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
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
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 There are lots of great, unpublished books up there to read for free and thoughtful critique is always welcome.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
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 There are lots of great, unpublished books up there to read for free and thoughtful critique is always welcome.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
Friday, 6 March 2009
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
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
Sunday, 22 February 2009
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
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
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Paula's Polish Cake
This is a recipe given to me by my mother-in-law and it never fails to please! I don't know whether this is pronounced Polish (as in the nationality) or polish (as in polished-off). My advice is to double the quantities given here as it disappears far too quickly.
100g margarine
2 dessert spoons golden syrup
1 dessert spoon sugar
2 dessert spoons cocoa
100g chocolate
200g digestive biscuits
Put all ingredients, except for the biscuits, into a large saucepan and melt together over a gentle heat.
Tip the biscuits into a sturdy plastic bag and roughly crush with a rolling pin, leaving large and small pieces.
Stir the broken biscuits into the chocolate mixture then pour into a greased tin. Leave to set in the refridgerator. Cut into small squares to serve.
Delicious but utterly fatal for the waistline! Check back soon for more recipes.
Paula xxx
If you'd like something delicious that doesn't endanger your waistline, why not download the first chapter of The Accidental Guru for free right here. And don't forget to email Laura, the author. She'd love to hear from you and she always passes on your messages.
100g margarine
2 dessert spoons golden syrup
1 dessert spoon sugar
2 dessert spoons cocoa
100g chocolate
200g digestive biscuits
Put all ingredients, except for the biscuits, into a large saucepan and melt together over a gentle heat.
Tip the biscuits into a sturdy plastic bag and roughly crush with a rolling pin, leaving large and small pieces.
Stir the broken biscuits into the chocolate mixture then pour into a greased tin. Leave to set in the refridgerator. Cut into small squares to serve.
Delicious but utterly fatal for the waistline! Check back soon for more recipes.
Paula xxx
If you'd like something delicious that doesn't endanger your waistline, why not download the first chapter of The Accidental Guru for free right here. And don't forget to email Laura, the author. She'd love to hear from you and she always passes on your messages.
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Ciao from Aurora
Gosh, where do I start? I had trouble fitting my life into my memoirs (My Life In The Spotlight, available soon at all good bookstores) so how can I do it in a blog?
I'm Aurora Sheldon and an actress at heart, although Judi calls me a drama queen. I've appeared alongside all the famous names and in all the top series on TV. You maybe saw my portrayal of an adulterous florist in Midsomer Murders - the director told me I died a complete death on camera. I've added this compliment to my CV!
My theatrical background made me the perfect choice to present a daily arts programme on Radio Sherwood Forest here in Nottingham. It's full of reviews, interviews and lots of delicious gossip from the world of stage and screen. It gives me access to all the red carpet events in the area and, if Nottingham has a glitterati, I'm certainly part of it.
Of course, with such a successful career, I didn't have time for a home and family and have followed my own star, so to speak. I'm currently dating Brett, a 22 year old lighting technician and I'd be the first to admit that he isn't the brightest bulb in the chandelier. He may have been at the back of the queue when they were handing out brains but this is more than made up for with seductive eyes, staying power and a bum to die for. Our relationship is a little like being marooned in the German speaking part of Switzerland - you can't have a meaningful conversation but there's all that beautiful scenery to to drool over.
OK. OK. Judi's giving me the wind-up signal. So I'll just tell you that my part of the story in The Accidental Guru is a roller coaster of excitement that makes your average bonk-buster sound tame. Stay tuned for further updates and, hopefully, you'll hear all our stories very soon.
Ciao for now. Aurora xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Why not download the first chapter for free right here?
I'm Aurora Sheldon and an actress at heart, although Judi calls me a drama queen. I've appeared alongside all the famous names and in all the top series on TV. You maybe saw my portrayal of an adulterous florist in Midsomer Murders - the director told me I died a complete death on camera. I've added this compliment to my CV!
My theatrical background made me the perfect choice to present a daily arts programme on Radio Sherwood Forest here in Nottingham. It's full of reviews, interviews and lots of delicious gossip from the world of stage and screen. It gives me access to all the red carpet events in the area and, if Nottingham has a glitterati, I'm certainly part of it.
Of course, with such a successful career, I didn't have time for a home and family and have followed my own star, so to speak. I'm currently dating Brett, a 22 year old lighting technician and I'd be the first to admit that he isn't the brightest bulb in the chandelier. He may have been at the back of the queue when they were handing out brains but this is more than made up for with seductive eyes, staying power and a bum to die for. Our relationship is a little like being marooned in the German speaking part of Switzerland - you can't have a meaningful conversation but there's all that beautiful scenery to to drool over.
OK. OK. Judi's giving me the wind-up signal. So I'll just tell you that my part of the story in The Accidental Guru is a roller coaster of excitement that makes your average bonk-buster sound tame. Stay tuned for further updates and, hopefully, you'll hear all our stories very soon.
Ciao for now. Aurora xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Why not download the first chapter for free right here?
Sunday, 7 December 2008
Hi. I'm Mel
Anyone who knows me will say that I'll tell my life story to someone at a bus stop. But when someone asks you to introduce yourself....
So here goes.
I'm ten years younger than the rest of the Gang and met them at the ante natal group. I was only fifteen when I fell pregnant and the rest of the girls were so kind to me - they sort of adopted me and have been mother hens ever since. I love all three of them like sisters.
So, whilst everyone was taking their GCSEs I was a new mum and getting ready to marry Lester Harper, my baby's father. Lester was only 21 himself at the time with little or no prospects. Sad to say, he fulfilled this early lack of promise! He's now a jobbing builder and our eldest, Tony, works with him (or, in Lester's case, avoids work wherever possible).
My daughter is 16 and a very clever girl - I can't believe I was pregnant at her age - she seems so young. I also have another son, John, who's 20 and has a lovely kind heart. There was no money for college so he's taking an environmental sciences degree with the Open University. All this studying has set me thinking that I ought to return to school to get some sort of education - I don't want to spend the rest of my life slicing bacon!!
My share of the story in The Accidental Guru is a particularly difficult one and I couldn't have got through it without my sister friends, Judi, Paula and Aurora. Why not download the first chapter for free and see how it all started.
I hear Aurora's introducing herself next. Hold on to your hats!
Love Mel xxx
So here goes.
I'm ten years younger than the rest of the Gang and met them at the ante natal group. I was only fifteen when I fell pregnant and the rest of the girls were so kind to me - they sort of adopted me and have been mother hens ever since. I love all three of them like sisters.
So, whilst everyone was taking their GCSEs I was a new mum and getting ready to marry Lester Harper, my baby's father. Lester was only 21 himself at the time with little or no prospects. Sad to say, he fulfilled this early lack of promise! He's now a jobbing builder and our eldest, Tony, works with him (or, in Lester's case, avoids work wherever possible).
My daughter is 16 and a very clever girl - I can't believe I was pregnant at her age - she seems so young. I also have another son, John, who's 20 and has a lovely kind heart. There was no money for college so he's taking an environmental sciences degree with the Open University. All this studying has set me thinking that I ought to return to school to get some sort of education - I don't want to spend the rest of my life slicing bacon!!
My share of the story in The Accidental Guru is a particularly difficult one and I couldn't have got through it without my sister friends, Judi, Paula and Aurora. Why not download the first chapter for free and see how it all started.
I hear Aurora's introducing herself next. Hold on to your hats!
Love Mel xxx
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