Thursday, March 31, 2011

Is it that time already?

The aliens came back for me - hence the six-month absence. Hell. Enough said.

The good news is I have another book deal with Viking Penguin who published Wife in the North. To put it mildly I'm quite happy about this. The working title is The Jam Jar Army and it is all about good deeds, and a little bit about jars, and it is non-fiction again because it turns out I have no idea how to write a novel (and I say this having spent the last two years writing one). So, that's my news - oh and I've put on two stone. How about you? What did I miss?

25 comments:

Pudentilla said...

This is like Christmas on April Fools. The decision not to remove your rss feed from Google feeder proves prescient. thank ye, thank ye, thank ye.

Ann in Saskatchewan said...

What have you been doing whilst writing your book...to gain 2 stones? Unless it is a baby bump? Congratulations and best wishes with the new venture. I hope it is a bestseller.... I will be looking out for it in our shops ... maybe by this time next year it will get here.

Gillie said...

Well, you came THAT close to being relegated to Favourites from my blog list - so don't stay away so long next time! In your absence we sold up in Michigan and I'm now a wife in the north west. Good luck with the book, can I tell the lady in Waterstones that I know you? Will it be a e-book?

Bumbling said...

As has been said, I am glad I did not remove your feed! Good to have you back, and looking forward to reading - both the blog and the new book!

wife in the north said...

re Pudentilla: merry christmas
re ann: I generally finding eating cake will do it
re gillie: you can tell the lady in waterstones you know me and expect a really blank stare in return. As for the ebook thing, I would guess so everything gets turned into an ebook nowadays - my weekly shoppin list is due out next week
re bumbling:thanks

Shalet Jimmy said...

Hallo, I am your new follower, I'm really glad that you are back...

billatbingley said...

Oh Joy! Your back in the blogging world - and a new book to be published too. Wow!

Sorry we missed you when we were up in your part of the world last October. Spoke with Alstair and he explained you were in Newcastle when we called!

You must be a contented and satisfied "Wife in the North" to have put on two stones.

I keep sending you occasional "funnies" to your e mail. Our youngest daughter got married last August, so now there are just the two of us bouncing around thy old homestead plus our much loved chocolate labrador. If you want to find out how we have been progressing do have a look at my blog - Billatbingley

H said...

ditto the stones and the six month absence...good to see you're back. Looking forward to the jammy tales.

Bee Beeautiful said...

Welcome back! I have been making up for your absence by blogging a lot myself. Not sure anyone noticed, though.

charl said...

ive put on a stone... its been winter .. your allowed!!

how exciting about your new book..cant wait to read it.. i have a copy of wife in the north on my bookshelf. is one of my faves that makes me laugh so welcome a new addition to it!!

charl
x

Mimi said...

Oh welcome back!
I bet you haven't put on 2 stone at all, you're just trying to make us feel better.
Congrats on the book deal, can't wait for you to finish it, i enjoyed Wifey so much!

Anonymous said...

Glad you're back. I'm struggling through chemo and have no hair. But I'm going to be a baldy Calendar Girl for a charity calendar. Life in the old girl yet.

wife in the north said...

re shalet jimmy: welcome oh new follower
re billatbingley: how nice to hear from you again. Yes contented, satisfied and eating a lot of cake.
re H:thanks for that
re Mother Lover, well I'll drop by I'm really out of touch
re charl:I tell you what I've read recently that I really enjoyedThe Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman about a english-language newspaper in Rome. Lovely
re mimi: I never try to make anyone feel better about themselves
re di foden: I can't even imagine what you're going through. I'll buy a copy

maddie said...

And I thought you were just being lazy.

AnnB said...

Nice to see you back and big congrats on the book deal - I know how hard they are to get these days! I take long breaks and only have house floods or a small child's dodgy internal plumbing to blame. Some day I'll come back from the cold with a big fat deal for something - even it's only a case of finding someone mad enough to buy my old sofa!!

Anonymous said...

That's fabulous news!! I'm so thrilled for you. Some good news in the publishing industry for someone who totally deserves it.

Nice to see you back in the blogosphere (even if I am a tad late in reading your post!)

CJ xx

Linden said...

Please pardon the lack of knowledge: are the two stones pieces of jewelry?
Linden Swift
Plainfield, Indiana U.S.

Suzy said...

Thank goodness you are back. I had been wondering where you had gone.

So looking forward to my first trip of the year to the North East at Easter. Keep blogging

D A Nelson said...

Good luck with your new book. I really enjoyed it. It made me really laugh because I could so relate to a lot of what was going on.

Ref the weight gain...it's so easy to do. I am currently into week 3 of a diet that I am defo sticking to as saw a pic of me recently and it was a horrible shock. Who was this fatty? I wondered. Oh, it's me! Sigh.
Dawn x

Claire said...

Long time no hear but patience paid off. What was your novel about ?

Larry Lewis said...

Congratulations on your book deal. Similiar to yourself, moved from London 10 years ago to Newcastle, and in last 6 months to Durham. Just written very personal post http://www.healthylifestylesblog.co.uk/relationships/my-daughters-%e2%80%a6-my-love-%e2%80%a6-my-life/ and would appreciate your feedback

merry weather said...

You've put on weight. So have I. You know that thing when one day you suddenly realise that all your trousers have shrunk - at the same time -

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

Totally sympathise with the weight gain. I was occupying too much space on this earth and embarked on a diet and exercise programme that saw me lose six stones over the last year! hard work but also great fun too. Never ever ever going back there - I looked like the village idiot and was treated like one too! Good luck getting it under control - nice to see you back blogging but we all go through quiet times. Like you say, best to blog only when you have something to say! All the best with your new book too.

Sarah JLB said...

I'm a wife in the north too, though moved up here somewhat more happily than you (and my daughter was born 3/11/2005 which I seem to remember from your book yours was). I was made redundant in April 2010 and then found out I was unexpectedly pregnant (I'm 50 in Sept.). I now have a 6 month old as well as 2 older ones - how on earth do you find the time to write? I'm really struggling.

Anonymous said...

Carole: midway in Rural Lincolnshire.
love your blogs, looking forward to the new book, bought the first