So how are the Christmas preparations coming along for you this year? If you're anything like me, you're disorganised, behind with everything and haven't wrapped any presents yet.
Sadly, delivery companies have missed the boat too and half of my orders haven't arrived - note to self, order before 20th December next year.
As a "motivational guru for the menopause generation" (according to the Robin Hood Review, our local newspaper) I should know better and will be building Christmas time management into one of my future courses. Heaven only knows where the time goes during December!
The only thing I am organised with is Christmas cards which all went out weeks ago, thanks to lovely Paula. She invited me, Aurora and Mel to her house for a girls' night in during November and, after a wonderful winter supper, we wrote all of our cards. Sadly our writing deteriorated as we worked our way through our address books and wine bottles. Therefore, there's no guarantee that Alan and Mary Youngs' card arrived but the thought was there.
Dashing out now to buy a turkey crown (you can't beat Marks) and I'm praying someone, somewhere has some sprouts left.
Good luck with the rest of your preparations and have a lovely Christmas.
Judi xxx
Thursday, 23 December 2010
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Don't mention the snow
This will be a weather-free post - guaranteed.
I thought you might like to find out how I became the Accidental Guru of the book's title. Believe it or not, it was all as the result of a bet with Aurora. When am I ever going to learn?
We'd been to see a Brogan McKendrick, a world famous motivational speaker up in London - you know the type; all cosmetic dentistry and soundbites. I'd gone along for the shopping and the free meals but Aurora took it all very seriously and bought all his books, DVDs and motivational messages. Reach for the stars, live the dream and all other such platitudes.
Anyway, I accused Aurora of wasting her money when a monkey with a pencil could turn out something equally as profound as Brogan McKendrick's drivel and she dared me to do something better if I could. Stupidly, I rose to the bait. Before I knew it, she'd booked a venue and announced on her radio show the date for my first motivational talk.
What the talk was about and how it went is another story - one which can be found in The Accidental Guru which is coming soon. Why not follow the blog for further gossip and updates?
Speak again soon,
Judi xx
I thought you might like to find out how I became the Accidental Guru of the book's title. Believe it or not, it was all as the result of a bet with Aurora. When am I ever going to learn?
We'd been to see a Brogan McKendrick, a world famous motivational speaker up in London - you know the type; all cosmetic dentistry and soundbites. I'd gone along for the shopping and the free meals but Aurora took it all very seriously and bought all his books, DVDs and motivational messages. Reach for the stars, live the dream and all other such platitudes.
Anyway, I accused Aurora of wasting her money when a monkey with a pencil could turn out something equally as profound as Brogan McKendrick's drivel and she dared me to do something better if I could. Stupidly, I rose to the bait. Before I knew it, she'd booked a venue and announced on her radio show the date for my first motivational talk.
What the talk was about and how it went is another story - one which can be found in The Accidental Guru which is coming soon. Why not follow the blog for further gossip and updates?
Speak again soon,
Judi xx
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Hello again
As it's been so long since you first met "The Gang" I thought it would be a good idea to re-introduce you to the stars of THE ACCIDENTAL GURU, the forthcoming novel from Laura Essendine - funny, heart-breaking, romantic and restoring your faith in friendship. A book to snuggle up with and wallow in.
Judi, Aurora, Mel and Paula have been friends for over twenty years; supporting each other from ante-natal classes to university applications. Until their lives change irrevocably over six months.
Paula – perfect housekeeper and pillar of the community who's thrown into emotional and domestic chaos by the death of her mother and the reappearance of Charles Waddington.
Mel – whose three children undergo tests for a fatal, genetic condition but only she appreciates the devastation the results will bring.
Aurora – failed actress, radio presenter and self-proclaimed sex-goddess who refuses to relinquish either her youth, or her hold on a succession of toy-boys, until a young American forces her to expose a past that she’d buried long ago.
Judi – who'd abandoned her dreams to travel and write when she fell pregnant at university. Twenty-five years and four children later, she unwittingly becomes a motivational guru for The Menopause Generation. The media attention and book advance turn her dreams into reality but success is marred by Aurora’s jealousy and increasing alienation.
