How Do You Refer To Your Partner?

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Vikki Thompson

A recent post by the lovely Bridget Whelan got me thinking….

Bridget’s post, A Twitter Confession referred back to a post she made last year on how she didn’t follow people who referred to their husbands as “The Hubster”. This recent post was a retraction of her original comments, and honestly Bridget, I didn’t take offence 🙂

You see, those of you who have been following this blog for a while will know that I always refer to my husband as The Hubster. The reason being that when I started this blog I needed something to use in place of “The Husband” because that, to me, sounds too formal, and that’s not how I talk. I always say that I am the same on my Blog and Facebook as I am in real life, so why use a reference that I wouldn’t normally use in my real life, unless I was putting on my posh voice 😉

So what other words used to describe husbands (and equally wives) have I seen/heard? These are the ones that came to mind:

Hubby
Hubster
Significant Other
Him/Her Indoors (usually pronounced ‘im or ‘er)
Hero
DH (Darling/Dear Husband or Designated Hitler)
LOML (Love Of My Life)
My Man
Other Half
BF or GF (Boyfriend/Girlfriend)
The Moose (yes, seriously!)
Mr/The Mrs

And one of my favourites, used by Mills & Boon author Kate Walker The Babe Magnet *sniggers*

Don’t even get me started on the “pet names” I’ve heard people use in public for each other lol. In our house the closest thing to a pet name is “pickle” & “pumpkin” and both are used exclusively for the cats and dog 😉

I guess that I could just use his name, but, I don’t feel too comfortable with that, what with this blog being public. It’s not really my right to do that is it?

So Mr Thompson, if you’re reading this, how would you prefer to be referred to?

And how do you refer to your partner (male or female) online? Any good ones I’m likely to steal to use in my fiction 😉

Today’s The Day People

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Sorry for the lateness of today’s blog pst (and yesterday’s) but I’ve not been at home, back now though 😉

So today the Nanowrimo Verification system kicks in. Yep, that means that all of you who have reached the 50K mark can now upload your words and have them verified, and be officially classed a winner 🙂

I’ve just done mine, so I am officially a winner!

I feel a little bit guilty though, I didn’t do Nano this year the way it should be done. Some of you already know, but for those of you who don’t I ended up finishing my Mills & Boon experiment at 20,000 words. I briefly thought about giving up, but I wanted to complete the challenge. So the next 30,000 words were short stories.

But I tell you what….it ~~was~~ is probably the most enjoyable Nano I’ve participated in. To the point where I’m considering, next year, to do a short story a day for November. I guess it goes back to me being an ideas person. I love creating characters, creating crap to throw at them, and then, I kinda get bored. But I don’t consider myself a good short story writer. My endings suck lol. I can come up with the scenarios, the characters, but then I don’t know how to resolve the story, in a satisfying manner. I don’t resort to “and then he/she woke up” as a final line, but I’ve been tempted lol.

So congratulations to all the Nano winners, it’s been a blast! And those of you who haven’t finished yet,GO FOR IT you have 5 days!

So now that we have all these extra words that we didn’t have last month What’s the plan? What will you be doing with your Nano Words? Me, I’ll be fiddling with Sorrento Sunrise and trying to find 30,000 words to pad it out with lol 😉

The To Do List 22nd to 28th October

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Last week was a stressful week. Have I ever said writing is easy? I hope not, because, trust me, it isn’t lol. I’m always as honest and open with my readers, so can I just say that this week sucked! lol.

I needed to start writing my piece for the Faber course, I asked everyone’s advice, made a start, got to 2321 words then had a major melt down 😦 I’ve written it in 1st person and I’m just not gelling with it. Perhaps I’m a 3rd person kind of girl? Perhaps it’s the wrong thing to write? Perhaps I’m over thinking? Lol. I dunno….but what I do know is that this writing malarkey is hard work! 🙂

So, how did I get on with last weeks list?

1. Faber homework. Well, I’ve made a start, but, it’s not going well 😦 I read all the handouts and made some notes. I’m beginning to wonder if starting a new novel from scratch was a big mistake.

