When I Fall in Love - my book is printed!!

This year I'm taking you behind the scenes of writing, editing and publishing my fourth novel, When I Fall in Love. This week, it's a very special vlog and another ambition fulfilled - I get to see my book being printed!

Usually at this time of year, I receive a package with two copies of my new book. As you'll know from my earlier vlogs, this is always a very special moment, but this year I was really honoured to be invited down to Clays Ltd in Suffolk, to watch my book actually being printed. It was a fantastic day and fascinating to see the process from start to finish. All around the factory I saw new books being created for really famous authors and it was amazing to see my book alongside these.

When I Fall in Love is published on THURSDAY 8TH NOVEMBER and I am even more excited now I have seen how gorgeous the books are. I can't wait to see what you think of the story! Next week's vlog is going to be all about the book, so what would you like to know? Ask me a question in the comments section of this post or email me at mirandawurdy@gmail.com.

Enjoy! xxx

p.s. This week's YouTube-nominated freeze frame is entitled: 'Cracking cheese, Gromit!'

When I Fall in Love 8 - P-Day nerves and new projects

This year I'm taking you behind the scenes of writing, editing and publishing my fourth novel, When I Fall in Love. This week, I have some exciting news about my book being printed and I'll tell you what I'm working on now!

It's an exciting and nerve-wracking time of the year for me - waiting for When I Fall in Love to be published and feeling apprehensive about what might happen with the book, but embarking on a brand new novel, with a whole host of characters I'm just getting to know. Work on Book 5 (which will be launched this time next year and currently doesn't have a title) is well underway and I must admit that I adore the first draft stage of writing novels. This is the time when the story can go in any direction I want it to, when my creativity can run free and when I can enjoy reading the story as it appears before me...

So, here's my short-but-sweet update - and watch out for a lot more vlogs to come as we get closer to When I Fall in Love hitting the shelves!

Enjoy!

p.s. This week's YouTube-nominated freeze frame is entitled, 'Aaaaaaammmm...'

When I Fall in Love 7 - inspiration in the Lake District!

This year I'm taking you behind the scenes of writing, editing and publishing my fourth novel, When I Fall in Love. When the book was safely winging its way to the typesetters in July, I took the chance to make a flying visit to one of my favourite places - The Lake District!

I spent most summer holidays in the central Lakes when I was growing up and it was while I was here that I read books by Beatrix Potter, Arthur Ransome and Jane Austen, and started to dream up stories of my own.

So here is a whistle-stop tour of some of the places that have inspired me in this gorgeous part of the world. Please let me know what you think - and also let me have your questions for the next vlog which will be here next week. Just leave a comment on this post or email me mirandawurdy@gmail.com

Enjoy! xx

When I Fall in Love - hidden secrets, hidden lives...

This week I have given my first full interview about the story of When I Fall in Love, including a hint at the secret I want readers to discover. But how easy has it been to withhold this information?

The answer is, very!

As a writer I always want there to be aspects of the stories I write to be discovered by my readers as they are reading them. It's the reason I try not to read a lot of reviews of books before I read them: I think too many reviews today are actually full-blown synopses of the story rather than a reviewer's personal response to the experience of reading it. Part of the magic for me as a reader is to discover all the surprises, twists and turns of the narrative that the author has worked so hard to build into their story. As a writer, I want my readers to have the same experience.

For When I Fall in Love, I have deliberately kept back a key detail of Elsie Maynard's life for you to discover in the story. It was a brave decision for me - and one which I agonised over a great deal as I wrote it. You may guess what it is before it is revealed - in which case, great - but essentially I wanted it to be something you learn about her. If I had revealed it at the beginning of the story (or written it in the blurb on the back of the book), I think it would have given Elsie a label she shouldn't have before any reader was able to get to know her. I really love Elsie's character: she's by no means a victim of her circumstances and has an immensely positive view of life, which when the key detail is revealed makes her even more remarkable, I think. Also, the way in which she reveals the secret is one of the scenes I'm proudest of in my entire writing career to date, and the thrill of the punch when it comes (especially considering who it's delivered to) was just too delicious to resist revealing it this way. I promise you, it'll be worth the wait!

What I wasn't expecting from this decision, however, was a problem it has presented me with in terms of talking about the story. Holding back this key detail about my main character has meant that I've had to be a bit more creative with how I tell people about my book - and it's been a little bit frustrating because I know so much more than I can say! It's definitely the deepest book I have written so far and has reduced me to tears on more than one occasion. I think it's a real rollercoaster ride, with my motley crew of comic characters set against a touching, real storyline about moving on in life which I hope will resonate with my readers. It feels like a risk even more now that When I Fall in Love is on its way to be printed and we near 100 days to publication, but I'm taking a deep breath and trusting my gut instinct. I am confident that, when you read it, you will understand why I've kept back the secret about Elsie's former life - and love her even more for knowing it!

When I Fall in Love 6 - proofs, inspiration and book 5!

