Elvina Payet

Time for Reflection

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:24:00 +0000

Hi All,

It's been a while since I last posted.

I've been busy - with another birthday milestone, some good things and unfortunately, some bad.

I'm happy to report that I've emailed the Angel book partial to a publisher. Here's hoping the editor likes it.

With continuing health problems, it's a time for reflection. It's hard to write when you can barely move and I believe the quantity and quality of my work has been greatly affected.

For that reason, I've decided for the next 9 weeks until Christmas (scary, isn't it), I'm going to finish the Angel book revisions then rest and attack the to-be-read piles (yes, plural).

Here's hoping 2010 brings with it - better health, a little bit of extra wealth would be nice, lots of movitation and inspiration and a fabulous book idea or two.

Keep happy and healthy.
Hugs
Elvina

Quick Update

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:54:00 +0000

Well, another week has passed in a blink.

The Romance Writers of Australia (RWA) conference was held in Brisbane over the weekend and usually I attend, but ill health and circumstances meant I stayed at home and hung around Twitter to see the results.

Congrats to all the winners. My great friend, Serena Tatti, was nominated for the Lynne Wilding Award for all the work she's done for the RWA but unfortunately didn't win.

Another MRWG member, Louise Reynolds, was a finalist in the Valerie Parv competition but unfortunately, she didn't win either.

And to complete the trio, I didn't win in the Dawn Halliday competition. SIGH.

But in great news, three MRWG members - Louise, Clare Jude and Dorothy Fisher - pitched to a USA agent and had their manuscripts requested. YAY ladies! Good luck!

So that's it for now...back to the revisions.
Elvina

Happy Happy, Joy Joy!

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:28:00 +0000

Just a quick note to say that I had a wonderful day with the fabulous ladies of the Melbourne Romance Writers Guild (MRWG).

To top off the day, I enjoyed dinner with the JEMS (Josie, Margaret and Serena) and Serena's husband Ed. Great company, yummy food and lots of laughs.

Here's the gang in the left photo - at back, Josie & me.

In front, Serena, Ed and Margaret.

In this photo, Josie & me.

The smiles continued today - I've just found out I'm a finalist with the Angel book. Hopefully, next week, there'll be more good news!

Bye for now.

Elvina

Hello There

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 01:30:00 +0000

Another few weeks have passed in a blink.

Time spent on doing staircase quotes during the day, the Angel book revisions at night, catching up with friends (especially the gorgeous JEMS - Serena, Josie and Margaret), seeing movies and trying to keep healthy.

Some success on all aspects, so I'm happy.

The next few weeks will be the same - I want to get the book finished and the health better.

Until later....
Elvina

A New Romance Fan

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:58:00 +0000

Here's my gorgeous niece, Zahra, who at 20 months is already a romance fan.

And she's loving Fiona Lowe's latest book.

Bye for now.

Elvina

Another Month Gone

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:28:00 +0000

Hi All,

Another month has flown and I've been busy.

Busy with work, home stuff and fixing this crazy body.

Success with some things, still trying with others.

Not much to report writing-wise...but I am writing.

Until later - keep happy and healthy.

Elvina

What A Weekend!

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 03:37:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

Well, I had a truly fabulous weekend with twelve talented writers at Ocean Grove. The 3rd annual Melbourne Romance Writers Guild (MRWG) retreat went by in a blink with hours of laughter, chocolate, great food, chocolate, wonderful workshops, chocolate, and fabulous fun. Did I mention the chocolate?

A few lightbulb moments for me – as with other attendees. Thanks to all you gorgeous and fabulous ladies that made this weekend all the more worthwhile.

Here we are in front of the "White House" - from left...

Front row: Marylou, Margaret, Charlie, Me

Second row: Ebony, Elizabeth, Sara

Back row: Serena, Cheryl, Sharyn (behind Cheryl), Lia and Margaret

I’ve taken two days off work to relax and catch up with writing stuff. In a few days, I’ll be seeing my retreat buddies again as it’s the MRWG monthly meeting.

More fun, great company and chocolate, of course.

Until next time – keep those fingers tapping.
Elvina

Remember Me?

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Sun, 24 May 2009 08:47:00 +0000

Wow – another month has flown by since my last post.

I wish I could say I’ve been having fun – and I have – but not a lot since my back injury is still giving me hell.

