Category: Writing life

Archie and Dexter, Pipsqueak posts, Writing life

The Pipsqueak Posts, Episode 3: the one with the Sunday roast

Kate Hardy

Archie says: You know, Pipsqueak, Sundays are good days in this house. We go to the beach or the park a lot on Sundays (and that means a warm sausage roll for us in the cafe, as well as running around a lot without a lead on, and making friends with other dogs). Sadly you’re not old enough to go out yet, and also it’s lockdown so I haven’t been to the beach or the park for months…

(Archie has a little dream about the beach.)


But Sunday also means that Mum does a roast dinner. Chicken is good. We have to wait until everyone’s finished and she’ll leave us a little bit on her plate. But best of all is the carcass. There’s still meat left after she’s carved, and Dad takes it off and puts it in our bowls. We have to sit nicely. Watch and follow me!

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Archie and Dexter, Pipsqueak posts, Writing life

The Pipsqueak Posts Episode 2: the one where Dexter settles in

Kate Hardy

Dexter says: this is my bed, and Mum said I was to let Archie sleep in his bed and stick to mine. When Archie stops giving me the cold shoulder, we will see about that. I cuddled up to all my baby brothers and my sister, so I reckon I can cuddle up to my big brother, too. 

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In the meantime, I be(e) teething… (Archie says: Mum cannot resist cheesy puns. Dad says it’s her age but I think she’s always been like it. Mum is also not allowed in the pet shop without adult supervision. Apparently she buys too many toys. I don’t get it because you can never have too many tennis balls.)

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Their pet romance author adds: my hands are very full right now, so I’m working currently on the same basis that I did when the children were small – work when the baby naps!

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Lockdown, Writing life, Writing news

M&B #91 accepted!

Kate Hardy

Thrilled to say that my latest M&B Medical Romance (my 91st book for them) has just been accepted. It was VERY tough to write during lockdown – given the events in the world, it felt as if my work was completely irrelevant and frivolous, and writing the book was like wading through treacle. I had no connection with my hero or heroine, but I talked to my editors and they reminded me that it’s better to edit a bad page than a blank page, so I sent in a book I was really not happy with. My editors said I wasn’t alone in feeling this way and that not only were other writers finding it hard, the editors were also struggling to read. Even though I work from home in normal s circumstances, it isn’t the same at all during lockdown.

While my editors were ploughing through it, I had a shift in mindset. Short romance novels like mine serve a very specific purpose: they entertain people, they have a definite happy ending so they help to lift moods, and maybe this is what the world needs right now. Love and happiness. And I needed to stop feeling miserable and bring the joy back. (I’d been doing that with Facebook posts including birdsong and my daily walk with the beastie and catching the sunrise – oh, wait, pictures!! Look at this!! More on my Instagram account.)

So my editors came back to me with comments, and I scribbled all over my manuscript (actually – maybe it’d be nice for you to see my writing in progress. One set of revisions, scribbled all over (it’s in track changes so I can see my editors’ comments, and I use a pink Pilot v-ball pen for my changes as it has a very fine nib and suits my tiny, scruffy handwriting). I usually have an Edit-paw-ial assistant sitting at my feet, but occasionally Senior EPA decides to sit on the dining room chair next to me. Pipsqueak obviously won’t be big enough to do that, yet, and I think he’d climb on the table and chew my pens at the moment!

Anyway, I’m delighted to say that Forever Family for the Midwife (the midwife, by the way, is a male midwife…) will be published in November 2020. You can find it on Amazon UK here (for transparency’s sake, that’s an affiliate link) and Amazon US here (not affiliate link). And I will do the proper page for it on my website soon 🙂

Archie and Dexter, Uncategorised, Writing life

The arrival of Dexter

Kate Hardy

We have a new arrival in the house – Archie’s baby half-brother, Dexter. They have the same father but different mums; but there are distinct family resemblances in some of their markings, and they have the same sweet, joyful nature.

He’s settled in very well – here he is just arriving home.

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He absolutely adores my daughter, husband and son.

Archie isn’t too sure of him at the moment, but is allowing him a little closer every day. We’re taking it at his pace; he’s a lovely-tempered, well-socialised dog who wants to be friends with everyone, but it must be a bit of a shock to find the space you’ve occupied for three and a half years to suddenly have a pipsqueak in it. We’re making a fuss of him and ensuring he gets treats first.

Dexter will grow up to be Junior Edit-paw-ial Assistant (Archie is obviously Senior EPA). Duties include napping at my feet and sitting nicely for the last couple of spoons of porridge at breakfast, and as you can see Archie is taking his training duties seriously.

