THE ENGLISH WRITER

Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll...

2012-02-20T03:25:00.000-08:00

...is not what I expected when I downloaded the brilliant Blake Nelson's 'Girl' to my eReader before going on holiday last week, but thankfully it's what I got.

I stumbled upon this book accidentally whilst reading an article in Elle magazine featuring 'Juno' writer Cody Diablo talking about the books that have most inspired her.

'Girl' sounded like my kind of story, and to prove it was, I devoured it in just 3 days.

Now I know Blake Nelson is classed as a Young Adult writer, and yes, I am well into my 30's, but so in awe of this book, on my return from holiday I eagerly ordered the sequel 'Dream School' (no download as yet) and wait impatiently to yet again enter the world of Andrea Marr.

I STILL LOVE MANCHESTER!

2012-02-09T02:34:00.000-08:00

Growing up in the Midlands was pretty uninspiring for me. The industrial town in which I was born was particularly dull, a place I could not wait to escape from.

Then came 'Madchester', and boy, did life a get a little more exciting.

I was 15 when I first heard The Stone Roses, I was stydying for my GCSE's, and still aiming to be a Journalist.

But this music scene wasn't just about the music, although this was hugely influencial on me and the route my life later took, it also introduced me to a city that even today I adore - Manchester.
Over the past 20 plus years I have spent a fair bit of time in Manchester. At one point in time we almost moved there - but it wasn't to be, and Cheshire was a far as we got.
Yesterday, I was trying to pack for our holiday when I found myself reading through an old manuscript. Around 2005 (pregnant with son number 1), I was Manchester mad. We'd spent alot of time there during 2003 and 2004 and so my head was aswim with the place. Reading those manuscripts made me pine. It made me remember how that City moulded me, probably created who I am today, including how I write.
Sadly it's been a few years now since we've made that trip up North, and in truth, I miss it. Very much.
I miss the coolness, the accent, the shops, the deli's, the bars, the Cornerhouse, the Northern Quarter, Piccadilly Gardens, the Lowry Centre, the tram, oh everything!
In another life this would have been my home.
I think I need to get myself back up there, even for a few days.
Thank goodness for memories.
X

Happy Chicks!

2012-02-02T06:32:00.000-08:00

As most of you may know, I dream of having chickens in my Cornish garden, and so as this reality shifts closer, I thought I should find out if there are any nice people out there where I could purchase a few, and that's when I stumbled upon the brilliant 'Happy Chicks'

Being a veggie, and caring so much about animals, who I choose to buy from is important, (they also care for, and sell ex-battery hens) and Happy Chicks seemed to tap into this, and they even deliver all the way down to Cornwall!

Of course, I'm not a total novice when it comes to keeping chickens. This is Polly and Livvy in their pink Eglu when we still lived 'up country'. We safely re-homed them before we moved, but I've never really been able to forget.

So, with a garden, and not just a courtyard edging closer, I could soon be sharing with you our extended family.

I wonder what the cats will think!

I Love my Library!

2012-01-31T08:36:00.000-08:00

My new bag arrived today from the brilliant Literary Gift Company.

But I didn't buy it just because I'm a total bag obsessed creature, I also fell for the cause - the National Libraries Day campaign.

The bag costs £5.00, 50p of which goes the help save libraries.

Count me in.

Mark Hoppus moves to Blighty!

2012-01-27T05:50:00.000-08:00

I have been a huge fan of Mark Hoppus for as long as I've loved Tom Delonge. He always reminded me of the cool, clever, almost geeky member of Blink 182, often overshadowed by Delonge's cocky charisma and overwhelming conidence, so I am very excited to learn that Mark and his family have recently moved their life to London.

This may not seem interesting to most of you folk, but for the years I have loved Blink 182, they were so out of reach; so very far away in southern California, and now Mark Hoppus is here - and living the London life.

I'd say that's pretty damned cool.

Introducing..."The Writer's Wardrobe" Blog!

2012-01-25T01:58:00.000-08:00

(artwork by Sylvia Plath)

I've started a new blog.

It's called 'The Writer's Wardrobe'.

It's about what clothes I like, what I wear, and what the people I like are wearing. I am a complete clothes obsessive, and this is a chance to see what I get up to when left to my own devices in the shops or online.

So, whilst browsing Facebook this morning, the fantastic Zooey Deschanel presented me with my first post for my new blog and it's called "Zooey's wearing my Jumper!"

It's up and running now, so have a look and see what you think.

Thank you

My Old Friend, Nicky Wire

2012-01-24T06:05:00.000-08:00

After finishing my Sociology degree at Bath University in 1996, it didn't take me long to catch the train over the Border to south Wales, where I made Cardiff my home for the next 7 years.

Within the first few months of settling, I simply could not ignore the band pictured above - Manic Street Preachers...

and thankfully I didn't.

An unlikely band for me, I haven't really opened up as being a fan until now; until recently finding a very old manuscript I wrote when this band were influencing just about everything I was doing, especially bassist and lyricist, Nicky Wire.

This is what he looked like then...

...and this is what he kind of looks like now.

Anyway, this manuscript, provisionally titled 'Tiger Lily', was a huge reminder of what the Manics and Nicky Wire meant to me all those years ago, so I started browsing into what Nicky's doing now and excitedly found this solo album,

and a book as well,

My husband's family still live in south Wales, and whenever we travel up the M4 and I see those first signs for south Wales - 'Newport and Cardiff', it never fails to make me feel nostalgic, and so now, after discovering that lost manuscript, I have also re-discovered an old friend, and feel very happy about it.

"A LOVE THAT MAKES LIFE DRUNK"

2012-01-20T02:47:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

Thanks for the queries about my first novel being temporarily out of stock on Amazon, I know it's frustrating, but, the good news is it will be fully stocked up next week, or, if you can't wait until then (!), please go to YPD-books.com, who are equally as brilliant as getting books out to you.

Cheers

K x

My eBook has arrived!

2012-01-16T05:52:00.000-08:00

I'm delighted to say that my 2nd novel "Hope & Jump" is now available to download to Kindles and ePublishing (iPads/iPhones).

It costs just £5.00 and you can get it for here - YPD-books and Amazon.

Have a lovely day!

Old Sounds for a New Year

2012-01-06T07:59:00.000-08:00

OK, it may be 2012, but I am so loving the sounds of the 1980's thanks to Ministry of Sound. It's been the only album I've listened to since downloading to my iPad after Christmas.

Oh, by the way, Happy New Year!

Joyeux Noel!

2011-12-22T02:14:00.000-08:00

Well, it's almost here,

so here's a quick tour of our Christmas decorations for 2011.

Amongst the many books...

the stairs,

the book corner,

the cats (Atticus and Millie)

the kitchen,

and the Tree.

Have a wonderful Christmas all, and a fantastic 2012!

All I Want for Christmas...

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

...is an iPad 2

Me & Tom Delonge

2011-12-16T03:54:00.000-08:00

For those of you who don't know, I love Tom Delonge. He has been my unlikely hero for the past 10 years, so much so, I dedicated my latest book to him, not that he'll ever know that, but still...

Anyway, he and his other band (not Blink 182), 'Angels and Airwaves' are coming to the U.K. next April and I now possess tickets to gush over him in the brilliant city of Birmingham.

Another reason to welcome in 2012.

The Scarlet Hotel

2011-12-12T04:22:00.000-08:00

For me and my hubby's 9th wedding anniversary, we decided we wanted a bit of time to ourselves this year, not too far from home, but far enough, and that came in the festive and cool shape of The Scarlet, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall.

After checking in, we had a stroll on the beach, then off to the fireside for a warm mug of mulled cider whilst watching the moody skies and ocean outside.

Followed by a few glasses of Camel Valley sparkling Brut, also known as Cornish Champagne in The Retreat area of the Hotel.

then more drinks,

Then to our room for a hour or so to relax,

and a bath,

and to kick back in The Pod - a brilliant area just off our "Unique" room with fabulous sea views.

a Hot Tub, (though we didn't this time - but definitely next)

(View from beach to Hotel - red bath is one of the hot tubs fuelled by logs)

and a drink before Dinner in the Hotel restaurant, with an amazing separate Vegetarian menu - impressive.

It's fair to say, we did not want to leave.

Such a wonderful time with plans to return in 2012.

Moorland View Cottage

2011-12-08T03:39:00.000-08:00

I stumbled upon this awe inspiring cottage in the Christmas edition of Red magazine and instantly fell in love.

Welcome to Moorland View Cottage in Devon, United Kingdom.

With it's cosy open fires,

gorgeous views over North Bovey (snow not included),

a kitchen that combines the quintessential farmhouse with country contemporary, something that makes my heart skip and,

a chocolate box front to boot; amazing in all seasons I think.

Only problem is, I can't decide if I'd prefer to stay in the summer or winter, and the months are booking out fast.

Hum, open fires...country walks...local beer at the village pub...

Maybe I'll have to do both!

(Photos courtesy of website. Thank you.)

Christmas and Dylan Thomas

2011-12-06T08:43:00.000-08:00

I'm feeling a bit chilly.

What, with the snowy pictures in the papers, and the howling winds and rattling windows in this old house we live in, the rain pelting against the top room window, I started thinking about our Christmas plans, and about Dylan Thomas.

See, my other half is Welsh, and so every year we take the A30 up and then across the border and have a few days with the family.

What reminded me of Dylan Thomas was the book above; a book I've only recently bought during a trip to his Boathouse back in the summer. Of course it's not the first time I've been to Thomas' old house, after all, I lived in Wales for 7 years, shame on me if I hadn't been - Welsh by association AND with being a writer.

Anyway, today I was standing at the top room, hot mug of tea, watching the cars below. The sky was darkening, and the street lamps twinkled in the rain on the roads when a poem ran through my head - a Dylanesque poem I may try and write down, and I thought, I must read this book to my kids.

It's definitely turning colder.

Morning Glory

2011-11-23T04:47:00.000-08:00

This was the view from my home office this morning at 6.30am.

Somewhere amongst the darkness is the sea.

I SURRENDER!

2011-11-21T09:56:00.000-08:00

Have you ever struggled your way through a manscript only to get halfway through it and realise it's an absolute non starter?

That's how I feel about the project I've been working on for 12 months.

12 damned months!

I've had a bad feeling about it for a while now, but honestly thought I could make it work. See, I'm just not sure about the plot or the characters anymore. I don't get that heady feeling when I think about it, well, to be honest, I don't even really think about it. In fact, I actually avoid writing it because, well, I don't want to.

