This month I am introducing Louisa George, one of M&B's newest medical authors.
Louisa, everyone enjoys a call story. Please tell us yours.
Firstly, I'd like to say a big thank you for inviting me. I love the Lovecat blog and so do my moggies, Tana and spencer (named after two great All Blacks!).
I still can't believe I got The Call! Forgive me if I do a happy dance!
In August 2010 Mills and Boon offered a Medical Fast track. I entered and got my first ever personalised rejection letter (which I received on my birthday - I was thrilled, a rejection with lots of words...Fantastic! My hubby thought I'd gone mad.) The editor liked my voice, but not the story and asked me to send something else. A month later I entered the New Voices contest with a hurriedly scribbled first chapter. The editor liked it, asked for a partial, which I duly wrote. Christmas Eve I got an email with a full manuscript request and revisions!
Fast forward to July 2011 - four sets of revisions later...I got an email from the editor saying, I just wondered how you felt about giving me a contact phone number in case we wanted to get in touch next week?
How did I feel? Panicky, excited, apprehensive.. but I was going away to a beach island in Fiji. I didn't know if I'd have any kind of cell phone reception...and besides, did I want her to ruin the family holiday by phoning to say she'd decided not to bother with my manuscript after all? I gave her my number and crossed my fingers.
So, there I was on Tuesday 26th July at 8.20pm. We were sitting on the beach having dinner, serenaded by three lovely Fijian ukelele players. My cell phone rang, on the display was a very long number that began with 0044...I knew it was Flo. Seriously, my heart went into overdrive. The line was terrible, but I heard her say 'we'd love to buy your book and offer you a mumble mumble crackle...' I couldn't hear a thing after that, but it didn't matter, she'd said those magic words. Thank goodness she followed up by email! We followed up dinner with bubbles, obviously! What a holiday! On my departure card leaving NZ I wrote my occupation as writer, on the way back I wrote author - what a hoot!
What has been the biggest surprise and/or shock to do with life as an author after selling that first book?
I'm slightly diappointed to discover that even published authors have to vacuum. :)
The whole thing has been a wild rollercoaster ride. Everyone has been so generous and supportive. I guess the shock is that I have to keep writing every day, no matter how I feel or how badly I want to watch TV or go out...And there is a lot to do to keep my blog, facebook page and website up to date too, so I am trying to be disciplined.
I know you recently received copies of your first book "One Month to Become 
Mum". How did it feel to hold your book for the first time?
Mum". How did it feel to hold your book for the first time?
Oh my goodness! It was fabulous and scary in equal measure. So great to have a book with my name on and so nerve wracking that people are actually going to read my story!
What do you do when you're not writing?
I have two teenage boys, so I spend a lot of time clearing up odd socks from strange places.
We love to travel so we do a lot of planning and enjoy exciting adventures. I adore food and cooking (I have 85 cookbooks). And for fitness I zumba.
What made you start writing?
A few years ago my Mum came to stay for a couple of months (she lives in England, I had recently emigrated to New Zealand), and suggested I went to an evening class to meet new people and she offered to babysit. I had a look at the local college brochure and saw a Creative Writing class - something clicked in my head, I went to the first lesson and have not looked back!
Thanks so much for having me here, what fun questions.
I am looking for inspiration for our next travel destination-can you help me with ideas? I have a copy of debut book, One Month to Become a Mum to give away to one commenter.
Louisa X
Catch up with Louisa at her website http://www.louisageorge.com/
One Month to Become a Mum is available now in both book and ebook form from:
Don't forget to tell Louisa your favourite holiday desination and be in with a chanc eto win her book.
Cheers, Sue.
Cheers, Sue.
Oh Wow! Louisa! So Fiji became the lucky spot for you? Why not come back? Would love to meet you!
ReplyDeleteI loved your ONE MONTH TO BECOME A MUM! You can see what I thought here: http://rbpp-LG.blogspot.com/
Congratulations on its release and wishing you mega sales success!
Hi Louisa!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your release! Not sure how old your sons are, mine (my middle) turns 18 this week and is eagerly awaiting his college acceptance letters. It's going to break my heart when he leaves me!!!
Looking forward to reading your book! I do have trouble getting copies that don't show up on U.S. Amazon. I've got to work on that...
Hi Nas! I bump into you in all the best places! But meeting you in Fiji would be a real treat! It now has a very special place in my heart - it's a beautiful country, with fabulous people and a magical feel. Thanks for the congrats!
