I’ve always been a sucker for a happy ending. Even as a child, whether it was Laura Ingalls and Almanzo Wilder or Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe, I preferred books and films with a happy ending. And, if a story I loved didn’t come to the joyous conclusion I wanted, I’d imagine a new ending of my own. I was always a voracious reader too, so discovering romance novels was perfect.

It’s probably no surprise that I had a dream of writing my own romances one day. Busy with my career as a senior Marketing manager for a major multinational company that makes household products, then as a primary school teacher, it was something I imagined in the future, perhaps when I’d retired. In the meantime, I dabbled away, penning scenes and scenarios, plotting stories and listening to the characters who inhabited my head. (yes, I hear voices!)

Who’d have known that my husband’s posting to the US would open the door for me to write? With a lengthy and torturous immigration process, and no work permit, I had a lot of time on my hands when we moved to New Jersey. Thanks to an online romance writing course on Barnes & Noble’s website I was introduced to eharlequin.com and RWA. I’ve never looked back!

I write heart-warming contemporary romances and heart-pounding romantic suspense, primarily for category romance. A three-time Golden Heart finalist, my work has won or finalled in a number of prestigious writing contests. I’m edging ever closer to that magical sale - fingers crossed that this will be the year!

When I’m not writing, I enjoy watching/going to hockey and football games, collecting autographs, movie and TV memorabilia, and penguins. I love travelling too, and enjoy finding ways to combine writers’ conferences with new places to visit. To keep fit, I prefer fitness boxing, aerobics, doing free weights on a Bosu ball and running.

I’m lucky enough to have had a happy ending - or rather a happy beginning as the story continues - in my own life. I’m married to a wonderful man, my very own romantic hero, who supports me in everything I do and who makes me believe dreams can come true. We share our home, in a village near Cambridge, England, with two spoiled cats. To find out more - check out my website.

• Michelle Butler
• Mary Curry
• Sally Kilpatrick
• Trish Milburn
• Anna Sugden
• Tawny Weber

• Rachel Graves
• Keri Mikulski

     

• My contemporary manuscript ‘Legacy of Love’ is a finalist in RWA's Golden Heart contest.
• I have an agent! I signed with the fabulous Jill Marsal at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency!
• I recently completed three 5k runs for charity.
• I’ve had tea with the Queen Mother at St James’ Palace.
• The only podcast on my iPod is The Puck Podcast - a fab hockey podcast! Doug and Eddie rock!

Refill That Creative Well!

Posted by Anna Sugden Dec 23 2011, 1:00 am

After a busy year, the holiday season is perfect for refilling that creative well. When else can you relax, read books, watch movies (hey it’s all research!) and pamper yourself without guilt? It’s also the perfect time to take long, relaxing walks, soak in a bubble bath or gift yourself some other form of ‘me’ time, which is vital for starting the new year refreshed.

Christmas movies are a great way to lift the spirits and refill that creative well, especially for romance writers. You can analyse them for plot structure, character growth, story arcs, GMC etc while delighting in the joy of a feel-good movie.

And to make it healthy, why not have a bowl of sastsumas or clementines, or some nuts (not the ones in the family!) beside you to peel and eat as you watch?

My favourite movies for replenishing the well are:

• Christmas in Connecticut (the Barbra Stanwyck version)
• Miracle on 34th Street (both versions)
• White Christmas
• Scrooged!
• The Muppets Christmas Carol
• Holiday
• It’s a Wonderful Life

What are some of your favourite ways to replenish the creative well over the holidays? Any suggestions for healthy snacks while watching holiday movies?

No Comments

It’s Not Just Pampering!

Posted by Anna Sugden Nov 25 2011, 4:45 am

I must admit, I love spa treatments! If we’re ever staying somewhere with a spa, I can’t resist having at least one treatment. Last week, my sister and I had a day at the local spa, which we’d bought each other as birthday presents. It was wonderful! It also got me thinking. Especially, when I [...]

6 Comments

Stepping It Up!

Posted by Anna Sugden Oct 28 2011, 1:28 am in Anna Sugden, pedometer, step counts, walking

Regular visitors will know that I’ve been struggling with exercise over the past year due to problems with my back. It’s been frustrating to go from being able to run 5k three times a week, to nothing because of pain and/or numbness in my back and left leg. The other problem I’d had, which I [...]

5 Comments

Finding the Time to be a Healthy Writer – Part Two

Posted by Anna Sugden Sep 23 2011, 1:05 am in 10 minutes, Anna Sugden, time

We talked on Tuesday about the issue writers face about finding the time to work on the ‘healthy’ part of that healthy writer equation. We discussed ways to snatch time to exercise by finding 10 minute slots. Also about how it can be easier to make those short sessions into your daily routine and guarantee [...]

4 Comments

Finding the Time to be a Healthy Writer – Part One

Posted by Anna Sugden Sep 20 2011, 4:05 am in 10 minutes, Anna Sugden, time

One of the problems with trying to be a healthy writer is time. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a published author, a soon-to-be-published-please author or a beginner, we all have demands on our time that make it hard to do the healthy part of that equation. Yet, as writers, we’re used to finding ways to [...]

11 Comments