It doesn't thrill me like it should.

So I should give it up.

I surrender.

From today.

New Dress

2011-11-20T08:34:00.000-08:00

Last night my husband and I went to a Murder Mystery evening at a local Hotel for a friends' birthday.

As the theme was Hollywood glitz and glamour, I went all out to look the part in my new LBD and silver strappy heels.

Totally unpractical, but for one night only I stepped out without my flip flops and skinny jeans!

With Christmas Bells on...

2011-11-18T04:47:00.000-08:00

'A Love That Makes Life Drunk' by Karen Roderick (2008)

Today feels like a day to get festive, so, from now until the 20th December (to allow for Christmas post!), my novels 'A Love That Makes Life Drunk' and 'Hope & Jump' are available at a special cost of £5.50 (RRP £6.99).

'Hope & Jump' by Karen Roderick (2011)

This Festive Offer is only available from books bought directly from me, so for more information please contact me at pinkcupcakes@live.co.uk

Have a great day,

Hot Chocolate

2011-11-17T04:20:00.000-08:00

This is my festive treat for today.

A tummy warming, calorific Costa hot chocolate and mince tart.

Divine.

SNOW

2011-11-16T02:59:00.000-08:00

No, I don't have any real desire for snow, not with the chaos this country gets into, but I do love looking at snow and writing about it.

This is Paris in the snow. A beautiful photograph that has inspired my WIP.

This is London in the snow.

Another wonderful snap in time that will feature in my new work.

Holidays Are Coming!

2011-11-14T04:11:00.000-08:00

So, my husband informed me this morning, it's 41 sleeps to Christmas.

I don't know why this struck fear into me when I am well aware the big man in the red suit is checking his list (I remind the kids several times a day!).

So, as I made the boys' packed lunch for school I had an idea...exclusive Christmas gift wrapped copies of 'Hope & Jump' and 'A Love That Makes Life Drunk'.

I'm thinking signed copies; I'm thinking addressed to a friend and sent straight to their address?

It's in the infant stages, so keep checking and I'll post a few pictures as soon as possible - after all, it's only 41 sleeps!

Sadly the End of an Era for me

2011-11-13T05:47:00.000-08:00

This is the The Bluetones.

Probably the most influencial band of my life between the ages of 20 to now, and so I say with huge regret that they are no more.

After 17 years of touring, and 6 studio albums they've decided it's time to say goodbye, and I'm gutted.

Totally gutted.

I will never forget Camden Town Hall in new white Adidas trainers. I will always be grateful you wrote the song 'Hope & Jump'.

Thank you for all the great times.

Thank you for so many great memories.

Paris Cat

2011-11-07T04:32:00.000-08:00

I've borrowed this wonderful photograph from a French Facebook friend of mine; it's just brilliant.

I think you might find this image creatively slotted into my Work In Progress.

Fireworks on the Beach

2011-11-06T09:07:00.000-08:00

Off down to the beach for fireworks, a bonfire, mulled wine, a BBQ and loads of other fab stuff for Guy Fawkes.

Have a good one

Naughty Girls...

2011-10-14T04:28:00.000-07:00

My lovely girls now come with a "warning"...

Of which I'm rather proud

Explicit words deleted...

2011-10-13T08:02:00.000-07:00

This is an unedited poem I have written based on my Work In Progress. There are two sentences I have deleted for the purpose of publishing on this blog as they are considered too explicit.

Sensible in my Silence

I have received a note.

I had no idea she felt like this towards me, or rather, I didn’t think she could feel like that about me.

An invitation.

Dangerous.

Like her.

There is no doubt I wanted to. God no. I can’t remember how many times I’ve thought about it.

About her.

Not that I would let her know.

No way.

It would not be wise. Inappropriate. Disrespectful. Unacceptable.

‘Starchy’, she said,

Indeed.

That’s how it should stay.

She said it had been a while since she’d danced with a man.

‘Tall’, she said. ‘Elegant’, she smiled.

Pretty smile.

Lovely.

Dangerous.

I have allowed my mind to wander. Quick thoughts, nothing detailed. She is beautiful, confident and stylish. Men look at her. She looks at me. As we dance I have her in my arms. Small, warm, soft, feminine. Longing...

I distance myself from these thoughts.

Sensible in my silence.

I accept this. Feel no frustration.

She does. I sense it. Her anger builds and I know she ponders. I will not give in. Experience has taught me to be wise. Even when she gets to me; even when I love her, she will never know. I would rather risk hurting her than let this spill.

She is free with her talk. Stunning with her movement. I watch her discreetly; oh how the body moves.

I treat her as though she is replaceable; disposable, yet I am reckless in my sordid thought, but cannot deny the impact she has made.

I look at the note.

The Invite.

I fold the note and watch it shred. I have no stomach for consequence. I will remain safe and shallow in my anodyne world, whilst she slips away unheard.

Now I will never know that she may have loved me, a pragmatic girl and what she offered me; an innocence to see me through, a mirror so I could see the good.

So I let her go, the stunning girl, without a kiss; without a word, for I must remain sensible in my silence and not react to her not so dangerous world.

Meet Karen Roderick @ Mama Jots...

2011-10-03T05:43:00.000-07:00

PHOTO: Karen Roderick in Paris

A very lovely blogger friend of mine approached me a while back and asked if I'd mind if she did a little author profile on me...I was thrilled!

Well, the results are in and can be viewed right here or at her brilliant blog

http://mamajots.blogspot.com/2011/10/meet-karen-roderick-questions-answers.html

Thank you Veronica

Signed copy anyone??

2011-09-16T03:12:00.000-07:00

Good morning all, and happy Friday!

I'm happy for a few reasons today, but mostly because finally my second novel "Hope & Jump" is released today on Amazon.

I'd also like to say thank you to all the lovely people who have requested signed copies of the book, which I would be delighted to do.

If you'd like a signed copy for you or a friend, e-mail me at pinkcupcakes@live.co.uk with your request and I will lovingly pop them out in the post to you (£6.99 + £1.50 p&p).

I'd also like to say a huge thank you for all the support, help and patience everyone has shown/given during the "making" of this book.

Have a great day,

Karen

Rocky Road

2011-09-08T09:03:00.000-07:00

('Hope & Jump' artwork by Joe Armitage)

Well, after almost 3 years since the publication of my debut novel 'A Love That Makes Life Drunk', finally my 2nd novel 'Hope & Jump' is due for release on Friday 16th September.

It's been a slightly rocky road - moving house...3 times, going back to work...3 days a week...then a promotion, but now that it's finished and I can hold it in my hands and breath in fresh clean pages of a book, I can allow myself a small smile.

I'm really rather happy to see this book in print as it's very sentimental to me. My love of Cornwall is explicit, as is my adoration of all things local, including the people, and those of you who enjoyed 'A Love That Makes Life Drunk' will not be disappointed, as 'Hope & Jump' features all the heat and sweetness that is expected from 'Karen Roderick' the writer.

I really hope you enjoy it, and thank you for months of support and encouragement.

Karen.

Pre-orders are now available at Amazon

EXCLUSIVE NEW BOOK OFFER!

2011-08-15T01:45:00.000-07:00

IT'S HERE....

From the 16th September 2011...

"HOPE & JUMP" - the 2nd novel by Karen Roderick.

HOWEVER....

EXCLUSIVE pre-sales available from

HERE...right now.

* Signed copies will be available on request from the 16th September 2011*

HOPE & JUMP...COMING SOON!

2011-07-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

HOPE & JUMP - The Novel

By Karen Roderick

Coming Soon.

"In a sleepy Cornish town Evelyn Willoughby is distracted.

In her artist's studio she stares wistfully across the Ocean to the Lighthouse as her handsome new tenant Ellery Faye paints in the room above hers.

She knows little of him, an ex-London banker who made his fortune in the City only to impulsively retire to the coast to fulfil a dream of creativity and colour. She doesn't know why and she doesn't ask. She likes this 'thing' they have and chooses to ignore his previous life for fear of tainting such beauty, but also because she feels he doesn't want her to know.

But one kiss can change everything. One kiss can complicate things. One kiss can make you want to ask questions.

A chance encounter reveals Evelyn as Ellery's artistic muse, his 'lovely Evie', and her intrigue in the man with secrets provokes a frenzied reciprocal desire with destructive consequences, and as their obsessive sexual fusion rages, so continue the late night phone calls and volatile mood changes in a man with whom she is perilously falling in love."

IT'S ALMOST HERE!

2011-06-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

First copy of my new novel 'Hope & Jump'.

A very special moment.

Blogging: End of The Road For Me?

2011-05-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

I read one of the last posts by top blogger Petite Anglaise a few days ago and it struck a chord - is it also the end of the road for me and blogging?

What 'Petite' says it that she no longer feels the urge to tell all. She is happy to land the occasional blog post about her books and publicity surrounding her writing, but no longer feels the need to reveal her daily life. She seems fulfilled and busy. She doesn't need it anymore.

Although blogging is very much part of my life, and has been for 5 years, the pull to rush to the laptop and share where I've been (Paris aside), what I've bought, about my house, and what the kids have been doing has kind of disappeared.

I started the 'Pink Cupcakes' blog back in 2006 to coincide with writing 'A Love That Makes Life Drunk'. I had just had my first baby, wasn't working, and felt pretty damned isolated. I stumbled upon The Black Apple Typepad blog and thought "I can do that".

For years I felt liberated, but I have to be honest, for the past 2 years it's been a struggle.

Suddenly everyone's blogging. There are so many blogs to read I can't keep up. I'm sure we all feel like this. It was fine whilst I wasn't working, but now I just can't match the everyday bloggers.

I just can't stretch my day any wider.

I'm not sure about the future of this blog yet, but 'The English Writer' ego will remain. I've had an absolute ball over the years, and when I read back over what me, C and the kids have done since 2006 it makes me want to cry. An online journal of my life.

My posts have seen me through 2 babies, many Christmas' and holidays. Tom Delonge, Champagne and Olives, an e-Reader, 2 novels, new jobs, books, clothes, friends, and a rather disasterous trip in a 1970's VW Camper called 'Eddie'.

I will continue to post, but not as regularly as I once did. 'Hope & Jump' will be published in September 2011 and I would not want you to miss it. There will be also be alot of giveaways and goodies nearer the time, so I will look forward to sharing them with you. You can also continue to purchase 'A Love That Makes Life Drunk' by clicking the icon on the right hand side.

In the meantime.

Have a good one.

