We had a lovely holiday.    Relaxing, exciting, fun, thick with reading and books, and some added research.

Which is a good because now I’m going into overdrive.

I’m determined to a) finish my new WIP as soon as possible and b) do a DAMN fine job on it.  The new WIP is called A Thousand Secrets, and the story is…. a secret.  *g*.  it’s a contemporary thriller/romantic suspense with historical vignettes (assuming that’s the right word!) set in some fascinating historical sites in the north-east. 

It had zero words in June, 10,000 by the time I went on holiday, and now it stands at just over 17,000.  It’s b****y, b******** complex (will I never learn?) and I think I’m about to write a GMC/Hero’s Journey chart for a dead person.  Whoop de do.

I’m trying to be disciplined (okay, who just yelled, “Ha!”??) and I’m updating progress on Twitter, so you can follow things there, if you dare!  I’m @AnnaLouiseLucia on Twitter.

Writing overdrive is kinda fun in short bursts.  But soon I’m going to have to come off the caffeine as it doesn’t agree with me after a while.  So the caffeine-free overdrive should be interesting…

Spare a thought for my long-suffering Husband.  It’s no fun being married to a writer. 

I’m blogging today on the Romantic Novelists’ Association blog about wild swimming….  http://tinyurl.com/m3zv2t

Actually, I’m also sulking today.  I was planning to head out for another swim, but it’s raining.  Now, rain doesn’t stop me swimming, far from it, but the spot I had in mind was at the limit of a safe solo swim, in terms of depth and flow speed, a few days ago, and more rain on the tops would make it too risky.  *pout*

Mind you, I could always pop to a safer, nearer spot…. hmmmmm…  *thinking*

Ten, random Best Things from the RNA Conference ’09.

Our illustrious Chairman, Katie Fforde, enjoying the Cumbrian sunshine…

 1)  Best Writerly Thought:-  “Creativity isn’t a bucket, it’s a river.  You don’t have to hoard it.  You have to give it away to get more.”  Jodi Thomas.

2)  Best Character Advice:-  “Every positive character trait has its negative side.”  Sometimes you want the gentle man to be more assertive, or the protective man to let you run risks….  Jodi Thomas again.

3)  Best Public Speaking Advice:-  “When you’ve poured your glass of water, put the top back on the bottle…”  and, “Assess your audience,” what are they interested in.  Hugo Summerson.

Yours truly, and Biddy Coady, ready for the Gala Dinner.

4)  Best Charisma Advice:-  “Be interested in the people you’re talking to.  If you’re interested, you’re interestING.”  Liz Bailey.

Learning about charisma from Liz Bailey, dressed in black plastic bin liners…

5)  Best Five Senses Advice:-  “The real magic of writing happens in the gap between what you describe and what the reader sees.”  The gaps we leave in description are filled by the imagination of the reader.  Linda Gillard.

6) Best Shoes:-  Liz Fenwick’s ‘Russian Lady of the Night Shoes’ (long story).  See http://twitpic.com/a14k9.

7)  Best Social Networking Moment:-  Joining Twitter (@annalouiselucia) and following the #RNA09 tweets.

8)  Best Blog Moment:-  The new RNA blog. 

 9)  Best Overheard Comment:-  “So I said, I know!  We can use it as a sex toy….”

10)  Best Agent Moment:-  “Yes, I think editors are hungry for this sort of thing.  Send it to me when it’s done.”

I’ve been planing a refresh of the site design for a while – ever since I saw the cover for DANGEROUS LIES.  I wanted something that worked with my ‘desert book’ and continued my theme of the harsh but beautiful in the landscapes around us….  Stonecreek Media worked their usual deft magic, and here we are.

So, how’d you like it?  Have a look around.  I’ve dropped a couple of new photos into the gallery and I’m fiddling about here and there, so have a browse and let me know what you think.