Mind you, with a fabulous new physio (God bless Ralph!), there has been a marked improvement. I can now move around without a hundred daggers stabbing me in the back and left leg. Oh, the pain is still there but much more manageable

Anyway, not much writing done but hoping to change that in the next few weeks.

Tomorrow, the MRWG starts the BIGFAT event – “Bum Is Glued, Fingers Are Typing” where members endeavour to write something every day. A great motivator – and I definitely need it.

And in a few weeks, I’ll be spending a wonderful weekend at the MRWG annual retreat at the White House in Ocean Grove. It’s the third retreat we’ve had and I’m sure we’ll have lots of fun while taking part in workshops, critiquing and learning exercises.

So if I don’t post for a while, you’ll know I’m just busy and having heaps of fun.

Bye for now.
Elvina

Time Goes By

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:32:00 +0000

Hi All,

Another few weeks have passed and it’s the same old, same old.

Still ploughing through the Angel book, struggling to survive each day with intense back pain, wishing my bad health would go away overnight.

The MRWG meeting was last Sunday and fun was had by all – chocolate, chatter, laughter and writing stuff, of course.

Not much else to report.

Have fun!
Elvina

Easter Fun

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:38:00 +0000

Hi All,

Easter has come and gone – too fast.

Lots of chocolates, hot cross buns, chocolates, family fun, chocolates and a fabulous Easter Egg hunt with my nieces.

Aren’t they SO cute!

Bye for now
Elvina

Happy Easter!

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 09:11:00 +0000

Hi All,

Just popping in to say HAPPY EASTER to you all.

May the fluffy, hoppy critter bring you lots of scrumptious choccy eggs.

I can’t wait for Sunday when my gorgeous nieces will be here for our exciting Easter egg hunt. Will post photos later.

Have fun!
Elvina

I'm Still Here...Just

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:40:00 +0000

Hi All,

Not much to say...

The days have flown, the fingers are tapping, the body still aching.

Apart from that, nothing newsworthy to report.

Bye for now.
Elvina

A Week of Tears and Love

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 07:15:00 +0000

Today is the day of love..and don’t we all need it.

In case you’ve been in a time bubble, the past week has been one of horrific tragedy, senseless deaths and amazing heroism.

The massive fires in country Victoria have taken a harsh toll – not just on the growing number of deaths, but the hundreds of homes and businesses lost and thousands of acres of bushland burnt to a crisp.

I’ve spent most evenings crying over the newspaper or during the news telecast. My heart goes out to all those affected by this ferocious natural disaster.

We all can do our bit to help those unfortunate souls left homeless and destitute by the fires. As writers – and readers – we know the comfort and escapism a good book can provide during turbulent times. Now is no different.

If you have any spare books - romance, children's, genre books, whatever – either new or in sparkling condition, please send them to:

RWA Bushfire Book Appeal
c/- 89 Rennie St
Thornbury Vic 3071

Tomorrow, the wonderful ladies at the Melbourne Romance Writers Guild (MRWG) will be gathering their books and making a huge donation to those who need it.

I can’t believe another month has passed by and the meeting is here again. Where did the days go? Where did the goal of finishing my revisions disappear to? Oh well, there’s always next month.

It will be great to see the MRWG ladies and spend a few hours gas-bagging, celebrating our achievements with chocolate and most importantly, learning how to create a top-notch synopsis to blow our editors’ socks off!

Until then….have fun!

Elvina

Plodding Along

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:26:00 +0000

A few weeks have passed and it’s the same old, same old.

Back to work and stair quotes. Back to writing and the Angel revisions (which are coming on nicely). Back to life in general.

Had the MRWG January meeting last Sunday, which went well. And we have new members appearing every month, which is fabulous.

And YAY to this long weekend for Australia Day. More relaxing time, more sleeping time and most important, MORE WRITING TIME!

Keep those fingers tapping.
Elvina

Keeping Those Fingers Tapping

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 06:21:00 +0000

Hi All,

Just a quick hello before the craziness starts next week – back to work (YUK).

The holidays are over – sniff, sniff – and I only did a quarter of the things I wanted to. Including revising the Angel book.

But I put bum to seat and fingers to keyboard the past two days and added 8,500 words to the book.

Very happy with the progress and hoping to continue revisions this week before the Melbourne Romance Writers Guild (MRWG) first meeting for 2009.

