Twittering on

I've finally joined the Twitter Generation and registered as Bookslimited/ Laura Essendine. If anyone out there would like to give me a tweet, I'd love to hear from you, particularly if you're a writer too or if you have comments on The Accidental Guru.

I've also opened a profile on The Red Room and hope to be uploading work there too for critique and to connect with other writers.

I became a follower of The Red Room on Twitter and was delighted to see myself billed as the 900th follower which got me a couple of mentions and a link to my Red Room page.

If anyone else would like to connect, I'd love to hear from you. And keep your comments on The Accidental Guru coming. They're so helpful.

Laura xx

Worshop success

On Saturday I did my first full day workshop for women of a certain age. To say it was a success would be an understatement. We held it in a posh hotel in Nottingham, took over two conference rooms and could have sold twice the amount of tickets. I hate to sound big-headed but they loved me.

My lectures went down a storm, particularly the one inspired by Aurora - Allure is a state of mind and not a state of undress. She gave me lots of ideas for this one but you know what she's like. I had to tone it down a bit otherwise the censor would have closed me down! They gave me a standing ovation at the end. I tell you, I nearly cried.

Who would have thought six months ago that I'd have been here doing this. How much has changed in so short a time. Hopefully, Laura will be telling you our whole story soon.

Chat again in the very near future.

Judi xxx
(motivational guru for the menopause generation - it's official!!!)

The first chapter of THE ACCIDENTAL GURU is available for free on www.lulu.com or email Laura and she'll send you a copy. If you want more, two chapters can be found for free on www.authonomy.com. We'd all love to hear what you think.

Another recipe from Paula

I can't tell you how complicated my life is at the moment. Laura's doing her best to get it all down on paper as quickly as she can so I don't want to give anything away here.

However, my mind has recently been taken off my own problems by Mel's revelations. We're all rallying round her because she needs all the help and support we can give her at this very difficult time. But even close friends can only do so much - sometimes, things just have to run their course whilst we stand by with a safety net.

Therefore, as I always turn to cooking when I'm stressed, I thought I'd share one of my quick and easy recipes that's great for a family dinner and can be left to do its own thing - Ham and Leek Cheesy Bake

• allow one to two leeks per person. Clean and cut into 2 inch lengths. Put in an ovenproof dish.
• chop a packet of honey roast ham and add to the leeks.
• Make a cheese sauce - you can't go wrong with Delia - and pour over the leeks. Stir to mix well
• put on a lid and bake at 180/Gas mark 6 for around an hour.
• Great with baked potatoes so put these in at the same time and, when the potatoes are done, the leek bake will be ready too.
• You can prepare the day before or even cook and reheat.

Check back soon for further updates.

Love, Paula

My secret's out

Hi, it's Mel again.

Last night I met the girls at Judi's house and told them everything. It's such a relief to have it all out in the open after keeping secrets for so many years. I didn't really know where to start, there was so much to tell and so much I'd kept hidden.

I'd worried about the girls' reaction - I wasn't exactly blameless after all - but they were all wonderful to me, particularly Paula. They were all so supportive and I count myself very lucky to have such true friends.

There were tears, of course. The girls were all very upset to think that I'd been carrying this secret alone for so long. They're also very worried about me and for what comes next, and offered to be with me when I break it to Lester and the children.

But even when you have the best friends in the world, there are some things you need to do alone.

Mel xxx

You can meet the characters and read the beginning of their story in a free download of the first chapter of The Accidental Guru. Or read more and leave critique at Authonomy. If you want to contact Laura you can find her on Facebook or email her at laura (dot) essendine(at)gmail (dot) com

Two chapters posted on Authonomy

I've finally worked out how to post the early chapters of The Accidental Guru to Authonomy.

Why not follow the link and pop across there right now to take a look at this extended preview? You don't need to be an author and you don't need to join Authonomy to see the book.

However, if you want to comment or post to the forum, you'll need to log in. There are lots of great, unpublished books up there to read for free and thoughtful critique is always welcome.

If you cast your vote, it'll push The Accidental Guru up the rankings and give it a much greater chance of being read by the editors at Harper Collins.

If you've already downloaded and enjoyed The Accidental Guru, look out for me on Facebook or email me direct with your comments at laura dot essendine at gmail dot com.

Looking forward to hearing from you. Laura Essendine xx

Read even more for free

I'm currently trying to upload two chapters of The Accidental Guru to Authonomy, the Harper Collins site for aspiring authors. Fellow members read and critique the work and, with luck, the manuscript is picked up by Harper Collins themselves.

Or that's the theory. At present the upload form won't work and I'm waiting to hear back from the Authonomy technical team.

I'll let you know when the chapters are available and for those of you who've read it already, don't forget to send me your comments. Thanks to those who've written in so far.

Laura xxx

A few motivational thoughts from Judi

Laura's asked me to say a bit more about my motivational speaking without giving too much away.

Aurora and I saw an American motivational speaker called Brogan McKendrick - reach for the stars, hold the dream, to infinity and beyond, etc. She was completely taken in by him but I thought he was toe-curlingly insincere and utter tosh.

When Aurora tricked me into my first motivational lecture I was prepared to do a complete spoof but then I decided to teach her a lesson. I came up with some thoughts aimed at women of a certain age opening with,

It is a truth universally acknowledged that any woman in possession of a family must be in want of an identity...

No sooner were the words out of my mouth than the crowd were on their feet, cheering and clapping. From then on, this whole thing has had a life of its own. My husband, Neil, and I have been swept along on this unexpected turn our lives have taken, although sometimes it's a mixed blessing.

Laura's about two-thirds of the way through writing up our story so, fingers crossed, it won't be long now. Read the first chapter for free at Lulu.com and email Laura with your thoughts.

I'll post some more thoughts soon. I call them pearls of wisdom but Neil says they're often more like rabbit droppings. Cheek! If I get any more famous I'll swap him for a newer model.

Lots of love, Judi xx