The early-morning walkies needs rescheduling (can’t leave the pup alone for an hour, and although the kids are home for lockdown they don’t fancy a 6am start), but I have discovered that a plot-walk can be replaced by plot-puppy-cuddling. And I’m working when baby’s asleep!

Lockdown, Mental health, Uncategorised, Writing life

Lockdown – working from home

Kate Hardy

 

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A few tips for working from home from someone who‘s done it for a couple of decades – pretty much common sense, so apologies if I’m womansplaining (!) but it might help someone – and in these times I think we all need kindness and help 🙂

1) wear your work clothes (it will help you keep a work mindset) – one of my friends says that wearing shoes helps

2) sort out a routine (where and when you work – it is hard, especially if you have young children, but it’s also a way to help teach the skill of compromising!)

3) batch emails and use a timer when you’re checking them (ditto going on the internet – both of them can be massive time sucks if you let them)

4) get up and move at least once an hour – stretching, walking round the room/marching on the spot, up and down the stairs if you have any – if you have a fitness tracker that reminds you, great, otherwise maybe use your phone to set an alarm

5) hydrate properly and eat well (ie put the cookies and tortilla chips in a cupboard – if they’re out of sight you’re less likely to scoff a cookie with every cup of coffee)

6) schedule in social breaks (again, use a timer! but those breaks are important – if you’re on your own, maybe work out a schedule with friends so you can FaceTime/Skype/whatever)

Main thing is – you’re not alone. It’s doable. Sometimes it’s boring, sometimes you won’t feel like it – but schedule in treats. Get two things ticked off your todo list, and that earns you 10 minutes doing a crossword/playing guitar/whatever makes you happy.

Stay safe, be kind, wash your hands, and we’ll get through this.

Unlardy, Writing life

The Unlardy Project – end of week 5

Kate Hardy

Weight change this week: 1 lb down (total loss 8.5 lbs)

Exercise this week: daily dog-walk; Thursday, chipper and step circuit (no time for gym because Christmas parties, physio and meetings)

What worked well/tip of the week: Planning ahead for meals out

Bits where I had to think: Christmas dinner (got husband to eat my roast potato so I had enough in my budget for pudding); Christmas party (zero-point breakfast, zero-point soup before the party so I wasn’t super-hungry and would therefore choose sensibly); Birmingham to see Def Leppard (I wanted my pizza and a bottle of Peroni to go with the gig, which meant being mindful and budgeting for it)

What needs to change next week: *really* need to increase my steps on non-gym days (but I have plans for next year that will fix it, as in training for the 10k on non-weights days)

Mindset: pleased with the results so am keeping going

Favourite/new recipe this week: Prawn and mango tartlets – makes 12 (based on a BBC Good Food recipe)

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Ingredients:

  • 2 large seeded tortilla wraps
  • 100g cooked prawns, chopped
  • 150g mango, chopped into small dice
  • 1 lime
  • oil spray
  • fresh coriander (optional)

Method:

Cut out rounds from the tortilla with a 6cm ring cutter (you should get 6 to a tortilla); place them in the microwave for about 5 seconds to soften them, then put them in a non-stick 12-hole tartlet tin and press down. (A mini muffin tin would probably work better because you’d get a deeper cup.)

Spray with oil (1 spray per tartlet – spread it with your fingers) and bake for 5-6 mins at 180C until golden and crisp. Cool on a rack.

Meanwhile, mix the prawns and mango with the lime juice.

Just before you’re ready to serve the tartlets (ie to stop them going soggy), divide the prawns and mango between the cooled cases and top with a coriander leaf.

(I’m thinking about adding a little chopped fresh chili to this mixture. Obviously you could do all sorts of things for fillings; I reckon chicken and pomegranate with a little bit of harissa-spiced yogurt would be nice. As for the trimmings – spray with a little oil and bake for 5 mins and they’re good with dip.)

Unlardy, Writing life

The Unlardy Project: end of week 3

Kate Hardy

Weight change this week:  2 lbs down (total loss 5 lbs)

Exercise this week: daily dog-walk; Wednesday, weights and CV circuit; Friday, ‘chipper’ circuit and step circuit; Monday, ‘chipper’ circuit and step circuit

What worked well/tip of the week: planning ahead for last-minute meals out

Bits where I had to think: looking at menus and making sensible choices!

What needs to change next week: definitely need to increase my steps on non-gym days.

