Welcome to Snowed In, thank you for joining me here. This page is where I’ll continue to share more behind-the-scenes content about my books and writing life. I’m excited to be launching Snowed In as a Facebook group today, and delighted to have around a dozen author interviews lined up across the rest of the year. These are planned for 7pm on the last Tuesday of each month and I’ll be live with Fay Keenan on 22nd of this month to talk about her brand-new book with group members.
As last year drew to a close I was planning Book 6 in my mind, something I always do before starting to write. I had a beginning, an idea of the middle and no ending, which is unusual for me. I began writing early in January and thankfully inspiration has taken over, as I’ve now got to 38,000 words, around half of the first draft with lots of ideas flowing. It’s always interesting to find out where research takes me and I’ve learned not to do too much of it before writing, as I don’t always use everything I’ve thought of beforehand. I have the ending now and it all came about because I wrote an early scene with less planning than usual, and I knew at once it would work. This book is my first time writing a second chance at first love, and so far it’s been a delight.
This image is Ennerdale, the most westerly lake in the Lake District National Park. I visited twice last year and I’ve been exploring the rewilding projects in the area, a little of which I’m thinking of including in the book. It’s a wonderful location and although I’ve not tried paddle boarding yet, it looks very tempting here. There’s lots of wildlife, from red squirrels to roe deer, an abundance of birds, and Galloway cattle helping to create a patchwork of natural seedbeds as they meander across the ground.
I wrote a scene around this location when my two characters are thrown together and have to make the best of it for the sake of other people. I’ve changed their names since I first pitched the book to my editor and they’re currently called Lizzie and Cal, which could, of course, differ when the book is released in Spring 2023. I think the title is also now decided and the publishers will reveal that later on (I’ll try and let you have this and an early peek at the cover, if I can!). So much can change in the edits and I’ve dropped the very first lines below, long before any revisions:
‘Halesmere? You’re not serious!’ Lizzie Martin was browsing potential wedding venues on her laptop whilst compiling another To Do list, her mobile tucked between her left shoulder and one ear. At her friend Gemma’s words, her head lifted sharply and the mobile hit the desk with a clunk. She was already picturing Gemma’s shrug and made a grab for the phone before it slid to the floor, switching it to speaker as Gemma’s voice echoed around the small, empty office.
‘Of course I am, I’m all out of jokes right now. I think it could be perfect and we’re getting pretty desperate.’
‘We’re not, not really.’ Lizzie bit her lip at the white lie. They were, a bit. Time really was tight for securing a new venue for Gemma’s wedding in little over six weeks. ‘I’m on it, right now in fact. I’ve actually found a place I think we should check out. I was going to message you later, after work.’
‘Come on Lizzie, even you, with all your superpower planning and people skills, have got to admit we’re in a tight spot! We could hardly have foreseen the hotel having a fire and closing for a few months, but quite frankly Simon and I will be counting ourselves lucky if we’re not eating fish and chips out of trays on the high street. Halesmere was Mum’s idea; she’s already been in touch with the new owners and the date’s free. You know how she feels about the place.’
The book is set around Halesmere House again and some previous characters will return. Lizzie has history with the house; it was the scene of a former heartbreak and she’s not looking for any surprises. Cal is proving a fabulous character to write and so far his story has taken me to New Zealand and back in search of what’s important to him. I’ve got lots planned for them and I hope the words continue to flow!
It’s not too late to enter the Valentines Giveaway currently on my Facebook Page if you haven’t already, for a signed copy of The Garden of Little Rose, gorgeous chocolates and a vintage china teacup decorated with pink roses. I’m working on Ben’s (A Summer of Second Chances) Life as I See It character interview and I’ll be posting that on this page when it’s ready soon. It’s always fun to revisit a character after the end of a book and he’s loving making a new life a few months on.
Thanks again for being part of Snowed In, I hope you enjoy all that’s coming up, including ARC’s of the first Halesmere House book in late summer. It’s back to Book 6 for me, edits on Book 5, and thinking over ideas for Book 7.
Take care, happy reading
Suzanne x