I’ve been looking into my family tree for a couple of years now, and love to watch the TV programme, ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ What relevance is this to a Blog about books? Well, it’s been rumoured within my family that we are related to Wordsworth - I have my doubts, but did do a little computer-based delving. I found, to my surprise, that my family lived in the same area as Wordsworth, during the same period in time. That’s where my research ended, unfortunately. Genealogy can be a rewarding hobby, but it is costly, both in time and money. Still, I’d like to find out if this story is true or a fabrication, handed down from one generation to another, and embellished (like a quilt, passed from mother to daughter, through the ages).

Today, I became the proud owner of my Certificate in Counselling Skills, Level 2. Maybe it will make me a better writer…hopefully, it will make me a better listener!

I had a dream last night that I contacted a publisher about Karma and got the following message back: Get real! Not sure of the significance of this, but I hope it wasn’t prophetic… Saying that, if my dreams were prophetic, I’d have met James Martin and David Boreanaz by now (though the latter would have been a vampire and attacked me…) Just thought I’d share that with you.

As you can see, I’ve revamped the Gallery, and added a couple of new photos to the various albums. There is now a photographic record of my Borders signing (and you can’t tell my zip was unfastened and that I can’t even manage to dress myself).

By the way, I don’t want a new watch…or a bigger you-know-what…or an online pharmacy…or tips on stocks and shares. All I want in my email Inbox are genuine messages. Those, I answer. Everything else is deleted!

I’m having an admin kind of week this week, so thought I’d have a recap of what’s been going on with the book. I’ve still heard nothing from either Tesco or WHSmith, with regard to the letters I sent them. I could use the postal strike as an excuse, but they were sent out long ago. C’est la vie! I wish I was the kind of confident person who could walk into a bookshop (like Waterstones in the Metrocentre, who never return my emails) and sell, sell, sell my book. I just can’t do it. People often find it difficult to believe that I’m shy, but I am. Honestly.

I finally had my photos (from the Borders signing) developed from my rubbish disposable camera (picture quality is very poor, compared with my poorly Fuji - I’m hoping to replace it soon, as my birthday’s coming up…) I will be scanning them in this week (subject to the approval of the people in them), and having a general revamp of my Gallery.

I haven’t heard from my publisher in some time, but what I have to keep reminding myself is that publication of my novel was a prize - they never promised to hold my hand afterwards. It’s up to me to make something of this rare opportunity and, maybe, when I’m less tired, something will come to me!

I’m still hearing from those of you who’ve enjoyed the book, which is lovely, and I’m hoping to participate in NaNoWriMo (for fun) next month.