Is it possible to turn your past into your future and, if you do, will it be everything you’d hoped for, or the one thing you were always afraid of?
Why not sign up for regular updates on the girls themselves and the progress of the novel?
Join them for the six months that will change their lives for ever.
I'd love to hear from you so Tweet me on @bookslimited.
Judi, Aurora, Mel and Paula have been friends for over twenty years; supporting each other from ante-natal classes to university applications. Until their lives change irrevocably over six months.
Paula – perfect housekeeper and pillar of the community who's thrown into emotional and domestic chaos by the death of her mother and the reappearance of Charles Waddington.
Mel – whose three children undergo tests for a fatal, genetic condition but only she appreciates the devastation the results will bring.
Aurora – failed actress, radio presenter and self-proclaimed sex-goddess who refuses to relinquish either her youth, or her hold on a succession of toy-boys, until a young American forces her to expose a past that she’d buried long ago.
Judi – who'd abandoned her dreams to travel and write when she fell pregnant at university. Twenty-five years and four children later, she unwittingly becomes a motivational guru for The Menopause Generation. The media attention and book advance turn her dreams into reality but success is marred by Aurora’s jealousy and increasing alienation.
Is it possible to turn your past into your future and, if you do, will it be everything you’d hoped for, or the one thing you were always afraid of?
Why not sign up for regular updates on the girls themselves and the progress of the novel?
Join them for the six months that will change their lives for ever.
I'd love to hear from you so Tweet me on @bookslimited.
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Really going to finish it this time!
I know, I know.
You've heard it all before
But this time I definitely mean that I'm going to finish The Accidental Guru.
I've taken a year out to study (very hard) for a degree and this hasn't left any time for writing (or sleep, come to that). As a result, I'm just getting to the revision stage on my first draft, am filling in plot holes and generally making The Accidental Guru a much more exciting read.
I can't tell you how much I've missed chatting with Judi, Aurora, Paula and Mel and will be bringing you updates again very soon.
Sorry it's been so long.
Laura X
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @bookslimited
You've heard it all before
But this time I definitely mean that I'm going to finish The Accidental Guru.
I've taken a year out to study (very hard) for a degree and this hasn't left any time for writing (or sleep, come to that). As a result, I'm just getting to the revision stage on my first draft, am filling in plot holes and generally making The Accidental Guru a much more exciting read.
I can't tell you how much I've missed chatting with Judi, Aurora, Paula and Mel and will be bringing you updates again very soon.
Sorry it's been so long.
Laura X
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @bookslimited
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Thanks for waiting
You're such a patient lot out there but, never fear, the first draft is finally finished and I'm moving on to rewrites.
Therefore, I'm giving Mel, Aurora, Paula and Judi a well earned rest before I plunge them into the story second time around. Luckily, it's easy to see where the cuts need to be made and I'm really pleased with the way that the manuscript is shaping up.
So no one gets confused between edits, I'm pulling down the free sample chapters from Authonomy and Lulu for the time being. However, don't feel you've missed your chance to comment and contribute. If you email me I'll happily send you a PDF of the first chapter in its raw version. I've taken on board all the comments I've received so far and will be making a number of changes so every email I receive is like gold-dust to me.
laura (dot) essendine (at) gmail (dot) com
Looking forward to hearing from you and, if you are on Twitter, why not give me a tweet?
Laura @bookslimited
Therefore, I'm giving Mel, Aurora, Paula and Judi a well earned rest before I plunge them into the story second time around. Luckily, it's easy to see where the cuts need to be made and I'm really pleased with the way that the manuscript is shaping up.
So no one gets confused between edits, I'm pulling down the free sample chapters from Authonomy and Lulu for the time being. However, don't feel you've missed your chance to comment and contribute. If you email me I'll happily send you a PDF of the first chapter in its raw version. I've taken on board all the comments I've received so far and will be making a number of changes so every email I receive is like gold-dust to me.
laura (dot) essendine (at) gmail (dot) com
Looking forward to hearing from you and, if you are on Twitter, why not give me a tweet?