Mindset: very pleased with the results so am keeping going

Favourite/new recipe this week: Enchiladas (based on a WW recipe) – serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 300g chicken fillets (or 400g block of tofu)
  • 1 small red onion, sliced
  • 1 red (bell) pepper, sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 200g can sweetcorn, drained
  • 1 400g can kidney or black beans, drained and slightly mashed
  • 300g passata
  • 4 wholemeal tortillas
  • 100ml reduced fat sour cream
  • 40g grated parmesan
  • oil spray for misting

Method:

Bake the chicken fillets (or cubed tofu) for 20 mins at 180 degrees C. Shred the fillets once cooked

Meanwhile mist a large pan with oil spray, saute the onion, garlic, pepper and cumin.

Add 200g of passata, the beans and the sweetcorn, and simmer for 5 mins.

Divide the veg mixture between the wraps, top with chicken (or tofu), roll them up and put in an ovenproof dish, seam-side down.

Mix the remaining 100g of passata with the sour cream, pour over the top, and sprinkle the cheese over.

Bake at 180 degrees C for 20 mins; serve with salad.

 

Writing life

Behind the Scenes: A Diamond in the Snow

Kate Hardy

Blickling Hall is a place that’s inspired me for years, and I’ve pinched it as a setting in a few books now (including RoNA Rose shortlisted book Sold to the Highest Bidder).

While I was writing it, they started opening in the winter and having curators there, and my friend Jo and I went for a research trip (including lunch and a wander round). The team was incredibly helpful with suggestions about death watch beetle and mould (so much better than my original idea of a roof that needed work). I was hugely inspired for the ballroom by the Peter the Great Room. And then there’s the gorgeous garden and the lake… (Have I mentioned the Great Wood, with its fantastic show of bluebells every year? Love, love, love this place. If we lived slightly nearer, I’d probably go there every day to write!)

Sadly, the format of the book changed so it no longer contains a ‘dear reader’ letter (which was where I’d thanked the team for their help), but I popped in today to take a copy of the book, a proper thank-you card and chocolates to show my appreciation.  The autumn colour was stunning. And I’ll let the pics show you just how wonderful the place is. (The front of the house, the library, the Peter the Great Room, the back of the house and the lake.)

 

Writing life

Planet Kate, 23 September 2018

Kate Hardy

What’s happening in my world, this week (and a catchup on the last month) :

  • Work: writing M&B #85 (Medical Romance set in a GP surgery with a PAT dog); and faffing about with my Big Book;
  • Reading: (Long list as it was a month) The House by the Lake, Ella Carey; The Unfinished Garden, Barbara Claypole White; Secret Seduction, Susan Napier; The Face of a Stranger, Anne Perry; A Dangerous Mourning, Anne Perry; Defend and Betray, Anne Perry; The Sheikh’s Mail Order Bride, Marguerite Kate; Whistles After Dark, April Taylor; The Accident, C L Taylor; The Fear, C L Taylor; The Emerald Comb, Kathleen McGurl; The Brighton Mermaid, Dorothy Koomson; The Lost Letters, Sarah Mitchell; The Memory Collector, Fiona Harper; The Daughters of Red Hill Hall, Kathleen McGuril
    Looking forward to: Mark Watson at Norwich Playhouse
  • Workouts: managing twice a week at the gym at the moment, as well as dogwalks – go, me!
  • Planet Kate last month or so: both teens at home, working hard, Marcus Brigstocke at Norwich Playhouse, the annual M&B author lunch, various research trips involving 1940s stuff (steam train, air bases) and beach walks with dog, and taking eldest back to uni
  • Fave pic from the last month: sunrise (aka my favourite bit of the day: dogwalk), sunset at Hunstanton, and louring clouds at Cromer.

 

Writing life

Planet Kate 20 August 2018

Kate Hardy

What’s happening in my world, this week:

  • Work: Finishing revisions on book 84 then working on writing M&B #85 (Medical Romance set in a GP surgery with a PAT dog); updating my website one backlist book per day; and faffing about with my Big Book;
  • Reading: Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar (reread for Chloe so she can bounce ideas off me for her long essay – I didn’t enjoy it this time round, either, although some of the writing was beautiful – I couldn’t warm to the central character); Louisa George, The Secret Art of Forgiveness (really enjoyed); Sophia Jenkins, The Forgotten Guide to Happiness (enjoyed); Jan Jones, A Question of Thyme (fantastic)
  • Looking forward to: a quiet week, working
  • Workouts: I must get back to the gym!
  • Planet Kate last week: revisions, revisions, and sneaky trips to the seaside to clear my head. And starting soya isoflavones and sage tablets for hot flushes as they’re becoming miserable. (So far, not working… but I need to give it a couple of weeks.) Also had a trip to Jimmy’s for a family meet-up which was utterly lovely. Chloe was going to drive – but her L-plates blew away so she had to pull into the next lay by and swap with me.
  • Fave pic from the last week: an owl butterfly (which is massive), Archie  under my desk, and the sunset at Brancaster