This year I'm taking you behind the scenes of writing, editing and publishing my fourth novel, When I Fall in Love. This week, I'm checking the proofs for the novel and answering more of your fab questions!

In other news, I think I might just have come up with the idea for my fifth (Fifth!!) novel... No title yet, but the main characters now all have names (which I've dutifully Googled to make sure I'm not nicking a famous person's moniker) - and in this week's vlog I'll tell you a little bit about how I chose them. It's an exciting time, dreaming up a brand new story, and it's the bit I look forward to most every year.

I went down to HarperCollins HQ last week and heard about lots of exciting plans coming up for my website and to accompany the release of When I Fall in Love. If everything comes off it will be awesome and there will be lots of exciting goodies in store for you!

Have you entered my ChoirStars competition yet? The winners will sing at my swanky London book launch and will all receive signed first edition copies of When I Fall in Love. I'm extending the deadline to TUESDAY 31ST JULY so now is the time to get your YouTube video links in! You have nothing to lose - go for it!!

So here is this week's vlog - hope you love it! Remember, you can always ask me a question and I'll answer it next time. It can be about anything - ask away!

Enjoy!

p.s. This week's YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled: 'Sha-a-a-a-ZAMMM!'

When I Fall in Love 5 - book covers, planning and more...

This year I'm taking you behind the scenes of writing, editing and publishing my fourth novel, When I Fall in Love. This week, I answer lots of your lovely questions about writing, book covers and hunting mystery strangers!

For those of you new to my vlogs, what I love to do is answer your questions about with writing, books, stories, editing and pretty much anything else. So, what would you like to know? Just leave me your question in the comments box below or email me at: mirandawurdy@gmail.com.

So, without further ado, here's my vlog! Enjoy!

p.s. This week's YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled, 'Oooooooooh!'

When I fall in Love - The Book Trailer!!

As promised, here is the first book trailer for my fourth novel, When I Fall in Love! It's available to pre-order right now in both ebook and paperback versions, which is very scary, but exciting, too!

Hope you like it!

p.s. The song on the trailer is my version of the wonderful Imogen Heap/Frou Frou song Let Go, which you might recognise from the soundtrack of The Holiday. It's on my album, About Time, which will be available shortly when I launch WurdyStore - my brand new online store!

Here's the book trailer... Enjoy!

When I Fall in Love - the BIG cover reveal!!

Finally I can share with you the cover for my next novel, When I Fall in Love!

I'm so thrilled with it and I hope it whets your appetite for the story! There's a book trailer coming very soon (hopefully later today, YouTube permitting) so keep your eyes peeled for that, but until then here's the gorgeous cover!



...And here's the blurb:

Elsie Maynard never expected to be starting again...

...but eighteen months on from the biggest challenge of her life, she is doing just that –because she made a promise to the person who believed in her the most.

Determined to step into her uncertain future, Elsie meets handsome Oliver Hogarth, who seems intent on winning her heart; she inadvertently founds a choir, and overcomes obstacles – most of which involve arrogant Torin Stewart.

Then a heartfelt request brings her to Paris – and the final item on ‘The List’ that she never dared complete.

Can Elsie follow her heart and put her past to rest?

A moving, uplifting and heartwarming read from the bestselling author of It Started With a Kiss.

When I Fall in Love 4 - The Brighton Location Tour!

This year I'm taking you behind the scenes of writing, editing and publishing my fourth novel, When I Fall in Love. This week, see the locations I'm using for the book!

As the main part of the action for When I Fall in Love takes place in Brighton, I wanted to make sure that all the locations I used were as real as possible. So, lovely Bob and I headed down there earlier this year to visit the places I wanted to include in the book.

There are always features of a place that you can't get from just reading about it - and for me these are the details that bring the story alive. I really hope when you read the book it feels as if you're actually there, crunching across the pebbles on Brighton beach, meandering through the crowds in North Laine or sitting on the grass gazing at the Royal Pavilion... In this week's vlog you'll see the bits that I used as a kind of visual sketchbook for when I returned home to write the novel and I hope it gives you a bit of insight into how I write!

So, is everyone ready for the tour? Please grab an ice cream and watch out for the seagulls as we step onto Brighton beach...

Enjoy!

p.s. This week's YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled, 'Brighton bustle'...

BIG Announcement - enter my ChoirStars competition!

I have been waiting for ages to announce this to you and I'm really excited about it! Read on for news of a mahoosive competition that could see you and your friends performing at my swanky London book-launch for When I Fall in Love!!!

Drumroll, please...

I'm launching a search for a choir...

My new novel, When I Fall in Love is being published on 8th November this year. At the heart of the novel is a choir that Elsie Maynard forms with the help of former rock-singer of an '80s one-hit-wonder rockband, Woody Jensen. The Sundaes are a choir like no other, performing crazy medleys in places as diverse as pubs, Brighton Pier (flashmob-style) and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. More than anything, the choir's aim is to have fun and the community they build as they sing together becomes something really special.