2. Finish reading current book. Nope, in fact I haven’t done much reading at all this week 😦

3. Get out winter clothes and boots. Done! But I’ve not put the summer stuff away lol

This weeks list…

1. Continue with Faber homework. We’ll probably get more handouts tonight.

2. Do synopsis for writing group. For which novel? I seem to have 4 now lol

3. Change Faber piece from 1st person to 3rd person.

4. Finish current read.

5. Make some decisions. Yeah, my brain aches. I seem to have two WIPS, Nano looming, and it seems my tutor liked the piece I submitted to Faber in the first place.

Going tonight, so might have a chat to him, see what he thinks 🙂

What are your writing plans for the week?

The Next Big Thing!

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I’ve been tagged by Madalyn Morgan to take part in this Blog Fest, but when i read the questions i realised that I’ve already done it under another heading. The WIP Challenge but bare with me here.

Regular readers will know I’ve just started a writing course, a novel writing course. Now, I could stick with the Mills and Boon, but, as I’ve got the opportunity to write a novel over 6 months, and have access to agents, I don’t think a Mills & Boon romance is what they’re after lol. So I’ve come up with another idea. It’s not fully formed, it’s just a germ. So perhaps answering these questions will help bring it into focus a bit more…..

what is the working title of your next book?
The View Outside 😉

where did the idea come from for the book?
Two things. Firstly the title of my blog. I spend a lot of time staring out through windows. Even as a child I spent hours at my bedroom window when it was raining. The second part of the idea came in September. The anniversary of 9/11. A sensitive subject I know, but I just couldn’t get the image out of my mind of all those windows. From that, I then started thinking about agoraphobia.

what genre does your book fall under?
Hmmmmm, that’s hard. I’m tending to think in terms of women’s contemporary fiction, but, who knows, it could possibly go down the thriller route 😉

what actors would you choose to play the part of your characters In a movie rendition? Very hard, I haven’t even got the characters formed in my own mind. There will be 2 main characters, a man and woman….I don’t know any more than that at this stage, sorry 😦

what is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
Blooming hell! I dunno lol. Ok *thinks* a woman’s struggle with agoraphobia and her journey towards recovery…..or not? You know me *evil snigger*

will your book be self published or represented by an agency?
I want to explore the traditional publishing route first, but I’m not opposed to self publishing.

how long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I haven’t even started the first draft, it’s in the ideas/notes form at the moment. I’m hoping the first draft will be complete by April, as I’ll be starting it this week!

what other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
That’s hard. I’ve never read about a woman suffering from agoraphobia before. So if you know of any, please shout 🙂

who or what inspired you to write the book?
I know you’re all gunna think I’m nuts, but an article I read about 9/11 being fictionalised, and how, as yet, there hasn’t been a really good book written that centres it’s story around those events. Is it because people don’t want to read about it? Is it too sensitive a subject? I’d be interested to hear your views.

what else about your book might pique the readers interest?
There will be romance, but I can’t promise a happy ending lol.

Would love to hear your thoughts? How do you feel about reading a book that is somehow connected to 9/11?

Have you seen the film Remember Me? I thought it was excellent, and what-a-shocker!!!! it’s connection to 9/11 is subtle, but very powerful.

So now I have to tag 5 fellow writers……hmmmmm….let me see……

Jennifer M Eaton
Josh Mosey
J Keller Ford
Paula Acton
Patsy Collins

Please let me know if you don’t want to participate so that I can tag someone else 🙂 Your post should go live next week 🙂

Please take a few minutes to visit these writers blogs….I have a feeling that what they’re working on just may be The Next Big Thing 🙂

Next Big Thing – Or so they tag me… (philippajanekeyworth.wordpress.com)
The Next Big Thing (flossiebentonrogers.wordpress.com)
The Next Big Thing (lucasmangum.wordpress.com)
The Next Big Thing-A Tag (cathysvoicenow.wordpress.com)
The Next Big Thing… (keystrokesandwordcounts.wordpress.com)

WIP Challenge

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I’ve been tagged by Shannon M Howell with the Work In Progress Challenge. As I haven’t got a WIP, as such, I’ll try to answer the questions about my Mills & Boon novel idea I’m working on…..which will be my WIP come November 🙂

Image courtesy of Pixtawan/FreeDigitalPhotos

1. WHAT IS THE TITLE OF YOUR BOOK/WIP?
Sorrento Sunrise- It’s a bit naff I know, but have you seen some of those Mills and Boon titles? Lol

2. WHERE DID THE IDEA FOR THE WIP COME FROM?
I’m going on holiday to Sorrento in June. I love Italy, and Italian heroes are very popular.