Laura @bookslimited
Friday, 17 July 2009
A quick update
Whilst the weather outside is the wrong side of awful, storm clouds are brewing as Laura finally brings our story to a close. I obviously know how it's all going to end but I've sneeked a peak and the final chapters are packed full of suprises, tears and fun.
In the penulitimate chapter, Mel's son's disappeared and isn't answering his phone. Aurora is just packing her suitcase for a weekend in London where she has some auditions lined up but she ends up in a role she never anticipated. Meanwhile, Paula is in for a shock that turns her life upside down and from which there's no going back.
And as for me, I'm off up to London too (although Aurora doesn't know yet) and I'm about to receive some very good news indeed. Finally I can pay back Neil in a five star way.
So hang on for just a while longer (I know I've been saying this for ages) but the light is at the end of the tunnel. For at least one of us, that light is an oncoming train. Life for all of us is going to be very topsy turvy before it eventually calms down
Judi xxx
In the penulitimate chapter, Mel's son's disappeared and isn't answering his phone. Aurora is just packing her suitcase for a weekend in London where she has some auditions lined up but she ends up in a role she never anticipated. Meanwhile, Paula is in for a shock that turns her life upside down and from which there's no going back.
And as for me, I'm off up to London too (although Aurora doesn't know yet) and I'm about to receive some very good news indeed. Finally I can pay back Neil in a five star way.
So hang on for just a while longer (I know I've been saying this for ages) but the light is at the end of the tunnel. For at least one of us, that light is an oncoming train. Life for all of us is going to be very topsy turvy before it eventually calms down
Judi xxx
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Time for a moan
Laura probably won't thank me for using this blog to talk about Paula's husband, Dennis, but something just has to be said!
He's giving Paula such a hard time about going back to work full time when anyone can see how much she's enjoying it. She's blossomed since joining the gallery, and she's wonderful at her job, but all Dennis does in moan about the dusting not being up to standard and his suits being stuck at the dry cleaners.
Quite frankly, I don't know how she puts up with him. He's stuffy, opinionated and my Neil says he could bore for England. The other husbands dread getting together with him whenever Paula invites us round for one of her famous barbecues. I think Paula's a saint because I would have told Dennis a few home truths by now, had he been my husband.
The real issue is, he's madly jealous about Paula working with the absolutely gorgeous Charles Waddington (think George Clooney on a good hair day) but the way Dennis is carrying on, it's enough to drive Paula straight into Charles's arms.
Whether she ends up there is all part of the story so you'll have to read The Accidental Guru to find out. Should be with you very soon. But read the first two chapters for free as a starter.
Off to Sainsburys now, followed by a trip to the waste dump with the garden rubbish. I tell you, the life of a motivational guru is all glamour!
Speak soon, Judi xxx
He's giving Paula such a hard time about going back to work full time when anyone can see how much she's enjoying it. She's blossomed since joining the gallery, and she's wonderful at her job, but all Dennis does in moan about the dusting not being up to standard and his suits being stuck at the dry cleaners.
Quite frankly, I don't know how she puts up with him. He's stuffy, opinionated and my Neil says he could bore for England. The other husbands dread getting together with him whenever Paula invites us round for one of her famous barbecues. I think Paula's a saint because I would have told Dennis a few home truths by now, had he been my husband.
The real issue is, he's madly jealous about Paula working with the absolutely gorgeous Charles Waddington (think George Clooney on a good hair day) but the way Dennis is carrying on, it's enough to drive Paula straight into Charles's arms.
Whether she ends up there is all part of the story so you'll have to read The Accidental Guru to find out. Should be with you very soon. But read the first two chapters for free as a starter.
Off to Sainsburys now, followed by a trip to the waste dump with the garden rubbish. I tell you, the life of a motivational guru is all glamour!
Speak soon, Judi xxx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