Karen

"13, rue Therese" by Elena Mauli Shapiro

2011-05-10T12:18:00.000-07:00

This is not a book review, this is me sharing with you what is a brilliant and addictive novel. It was a pleasure reading it, and of course an added delight that I read it in Paris where the book is set.

13, rue Therese is a mysterious, gripping, at times sexually charged novel that had me turning page after page. It had been a while since I'd experienced this kind of obsession. I cannot wait for her next one.

A must have.

Bonsoir

Karen

OFFICIAL: "Hope & Jump" book cover

2011-05-06T02:45:00.000-07:00

Here it is: the Official book cover for my 2nd novel "Hope & Jump".

I will let you know a little more about it next week, but I could not wait to announce it.

It's been designed by Joe Armitage - Sheffield based poet, musician, and Graphic Designer.

joe@blue-sun.co.uk

Have a wonderful weekend,

Karen

2011-05-03T12:18:00.000-07:00

OK, this is my final French cuisine inspired post I'm promising to write for a while, after all, I should be telling you about my thrilling new Work In Progress, but then I guess the last few posts are directly linked to my new work.

As regular readers will know, C and I went to Paris for a long weekend a few weeks ago and I fell in love with the place; the words "spiritual home" are driving anyone who knows me a little crackers at the moment. Anyway, a direct result of this adoration has inspired me to serve the above breakfast, usually at weekends as weekdays are manic - saying this, I have now found a croissant sneaking into my work day morning routine as well.

I never thought I'd see the day I'd exchange toast for pastry, next I'll be dunking it into my coffee.

Karen

My Skinny French Kitchen

2011-05-01T14:33:00.000-07:00

Today I cooked from this.

I made this...

(Fennel and Citrus Salad)

and this...

(Pommes de Terre Sautees; Gruyere and Chive Omlette)

(washed down with a bottle of French red), and enjoyed by my lovely (cheeky!) family.

Karen

Cool as Kooples

2011-04-28T12:57:00.000-07:00

Following on from my previous post where I shamelessly declared my love for Paris, I move on to one of my favourite designers The Kooples.

The brochure aims to seduce you with tales of the brand being inspired by 'the codes of rock, and from music in general', and boy, it works.

This rather chic pin stripe cotton shirt and sassy scarf are my new purchases from The Kooples (designed by the French, created on Saville Row, and fitted in Paris).

The scarf is definitely my favourite, with it's rock n roll signature Skull.

Me upstairs at Hotel des Academies in Paris with my Kooples parka that C bought for my birthday back in March...

...and outside the shop on rue de Rennes 75006.

I think it's fair to say I'm smitten.

Have a great weekend

Karen

Shameless Francophile

2011-04-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

Beware; forthcoming blog posts will be seriously laced with my new obsession: Paris.

I'm referring to this awe inspiring Capital City as 'my spiritual home'. I never thought I'd be lucky enough to have 2 spiritual homes (the other being Cornwall), and if I could speak the language I'd be thinking "bolt hole".

Thankfully for C, I know when to put the breaks on, still, it's good to aspire; one must always aspire.

So, Paris.

After mine and C's romantic weekend I am proud to announce myself as a Francophile, and despite this being my first visit to to this wonderful city, it felt strangely familiar. I attribute this to years of writing about Paris, wallowing in their chic style, aspiring to their cafe culture, their arts and literature, and their fabulous architecture. It honestly felt as though I had visited many times before, something I took great comfort in because of the following:

1. I am PETRIFIED of flying

2. It was the first time in a long time I had been away from the boys.

As this beautiful City has inspired me so much, expect alot more Paris themed posts, and because I want you to continue reading this, I will summarise my favourite memories of my 3 days.

1. Seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time down below whilst I was looking out of the plane window.

2. Stepping inside 'Hotel des Academies et des Arts' in Montparnasse, and breathing in an aphrodisiac of sex.

(15 rue de la Grande Chaumiere 75006)

3. Opening the balcony doors in our hotel room and leaning on the wrought iron railings, absorbing the bustle of Montparnasse and peering discreetly into the opposite apartment to a couple drinking red wine and talking.

4. Sharing a bottle of red with C outside a nearby cafe on the terrace.

5. The French accent.

6. Macarons. Strawberry is definitely my favourite.

7. Looking up the Eiffel Tower.

8. Walking across Pont Alexander III

(Pont Alexander III)

9. The beautiful tree lined streets. I never realised Paris was so green.

10. Walking along Blvd St Germain and seeing 'Cafe de Flore' and 'Les Deux Magots' "for real".

11. Buying books from 'Shakespeare and Company' - the most remarkable and curious bookshop in the world.

12. Reading a book and sipping French beer with C on a warm spring afternoon outside Le Select cafe.

13. Being lazy in Jardin du Luxembourg.

14. Visiting Cimetiere du Montparnasse.

15.. Breakfast in bed

(pastries were divine)

And there is still so much I want to say and show...

Bonsoir

Karen

PARIS!

2011-04-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

I'm off to Paris.

It appears even after almost 10 years of marriage C is still a romantic.

I am a Paris virgin.

I cannot wait to tell you about it.

Me and My Lighthouse...

2011-03-29T01:34:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favourite pictures.

It was created for me by my good friend Joe.

Since I go on about Cornwall so much, he decided to design this uber cute pic of me and my most treasured view - Godrevy Lighthouse.

Isn't it lovely.

Room at the Top

2011-03-21T07:33:00.000-07:00

Today I've indulged in a little writing.

As I mentioned in the previous post, I've started sorting out my new office. It's right at the top of our house. However, I can't see much today because of the eery mist that currently surrounds my town. What happened to the sun from yesterday I ask?

Anyway, now that my room at the top is almost ready, it's given me the incentive to start working again. I've spent alot of time researching this story, and not alot of getting it on screen, but now I think I'm ready. I may not have the time to write as feverishly as I did before I went back to "paid" work, but boy, I am ready to use my time wisely, something I have failed to do in the past few months.

I am quite excited about this WIP though, and OK, I maybe becoming a little too Daphne Du Maurier for once again writing about Cornwall, but how can that be a bad thing? My reason for feeling endeared to this project is that there are aspects to the story that are personal, based on true life, as well as being purely Karen Roderick's unruly imagination. I'll keep you up to date.

Oh, the mist is retreating and I can see the trees again, maybe now is a good time for a cup of tea before picking up son number one from school.

Have a great day,

Karen.

Happy Birthday "The English Writer"!

2011-03-18T06:36:00.000-07:00

'The English Writer' blog is 1 this month, but it's 4 years this year since I first pressed that 'publish' button over at my old blog site 'Pink Cupcakes'.

Blogging...what a strange yet exhilirating thing. Such a brilliant invention.

Unfortunately I don't blog as much as I used to. Life is pretty busy over this way, and as much as I'd like to say it will change, I doubt it will.

This year alone has seen another house move and a job promotion.

And not alot of writing.

However, I continued to be inspired. Here's what's doing it for me at the moment:

Beady Eye's 'Different Gear, Still Speeding',

French clothing company 'The Kooples' (see my new parka and complimentary bag below),

My new office hidden away at the top of our new house; just the way I like it. Not much to look at yet, but believe me, it's a very cool space.

Scillian olives I first tasted at 'Jamie's Italian' in Birmingham in February, and now I am delighted to discover my local deli sells them.

This divine freshly baked foccacia enjoyed with olives above.

My continued love for everything Orla Kiely.

And this man - Jamie O, for making me want to cook again.

Have a great weekend,

Karen

So sorry...

2011-02-12T07:31:00.000-08:00

...that I've been a terrible blogger of late, but I've been a little pre-occupied.

Yes, we're on the move again.

Big move happens this week, so once again I'm surrounded by boxes.

Let's hope this is the last time for a while.

Anyway, I promise I'll be back blogging and catching up with what you're all up to.

Have a great week,

Karen.

Girl from Up Country

2011-01-31T02:07:00.000-08:00

I'm heading back Up Country.

Leaving the sea for a day or so and venturing back to the place I was born.

For a few very good reasons.

A bit of this.

A few of those.

A little bit of this.

But the real reason is this man...

Tom Delonge is in town.

The Redhead

2011-01-16T13:00:00.000-08:00

After almost 10 years of being blonde I'm going back to Red.

What was it that Mark Twain said...

"While the rest of the species is descended from apes, redheads are descended from cats."

Growing up with auburn hair was hard. Tell me a joke/stereotype/put down about red hair and I bet I've heard them all - but that was never my reason for going blonde - oh no, that was an accident, and then I thought, why not, and kind of liked it.

See, the cool thing about me being a blonde was that undeneath I was always a redhead - it always made for interesting conversation, and did I have more fun...I couldn't possibly say, but now it's right to go back to what I know, and this time I'm ready.

I flirted with my roots back when I created "Lily" in A Love That Makes Life Drunk. Those of you who have read the book (thank you!) will know she is auburn and unashamedly inspired by the beautiful Deanna Baker - Playboy Centrefold Miss May 1972. I tried to make it work for me back then but it just wasn't happening for me. I had forgotten I looked a little more fair skinned with red hair, and that you get called that most disgusting word "ginger" (what the??).

Now, well, a woman in my mid-30's and happy in my own skin, I'm going to be brave about this, after all, as a photographer at Playboy once said,

"Redheads are like other women - only more so. The first thing you notice is a soft fire around their faces- an auburn halo that vibrates in high gear. A kind of heat that has nothing to do with temperature radiates from them like a visual perfume, a curious, insistent allure."

I am not going to argue with that.

Karen.

Fever...

2011-01-09T13:21:00.000-08:00

I'm taking out a little time to read and research for my W.I.P.

It was an accident that I became interested in the American Poet Sylvia Plath, indeed, I think in 'A Love That Makes Life Drunk' I even mocked her a little - and then I came across an article about her suicide and quickly bought her only novel, 'The Bell Jar'.

I knew very little about her life until then, I had even forgot she was married to the English Poet Ted Hughes at the time of her death - she was just 30 and had two young children.

Despite the tragedy that surrounds the last months of her life, her work remains brilliant and inspiring, so I'm now eagerly awaiting my copy of 'Ariel', a volume of her Poetry to arrive in the post.

Sylvia Plath

1932-1963.

BOOK REVIEW of 'The Bell Jar' to follow.

Happy New Year.

Karen.

Christmas Bride...

2010-12-20T02:07:00.000-08:00

Eight years ago tomorrow C and I cut our wedding cake.

It was an intimate ceremony in that little known place Gretna Green in Scotland.

It was a quiet affair with immediate family, and there was frost, it was damned cold, but I had the best day.