3. WHAT GENRE WOULD YOUR WIP FALL UNDER?
Romance, Mills & Boon Modern

4. WHICH ACTORS WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO PLAY YOUR CHARACTERS IN A MOVIE RENDITION?
Well, I tend not to think in terms of actors/actresses, as I think it influences you when it comes to thinking about your characters personality. Sooooo, my hero Damiano, looks like David Gandy and my heroine, Kate, sort of like this 🙂

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic/FreeDigitalPhotos

5. WHAT IS THE ONE-SENTENCE SYNOPSIS OF YOUR WIP?
A romance set in Italy that starts with mistaken identity, and finishes with a wedding lol

6. IS YOUR WIP PUBLISHED OR REPRESENTED?
Nope, it’s not even written yet lol

7. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE?
It will be started on the 1st November, and finished by the end of the month 😉

8. WHAT OTHER WIPS WITHIN YOUR GENRE WOULD YOU COMPARE IT TO?
Ha ha ha, well I’m aiming for it to be a typical M & B book.

9. WHICH AUTHORS INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS WIP?
Kate Walker and Sharon Kendrick

10. TELL US ANYTHING ELSE THAT MIGHT PIQUE OUR INTEREST IN THIS PROJECT.
Well, I’m actually considering adding a few more sex scenes and perhaps going for one of the more raunchier M & B lines 😉

So now…..who do I tag?…….

Peter Germany
Karen at karcherry
R E Hunter
Kitty Hietala
Cat at No Written Words

if I haven’t tagged you, please feel free to share anyway 😉

The To Do List – 10th to 16th September

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Well, hello September! 🙂

It’s actually my favourite month. Not too warm (I burn easily see), not too cold (I’m always cold, ask the hubby). It’s just perfect 🙂

Yeah yeah, I know it’s been September for a while now, but I’ve had hubby at home on “staycation” so things have been a little up in the air. It’s good to get back to normal, if you know what I mean 🙂

I didn’t do a “to do list” last week, there wasn’t really much point. I did manage to achieve most of what was on the previous list though 🙂 So, this week….let’s see 🙂

1. Finish current read and start Tim Lotts book. Tim is my tutor at Faber, so I should really read at least one of his books shouldn’t I?

2. Carry on with the planning of Sorrento Sunrise Yes, yes, I know it’s a naff title, but this is Mills & Boon remember 😉

3. Sort out stuff I need to do for new writing group. Very exciting, and more about that at a later date when it’s all set up!

4. Continue reading romance guides. I’ve got about 6 on the go at the moment lol

5. Do a timetable inc setting aside time for exercise. *groans* I have a severe case of writers bum, so I need to get back to the gym 😦

6. Start the diet again. Oh dear, note the word again lol

7. Keep up to date with my prompts.

There, that shouldn’t be too hard should it? 😉

what are you up to this week?

Does Your WIP Need A Bible?

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

One of my favourite bloggers, Hunter over at Hunters Writings recently included a link in one of her posts to a very interesting article:

Making A Writing Bible is an article that appeared on The Write Thing’s web site.
Edited to add: This link appears to be down 😦

Hunter has also been talking about The Novel Journal

So that’s what I’ve been working on, in preparation for Nano, my WIP Bible 🙂

I’ve decided to use a notebook rather than my Netbook as I can add things as and when I think of them. Even carry it around in my bag if inspiration strikes.

So, I’ve got the hero (although he’s changed a bit since you last heard about him….thank you for all your comments and suggestions!!!!). His name is now Daminano Moretti 😉 harry is still knocking about, and I’m sure i’ll find a use for him later 😉 Kate Walker suggested that we find a photo of what we envisage our hero to look like. So after some extensive Googling I have a couple of pics!

Then this section is for notes on my heroine, who is still Kate 🙂 I’ve also found a couple of pics of what I imagine her to look like.

I have a section for the minor characters. There won’t be many, as, in a Mills & Boon, its all about the hero and heroine.

The setting…..ahhhhh…. *day dreams wistfully* It’s Sorrento in Italy. So I’m collecting pics and info.