ReplyDeleteHi Louisa and mega congratulations on the release of your debut book. It's going on my TBR pile :)
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy, thanks for popping in! My boys are 13 and 15 and it will absolutely break my heart too when they leave home - I sympathize! (although things may start to be tidier around here!)
ReplyDeleteAs for getting hold of books outside US - have you tried Book Depository? They ship free to anywhere in the world:
http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Brought-Together-by-Baby-One-Month-Become-Mum-Margaret-McDonagh/9780263891591
Louisa x
Hi Helen! Lovely to see you here! Thanks for the congrats! Hope you enjoy the book -it's out in Australia in May.
ReplyDeleteLove your call story Louisa. So thrilled for you. As for your next holiday destination. How about Argentina. Or Israel? Or Russia. If it were me it would be Israel probably - but one thing, you've got to promise i can carry your bags if you go.
ReplyDeleteJane
Louise, congratulations!
ReplyDeleteSitting here grinning for you. I love Call Stories.
Are you SURE published authors still have to vacuum? Seems to be there should be a rule against that...
Soooooo looking forward to reading your book.
Hi Jane! Gosh, three fabulous destinations there! That would be a real treat - Argentina has great appeal -sunshine and those gorgeous Argentinian men! Russia? I'd have to go in the summer, I hate the cold. I actually speak a bit of Russian so I've always had a soft spot for the place. And Israel - wow, that would be amazing! And of course you can carry my bags - the more of us going the merrier!! LOL!
ReplyDeleteHi Autumn! Sorry to burst the author dream bubble but sadly - yes. Vacuuming, washing-up, laundry, cooking -it taunts me as I try to write! But now I've added online shopping to my skills at least I don't have to do the dreaded hour and a half supermarket shop too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping by!
Hi Louisa,
ReplyDeleteI'm so looking forward to reading your book!
I loved your call story. What a perfect place to hear the best news ever.
My suggestion for your next destination hiking is the Marlborough Sounds. a)because it is absolutely stunning and b) becuase you could drop in and have a glass of wine with me {:o)
Wishing you oodles of sales for "One Month..."
Great story, Louisa and love your cover!
ReplyDeleteLouisa! Great call story! I love reliving the excitement of someone else's journey. Must be the best job on the planet for an editor too =)
ReplyDeleteMy ideal destination is The Greek Isles. Because I've never been much of a traveller I've decided to go somewhere special every year until I drop. Greece and surrounds is next year's.
Congrats on your book!!!
Hi Louisa, glad to have you here today. Having read your book I know your readers are in for a treat.
ReplyDeleteFav holiday destination - almost anywhere in the world, but having returned late last night from Melbourne and the Rod Stewart concert I have to say I had a fabulous time and will go back again. Rocking Rod is getting a little slow on stage these days but he can still sing.
Hi Barb! Lovely to see you here! Hmmm, Marlborough Sounds is so beautiful (I flew over - I've yet to venture in by foot/car/boat!) - I love the idea of the hiking, makes the wine at the end seem much more justified! Save me a slice of sunshine and I'll come down as soon as I can!
ReplyDeleteTravel Destination: Gros Morne National park in Newfoundland. So much to see and do in a fairly small area.
ReplyDeleteGreat Call story, Louisa! And being on holiday in Fiji is a magical, romantic way for a romance writer to get that phone call!
ReplyDeleteI laughed at your comment about being disappointed that you still had to do the vacuuming! Housework is a great leveller, isn't it! I guess even the big name writers like Nora Roberts and Jenny Cruisie and J.K.Rowling must still have their housework woes!
Lovely to have you here to visit!
:)
Sharon
Hi Fiona! Thanks for dropping in! Yes I was pleased with the cover, although it is very PINK! Although, if you read the story, the pink is VERY fitting! LOL!
ReplyDeleteHi Robyn! The Greek Islands are the most amazing places you could visit. Sunshine, sea, fabulous food, lots of history to peruse....We took our boys there last year. My favorite place had to be Naxos although Crete came a close second. You'll have a ball!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the congrats!
Hi Sue! Thanks for inviting me here today, I'm having a ball! Good old rocking' Rod - bless him! I hope I have half his energy when I'm his age!! LOL! And isn't Melbourne fabulous? I have very happy memories of the RWAus conference there last year!
