Submissions, stories and Sleepless Nights!

Hi everyone,

I'm here again, and I'm hoping you're all there too!

Unbelievably, I'm actually updating my blog when I'm scheduled to...around the middle of the month. More often than not, despite my best intentions, I'm seriously late...but I'm determined to keep on top of it now and I know I need to have a more prolific presence on social media so I'd best get posting and tweeting as well!! Somehow, I need to fit admin and promotion time into my day along with more exercise and sleep...and less chocolate and feeling sorry for myself!

No luck with the competition I entered for book 3, I'm afraid, but hey ho...it's now being submitted to agents (and one or two publishers who accept unsolicited submissions) and I need everyone to keep their fingers and toes crossed for me. The short stories are still in my portfolio too, and I hope to add to them at some point...and I'm thinking I might upload one to this website prior to Christmas - especially seeing as one of them is a particularly festive treat!

Little progress has been made with book 4 this week, if I'm totally honest, but I desperately want to get stuck in during the week ahead. I'm currently about a quarter the way through the first draft. My daughter has been home isolating and my son has been unwell and off school...and the dogs have been little devils - especially Mitch, who barked through the night, all of the night, on Thursday, for no apparent reason other than to keep us awake and exhausted. Short of gagging him, I was left with no alternative but to sleep on the settee next to him...hence the reason I was on another planet yesterday! With all of the housework and homework and errands and those all important submissions, it's left precious little time (when I'm actually alert and can think straight!) to sit down and write. But I'm determined that's all going to change after the weekend!

I was SO looking forward to walking the beaches of Anglesey at half-term and taking inspiration from the Welsh countryside...and had visions of me, coffee (and possibly cake) by my side, hammering away at the keyboard for an hour each morning and evening and seriously producing some decent stuff...but our much-needed holiday has again been cancelled due to the current restrictions and I am devastated! We seem to be the only ones who haven't at least managed one night away this year, or even a day trip to the seaside, and it's taken its toll. I know the reasons why, and the main thing is that everyone keeps safe and healthy...but it's hit me hard this week!

However, my lovely husband bought me some fabulous treats yesterday to cheer me up! What girl doesn't love flowers, chocolates and alcohol?!

Well, best not stay in my PJs all day, so I'll finish off by saying STAY SAFE, be happy, and keep recommending my books to all of your friends!! Big thank you to all of you.

Take care,

Love

Antonia xx