Have fun!
Elvina

Me Very Happy

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:46:00 +0000

Despite continuing health problems, 2009 (so far) isn’t too bad. Hope I haven’t jinxed myself writing this!

I’m very happy today as I have a new toy. A new printer/copier/scanner which works brilliantly.

My old printer died a while ago after a confrontation with a HUGE spider – the spider didn’t do it but the can full of insecticide spray probably did. The spider was trying to find a place to hide and the printer was the most convenient. But not for me…

Anyway, my new toy is wonderful…God help any spiders if they dare come near it.

Writing wise, the revisions are going well. Chapters are being revised and the word tally is slowly increasing.

Back to work on Monday, so hoping to get a bit more done on the “Angel” before then.

Bye for now.
Elvina

Happy New 2009!

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:30:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

Where did 2008 disappear to? Gees, time flies and I think I had fun.

There’s so much potential for this year for me, both life wise and writing wise. I normally don’t do resolutions because I forget them by the 10th of January, but now it’s different.

For 2009, I have a plan – and I intend to tick off the bullet points one-by-one.

For my family and friends (and blog visitors), I hope this year is one filled with health, joy, wealth, peace, more writing time and a book contract or two.

If that’s not your thing, may your bullet points be ticked off your own 2009 life plan.

All the best.
Elvina

Festive Best Wishes

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:06:00 +0000

I wish you and yours all the joy, luck, blessings and best wishes for a safe and Happy Festive Season.

May 2009 be one of happiness, health and prosperity.

Love
Elvina

How Times Flies (as usual)

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 09:12:00 +0000

Another few weeks have flown past in the blink of an eye.

The Angel revisions are going slowly – very slowly – as the back is still playing up and it’s hard to be creative through the pain.

Yesterday, I had a wonderful lunch with some writing buddies, celebrating birthdays past (including mine) and Christmas to come. Hours passed in seconds, with lots of gasbagging, food, laughs and presents.

Today I had some down time, watching episodes of the USA sitcom “Pushing Daisies” which is a fabulous romantic dark comedy.

I also did some chores including wrapping Christmas presents for the tree going up tomorrow. It’s bad luck to put up the tree before the 1st December, so I won’t go against tradition.

And Lord, it’s only less than four weeks to Christmas. Where did the year go? And what happened to all those things I wanted to get done?

Oh well, there’s always next year – which will be here before we know it.

If I’m quiet in the next few weeks, it’s because I want to get a certain Angel polished and off to the New York publisher who requested it.

Bye for now.
Elvina

Plugging Away

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 06:42:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

Well, I did it. The revisions on “The Tycoon” were finished this week and the manuscript sent off to New York.

Now the waiting game…

In the meantime, I have lots to do. Need to get back into revisions for “An Angel’s Embrace” and prepare for Christmas – FIVE weeks away. I am SO not ready for it. Bah Humbug.

Today was a productive day spent with the wonderful ladies at the Melbourne Romance Writers Guild (MRWG). Lots of chatter, laughter and chocolate. Great motivation to get back to writing tomorrow.

But tonight I rest…what a busy weekend.

That’s all for now.

Elvina

A Quick Update

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:31:00 +0000

Hi All,

Just a quick note to update you on news.

Getting back to life after my back and leg played up, meaning two weeks in bed resting. The only good thing about that was I had hours to finish revisions on “The Tycoon’s Toughest Adversary.”

And it’s finished. Doing a final read-through and the manuscript will be mailed next week.

Still taking things easy as the back slowly gets better. Returned to work yesterday and it’s been tiring but what can you do? The bills still need to be paid, etc.

Anyway, next on the cards are the revisions on “An Angel’s Embrace.”

Will post photos of my birthday celebrations when I can, including the wonderful surprise party given by Josie, Serena and Margaret on Tuesday. A fabulous day spent with some truly beautiful and special friends.

That’s it for now.
Elvina

Party Time AKA Hitting the Big 4-0

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 09:59:00 +0000

It’s been a busy few weeks, writing wise and life wise.

And yesterday was party time with my 40th birthday.

I hadn’t planned anything (I don’t like parties) but ended up having the most perfect day.

I arrived at work to find my office filled with helium balloons. My sister Joanne (who works with me) had made it up and it looked fabulous. Will post photos asap.