ReplyDeleteChey! We meet again! I've just googled Gros Morne and it looks absolutely stunning! WOW! Thanks for telling me about it. I'll definitely put it on my list!
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon! Fiji was a fabulous place to get The Call -although it would have been just as wonderful to get it anywhere! I'm hoping that Jenny Crusie gets someone 'in' to do her housework - so she can concentrate on writing her wonderfully funny books!
ReplyDeleteI love call stories and yours was something special, Louisa! Imagine being on holiday in Fiji with that setting when getting a phone call that changes your life. LOL Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHey Kylie! Thanks for stopping by! And mega congratulations on your debut book release!
ReplyDeleteGetting that Call was a true fairy tale and my life has immeasurably changed as you'll appreciate!
I loved your call story, Louisa! And I loved that your Mum encouraged you to do a night class -- I'm betting she was angling for some serious grandma time, but it was lovely of her to give you the push.
ReplyDeleteReally looking forward to grabbing a copy of your debut and getting you to sign it for me. :-)
Hello Louisa,
ReplyDeleteI love reading 'Call' stories and yours sound so dreamy. I like the fact that coming in you wrote 'Writer' and then going out your status changed to 'AUTHOR!' Fantastic!
I loved all the pink in One Month to Become a Mum but Luke did go a bit overboard as Jessie said so!
Hi Louisa - great blog & for me the best holiday destination is Fiji - my birthplace. Snorkeling around the coral reef is paradise for me. Now there's an idea for a medical - coral scratches can be very toxic...All the very best for this work & your future writing :)
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle! I have a lot to thank my Mum for - she was an amazing inspiration to me as I grew up. And I'm sure you're right - she wanted to spend time with her grandsons - so it was a definite win-win! Looking forward to signing your copy of my book ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Romance Reader! Thanks for stopping by! Yes, I got a real thrill when I could write author on that card. I did it in extra large bold too! Glad you liked all the pink - I don't have a daughter so I had to imagine what a uber-girly room would be like!
ReplyDeleteHey Pamela! Lucky lucky you being born and brought up in such a beautiful place! Hmmmm.....thanks for the idea.....definitely food for thought! All that heat, a toxic scratch, a perfect place for a medical -I will have to go back again for more research! ?Do you think I could claim it through the IRD? LOL!
ReplyDeleteGreat call story Louisa!! What a holiday -- Fiji must hold some very special memories for you now!
ReplyDeleteI like the island settings, Louisa. I've got a book coming out later in the year that's set in Rarotonga with all that sand, sea and sun. Not to mention all the weddings that happen there - which, of course, is where my hero and heroine have to have theirs too.
ReplyDelete'Call Me In Fiji'-has a fabulous ring to it. Great call story and congratulations again, Louisa. Can't wait to read your debut book.
ReplyDeleteA week in a sturdy lighthouse on a remote, rocky coastline, would be paradise to me. xxm
Louise, great call story! Loved the Fiji element, and I'm as baffled as you about the vacuuming issue. :)
ReplyDeleteRe: your next travel destination, I vote for Australia. Queensland to be precise. And while you're here, drop in for coffee!
Travel destinations: Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho & The Grand Tetons; Alaska; Western Caribbean cruise
ReplyDeletePlaces that I haven't been but would love: Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, Italy, the rest of the United States (I live in Florida) such as Yosemite National Park in California
Hi Louisa, it's terrific to have you here. Thanks for sharing your call story! Sigh, it's a shame that no one warns you the vacuuming continues, isn't it? As for odd socks - that sounds like my place.
ReplyDeleteOh, come to Australia for a holiday. Tassie if you like it chilly, Qld for heat, or anywhere in between. I've just had a wonderful short break in the Blue Mountains and can recommend it.
Italy? Croatia? A cruise??? Or how about Alaska? Have had lots of friends visit there and they love it - in the right season of course. Wherever you do decide, just check on the vacuuming and housework expectations (i.e.- NIL!) :-) And happy researching...
ReplyDeleteHi Emmie! Thanks for stopping by! Looking forward to reading your debut book, -it's definitely on my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteRachel and Annie! Australia is one if my favorite holiday destinations - there's so much to see and I've only ever visited a minuscule amount. I'd love to do a road trip -when I have the time! LOL! When will that ever be? All these offers of coffee and wine - I can drink my way round! Sounds very appealing! Thanks for having me here, you're all so lovely! x
ReplyDeleteHey Margie! A lighthouse? Well that's definitely different! Can it be a lighthouse with a lift? All those stairs *shudders*. I recently visited the easternmost lighthouse in the world on NZ's Eastern Cape - it was a bleak place, very atmospheric. I'd certainly get a lot of inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda, thanks for all those suggestions. USA is another place I'd love to explore. So far I've only managed LA (I went to Hollywood for my 40th!) - and I'm going back there again for RWA conference. But there are so many places I'd like to visit. So jealous you can say "I live in Florida"! Swoon!
