Saturday 17 November 2012

World Prematurity Day

Just a little post to say, it's World Prematurity Day, today. Its an occasion to raise awareness of babies born too early, for whatever reason and all the amazing work and support the specialist healthcare professionals give, all over the world! Here's the link if you want to check out some more info....

World prematurity day

I thought I'd share my story with you all. As most of you know, I have twins. Identical boys. My pregnancy was mostly problem free, apart from a little scare around 16 weeks when they thought there could be a heart issue....but no, a couple of 4D scans later, (where we found out they had daddy's nose!) all was fine :-) 

So, I'm nearing the end and I'm worrying about what type of delivery I will have. Natural or caesarean? I admit, I was petrified of either and just wanted them to come out some how...pain free and effortlessly! (I know, wishful thinking, eh?) 

After the last meeting with the consultant he explained that twin two was slowing down in growth as twin one was taking more. So was decided I'd have a planed Caesarean. This suited me, I knew where I stood, I was kind of in control and obviously I wanted the best for my babies. 

D day came at 35 weeks and 5 days and in I went ( waddling!) with my husband and suitcase in tow! Long story short, all went to plan and two teeny boys came into the big wide world. Twin one was 4lb9oz and twin two 4lb7oz. They were checked over and thankfully didn't require any special care. They came straight on to me and stayed with me every second, which was lovely! And I couldn't have wished for any better experience. They may have been early and teeny but they certainly had a pair of lungs on them! 

I know lots of others out there have had their little ones early and needed specialist baby care for several weeks, months. The work these people do is beyond amazing. 




So here's to world prem day and my two little perfect (if early) bubbas! This is my favourite picture in the entire world, it's the first ever taken of the boys when they were 1 hour old. 

Perfection! 

'Til next time 

Sam :-)
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Sunday 11 November 2012

Divorce parties and Portuguese footballers....Jen's in da house!

Today I'm really excited and honoured to introduce a friend AND one of the top three 'So You Think You Can Write' contestants...Jennifer Drogell!

The other week, Jen was tagged in Ruchita's Next Big Thing Blog' hop and she wanted to participate, however had there was one teeny tiny problemo....her blog/website is under construction and outta use for the moment! So naturally, in kind, romance writer (aspiring I should say) fashion, I offered her a little patch of my cosy and hospitable blog spot so she could still share her awesome story with you all. I love visitors, so without further ado, please give a warm, hearty, British welcome....over to the lady herself... 




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Q. What is the working title of your next book? 
The Divorce Party.

Q. From where did the idea come? 

I read a story on the front page of a newspaper about a Manhattan billionaire who threw a million dollar divorce party to celebrate his amicable split from his wife and it blew my mind. Who would do that? Apparently not just them as Katy Perry and Russell Brand have just announced they are doing the same in Vegas!


Q. Under which genre does your book fall? 
Contemporary romance.


Q: Which actors would you choose to play the part of your hero/heroine? 
Not so much an actor for Ricardo, I modelled him after one of the members of the Portugese men’s soccer team in a photo of them walking through an airport in Armani suits that literally sent my office into a tailspin for about a week :) It was called ‘Why Portugal Should Win The World Cup’. Ricardo is Italian not Portugese – but whatever ;) (Ricardo is on the far right). Ashley Greene would make a good Lilly.


Q. What is a one sentence synopsis of your book? 
Ok I’m cheating – 3 sentences. Lilly and Ricardo De Campo were once New York’s golden couple. But a billionaire wine magnate and an Iowa farm girl were never going to make it long-term. Now Ricardo is suggesting they toast their break with a divorce party guaranteed to set tongues wagging!

Q. Will you self-publish or be represented by an agent? 

My goal is to be published by Harlequin/Mills & Boon. I’ve submitted this story to Harlequin/Mills & Boon’s So You Think You Can Write global writing competition and have been named a top 3 Finalist. My fingers are crossed! You can read the first chapter here -http://www.soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com/manuscripts-sytycw-2012/the-divorce-party/. My Pinterest board is at -http://pinterest.com/jendrogell/the-divorce-party/


Q. How long did it take to write the first draft? 
About nine weeks.


Q: With which books within your genre would your story compare? This book is the first in a trilogy about three brothers, or sisters, I’m not sure yet! Maybe all. I would say Sandra Marton’s stories are a big inspiration as she’s always written stories about brothers particularly that have been some of my all-time favourites.

Q: Who or what inspired you to write this book? 

That story in the paper started it for me, but then the characters took over and just ran away with the story. I always have to write the first chapter to ‘write’ myself into a book, then I plot it out.


Q: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? 
I really wanted to explore the very explosive and controversial topic of infidelity in the book. Is it ever okay? Is there ever any justification for it? Can you ever forgive and forget? Should you? I’m a big believer that if you haven’t walked in someone’s shoes you can’t know how you’d react.

Thanks Sam for the warm welcome! So happy to be here and get a chance to talk about The Divorce Party.
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Thanks, Jen! Your story sounds fab and phew, Ricardo is certainly a hottie and I can see why he threw your office into a tiz! Good luck with 'The Divorce Party', I'm sure it's going to be a major hit. Please come back and see us here soon for an update and a cuppa!

'Til next time.

Sam :-) 
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