The best bit was the special basket balloon she made for me. I want to go hot air ballooning as a 40th celebration and Jo made a smiley face balloon above a basket with a person in it. The card she gave me was beautiful and the little person in the basket had some money in it to add to my balloon trip fund.

The day only got better.
A manager bought me lunch.
There was a yummy coffee walnut birthday cake for afternoon tea with a big card signed by all staff; and
The Managing Director gave me a beautiful Swarovski crystal owl to add to my ever-growing owl collection (over 200 at last count). Truly gorgeous.

Last night, the family came over for a celebratory dinner which topped a perfect birthday for me.

Today was more celebrations, but now, back to reality.

Back to revisions and life in general.

Bye for now.
Elvina

Trying to Catch My Breath

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:03:00 +0000

Wow – where has two weeks gone?

Trying to catch my breath and it’s not just because of this blasted cold I have. Or because I’ve been running around doing errands for my poor mum, Celine, who’s in hospital with pneumonia. Get better soon, mum!

Revisions on “An Angel’s Embrace” are underway and I entered a USA competition with the revamped first chapter. Will hear late October if the judges loved or hated it.

Very pleased to report that the very talented Margaret Midwood has finished her revisions and sent them off to the HM&B UK office.

My gorgeous niece, Zahra, turned ONE (where did the year go?) on Friday.

Here are some photos of the little miss enjoying her party.

Isn't she just gorgeous!

Finally, very happy to report that tonight I received a request from Silhouette Desire for the FULL manuscript of “The Tycoon’s Toughest Adversary.” YAY!!

Will be giving it a quick read-through/revise, then it’s off to hopefully it’s new home. Yes, please!
So if you don’t hear from me (apart from the occasional scream of insanity), I’ll be deep in revising mode for the Desire AND the Angel book.

That’s it for now.
Elvina

Spring has sprung!

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 08:34:00 +0000

Arrrhhhhhh…another month. And it’s spring. And it’s only 4 months until Christmas. Arrhhhh!

Deep breaths…deep breaths.

I’ve been busy, working on “An Angel’s Embrace.” Hoping to finish it in the next few weeks and email the book off to the USA with a cyber hug & kiss for good luck.

In the meantime, I’m also helping a very, VERY talented friend get her revisions finished and her book back to Harlequin Mills & Boon UK office. Go Margaret! I have everything crossed for you.

And in between that, there’s the normal boring stuff of work, cooking, cleaning, washing, dieting and exercising (the last two I’ve been very slack with over the past months).

Bye for now.

Elvina

What a Weekend, What a Conference

etpayet@optusnet.com.au (Elvina) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:32:00 +0000

I’m back after a fabulous weekend at the Langham in Melbourne.

The conference was fabulous. Workshops were educational, first sale celebrations were aplenty and catching up with old and new writer friends was fantastic.

In the left photo, Margaret Midwood and I are keeping company with the multi-published and lovely lady, Valerie Parv.

In the right photo, it's me, Margaret and another MRWG member, Rhonda Roberts.

And best of all – I did my pitch to Cindy Hwang of Berkley and she loved “An Angel’s Embrace.” She’s requested the FULL manuscript and asked for it to be emailed. So I’m doing the happy dance.

Now to finish the revisions and get “An Angel’s Embrace” to Cindy pronto.

On the Friday night, it was the cocktail party with an enchanted/magical theme. We were as fairy godmothers or good witches.

In the left photo is me, Serena Tatti, Josie Caporetto and Margaret Midwood. Our beautiful costumes were made by Josie's mum.

In the left photo is Josie, Margaret, Rhonda as Sheik Al Rhon complete with saber and flashing red rose, Lia Kamp and me.

In the right photo is the lovely Jane Beckenham from New Zealand enjoying the party with me and my tiara.

On Saturday night, we have the awards dinner and here we are all glammed up with some very talented multi-published authors. In the left photo, there is Maxine Sullivan (second from left) who writes for Silhouette Desire and in the right photo is Annie West (second from right) who writes for Harlequin Presents.

In the left photo, we have the MRWG gang with (from left): Margaret (back), Rhonda, Lia, Maxine Sullivan, Josie, Serena, me, Gail Robertson and Sara Hood.

Too soon, the weekend was over. The photo on right is us winding down and celebrating with dinner - as if we needed more food after the fabulous Langham spread.

It was a fabulous, fun conference weekend, we're already preparing for the 2009 RWA Conference in Brisbane.

Bye for now.
Elvina