ReplyDeleteHey Clare, you temptress! LOL! I love all things Italian! Croatia is apparently very beautiful. There's so much choice, I don't care where I go, but I do care that it's housework free!
ReplyDeleteHey Louise, great call story and how wonderful to see your book. Looking forward to reading it. As to settings, I agree - Clare has some brilliant suggestions.
ReplyDeleteHi Louise- I do love that call story and you so deserve it. I still remember us first meeting at the Kara school of writing and look at you know. It shows me what hard work can accomplish and FYI- your nagging does work:-) as for a favourite destination- I've always wanted to do the romantic cities- Paris/Rome/Greece- and I will- one day. Can't wait till your book hits the stores- I'll be bringing it along for a signature- hugs Kamy
ReplyDeleteHi Zana! Long time no speak! Thanks for your comments. Hope to catch up with soon xx
ReplyDeleteHi Kamy! Wow, that Kara school of writing was a long time ago ;-) I remember coming away from that course with a head so muddled after a weekend's intensive learning that I drove out of the school driveway and onto the wrong side of the road. What was I thinking??II?? Luckily it was a very quiet back country road and there was no oncoming traffic! Can't wait to have your book in my hand too, my girl! Keep believing in the dream xx
ReplyDeleteNikki - a robo vacuum -the answer to my prayers! I also need a robo-laundry and a robo cook! LOL! Fabulous to be here xx
ReplyDeleteSeems like we writers are not too keen on the old housework stuff. And why would we when we've got fun things like writing to do.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for turning up for Louisa's blog day. This is fun.
I do love the Sunshine Coast, QLD. Sun, surf, sand & family. It's perfect.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the cover!!
Hi Louisa
ReplyDeleteI love your Fiji call story - it's great! Fiji is a fantastic place to visit and I've been there a lot. We went and saw the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo a couple of weeks ago and we've been obsessing about Sweden ever since. The only thing is, it looks really, really cold. I'm not much into the cold!
I hope that your debut flies off the shelf.
Toni x
Lovely cover and great call story. My son just sent me some photos from his holiday at the Galapagos Islands. It is now on my bucket list. It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview Sue and Louise - thanks
Looking forward to reading your book
Giovanna
Hi Marybelle! Thanks for popping in! I haven't made it to the Sunshine Coast yet -one day hopefully! It sounds like the perfect place to bring the boys for some R&R!
ReplyDeleteHey Toni! Nice to see you here! I loved the Dragon Tattoo films -I haven't seen the Daniel Craig one yet, though. Sweden does look cold but amazing landscapes. I'll definitely put it on the list!
ReplyDeleteGiovanna! Lovely to see you. The Galapagos Islands are definitely on my list! Now when am I going to find the the to visit all these fabulous places??? LOL!
ReplyDeleteHi Louisa --
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the book and thanks for sharing your fab call story! I hear you about the vacuuming (-:
Amazing all the different places we want to visit. There are so many wonderful destinations how can we get around them all? Louise, I think you and I will have to do a writing trip, pretend we're going to work and swan off having a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the lovely posts everyone.
Hi Anna! Thanks for coming to the party! It's been great fun!
ReplyDeleteSue - I'll hold you to that! Thanks for inviting me here, it's been great fun hearing about all those fabulous places. Louisa x
ReplyDeleteHey Lovecats and Louisa
ReplyDeleteAwww your call story was just brilliant! Congratulations!
Bye 4 now
Tina
Congrats on your first book coming out - how exciting!!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely New York for me. I blame all the fabulous movies that are set there.
All the best
Joanne G (Not really anonymous!!)
Wow! I won! Thank you Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading it.
Many thanks louisa.
Hugs
Giovanna
Hi Tina!
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by!
Hi Joanne! Aw, New York, New York. A place I have never been and would LOVE to go. Definitely on my list!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThere really couldn't be a more exotic 'call' story than that one. And what a setting...
ReplyDelete