Friday 13 February 2009

Hamsters and Literary Agents

Many thanks to you all for your kind thoughts. I've had an ongoing abscess which, together with disturbed nights, has laid me low. Yesterday I finally had The Offending Tooth removed which was one of the most painful experiences ever – post operative. I won't go into details, suffice to say that I now look like a lop sided hamster and am high on a cloud of Nurofen. Work is out of the question, given the state of my brain, so I'm about to head for the depths of the sofa and a cuddle with Moll.

My mum is arriving tomorrow and, ever spurred on by the impending arrival of his mother-in-law, Himself decided to start on a frenzy of redecoration. The two tables in the kitchen have been stripped and are now back to original wood with their legs painted green. His one and only Good Brown Cardigan is now also green, as is Mollie's left flank but we won't go into that. He has to get some brown paint now to paint out the green so Mum doesn't see....

The bathroom is also repainted and that looks much brighter so he has earned lots of brownie points (apart from the cardigan).

So that's my Valentine's present – a revamped kitchen and bathroom – what more could a girl ask for?

Well for those of us writers, a critical eye is essential. I always give my work to one particular friend for her to cast her eye over, but when it comes to novels – well, that's a lot of work. We all get so close to our precious babies that it's vital to have someone else who can look at it objectively. But who to chose?

There are various people out there who offer this service – Hilary Johnson, The Literary Consultancy and many others. But a friend of mine has recently set herself up and offers very competitive rates as well as a very friendly ear and eye. Or two.

Take a look at her website – The Writer's Friend – and see what you think. She has helped me look at my work with new eyes, she has a good sense of humour (vital, I find) and she loves animals. What could be better?

So to all of you out there – Happy Valentine's tomorrow!

25 comments:

Pat Posner said...

Gentle hugs for you, Flowerpot. Have you got any arnica? The tablets help you and your body over the shock, the cream soothes!

Have a great time with your Mum.
xxPat

Unknown said...

Hugs on the tooth pain FP. Thanks for the link too - will check it out.
lx

Chris Stovell said...

Huge sympathy and big hugs - us and our berludy teeh, eh! Take care.

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

Oh I sympathise with the abcess. I've had an infection for the last 10 days which is only letting up now. My head has felt like it was in a vice all week as the infection peaked. I hope you are pain free now but it sounds like you are still suffering.

All the best and a speedy recovery and happy valentines day!

Liane Spicer said...

Glad to hear the troublesome tooth is gone, FP. Happy Valentine's to you too!

Philipa said...

Sorry to hear you've been poorly, FP but happy to know you are on the mend.

So that's my Valentine's present – a revamped kitchen and bathroom – what more could a girl ask for?

Actually that sounds pretty great to me. You lucky girl :-) Hope you have a lovely day.

Flowerpot said...

Pat - arnica is a very good idea. I will go and get some now.

Liz - thanks and hope you had a good time at the RNA - certainly looks like it!

Chris - writers and teeth eh?!

Flowerpot said...

MOB - sorry to hear you've been suffering too. Hope you're recovered now though and have a great Valentine's Day.

Wordtryst - I'm glad it's gone too!

Flowerpot said...

Phil - I wasnt being cynical over the bathroom and kitchen - I'm delighted!

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Hope you're feeling much better soon. Your mouth sounds so sore.

Thanks for the link, I'll go and have a peek, and enjoy your revamped kitchen, it sounds lovely.

Akelamalu said...

Glad you got the tooth sorted at least once the hole has healed you won't get any more pain.

Happy Valentine's to you too m'dear. x

Penny Pincher said...

Sorry about the abcess and the loss of a tooth. hope you feel better soon, enjoy the cuddles with Molly.

Ellee Seymour said...

I'm sorry to hear about your tooth and do sympathise. I have my mum coming to visit tomorrow too. And thanks for the tip about the writing panel, I shall certainly check it out.

ADDY said...

Ouch. Hope you are pain-free soon!

sallywrites said...

Poor you. Hope the mouth feels better soon.

How nice to have a revamped kitchen and bathroom. Usually it is me who doees stuff for inlaws. hubby is less bothered aobut wshat people think I believe!

Flowerpot said...

Debs - had forgotten the joys of collapsing in bed. years since I've had flu type bug. But improving now!

Ak - thanks I hope to be painfree soon.

ladythinker - nothing like a cuddle is there?!

Flowerpot said...

Elleee - have a lovely time with your mum too.

Sally - I'm fortunate in having a husband who is very worried about what his mother in law thinks! He's been a real star this weekend... looking after her and me. I am so very lucky.

Flowerpot said...

rosiero - thanks feeling a lot perkier now. Hope life is Ok in your neck of the woods...

MarmiteToasty said...

So, do you have to have a poorly tooth when you want the rest of your home decorated :)

Glad your feeling a tad better.... stay warm...

Enjoy the time with your mum..

x

Flowerpot said...

Marmie - now theres a thought! Not worth being poorly for though! Hope you're OK?

Lane Mathias said...

Hope you're feeling better now fp. I flipping hate teeth - and the pain and expense they cause:-(

Flowerpot said...

Lane - oh i do agree!

Trubes said...

Sorry you've had so much pain Flowerpot, I do hope you'll soon be feeling much better.

Di.xx

Fiona Mackenzie. Writer said...

Oh, you poor thing you. What a bugger teeth are. And the expensive.

Off to check out your friend's link.

Hugs

Flowerpot said...

Thanks Di - improving slowly!

Fiona - thanks too. Dont talk about teeth in this household!