Wednesday 21 August 2013

A few days in London - it's research. Absolutely.

I just got back from a few days in London, with an assortment of pictures on the camera, many snapped in the name of research.

Writers can poke their noses into just about anything and call it research. I had fun in London, and visited a number of locations that may or may not turn up in books, sooner or later.


Probably only a writer would take pictures of the neighbours' roofs. I found the back view of the buildings around Trafalgar Square fascinating - and maybe one day there will be a chase over those rooftops?

The ghost bus, which starts it's nightly prowls in Northumberland Avenue, where I was staying. I've not been on it but I couldn't resist the pic. And I have to say that the sight of it rumbling towards you on The Strand, as night begins to fall, is quite creepy.

The Blue Cockerel on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. The square is featuring in a future book - definitely. But I'm going to have to move the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery - delusions of grandeur? 

A matinee of Private Lives - this was just for fun, but it's still good for thinking about how dialogue should flow.  

This is for Margaret James. A blue butterfly, as on the cover of The Wedding Diary. I was on the tube when I first caught a glimpse of it and promised her a picture if I got the chance. Here it is.  

And after snapping the Museum poster - my breakfast crockery also had blue butterflies!

The William Morris Gallery - the PreRaphaelites are a passion of mine and are supposed to be contributing to a number of forthcoming books. The Gallery is more about Morris's furniture and furnishings - but I've got ideas about some books set around a particular house - and houses have to have furniture, right? 
The Millennium Bridge. It's going to be the location of a meeting between another hero and a former boss - not a Black Ops operation, but certainly on the dark grey side. If I want authenticity I'm going to have to walk the bridge early in the morning in November. The things authors do for their art! 

The Crypt Restaurant under St Martin in the Fields. Another breakfast venue. The concerts in the Church are fabulous. I got the idea for burying a hero alive while listening to a Requiem here - I think it was Mozart.


Breakfast  - with added gravestones.

So many books in my mind, so little time :)

Wednesday 14 August 2013

All the way from Colorado ...

Look what arrived at the weekend. The trophy for Never Coming Home, as winner of the CRW Award of Excellence 2013 for romantic suspense. It's lovely and I'm thrilled. Wow. Just wow.



Wednesday 7 August 2013

A Gallery of Gromits

It's August. It's the silly season, so something today to raise a smile. Bristol has an invasion of Gromits for the summer. There are 80 dotted about the city and its environs. Lots of people, including me, were taking photos in the sunshine. All gorgeously decorated and it's all being done for charity. I think my favourite of the ones I managed to collect is the Gromitasaurus. Or maybe Blazing Saddles. They're there until early September.
Gromit unleashed!
http://www.gromitunleashed.org.uk/

Isambark Kingdog Gromit
Outside  Temple Meads station

May Contain Nuts - and Bolts - at the barrier at Temple Meads.

This one is called Bark at Ee and he's in Queen's Square

Groscar

Butterflies - at the Bristol Old Vic.

Salty Sea Dog


The King

Hero

Carosello was damaged but is back in place now

Gromitasaurus - in the shopping centre

Launcelot -  in Quakers Friars

Collarful - in Castle Park

Bunty - with the Bristol skyline, outside St Mary's Radcliffe

Blazing Saddles



Tuesday 6 August 2013

Summer sales

I love sales - as the four new pairs of shoes in my cupboard will testify - well, a girl can never have enough shoes - right?

I never expected to be in a sale - but a lot of the Choc-lit authors are in the Amazon summer sale. And I'm one. Check it out and get some holiday reading.

Never Coming Home a multi-award winner, now 98 pence - on Kindle.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Never-Coming-Home-Choc-ebook/dp/B007FU93TM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1375792163&sr=8-3&keywords=evonne+wareham

Something scary to read by the pool.