Joking aside, I cannot believe it is eight years. Our life looks alot different now, and it's fair to say we've had more than our share of difficult times, but we're still here, still together, and still laughing - I wonder how many people said it wouldn't last, after all, we'd only known each other 9 months when we did it, and 6 houses, 2 kids, 4 cats, and 2 chickens later, hooray, we've made it!

Happy 8th Year C

That Festive Feeling!

2010-12-17T01:36:00.000-08:00

Today I'm feeling rather festive.

I have a day off work, the Christmas tree lights are twinkling, there's a flurry of snow outside my study window, and Classic FM are playing Carols.

I've organised gifts into piles to be wrapped, and later I intend to treat myself to a warm mince pie and a cup of tea.

Last night I laughed my way through the brilliant Jamie O's Christmas Lock-In, and I've already set aside the 'It's a Wonderful Life' DVD for this evening.

And it's my 8th Wedding Anniversary on Tuesday!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Karen.

(Illustrations courtesy of 'Christmas Songs' Ladybird Picture Book & CD set, borrowed with kind permission from JB!)

Rage Against The Machine...

2010-12-14T15:22:00.000-08:00

It's fair to say I'm teetering on the brink at the moment.

I'm working overtime to help out an already overstretched department which is causing me some conflict. My littlest boy JB has a cough and cold virus, which means C and I are currently surviving on 3 hours of sleep a night. I haven't finished my Christmas shopping, and I've got kids' Christmas concerts coming out of my ears, and to top it off I've got sciatica, so whilst everyone around me is enjoying the growing festivities, I'm upset to say I feel a little Bah Humbug.

Not like me you say...

Absolutely not.

So what's bugging Karen Roderick?

When I got the call to say I was going back to work after almost 15 months at home I was ecstatic. A wiser, less selfish woman I was ready to face The Machine, vowing I would not let it crush me a second time. Seven months later and I'm struggling.

For a variety of reasons.

I love my Profession. Trained damned hard for it. Still do. It's The Machine that gets me down, and those that oil it.

But I'm too small to fight it, so a little voice tells me to give up, and then I frown, turn up the radio and sing with Tom Delonge as loud and as passionate as I can, and then I think this...

I'm better than that, stronger than that, and so I won't let it beat me and I'll continue to strive to be the best I can. Which I will make sure is pretty damned great!

Bah Humbug be gone...Merry Christmas!

All photos from Debrett's 'Etiquette for Girls' by Fleur Britten.

Most Wanted...

2010-12-10T11:56:00.000-08:00

Would be just perfect in my hair.

I wish.

No longer just the 12 days of Christmas

2010-12-03T02:59:00.000-08:00

I'd like to say I've only just succumbed and put up our Christmas decorations but that would be a lie.

Because they've actually been up since last Friday.

C has given up his protests of it being too early because he now has to fight two little boys as well as a determined wife.

And we have a new addition - my twinkling driftwood tree.

Christmas bunting.

My rather handsome fridge.

My retro hanging snowflakes.

Window box.

Winter essentials.

And the place I enjoy a glass of wine and a bit of superficial TV,

and maybe one of these warmed.

Have a lovely weekend,

Karen.

Addiction...

2010-11-30T13:16:00.000-08:00

I have an addiction...

Chanel.

I was just 25 years old when I bought my elegant Chanel compact mirror after seeing a rather sassy photo of Kate Moss holding one while preparing for the cat walk.

I still have it; I still carry it in a clutch bag when I go out; I still love it as much as I did back then - those delectable two C's that are instantly recognisable.

If you didn't already know I'm terribly short sighted. I spend most of my day wearing contact lenses that irritate the hell out of my eyes (especially when stuck at a PC/laptop all day), so, if one has to wear spectacles, then of course mine have to be Chanel, and 5 years later I am still in love with them.

Now, I cannot discuss Chanel and not mention perfume. I've lived and loved in a few of Coco's beautiful fragrances - No.5, Coco, No.19, Allure, Coco Mademoiselle, Cristalle, and currently Allure Sensuelle, which I actually bought on a whim.

OK, so this addiction began as a present and is now a regular in my make up bag.

As are these - incidentally, the rouge noir on the left was the first colour I dared to wear after clear.

I don't wear foundation as it makes my skin look pretty dreadful, however, a little concealer makes all the difference.

OK, so maybe this lot doesn't constitute for much, and I know if I want to graduate to a handbag, and postgraduate to shoes and clothes I'd better find myself another career, but this is actually enough for me, those small treasures that make a difference to how I feel in a day.

Karen.

Reindeer and Stars...

2010-11-29T12:16:00.000-08:00

...are just some of my favourite bits about Christmas, and Emma Bridgewater has yet again tempted me to dent my bank account and indulge.

Oh, and I couldn't post today and not leave a picture of the stuff I love to hate...

HATE, because I had to abandon my car at the top of my road with my eldest boy in tow as the school decided to close halfway through our journey out, and LOVE, because it's everything I adore about this time of year - wrapping up, feeling cosy, mulled wine, twinkling lights, a log fire, and Christmas Carols,

Oh, one last thing...

...my new pink and red polka dot scarf all the way from 'Pretty Green' (Liam Gallagher's label), on Carnaby Street, lovingly chosen by my big sister.

Have a good one,

Karen.

Dear Audrey, Anais, Daphne, Sylvia & Deanna...

2010-11-24T13:09:00.000-08:00

Thank you...

To Audrey Hepburn for your elegance, grace, beauty and style, and for my love of black ballet pumps and skinny ribbed polo necks.

To Anais Nin, for your writing, your guts, for your passionate affair with Henry Miller, and for the inspiration behind everything I've written since I was 22.

To Daphne Du Maurier, for your addictive books and your passion for Cornwall.

To Sylvia Plath for writing 'The Bell Jar'.

To Deanna Baker - Miss May 1972 - for your breathtaking beauty, and for showing me it can be beautiful to be red.

I owe you all.
Karen.

A Log Fire and a Glass of Red Wine

2010-11-22T05:40:00.000-08:00

It's fair to say I'm beginning to feel a little festive thanks to my weekend.

My folks were staying with us, and since the weather had taken a cooler turn I suggested we take a drive out to one of my favourite places in Cornwall - Zennor.

We walked a small part of the coastal path, where I indulged in my fantasies of living in one of the few farmhouse cottages with an Aga and chickens, and then we headed back to the local pub for a glass of red, and a roaring fire.

And despite the chilly wind, and occasional spots of rain, a good time was had by all.

Well, kind of...

Have a great week

Karen.

Busy Bee...

2010-11-08T11:42:00.000-08:00

As the publication of my 2nd novel 'Hope & Jump' draws nearer, I have started designing some extra goodies to pop into copies purchased via me.

Above is the commissioned artwork by St Ives (Cornwall) based illustrator Julie Eaton, and features 'Evie' and 'Ellery' at Evie's St Ives townhouse on Skidden Hill. I love this picture as it defines 'Evie' just as I describe her in the book, even down to the pretty flower corsage in her hair.

'Reading is cool' as we all know (!) so I ordered a brilliant stamp pad from The English Stamp Company to make into bookmarks/gift tags. Simple, but I'm really rather pleased with them. OK, so maybe I am just procrastinating rather than getting on with what I should really be doing, and that's finishing the first proofs.

Right. Now I'll make a start.

I think.

"Hope & Jump" First Proofs...

2010-11-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

This is what 18 months hard graft and dedication looks like...well, to me anyway.

The first proofs for my second novel "Hope & Jump".

And it's almost finished.

I wanted to attach the whole novel but then I thought I should learn to walk before I crawl, so instead I'll tease you with page 1, and closer to the book's release I'll tease with more, plus some brilliant exclusive offers, and where to purchase.

I also need to apologise for my lack of blog posts and comments. It was our first half term with son number 1 being at school, and boy, what a week (!), plus I start my new job tomorrow, so let's just say life got in the way of blogging!

have a great week all,

catch you soon,

Karen

Effortlessly cool...

2010-10-19T14:14:00.000-07:00

Love him or loathe him, Liam Gallagher just has it.

I was reminded of this during a visit from my big sister last weekend. We discussed Gallagher's new clothing company Pretty Green, and made plans of what we wanted to buy when she heads off to London next month, (t-shirt, scarf, poster (above)).

I have to say, he may be older, but he looks alot cooler now than he did over 15 years ago when I asked for his autograph in a dingy back room at Birmingham's Jug of Ale.

Effortlessly cool?

Oh yes.

Introducing "The English Writer" - blog review

2010-10-11T04:59:00.000-07:00

Considering I'm really rather proud of being a writer I don't actually tell many people.

I don't have an explanation for this, but I think it may have something to do with seeing myself as a very ordinary person, and someone who writes for love rather than anything else, and so when my local newspaper reviewed "The English Writer" blog back in September, it caused a little stir at work and on the school run, and I'm more than a little buzzed up about it.

(apologies for the size of the article - click to enlarge)

And I'm really glad they chose the "Nice Guy Eddie" VW Camper holiday post to review as it is probably me at my blogging finest, oh, and I must give a huge nod for mentioning Tom Delonge as my muse - "the inspiration behind every male character I have created since 2002" - great stuff.

So, to conclude, The English Writer is for "anyone with an interest in literature or family life" as well as "combining a personal touch with insights into her creative process".

I think that just about sums it up.

Thanks for reading,

Karen.

ps. When the time is right, my local paper will be covering the "Hope & Jump" book launch - details to follow.

Girl From The North Country...

2010-10-01T03:36:00.000-07:00

It's raining but I don't care.

After what can only be described as a pretty horrendous week at work (busy), I have a day off.

I've had a dozen cups of tea, but I am so looking forward to a well deserved glass of wine tonight.

So, Geek Post number 1...

Being an avid Daphne Du Maurier fan I went along to a workshop last week to study the "Rebecca Notebook" - the original notes and manuscripts from the novel "Rebecca". Not my favourite book by Du Maurier ("Jamaica Inn" is just brilliant and gripping), but all the same I really enjoyed it.

Anyhow, above is a picture of a copy of what is believed to be the first draft of "Rebecca" (kept at the University of Exeter), and, excuse me, I was mesmirised by it, for obvious reasons.

Geeky it may be, but as a writer, these early stages of writing are quickly forgotten once you begin editing, and even more so when the book is published, so seeing this gave me a little buzz.

I wonder if they'll be storing this first draft in Exeter at any time in the future...

