I promise I’m resting up for that wedding, but I’m really bored, so have been having a browse around the internet - guess what I found out? More Waterstones branches have stocked my book! Yippee! Not the very local ones, but as well as Hexham, Darlington and Harrogate also have copies in. That’s very good news, methinks (I sound like Mr Claypole from Rentaghost, don’t I?) Just had a sobering thought: what if I’m the only one reading this Blog who’s old enough to remember Rentaghost? I suddenly feel ancient!

Karma’s almost sold out at Amazon again, and now has five five-star reviews - I’m very happy about that. And I’m grateful to the readers who took the time to post reviews. Thank you kindly!

I’m off to check my emails now - I check them as often as I can, as I feel so guilty about those which sat, unanswered, in my webmail inbox for days, weeks or, in some cases, months! Personally, I worry if my emails aren’t replied to, as I’m concerned in case I’ve offended the recipient, or they haven’t received the message. I also wonder if they’re trying to tell me something by not replying (in which case I would look a bit pathetic re-sending my message) or if they’re simply busy. What is the etiquette with regard to emails, anyway? Am I just obsessive or does anyone else wonder about these things too?

The nerves have kicked in already…I’ve agreed to do another radio interview! Again, it is for BBC Radio Newcastle and is in connection with ME/CFS Awareness Week next week, but this time it’s for the breakfast show. I think I’m more worried about this one, as it feels like quite a responsibility - I know I should do some research beforehand, but there seems little point as I would forget anything that I learned (many of us call it ‘brain-fog’). I don’t want to come across as ignorant and unknowledgable, nor do I want to say something that is incorrect. I don’t know everything about this illness (and I don’t particularly want to know any more than I do, thank you very much).

I was comfortable taking about my book in my last interview, as it wouldn’t harm anyone if I got it wrong or made a mistake, but this interview seems much more serious. Plus, the show’s between 7 and 9am - I’m probably at my worst on a morning…and on an evening…and if I haven’t had enough coffee…oh, and if I need some chocolate, etc! I’m also going to an old friend’s wedding on Sunday, so would usually spend the week after something like that resting. And my mam has kindly donated a cold to me! So many reasons to say thanks, but no thanks!!!

So, you’re probably asking yourself, “Why has the stupid woman said she’ll do it, if she’s already moaning about it?” Well, because I want to. I want people to understand that CFS or ME or whatever you want to call it is real, and has a big impact on our lives and those of our families. I’m sure they’ll mention the book, or my publishers wouldn’t have agreed to it, would they? But that’s not why I said yes.

I’m waiting to hear from the radio peeps soon, and will update you when I hear anything. Remember: if I make it on to the radio and sound like I have a mouth full of gravel, it’s due to my cold; if I can’t remember what I’m talking about, it’s the ‘brain fog’; if you hear any interference that sounds like a tiger growling, that’ll be my stomach, as I won’t be able to eat anything beforehand; and finally, if I say something stupid, that’s all me, I’m afraid!!!

Perhaps I should dig out my chamomile and try to relax…

There’s a money spider crawling over my laptop screen as I type: I hope this is a sign of something good, as I was just going to tell you about another book I was considering working on! Perhaps I’m clutching at straws, eh? Maybe the spider’s just building a WEB-site, ha-ha! Sorry, my sense of humour is terrible when I’m tired.

I was looking through some old computer disks to find an old story I was working on about four years ago, to show my cousin, Catherine. I’d written the bones of the story to enter into a competition for a screen play featuring Gateshead. It goes without saying that I didn’t win. I remember the entry form well, as there was a question about previous writing experience. My answer was a four-letter word (not that one): “NONE”! Anyway, I really loved the story, which was a humorous modern day fairytale, and suddenly I began to get a bit excited about writing again. Maybe it was the story, or maybe it was the fact I’m stuck indoors, resting, before going to a friend’s wedding reception at the weekend, but I finally feel like writing again. I’m going to run it by Catherine, as I value her opinion, but I think I might do something with it…

There’s a good chance anything else I write won’t get published, but I write for fun, and to occupy my mind, so I won’t be too upset. I’ve done more than I ever dreamed possible in getting Karma finished, so I’m pretty happy - it’s an achievement. As is getting to that wedding reception on Sunday. And doing some washing up. You get the picture - some things are big and some are small, but they’re all achievements!

And finally, tomorrow is the first of May and the launch of Modern Women’s Fiction website. As I told you a few days ago, they have generously included me as their Spotlight Author for May. Can I point out that the owner of the site, Jennifer, flattered me beyond belief in her interview, so I won’t blame you if you don’t think she’s referring to me in the article! See the site here: http://modernwomensfiction.com/ It has great potential, and I’ve already joined their forum, as I’m always up for a chat/debate, when I get the chance. It caters to all types of fiction written by, and aimed at, women. Enjoy!

Was surprised and delighted to receive a message from a lady called Elly, who runs a support group for ME/CFS sufferers near Washington, in the USA! She has kindly posted a link on her site to my own website, and has listed my book too (I love that my book has been listed as COMEDY - yay)! Paige has now travelled further than I have - Dubai AND the United States of America - I’ve only been as far as France…on two day-trips!

Find Elly’s site here: http://www.geocities.com/cfsnova/index.html

I also had an email from my publishers. I think they want me to be a bit more…positive…about the book. Maybe they’re worried that any negativity from me will impact sales? Just want to clarify that I couldn’t be more positive about the book - I just get frustrated that things don’t happen as I’d hoped they would, and that I don’t have enough energy to get things done. I don’t believe that lack of stockists and reviews are a testament to the quality of the story, as I’ve had enough praise to know that people like Paige & Co - I just find it hard to understand why shops, particularly local ones, don’t want the book on the shelves. It isn’t negativity, just ignorance of the book-selling business - I’ve never lied about my lack of knowledge, and will continued to be honest about my trials and tribulations in this blog.

I’m hoping to get a few more things tweaked on the website soon - the lovely Marie is sorting this out for me. I’ve had some good feedback about the website being easy to read and navigate, and this is all down to my wonderful web designer. Thanks, Marie!