Remember Me?

Hi Everyone,


I can’t believe how much time has passed since my last blog. And what’s happened – and not happened – in that time.

My health seemed to get better for a while, then took a major nosedive. During that time, it was a daily struggle to just get out of bed and unfortunately, my writing suffered. No imagination, no inclination and no inspiration meant no writing.

Thankfully, things are slowly on the mend and I’m feeling better. Not 100% but certainly better. And now that I can dream and imagine again, the creative juices are somewhat flowing and I’m slowly getting back into the writing. It’s early days but time will tell.

I have two stories going at the moment – both paranormal – and one an old favourite. I’m resuscitating “An Angel’s Embrace” (now called Deadly Touch) and I’m hoping to send it out to agents and publishers in the next few months.

Another great achievement was an eight week holiday around the USA in the middle of this year. A trip I’d planned over 4 years ago and had to put on hold due to my crazy health. I won’t lie that tears were shed as I stood on a bridge in the middle of Chicago city and thought ‘I finally made it!’

I visited some amazing places – Chicago, Cleveland, New York, Washington, New Orleans, San Francisco, Monterey, San Simeon, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Anaheim & around LA and Las Vegas. Phew! I’m still smiling, remembering all the fun I had and the 8,000 plus photos I took!

I had so much fun, I’m already planning my next big trip for 2015 – 8 weeks driving around the UK. I can’t wait!

Anyway, it’s only 8 weeks until the end of 2012 (another year gone and another birthday milestone reached!) and I intend to blog at least once a week and write/revise each night. Small steps to achieve big goals.

So, ‘speak’ to you soon.

Hugs
Elvina

How Time Flies

Hello All,
It's been a while and you probably thought I'd dropped off the face of the earth...which in a way, I did.

My health took a turn for the worse and there's been a lot of trial and error (mostly error) to get this body to behave. I'm still a 'work in progress' but some days it feels like one step forward, three steps back.

Anyway, in the meantime, I'm sorry to say my writing has fallen by the wayside. It's hard to write when all your energy is focused on waking up each morning and surviving the day. Also, the brain cells weren't co-operating, so the writing was put aside for a while.

But I'm happy to say that in the past few weeks, I'm back to reading, thinking of story ideas and writing a few paragraphs here and there. I'm working (fiddling) with a new paranormal story and taking each step slowly. I don't expect this piece to be sent to a publisher, but it's a stepping stone back into the writing world.

So that's me for now. I'm planning to be regular with blog posts and hope to have a new website up and running in the next few months.

Until then, happy reading and writing!

Elvina

Time for Reflection

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

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!

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

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

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

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!

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?

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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