Chapter breakdown is a suggestion made by Sharon Kendrick at Swanwick. Because Mills & Boon books generally have a pattern, it’s a good idea to have an outline of where things need to happen, such as “the black moment” and that way you know where you are 😉

Notes and ideas is basically the section for everything else….title ideas, ideas for scenes, back story etc…..

I’ve never worked like this before (I was a pantster lol) but I can really see the benefits. And now, I have 2 whole months to collect all the info I need before I actually start writing on the 1st November! And I have to say….I’m loving it! 😉

Have you ever created a WIP Bible? And if not, would you consider it?

All E’ed Out – Swanwick Day Four

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I can’t believe I forgot to tell you who our speaker was yesterday….shocking! Seee, brain dead already and it’s only day four *snigger*

Our speaker was the lovely Alan Samson from Orion Books. His talk was very interesting, and my favourite quote? “The book belongs to the author. An editor should be invisible.” which was said by Max Perkins, who is considered to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest literary editor ever.

So now I’ve got that out the way, what have I been up to?

I spent the early morning, writing, in my usual spot 😉

Then after breakfast it was a talk from Rebecca Woodhead which was all about E Publishing. Fascinating stuff, in which she told us the secrets of her success, one of which is about building your “tribe” lol. What that actually means is that you need to build up your loyal following.

After a break for tea it was “Ask the E Panel”. A Q and A session with Alan Samson, Rebecca Woodhead, Jan Davison and Jonathan Telfer (both from Writing Magazine).

One of our delegates asked the question “If you’ve already published an EBook, does that ruin your chances of getting a traditional publisher and agent?” The panel were in full agreement with their response, and the answer was a definite NO and that, in most cases, it actually enhances your chances, especially if the EBook sells well and you have good reviews! OOOOOOOOO!!!!!! 🙂 I kinda thought that would be the case, but it was great to hear from this well respected group. Alan Samson added that he would never take an existing eBook that had been published elsewhere. So remember that people. If you want to go down the traditional route, please don’t post your WIP’s on your blog 🙂

We had the afternoon off, so I spent it catching up with online stuff, reading my book and doing some writing. I had a wander around the beautiful Lakes in the sunshine and actually managed to find a bench in the shade.

The evening speaker was Sharon Kendrick who is a Mills & Boon writer. She gave a thoroughly entertaining speech and i’ll be attending her course today 🙂

The rest of the evening was spent watching plays that were written by, directed by, and starring my fellow delegates. Great stuff! And Simon Hall as the Song Police got my vote 😉

So my question today, dear reader, is…..will you be going down the EBook route, in the hopes that it will give you a publishing deal? I still can’t make up my mind lol 😉

Insecure Writers Support Day August

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

It’s that time of the month again 😉 Nooooo, not that time of the month, this time……

I can safely say that I am fully over deciding to bin the WIP, well, it’s the previous WIP now isn’t it? Lol 😉

So what am I feeling insecure about this month? Everything……

My regular readers will know I was trying to write a pocket novel recently, and it’s because of that that I decided to attend Kate Walkers Introduction to Romance course at Caerleon.

Well, what an eye opener! I don’t really know what I thought a Mills & Boon novel was but, I now know its right up my street 🙂

I love doing characters and I love emotional conflict. And that’s basically what a Mills & Boon Modern romance is. So guess what the plan is? Yep, that’s right, I want to try my hand at writing a Mills & Boon Romance! 😉

Kate was very inspiring. She’s written 60 books and made me feel that yes, I can do it, well, that’s how I felt at the end of every session….that is, until I got home lol.

Now I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed, a bit, I dunno, useless? Ha ha ha 🙂 Seriously, I’m doubting that I have even the tiniest ounce of writing talent. At this current moment I’m thinking there’s no way I could ever match Kate Walkers writing abilities.

Caerleon was excellent, being surrounded by all those writers. But, sometimes, when I’m at those events I feel alienated, and that I haven’t got a hope in hell of being published *deep sigh*

So am I just kidding myself? Will I ever have the stamina, determination, and talent to match Kate Walker? This is a major self pity post, I know lol. I’m not looking for sympathy, and I know I’m not alone in feeling like this…..but sometimes, it’s just good to wallow 😉

So what are you feeling insecure about today?