...oh well, it's good to imagine anyway, and I guess I should add that the above "notebook" which was orginally named "Girl From the North Country" - wholly inspired by Bob Dylan's 'Nashville Skyline', is now novel 2 'Hope & Jump' - something I had actually forgotten.

Thanks for dropping by, and have a great weekend all,

Hugs

Karen

Autumn...

2010-09-20T13:17:00.000-07:00

...is my favourite time to write...and my favourite time to prepare for cooler evenings, snuggling up, and storing logs.

It's about warm food, hot chocolate and cosy socks,

it's about filling foods...

...falling leaves, and picking apples,

(photo: Jim Wileman 'Apples in a Bag')

it's about walking along an almost empty beach and filling your lungs with fresh cool air,

and coming home to a cuppa by the fire,

it's about looking forward to this...

...and anticipating this...

What is there not to love about autumn?

It's the September Festival 2010!

2010-09-12T11:55:00.000-07:00

Excuse me for the length of this post, and excuse me for gushing a little too much, but as the September Festival in St Ives, Cornwall is getting underway, it's got me thinking about a post I wrote this time last year when I still blogged under Pink Cupcakes, about a talk I attended about writing and Zennor, so, while I'm waiting to sit in on a few talks from this years' festival, I thought I'd re-write the "Zennor Heights" post to see what you think.

I am inspired.

I'm lucky enough to be in St Ives for the September Festival, so with notepad and pen I braved the crowds to get to the Arts Club for 1pm.

I spotted this talk by local author Michael Bird weeks ago, ("Anyone For Zennor? - Experiments in art and life on the Penwith moors"), and since it featured the word "Zennor", I was happy to part with £5 (towards the Smart Regeneration Project to restore the Porthmeor Studios) to hear if Mr Bird could help me understand why Zennor continues to feature heavily in my recent work.

I was a little early so I sat on Westcott's Quay to see if I could spot anyone who looked remotely like they would attend a talk about Zennor. When I bought my ticket back in August, Big Fella ribbed me to despair about how I'd be the only one there, so when I handed over my ticket and heard the conversation in front of me, I smiled as the lady declared the event "sold out" - it seems I'm not the only "Zennorphile".

With a W.I feel, the audience sat poised with pen and notepads, me included. I felt as though I'd entered another atmosphere; the wind rattled the 1890 windows, and waves crashed outside as High Tide subsided. Michael Bird (writer and art historian), adjusted his slide show and I sat in apprehension on a rather uncomfortable, but bohemian wooden bench with a tapestry cushion.

So, what did entice D.H. Lawrence, Patrick Heron, Bryan Wynters, W.S Graham amongst many others to Zennor? Educated in Oxford, Michael Bird is far more sophisticated and literary than me, so I'm relaying my understanding as I heard it, and that is - for a simple life; an escape/retreat from Post war Britain and literary London to experience freedom and creativity with fellow writers and artists. I loved the way Bird described the creative relationship between Roger Hilton and Sidney Graham as "drink and arguements". His slide show indulging the intrigued audience an insight into what this "hub" of ideas would have looked like as Bryan Wynters and Co. are pictured sitting around a kitchen table talking into the early hours - bottles of drink, cigarettes and papers sprawled everywhere. Bird described this as a "unique moment"- the idea gives me butterflies.

I have to admit, I had no idea quite so many City writers and artists had a spell in Zennor. I knew D. H. Lawrence (who ironically left London for a while after his novel "The Rainbow" was burned in despair after a little known thing called "sex" featured in it), lived in Tregarthen Cottages with his German wife Freda, but didn't know Heron (Eagles Nest) or Wynters (Carn Cottage) also had . Of course I was aware of these artists' association with Penwith, most famously St Ives, but had no idea they had lived in Zennor.

Interestingly, Bird talked about how each artist or writer perceived Zennor. Lawrence aspired to the freedom it gave him, resulting in Cornwall featuring heavily in many of his works, whilst artist Peter Lanyon saw it for it's Tin mining. Heron painted with light and colour, whilst poet John Heath Stubbs rebuffed it's romanticism.

Which brings me to my own work.

Despite having regularly visited St Ives for the past 6 years, I am ashamed to admit my first outing to Zennor was Boxing Day last year. We were staying in St Ives for Christmas and fancied doing something different. I'd read about Zennor, and D. H. Lawrence's connection and the popular legend of the Mermaid, and being someone fascinated by mermaids it was a done deal, what I didn't expect was to fall in love.

Since then I have fantisised about making a life with my family in Zennor; about a cottage overlooking the sea, a kettle boiling on the Aga, chickens in the garden, but the inspiration I get from this tiny village is beyond superficial. I have just penned a novel provisionally titled "The Poet"*, a huge chunk set in Zennor - not because it fulfils a fantasy, but because it provides a powerful and handsome back drop for the kind of love stories I write, it's like my Wuthering Heights I suppose.

But why do I love Zennor?

From a cliche point of view I have to say it's the rugged coast line, granite cottages and quaint village pub with open fires, but Michael Bird got me thinking today about how my life experiences affect how I see Zennor. Like Lawrence, it projects freedom, and like Heron I see brilliance and colour. On a recent trip with friends, one commented on my gushing saying, "I imagine in the winter it's very bleak" - but I absolutely don't see the moors like that, but obviously she did; experiences you see, Bird is right.

Anyhow, I am confident Zennor will continue to feature in my work. It offers so much of what I enjoy writing about - the elements, creativity, history, a Mermaid, the ocean, enchanting views and open space - an infalliable surrounding for lovers.

Anyone for Zennor? Yes thank you.

*The Poet was written in Autumn 2009 - may or may not be put forward for publication.

He's a real nice guy that Eddie...

2010-09-02T13:22:00.000-07:00

Meet Eddie - Nice Guy Eddie.

The 1970 Type 2 VW Camper all the way from Australia - well, that's where he was born, but we picked him up from a cool little place in Okehampton on the Cornwall/Devon border called 'O'Connors Campers'.

We'd booked Eddie for the week. A week's holiday at the end of August just before P starts school.

Yes, it was a wash out; and yes, as naive as we now know we were, we should never have planned a camping holiday with a 4 year old and a 2 year old, and yes, there were a load of rowdy teenagers on site at midnight, and yes, C did sigh at me exasperated, "oh good, I'm so glad someone bought a guitar", and yes the following morning we did pack up our awning and drive (or rather chug) off to a sweet little place called Modbury in South Devon and booked into a Lodge for the week!

Lightweights you say? You bet!

But we loved Eddie. He was fab. He took us around the south Devon coast slower than a snail, but who cares when you can pull over by the sea, chuck the kids at the top of the van and make a light snack (kind of!)

But we had Cath...

and the all important loo roll, and more Cath...

and even more Cath...

OK, so the weather was damned awful, and at times we did feel pretty miserable, but there was red wine, ocean views, and Jack Johnson (acoustic version by us as we couldn't locate the CD player in Eddie), and me and C even got the board games out when the boys finally decided they needed a bit of shut eye...and I mean finally.

On our Road Trip with Eddie we discovered a beautiful hidden gem called Hope Cove,

and the boys decided they just couldn't bare to be away from the little blue van whose top speed was a whopping 50mph...

and believe me, chugging up the A38 in the rain at rush hour on a Friday is not only bad for the blood pressure, but also not a very good look.

All in all we had a good time. The kids found a friend in Eddie, and C and I found one in wine. Yes, we broke down at Okehampton as we were about to say goodbye to Eddie, and a nice man called Pete towed us back to O'Connors, but oh how we laughed...which reminds me of a book I read before our hols called 'The Campervan Cookbook', where the author states the best thing to have when taking a trip on the road in a Camper is a sense of humour - oh how right he was!

Anyway, have a great weekend, and I promise to get back on the blog trail now I'm home and the kids are back at school/nursery.

Hugs

Karen

Supper by the Sea

2010-08-16T04:30:00.000-07:00

Remember this...

Well, the picture above is something I thought I'd never see...my "useless got to have" on Friday night.

On one of the rare occasions C and I are kids free, we dressed up a little and headed out for a bit of supper, oh, and a few glasses of wine!

I had an amazing dish of courgette, spinach, pea and lemon spaghetti, followed by a mouth watering cheeseboard, all while C and I gushed over this,

and this,

...wonderful.

However, I quickly went to this,

merry ANOTHER glass of chilled white, to this,

after having a few too many, and it was at this point I realised Playtime was over and we should call it a night.

But it was a lovely night.

But we will leave it a while before we do it again.

My head just cannot take it...

Kids and wine simply do not mix!

Here's to getting old and having bad hangovers!

Hugs

Karen

Evie To The Lighthouse...

2010-08-09T04:49:00.000-07:00

(picture by Janet McEwan)

I want to talk a little about my new book 'Hope & Jump'.

As you may know it's set in the beautiful Cornish town of St Ives, but during my many (often dark) hours of editing this novel, I realised I focus on a particular building more than any other...

Godrevy Lighthouse.

For those who know the area, if you turn off the A30 at Hayle and head to Gwithian, you'll come across the sign above. Follow until reaching this...

This spectacular lighthouse apparently inspired Virginia Woolf's 'To The Lighthouse'

and is situated close to the beautiful sands of Gwithian, and looks over to St Ives.

My love affair with Godrevy Lighthouse began about 3 years ago whilst staying in a gorgeous B&B called 'Seaforth' on Skidden Hill. I looked out of our bedroom window to this...

and this...

and Evie's house was created.

I 'borrowed' a few of the quirky coastal living interiors from this luxury Boho B&B - the quaint fireplaces, the piled pebbles in the doorway, the original Artwork on the walls, the perfect conifers at the black front door, and of course the views to Godrevy.

However, Evie also created alot of the house herself - the driftwood furniture, the cream Aga, the log fire in the bathroom, and most importantly her Artist's studio that also has those views of the lighthouse (which incidentally disappears when a sea mist eerily rolls in).

This place is perfect for Evie as she paints, sips Camel Valley Atlantic, snacks on toasted herby nuts Jamie O style while listening to Nashville Skyline by Bob Dylan.

I think you'll like her.

Karen

Useless "got to have" No.1

2010-08-02T05:17:00.000-07:00

Have you ever walked into a shop, seen the item of your dreams, bought it without thought, only to get it home and think, "where the hell am I going to wear this?"

Yes? Me too, and this black organza skirt is THE item.

It will be immortalised in a female charater, but will forever stay hanging in my wardrobe for me to admire.

Karen

My MUSE - Mr Tom Delonge

2010-07-28T12:14:00.000-07:00

This is Tom Delonge.

