hair removal that originated in parts of India, the Middle and Far East. The cotton thread is twisted and rolled along the surface of the skin entwining the hairs in the thread, which are then lifted quickly from the follicle. Threading is becoming more popular in the United States because it is inexpensive- it cost me $10- as there are no chemicals being used. It also does not leave the skin irritated because it is not ripping off the top layer of skin, instead getting underneath the hair follicle and removing the hair in one smooth line- making the shape of your eyebrows look even better. I will say that I liked eyebrow threading because it was quick, cheap, and my eyebrows did look a lot better than they would if I had waxed or plucked them. It didn’t last any longer than waxing though, and it was incredibly painful for me. After my aesthetician had done one eyebrow, I wanted to ask her to stop because the pain was almost unbearable. It almost felt like someone was taking a razor blade to my eyebrows, and I honestly thought I was going to look in the mirror and see a bloody face when she had finished. Of course I didn’t, I had beautiful looking eyebrows, but I can’t say I will do eyebrow threading again. Waxing is actually less painful in this game of beauty we play. Source: www.eyebrowthreading.com
I love buying workout tools and gear. I really realized this yesterday, when I made yet another trip out to Sports Authority to add to my fitness collection. Just a few weeks ago, I went out and got more air in my stability ball so I could sit on it at work instead of my regular padded chair. Last week, I went out and bought a new workout DVD to add more cardio workouts to my routine. Then just yesterday I went back there and bought my own kettleball, after writing an article about how great they are. Now, I am already thinking about what I want to by on my next trip out there. Just some on my list: a Pilates DVD, a sports bra, and a step so I can do step workouts while watching TV. Whew! Shape.com released an article titled ‘7 Tools for Strength Training Routines.’ After reading, I have even more items to add to my fitness list! What to do, what to do? But the article was great, and I even learned about a few tools that I didn’t know existed. Here are the 7 that Shape recommends: 1. Medicine ball price $15-$150, depending on weight description A weighted ball, ranging from 2-25 pounds in 2- to 5-pound increments how it works Hold in both hands to add resistance as you do strength moves or twisting exercises 2. Body Bar price $23-$90, depending on weight description A 2- to 6-foot-long weighted bar with padding; comes in 4, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, 30 and 36 pounds how it works Use like a barbell in your strength training routines to do moves such as squats, upright rows and biceps curls. 3. BodyWedge21 price $119 description A foam wedge that can be used as an incline bench, step or crunch board for variety and added resistance how it works Lie on ramp, or place one foot on top, to do moves like incline crunches, decline flies and lunges. 4. SPRI Xerdisc price $25 description A lightweight, air-filled disc that looks like an inflated Frisbee how it works Stand with one or both feet on the disc to challenge your balance. 5. AIREX Balance Block price $50 description A soft foam cushion; good balance tool for beginners how it works Stand with one or both feet on top to create instability. 6. BOSU Balance Trainer price $130 (with pump, exercise manual and how-to video) description An inflated half-dome on a platform (looks like a stability ball cut in half) how it works Stand, sit, lie or kneel on the dome side, or flip over for an even bigger balance challenge. 7. Reebok Core Board price $150 (with how-to video) description A board on an adjustable base that tilts, rocks and swivels how it works Do strength moves while balancing on top for a serious core workout.
I got my daily fitness tip from Women’s Health Magazine this morning. It came while I was sitting at my desk, munching on a hearty breakfast of a toaster strudel. I clicked on the link for ‘Healthy Breakfast Ideas’ since my usual breakfast of sugary cereals or strudels isn’t the healthiest. I read a piece on instant oatmeal, and whether it is considered a healthy breakfast. I was a little surprised to read that it is healthy; that instant oatmeal still provides plenty of whole grains, just smaller pieces so they can be cooked faster. WHM warns to watch out for the sugar content though, because the instant kind can contain more than three teaspoons of sugar. Check out Women’s Health Magazine for more breakfast ideas!
Mary-Kate Olsen is a single lady. Usmagazine reports the actress/designer has split with her boyfriend Nate Lowman. The couple began dating in 2008. When Olsen’s rep was asked if the pair were still together, he replied, “No, they are not. It’s been a while.” Olsen is currently in London for Fashion Week.
Bristol Palin is coming to your TV screen. The daughter of Sarah Palin, 19, will appear as herself on an upcoming episode of the ABC show The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Usmagazine has reported. The teenage mother, currently involved in a custody battle with her 1 year old son’s father, Levi Johnston, said this about her upcoming role, “I am thrilled to be on this show and to be a part of a program that educates teens and young adults about the consequences of teen pregnancy.”
Another regular will not be returning to the ballroom for the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars. Professional dancer Lacey Schwimmer tweeted that she will not be returning for the 10th season of the popular show. Schwimmer first joined the cast in 2008 after appearing on So You Think You Can Dance. DWTS host Samantha Harris announced earlier that she would not be returning to the show as well. The season premiers March 22nd.