So, I am launching a nationwide search to find the best choir. It doesn't matter if you've been singing together for years or have only just joined - in fact, you could start a choir especially for this competition! It's free to enter - all you have to do is to make a video of your choir singing and send me the link. I will then showcase the entries on this blog (linking with Twitter and Facebook)and will hold a public vote. The choir with the most votes will win not only the awesome title of When I Fall in Love CHOIRSTARS 2012, but will also be invited down to London to perform at an exclusive event to celebrate the launch of When I Fall in Love and all the choir members will receive signed first edition copies of the book!

So, what are you waiting for?!

Email your video links to me: mirandawurdy@gmail.com (to arrive no later than SUNDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2012)and I will begin to showcase the entries at the start of August. Have fun, go for it and show me what you've got! Please pass this on to anyone you know who fancies having a go - I can't wait to see your entries!!!!

When I Fall in Love - Episode 2 - seaside and cupcakes!

This year I'm taking you behind the scenes of writing, editing and publishing my fourth novel, When I Fall in Love. This week, I grab a much-needed weekend off and head to beautiful South Devon, before a dash across the country to take part in a literature festival...

One of the mistakes I made last year was not taking any real time off. With my crazy writing schedule and Bob's gardening business, it can be difficult to find time for a break, but we were very lucky to be invited down to beautiful South Devon with Bob's parents (aka Uncle Dudley and Auntie Mags!) to join them for the first few days of their holiday. And, of course, I took my video camera, so you can see just how fabulous the area is (and why it's a favourite place for Bob and me!)

My BIG news is that I'm currently working on something that I'll be able to tell you about fully really soon - the chance to read something new from me a few months before When I Fall in Love arrives in November...

Also in this week's decidedly holiday-ish vlog is the amazing cupcake café I discovered when I spoke there at an author event as part of Crawley WORDfest 2012. Not only was it a fab venue but Jo and her team are really friendly and made Bob and I feel right at home. And the cupcakes... just amazing! One of the things I love as an author is that inspiration can sneak up on you when you least expect it - and that's exactly what happened when I visited Cupcake Genie in Crawley. The place has a fantastic vibe and creativity and it was great to hear about how the business began and see the passion the team have for their café. So I've decided that Cupcake Genie is going to make a cameo appearance in When I Fall in Love: Elsie works at a retro-themed ice cream café in Brighton's North Lanes and I knew that they would make their own ice cream on site, but as it's a café they also need to sell lots of amazing baked goods, so I was trying to work out how they could outsource their baking (seeing as Auntie Mags' Tea and Sympathy café is a little too far away!) Bob and I had been discussing how I could do this on the journey down from Birmingham, and while we were at the cupcake café Bob suggested that we could include them in a cameo role seeing as they aren't too far away from Brighton. Problem solved! (Thanks, Bob!)

So, without further ado, grab your shades for my seaside-themed vlog - and as always please let me know what you think (and ask me a question for next time!) by leaving a comment below or emailing me at mirandawurdy@gmail.com. Enjoy! xx

p.s. This week's YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled, 'Beautiful sea!' xx

When I Fall in Love - Episode 1 - It's the RONAs!

This year I'm taking you behind the scenes of writing, editing and publishing my fourth novel, When I Fall in Love. This week, I head down to London for the swanky RoNAs award ceremony - so I'm taking you with me...

It's an odd honour being nominated for an award... It's wonderful and thrilling and exciting of course, but you never really know what to expect. This was my second RNA award nomination in three years (a fact I'm incredibly proud of) but I didn't feel any more prepared this time. For one thing, I still can't quite believe my luck at being let in to a room of famous authors, yet alone being nominated alongside some of them!

Nevertheless, gold funky hat firmly placed on my head, I travelled down to London to attend the ceremony... and you'll just have to watch the vlog to see what happened!

Your questions will return next week, so feel free to ask me anything - the more questions the merrier! Let me know what you think of the vlog by popping a comment in the box underneath this post or email me at mirandawurdy@gmail.com.

Enjoy!

p.s. This week's nominated freeze frame features the brilliant crime novelist and guest speaker at the awards, Peter James, and is entitled: 'A Nice Break From The Funky-Hatted-One'!



..and, just in case you missed it (because I realise I didn't actually post this on Coffee and Roses - oops!), here's the last vlog:

Book 4: A BIG announcement!

I'm so excited. I can finally reveal the title of my next novel, due to be published in November 2012, will be...

WHEN I FALL IN LOVE

I'm chuffed to bits with it because it's the title of one of my favourite Nat King Cole songs and the lyrics perfectly fit the story (which I will share with you very soon!). I'm also quite partial to the Rick Astley version, but don't tell anyone I told you that!

So, in celebration of my title announcement, sit back and enjoy the master himself (Nat, not Rick) singing the song that will be buzzing in my head for the next year!