My muse.

And when I say "muse", it's fair to say he is the inspiration behind every male character I have created since 2002.

He's the 34 year old, 6ft 4 inch American musician behind Blink 182 and Angels and Airwaves. He also owns uber cool skatewear company Macbeth.

He's my unlikely hero.

I say "unlikely" because my love affair with Mr Delonge is outside of my comfort zone. I am an Indie girl more suited to Liam Gallagher, Ian Brown and Scott Morriss (The Bluetones), but there's something about the American man I cannot resist.

He is the height, humor, and confidence behind Jefferson Howie (A Love That Makes Life Drunk), and the hair, build and swagger of Ellery Faye (Hope & Jump).

His music has inspired many a love scene, and his smile has wooed many a female character. His lyrics have become titles of working manuscripts, and his tattoo's have encouraged my leading ladies to become a little daring.

I am mad about Tom Delonge.

Something that drives my husband insane.

Something he has learnt to tolerate.

Just.

This is Channing Tatum.

Another American.

An actor/director who has endeared himself to me after inspiring me to read "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks.

He reminds me of a younger, smoother Tom Delonge.

He's also the inspiration behind "Dylan" - my new male character.

It's fair to say I'm pretty buzzed up about these men and how they liberate the imagination.

Muse, yes, definately the right word.

Thanks for all your lovely congratulations on finally getting book 2 finished - make sit all worthwhile.

Have a great evening,

Karen

"HOPE & JUMP" is being made into a book!

2010-07-26T02:12:00.000-07:00

Hello. Again.

Many apologies for my sporadic posts and lack of comments on your blogs, but for the past 4 weeks I've been seriously frustrated that we've had no Broadband and I've been relying on a crappy dongle that receives no signal as we live quite high up!

But it's back on.

Just in time to share with you that I am totally bursting!

The "Hope & Jump" manuscript has finally gone off to be made into book 2.

I cannot wait.

Almost 3 after writing the first draft it will very soon be the finished article in the form of a novel made up of 106, 877 words.

Thank you to you all for supporting me through my recent dark days of editing, your comments and e-mails really helped me reach the end.

I only hope you like it!

Have a great day, and I WILL be catching up with your blogs today,

Hugs

Karen

Favourite things...

2010-07-19T05:36:00.000-07:00

writing, books, blogging, olives, champagne, cath kidston, stars, anais nin, jamie o, chanel, jd salinger, flip flops, butterflies, espresso, marmite, henry miller, daphne du maurier, silver shoes, being veggie, the kooks, kings of leon, sex, nigella lawson, pumpkins, keeping hens, a cup of tea, manchester, tom delonge, the bluetones, pink cupcakes, lowry, animals, deanna baker (circa 1972), wuthering heights, the countryside, organic food, goats cheese, pesto, selfridges, jelly beans, the body shop, log fires, eden project, emma bridgewater, sophie dahl, the ocean, growing veg, tate st ives, cornwall, the cotswolds, satin ballet pumps, zennor, gwithian, denim skirts, jack johnson, deli's, orla kiely, french sole, fish pi pottery, woodford reserve, camembert, vintage playboy, polka dots, feather down farm days, vw campers...

To name but a few.

Karen

Karen Roderick @ Unedited

2010-07-12T04:41:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited.

Today is the day the brilliant Jen over at "Unedited" has given me the opportunity to talk openly about my debut novel "A Love That Makes Life Drunk" and writing in general.

It reminds me of those heady days of the book's release where I was lucky enough to be invited to do a book signing at my local book shop.

Pop over and check it out NOW

Thank you Jen, and thanks to everyone who drops by to read it,

Have a great day,

Karen

"A Love That Makes Life Drunk" available HERE xx

Currently loving...

2010-07-08T13:35:00.000-07:00

I don't care what they say about him, his cool surfie vibe suits my imagination.

My Orla Kiely duvet cover. Talk about sleeping in luxury!

O'Connors Campers. We'll be crusing in Nice Guy Eddie towards the end of August. God help us with the kids on board!

A veggie Cornish pasty and a Rattler cider for when I come across all Cornish.

Daphne Du Maurier. Her writing makes me tingle with delight.

Have a great weekend

Karen

My naughty "Ava & Dylan" project

2010-06-28T05:31:00.000-07:00

Today I was going to tell you about my love for a good Cornish Veggie Pasty and a chilled bottle of Rattler cider, then I thought I'd take loads of pictures of my new Folksy purchases and show you how I've set them out in the house I've fallen back in love with after our rather disasterous move last week (see previous post), but then I thought damn it...

I going to tell you about what is currently inspiring me to the point of obsession.

My new Project...

nicknamed "Ava & Dylan".

This is the story I've been contemplating starting but was afraid it may distract me from Book 2, well, finally it got the better of me, and so the days I'm not working I have decided to split my day in two and do both. After such inspiring support from your lovely comments last week I realise I can and should do the both, but only if I remain organised.

I'm very excited.

I can't tell you much accept that it is classic 'Karen Roderick'.

I will spill a little more later.

Before I disappear to begin writing, I want to give a big thanks to Love Miss Ali for the inspiration behind the pictures for this post - I am truly buzzed up thanks to weheartit.com as recommended by the lovely lady!

Have a great day, and I will continue to catch up with as many blogs as possible despite being back in the office/car tomorrow!

Karen

You gotta laugh...

2010-06-25T00:41:00.000-07:00

Hi.

Sorry for my absence in what has been the week from Hell.

Last Friday we signed the tenancy for our new house...but couldn't move in until Monday because the owners were still working on the snagging list...but they still wanted their rent???

On Sunday my parents came to help us pack up.

On Monday we loaded the van and headed 10 minutes down the road to our new house...guess what?? The owners were still there, hadn't moved their stuff and the house was a total disgusting mess (my mum even found a pair of teenagers underpants in the corner of a room!!)

By 5pm they had almost moved out, and we had moved in, and just as I thought we could forget this horrible and stressful episode, C finds numerous broken plug sockets, loose wires in the kids rooms and there's no washing machine plumbing.

We re-load the van the following morning and move back to our original house with a new 12 month tenancy re-negotiated by C.

Legalities mean nothing as the contract we signed had the wrong rental address on????

We had a lucky escape.

But I am distraught.

I really liked the house.

But it was unliveable.

All this on my first week back at work.

Nightmare.

But you gotta laugh.

Haven't you?

ps. Thank you for all the brilliant comments left on the previous post. Before the disasterous move on Monday I did start the new piece of work and have so far completed 4000 words and looking forward to more.

Have a great weekend

Karen

Right or wrong...blessing and a curse

2010-06-16T00:56:00.000-07:00

I've been asking myself this questions for years.

Is it OK to start a new story while revising the previous one?

Now, logic tells me, yes, after all, I multi-task everyday, but writing is not logical (to me anyway), and so I'm fighting my imagination over whether to begin a new story that is constantly popping into my head, or hold onto it until 'Hope & Jump' is completed.

My fear about holding off is that the moment will pass and I will no longer be inspired. And I am seriously inspired.

Hum, what to do?

On The Move...again

2010-06-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

I want to begin this post by saying a really huge and honest thank you for all the lovely brilliant comments left on the last post.

Your support is really appreciated and despite returning to work pretty soon, I WILL continue to write and blog.

It's in my veins.

Right, well, saying that, most of you will probably know we're moving again. This will be the 3rd move in 12 months. We are hoping this will be the last for a while!

Therefore, I may not be around alot for the next couple of weeks, but I will try my best to read as many blogs as I can, and add a little of my own if I have the chance!

But I will see you again soon, despite moving and starting a new job - I've done it before, so I remain positive (!)

In the meantime, have a wonderful week, and hope to catch you soon.

Hugs

Karen

ps. I will continue to give updates on Hope & Jump as I get them x

Dilemma...

2010-06-10T03:55:00.000-07:00

I'm going back to work in 2 weeks.

When I say work - I mean the job I'm trained for. The one that brings in money.

I'm not unhappy about this, it was totally my decision. C's business just about keeps us afloat - most of the time, and I don't kid when I say the sales from 'A Love That Makes Life Drunk' will never make me anything, but it's not about the money.

So, coming to the end of 'Hope & Jump', I think, I've been doing this for almost 15 months without a break - I need to get out there and talk to adults. I need to see people. I need breath fresh air.

But now the date is getting closer I'm not sure I want to leave my desk.

For the past 15 months I've been forcefully telling C that writing IS my job, and that when the boys are at nursery and I have those days to myself, I'm not doing lunch, or shopping, I'm slogging away at a laptop to get a book finished that I hope people will want to read.

But I cannot get it out of my head that I don't get paid for it - I blame my work ethic for this - and Amazon for their hefty selling costs!

But I will always write. I tell myself in comfort that I have already written over 30 "novels" most of which will never surface from our attic. I wrote through school, university, full time work, maternity and part time work, to now.

I write because I cannot help it. It's compulsive. It will never go away, and so I know going back to my "paid" job will not stop a little thing like my imagination.

But even so, it was a dilemma.

Thanks for dropping by,

Karen

I LOVE BOOKS

2010-06-03T03:14:00.000-07:00

I love books.

OK, I absolutely love books.

I have so many I don't know where to put them. Well, I do, but it doesn't fit in with the family home. If I had my way I'd have wall to wall books.

I'm addicted to paperbacks so I bought an eReader.

I'm still buying paperbooks - and downloading.

I was happily browsing the book shelf yesterday when I started picking out books I've read over and over - whether they be novels or reference, I want to share them, I hope you don't mind.

"Catcher in the Rye" by J.D Salinger being one - bought at a flea market in Bath over 15 years ago.

"Jamaica Inn" by Daphne Du Maurier bought in an cute independent book shop in Devon

"Henry and June" by Anais Nin, first borrowed back in the mid 1990's from Bath Library when I was still a Sociology student. My own copy is now a well thumbed paperback with markers in all my favourite pages.

"Books, Baguettes and Bedbugs" by Jeremy Mercer. A brilliant journal by the Canadian writer detailing his experiences in Paris while working at Shakespeare and Company.

Right, OK, I bought this little gem in Coco de Mer in Covent Garden a few years back. The gorgeous girl on the front is Deanna Baker (circa 1972) and she blew me away. Her legacy is "Lily Mills", the main female character in 'A Love That Makes Life Drunk'.

"The Joy of Writing Sex" by Elizabeth Benedict, because I chuckle when I say, 'writing sex is my bread and butter', and despite what critics think, writing a sex scene is the most difficult thing, and so it's crucial to get it right.

"A Literate Passion - Letters of Anais Nin and Henry Miller", I bought this from a very small musty bookshop in Hay on Wye back in the mid 1990's, but only started reading it 4 years ago. It sparked the plot for my debut novel.

"Debrett's Etiquette for Girls" by Fleur Britten. I have to say I bought this because I loved the cover - and inside is even better - it may sound pretty terrible, but actually there's some great advice. Well worth a visit.

Well, I could go on, but the books I've featured are ones I keep going back too, and still love as much today as the day I bought them.

Have a great day,

Karen

"A LOVE THAT MAKES LIFE DRUNK" - a little book by me.

2010-06-02T02:36:00.000-07:00

"I thought about why Lily's parents potentially detest me. It could be the fact I'm 37 and she's just 25, or that I've been sleeping with their daughter knowing she's in a relationship with my brother; I imagine it's both, topped off for good measure with the vulgarity of my novels and my occasionally arrogant and pretentious column."

JEFFERSON HOWIE IS IN TURMOIL.

Deeply handsome, intelligent and successful, he is a man used to getting what he wants, that is, except the one thing he really wants - his brother's beautiful girlfriend Lily.

Through a series of cleverly orchestrated meetings, Jefferson detaches himself from guilt to tempt Lily into his arms. Silently but deliriously, they collide against the backdrop of the love letters of Anais Nin and Henry Miller.

But is blood thicker than love and desire?

With Jefferson's sexy and charming narration, and Lily's intensely emotional and sexually explicit Journal, we witness the honest and raw account of two people falling in love.

*Contains Adult Content*

I wanted to write this as I was inspired by a blog post by L'Aussie over at L'Aussie Writing. I know I don't need to explain why I created Jefferson Howie, and why I write 'scenes of a sexual nature', but when I wrote the first draft of 'A Love That Makes Life Drunk', I was 3 stone over weight after having my first baby, my husband landed the job of his dreams and buggered off for most of the week, I had no job and felt pretty damned rank - the result was a frank, charming and sexually explicit gentleman called Jefferson - and it was totally liberating!

Thanks for dropping by,

Karen

ps. the title of the book is actually a re-hash of a famous quote by Anais Nin from Henry and June, part of her diary detailing her affair with writer Henry Miller in the 1930's.

"He's a man whom life makes drunk, I thought. He is like me." - Henry & June (published 1986)

My Favourite Painting

2010-06-01T01:59:00.000-07:00

This is "Two in Moonglow" by Lisa Wright.

It's my favourite painting. It's also an image that has inspired part of book 2 'Hope & Jump'.

"Two in Moonglow" - what a wonderful name, and despite how I've used it in the novel, it's actually based on the artist's children. Wright, who won the 2009 National Open Art Competition, now lives in Cornwall and continues to use this beautiful County as a source of inspiration for her work - much like me.

Hope you all had a great Bank Holiday,

Karen

ps. Where's the sun gone and is it coming back??

I'm Writing with "Relish"

2010-05-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

Since Novel 2 is almost ready for proof reading, I thought I'd introduce you to my lovely leading lady.

This is Evie.

Well, Evelyn actually, but she becomes known as "Evie". Evie, with her handmade corsage hair grip and love for customising clothes. Evie, the artist with a passion for creating culinary delights.

Now, unlike 'A Love That Makes Life Drunk', that's written in the first person - the cheeky and charming Jefferson Howie, 'Hope & Jump' is written in the third person - Evie Willoughby.

Evie was a creation of a week's holiday in St Ives, Cornwall almost 3 years ago. It was late September and we stayed in this beautiful cottage on my favourite street - The Digey.

I was reading this,

my favourite book, and confirmation I should set the novel in Cornwall.

The decision to base the story in St Ives was effortless as I am a shameless, self confessed 'St Ivesophile'. It also seemed natural to make her an artist, and since I was also reading this,

it only seemed right to give Evie another trait; amateur cook. I can't share too much or else I'm getting into spoiler territory, but it will make sense, honest.

I love this book by Joanna Weinberg. It may not be glossy like Sophie Dahl, or uber cool like Jamie O, but there's a little of the 1970's about it, and a dash of Bohemia dropped in for good measure, and it's this 'dash of bohemia' that inspired me to use it as a blueprint for Evie's culinary imagination,

along with her ability to lay a table (this is actually our Christmas dinner table from last year).

Evie also likes this,

and rides one of these,

and becomes very interested in this,

Her new tenant Ellery Faye.

But more on him another time.

Well, I hope enjoyed a peek in 'Hope & Jump's Evelyn Willoughby, who I think has to be one of my favourite characters; someone who will remain close to me for a long time.

Thanks for reading,

have a great day,

Karen

Awards Time yee-ha!

2010-05-25T03:31:00.000-07:00

I've received this cute Blogger Award from the lovely Mrs P over at Notes From Summer Wood and I'm rather pleased with it.

So, now I have to write 10 things about myself, followed by 5 things I don't like, and then list 10 of my current favourite blogs - which I've actually found very difficult as I follow and love so many.

OK, 10 probably very boring things about me:

1. I wear flip flops all the time; even in winter

2. I named my first boy after a coat - "Parka" (actually, what the coat "stands" for, Mods, Oasis, Indie etc)

3. I named my second boy after Jackson Pollock and the US musician Beck.

4. I am addicted to green olives

5. I have 3 cats - Millie, Atticus and Macbeth

6. I married C after knowing him just 9 months in Gretna Green

7. I am a Qualified Social Worker; 10 years standing (not bad hey?)

8. I hate flying and always avoid C's suggestion of going overseas on holiday

9. I am ridiculously houseproud

10. I have a secret crush on Gene Hunt (Ashes to Ashes)

Phew, that over, 5 things I don't like:

1. Flying (as above)

2. Being poorly

3. Cold tea

4. People who talk to me like poo

5. A ringing telephone

OK, well, now to the difficult bit - 10 favourite blogs of the moment (because they change all the time!):

1.Music. Fashion. Clutter

2. Ivy Black Chat

3. Button Patch

4. The Coffee Lady

5. EvieGeorge%

6. Allotment2Kitchen

7. Kids & Capers

8. Our New Life in the Country

9. Pretty In Pink

10. Maisey's Attic

Well done all, you're fab!

Have a great day,

Karen

Hey! It's BBQ season!

2010-05-24T05:10:00.000-07:00

This is me (on the right).

The angst teenager just about the make a huge decision that continues to shape my life.

How ironic that we're in the midst of BBQ season and today it's the beginning of Vegetarian Week 2010.

Now, anyone who really knows me, knows I don't usually do this, go on about being Veggie and my reasons for it, but since I'm celebrating 22 years this year of not eating meat, fish or animal by-products, I wanted to give National Vegetarian Week 2010 a huge nod.

OK, I've heard all the jokes; all the reasons why it's bad for you, and even worse for your kids, and I'm not writing this to preach, because I never have, I simply want to raise awareness to something so wonderful.

See, my boys are veggie too. They've never tasted meat or fish. Health Visitors have frowned at me for this, and some nurseries have almost got it wrong (no, Vegetarians do not eat fish fingers!). When P was born, I wasn't working and so I baked everything from scratch to ensure he had everything he needed. When J came along I was working, and so things got a little more difficult, but with the introduction of some amazing Veggie products and the fantastic education from the Vegetarian Society's Young Veggie, we're doing alright thanks - so much so, Health Profs. have told me and C our boys are going to push 6ft (yikes!)

As P gets older I am having to answer alot of questions- and giving an honest and unprejudiced reply is difficult, but I have always been clear that I will bring my children up without meat and fish until they are old enough to decide. I want them to stay Veggie; but I will not force it.

Haribo jellies are my only headache at the moment! (but they've just bought out gelatine free ones and they're divine!)

I'm sure if my mum's reading this she'll be shaking her head with a sigh as she remembers many Sunday lunches of me playing with my food until THE day I finally said,

"I don't want to eat this anymore."

And do you know, never once did she question it, never once did she say "it's a phase", and never once did she discourage me. Her frustration was more about what to give a young teenager to eat in the late 1980's!

We got by.

Today, being a Veggie is easy. Supermarkets, cafes, tea shops, and restaurants in the UK are pretty damned great when it comes to catering for us Veggie folk - and there's a fair few of us you know - about 5 million just in the UK.

And just incase you have considered it, but didn't know enough, the Veg Society have produced a brilliant fact sheet about all the myths about giving up meat right here - it's worth a glance.

Oh, and here's my fav cafe to hang out and enjoy damned good food my way,

Divine.

Thanks for Reading (and humouring!),

enjoy the sun

Karen

A Right Mish Mash of a Day

2010-05-20T05:38:00.000-07:00

It's been a right mish mash of a day so far (this picture isn't me, but it's certainly how I feel).

I'd set today aside to finish the Press Release and the final corrections for Draft 5 of book 2 with the aim of getting them off for proofreading, instead, I've been scrambling through piles and piles of last year's bills as apparently our previous landlady is having problems with E.ON. and the new tenants.

On top of that I'm also trying to sort out moving dates etc for when we move to our next house (yes, 3 moves in 12 months - not recommened with 2 small children, 3 cats, and a husband whose mobile is permenantly stuck to his ear).

To top it off, the agency I work for have informed me I will be having a telephone interview today for a job that possibility starts next week. What I don't know is what time ,as the agency are waiting on a return e-mail (don't ask, long story), so everytime the phone risks I race to it with my professional head on to find out it's someone asking for money.

So, I'm having a fair few of these,

when all I really want is a few of these,

Hum, yes, this one actually is me.

On a positive note, I've been having discussions about the book sleeve for book 2, and after a few more minor checks, I think Draft 5 is ready to go. Fab stuff.

I'll keep you posted.

I also want to say a HUGE thank you for all the brilliant comments you left on the last post. It's so lovely to know you care and support.

Have a great day,

Karen

Cheerleader

2010-05-18T02:07:00.000-07:00

I apologise now for this shameful post of self promotion, I know we all feel uncomfortable doing it, but I read something last night that got me thinking,

'I think there is a real tendency to think, "once I'm published, I've done it", and then you watch your book go nowhere. You can't just be a writer - you've got to be your own cheerleader.'

-Jodi Picoult

How true, and I think this goes for any venture we take on ourselves.

So, today I know I will spend my morning writing a Press Release for the new book, and this afternoon I will be polishing the new book.

But I cannot forget I have a first book.

I'm writing this post for the reason Jodi Picoult highlights, but also as I've received e-mails and Facebook messages from people who are confused as to where they can actually buy 'A Love That Makes Life Drunk', so, for this purpose, I will be blunt and cringe when I say you can buy it from the following:

1. Direct from me - via PayPal. Simply e-mail pinkcupcakes@live.co.uk and I'll send you out a gift wrapped edition within 24 hours.

2. YPD-books - a friendly and professional online book store who I work closely with.

3.PriceMinister - an efficent online book shop

4.Amazon UK - who you all know well

These are like the 'Folksy' and 'Etsy' of the writing world (!), but ordering directly from me, is currently the cheaper option as there is no 'middle' person.

Phew, well thank you so much for not switching off in disgust, I really do appreciate the support, and the lovely comments you leave; and I also want to add, that whenever I browse through your fantastic crafty/art/book blogs (daily!), it's because of the images you upload, and your shop references, that I have so far bought so many lovely goodies - so please carry on.

Right, coffee machine on, have a great day,

Karen

Happy Days

2010-05-17T05:47:00.000-07:00

I'm really rather excited about the two parcels I received over the weekend.

These brilliant decorative sticky tapes are from Dots and Spots, who I actually discovered while Blog exploring. After a quick browse in their shop, I found just what I wanted - tape to brighten up the recycled brown paper I wrap copies of my book to send out in the post.

These parcels are ready to go and dressed with Green Country Garden, the other in Red Spotty,

And my second parcel was from the divine Charlotte Macey, who also blogs at Stitchtales,

wine glass, pink cupcakes, and mussels tea towels, and...

a tea cosy, which C is very happy about as it's re-kindled my love for our teapot and now he doesn't have to endure my 'dunk a tea bag' cuppas anymore!

Ah, happy days,

thanks for dropping by,

Karen

Hallelujah!

2010-05-14T02:37:00.000-07:00

After almost 4 weeks without touching the manuscript for 'Hope & Jump' (novel 2), I decided on Tuesday to re-visit it.

I have lived, eaten and breathed this book for 2 years. How can you not get fed up with something that you've worked with so intensely, and for so long, and still do it justice?

Exactly my thought.

So, after careful deliberation, (and an element of bravery on my part), I put it to one side with the hope of returning to it with fresh eyes.

Thankfully it's worked, and I'm cooking on gas again.

Phew.

Have a good day

Karen

ps. Thank you so much to those following me on Twitter, although I don't have alot of time to give to it, I am kind of getting the hang of it!

Tweet Generation

2010-05-12T04:01:00.000-07:00

I've just joined Twitter.

I know I'm a bit late in doing so, and I don't mind telling you I've avoided it until now because I have no idea what to do or what it's for.

A lovely friend recommended 'Twitter for Dummies', and I am so going to take her advice.

Might see you there.

Happy Tweeting

Karen

A Secret Garden

2010-05-11T04:10:00.000-07:00

In my early 20's I took a trip to Dungeness in Kent to see a cottage with a garden very close to the nuclear power station.

The cottage and the garden belonged to the late director, artist and writer Derek Jarman - but I discovered it wasn't 'just' a garden,

it was a garden built with passion by Jarman himself from the "flints, shells and driftwood from Dungeness", it featured stone sculptures, old tools, and other random objects he found, as well as plants and flowers native to the often bleak and desolate landscape of the power station.

Not exactly a vision of beauty I admit, but it's creation is loaded with passion.

I bought this book after my visit to 'Prospect Cottage' way back, but lost it during my many moves around the UK. Last week during a trip to Fowey, I noticed the lady who served me in a crafty garden shop reading it and immediately I was transported to the shingle of Dungeness, perplexed as to how anyone could create such a beautiful garden with a power station as it's backdrop.

What I love most about this book are the photographs (by Howard Sooley), and the easy way Jarman is captured pottering around his garden "walking, weeding, watering, or just

enjoying life", and also the inspiration at discovering that written on the side of the cottage is the first stanza, and the last five lines of the last stanza 'The Sun Rising' by John Donne.

I have been scoffed at in the past for describing things/people as "genuis", but I think I'm safe in saying Derek Jarman was, and the record of the later years of his life in Dungeness in this book are evidence of it.

'Derek Jarman's Garden' was the last book he wrote; he moved to 'Prospect Cottage' in the late 80's prompted by his illness and still managed to produce an enlightening record of the garden's formation in the mid 1980's to his death in 1994.

His cottage and garden continue to be attended, and remain a tribute to a man who had been a passionate gardener from boyhood.

Not everyone's cup of tea, but worth a browse just for the photographs.

Thanks for reading

Karen

Cutie Parcels & Packages

2010-05-05T06:36:00.000-07:00

My new postcards arrived today and I'm really rather pleased with them.

And they've come just in time for my next batch of parcels.

This one is on it's way to the very lovely Jasmine (Mrs P) over at Notes From Summer Wood...

Happy Reading Mrs P!

But I haven't just been sending packages out, I've been receiving them too,

This gorgeous handmade green swag bag was made by Elissa at Not Just Handbags, and kindly slipped into my Folksy purchase was a selection of goodies including a sweet flower brooch, and a bookmark featuring instructions of how to take care of my bag.

I am one very pleased customer.

Thank you Elissa!

Pop over and take a peek here.

This is what I mean by meeting so many inspiring people through blogging.

Brilliant.

Karen

Honoured!

2010-05-04T13:06:00.000-07:00

I am dedicating this post to the lovely ladies who consider me worthy enough to sent me over an award.

The first one is from one of my first fab followers, Penny at The Hen House, who so kindly reads my drivel and still manages to leave a polite comment (!), thank you Penny, I really appreciate it and always look forward to your posts.

The second is from the lovely Catherine at Kids and Capers, who kindly thought I was worthy of a sunshine award, which I was really happy about. Thank you Catherine, it put a smile on my face!

and this gorgeous one from the uber cool 'Music. Fashion.Clutter' - she does the things I wish I still could; instead I live out my dancing days through her - check out her style too - fantastic stuff! Thank you kindly and for introducing me to new bands.

I do feel honoured I've received these awards becasue I still consider myself fairly new to Blogger. I've been blogging for a few years now over at Pink Cupcakes, but decided to re-launch over here at 'The English Writer' (this name actually comes from a story I wrote a couple of years back!) to focus more on writing and books, and boy, am I glad I did, because I've 'met' so many amazing and talented people who allow me a peek into their fascinating worlds - all of which inspires me.

So thank you. Very much.

Karen

A Geek in Writer's Town

2010-05-03T13:31:00.000-07:00

I've always considered my favourite writer to be Anais Nin, but during a day trip to Fowey, in Cornwall this weekend, I believe it's actually Daphne du Maurier.

I love Anais Nin for her courage and determination; but adore du Maurier for her ease with words, her creation of strong heroines, and her ability to capture the vision of Cornwall that continues to inspire me.

When we arrived home I checked my bookshelves for confirmation; my du Maurier collection is quite impressive, and until then I hadn't realised how much of her work I owned. I guess I kept buying, reading and after finishing, quietly sliding them into place on my shelf with great satisfaction.

Anyway, I can't believe this was my first visit to Fowey. It does for writer's what St Ives does for artists, and I gulped at it.

I visited here,

and here,

and would have had a drink in here, had the kids been better behaved,

I imagined writing here,

and that this was the view from my house,

and then I came home with these (a Daphne du Maurier mug!)

I have to say I didn't know where to go first, or what to buy first. There were an array of brilliant second hand and new bookshops, and for the homelovers among us, there were a selection of amazing Independent interior and craft shops. There were some fantastic cafe's and bakeries, and equally quaint teashops, and on the journey home I wistfully watched the view disappear from the passenger mirror before dipping into my Tote and pulling out my writing notebook - more ammunition = less space in my brain.

I cannot wait to return and explore some more.

And talking of brilliant independent shops, I found this in my local bookshop today,

...think it sums everything up.

Thanks for reading, hope you had a great Bank Holiday weekend,

Karen

ps. I was reading 'Frenchman's Creek' whilst writing Novel 2 - 'Hope & Jump', and to date it remains my favourite du Maurier book - a brilliant read.

Tough Cookie

2010-04-29T06:01:00.000-07:00

I've got Jack Johnson on the iPod, and I'm ignoring the rain because I'm baking.

OK, so why is me baking worth blogging about? Well, because it's the first time in about two and half years I've been motivated to do it.

Right, so it was just oat and honey cookies and mash (which I will turn into Veggie Cottage Pie and Sausage and Mash for the boys' tea tonight, plus dessert!), but believe me, that's good.

I haven't always been this bad in the kitchen. After my first boy P was born, I spent most of my maternity leave baking and creating. After the birth of my 2nd boy J, I couldn't even get off the sofa I was that damned tired.

They look like this now; two surfie dudes who couldn't give a skateboard for my cooking - or so I thought, because yesterday I made tomato pesto and cheese straws, and even my eldest asked for more.

This out of character attraction to the kitchen has got me thinking and doing all sorts of things. It all started on our holiday to the beautiful Gower village of Port Eynon, where I began craving a little of the Good Life.

"I want to get a bit organic", I said to C,

"What like cider?" and he grinned.

So, now we're home, I've started doing this,

looking after my herb garden again, and this,

growing lettuce, and,

strawberries, and,

tomatoes.

I'm sure those of you with uber green fingers will be flipping out at my pots, planting, arrangement etc, but it's a start right?

But there's something else firing my good life aspirations,

Feather Down Farm Days

I received their awe inspiring brochure today as we are actually planning to give the experience a go. If you haven't heard of it, give it a look, it's pretty amazing stuff if the outdoor life is for you - clearly a nightmare if not.

So what happened to the writing?

Well, I decided to give it a little rest as I couldn't actually see the page anymore, but do you know what's happened during this "break", another damned story has invaded my brain and it won't go away, so, after a quick coffee and an oat and honey cookie, I will be continuing with my new storyboard.

Typical me.

Thanks for reading,

Have a great day despite the rain,

Karen

Reading is cool...

2010-04-28T01:44:00.000-07:00

I love my new writer's "business" cards.

They're really rather cute.

Since my previous business cards are now well out of date, it was all the excuse I needed to go to the lovely people at Moo and have some new ones designed and printed.

Excuse the bad picture (!) and this is what it says on the back.

Simple and to the point I guess.

I also ordered new stickers. These rather divine illustrations are used to package copies of my book and lovingly send out to new readers.

of which I am so very grateful...

and for helping my dream become a reality.

Thank you.

Karen