tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post1703451322086328357..comments2023-10-28T05:33:15.060-05:00Comments on The Writing Playground: Guest Blogger Kate HardyMarilyn Puetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073134550080890157noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-12472625024051627602009-02-27T03:04:00.000-06:002009-02-27T03:04:00.000-06:00PM - congratulations! Go, you! :o)And I reckon you...PM - congratulations! Go, you! :o)<BR/><BR/>And I reckon you celebrated in the best way, too.Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-18165447633992249002009-02-27T03:03:00.000-06:002009-02-27T03:03:00.000-06:00Katrina - oh, yes. I'd be there drooling with you ...Katrina - oh, yes. I'd be there drooling with you :o) Love your name, btw - same as my heroine's in The Children's Doctor's Special Proposal!<BR/><BR/>Housemouse - quiet time is a definite plus! Hope you're having a good day, too. <BR/><BR/>Dina - dog-walking's good, too. (Though I have the laziest spaniel in the world...)Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-7411391646272064782009-02-27T03:01:00.000-06:002009-02-27T03:01:00.000-06:00Angel - ohhhh, lunch with friends. One of my faves...Angel - ohhhh, lunch with friends. One of my faves. (I did a lot of that, the week before last. Even better when it's another writer, because you come away full of good ideas.)<BR/><BR/>And I agree with you: the odd film or an hour's playing computer games does not hurt children - all day, every day, would be a different matter, but kids need time to chill out, too. And there are studies showing that computer games are good for developing motor skills, hand-eye co-ordination and the ability to develop strategic thinking.Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-41441127261854197442009-02-26T16:50:00.000-06:002009-02-26T16:50:00.000-06:00I posted my comment at 12:21 AM and at 3:03 AM I t...I posted my comment at 12:21 AM and at 3:03 AM I typed "THE END" on my very first romance novel.<BR/><BR/>I had lunch with friends and then treated myself to a pedicure. I have pretty dark pink toenails and smooth heels. That's refreshing and re-filling.<BR/><BR/>Marilyn<BR/><BR/>P.S. I vote for Mr. Banderas too.Playground Monitorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07444337591281145863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-51676551036245029142009-02-26T16:14:00.000-06:002009-02-26T16:14:00.000-06:00Reading or just going for a walk with my dogs is s...Reading or just going for a walk with my dogs is so relaxing after a hard day at work.Dinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17361326758269715537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-39439407893561333992009-02-26T15:49:00.000-06:002009-02-26T15:49:00.000-06:00Enjoying family and friends will refill my well. I...Enjoying family and friends will refill my well. I also enjoy books and just having quiet time is a plus. Have a great day.housemouse88https://www.blogger.com/profile/06638977118552266722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-17842347727555486132009-02-26T14:30:00.000-06:002009-02-26T14:30:00.000-06:00Kate to jump in here I soooo would not mind seeing...Kate to jump in here I soooo would not mind seeing Antonio Banderas in the 20 or so covers (lol) <BR/>Both books sound amazing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-25025153519047007192009-02-26T13:50:00.000-06:002009-02-26T13:50:00.000-06:00Did I mention refilling the well through lunch wit...Did I mention refilling the well through lunch with a friend? That's what I did today, which was a nice oasis in between work and running errands. Especially with a friend I can talk writing with. Is that cheating? :)<BR/><BR/>LOL on the movie for the kids, Kate. Thanks for admitting that. I often do that too, but find many mothers disapprove of it. Personally, I don't think my children are being harmed. Computer is the same way. The stuff they watch now is less educational than when they were younger, but I won't tell if you won't. :)<BR/><BR/>AngelAngelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17010424240956906870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-62350311060080758952009-02-26T13:41:00.000-06:002009-02-26T13:41:00.000-06:00Catslady - boardgames are a definite favourite, he...Catslady - boardgames are a definite favourite, here, too! Especially Scrabble, Boggle and Monopoly (ot to mention the Wii...).<BR/><BR/>SP - hope you had a good day at work :o) And kudos to you for keeping fit. <BR/><BR/>Lois - ah, yes. My Sheikh and the bath. (The shower in that book is amazing, too. I did ask DH if we could have a wetroom - he loved the pictures I showed him of said shower. Then he saw the price. As in the same amount of money as a small car. New. Oops...) Hope you get a nap :o)Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-69088183503405549612009-02-26T12:24:00.000-06:002009-02-26T12:24:00.000-06:00Well, one way to refill that well would be to be i...Well, one way to refill that well would be to be in that hot tub with that sheikh. . . with chocolate would be even better. But alas, since I guess that's not possible. . . well, for me, the best way, though so rarely able to occur, is sleep. Sure could use a nap now actually. LOL :)<BR/><BR/>LoisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-72627750449221265142009-02-26T11:39:00.000-06:002009-02-26T11:39:00.000-06:00Wow, the Playground is hopping today. Welcome, Kat...Wow, the Playground is hopping today. Welcome, Kate! Sorry I'm late. Dumb work stuff. :)<BR/><BR/>I used to refill my well by reading, doing some sort of art or craft thing, cooking, shopping, baking... but anymore I'd just rather hang out with my people. They're always good for ideas and plot problems, they're funny, there's always good food and fun to be had.<BR/><BR/>I have been working out a lot, though. I hardly consider that well filling time, although I do let myself watch the Food Network while I'm at it...Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pantshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13518751514879244662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-21623271032251670902009-02-26T10:57:00.000-06:002009-02-26T10:57:00.000-06:00I have two favorites - getting together with frien...I have two favorites - getting together with friends and/or family to play games - love boardgames, cards, Wii - you name it. The other is my quiet time of cuddling up with a good book and surrounded by purring cats.catsladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06375770995988927860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-57661821825289469782009-02-26T10:55:00.000-06:002009-02-26T10:55:00.000-06:00Caroline - let you into a secret: I'm not sure how...Caroline - let you into a secret: I'm not sure how I do it, either... (But then again, in my ratrace days I was writing four books a year, and studying for professional exams as well. Did I mention that there's a workaholic trait in my family?)<BR/><BR/>Magazines: now that's a brilliant idea. Snippets to make the lighbulbs glitter. <BR/><BR/>I do get some from online news stories, though my editor has slapped a ban on snakes. My reindeer were almost banned from the one I'm revising right now, but I wore her down. And I'm taking up her suggestion of using them in my Christmas medical later this year. (!) There was this local story about someone proposing in a shark tunnel (he got divers to swim out with a banner popping the question), and that's so tempting...Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-46952491806447165702009-02-26T10:50:00.000-06:002009-02-26T10:50:00.000-06:00PC - LOL at overeating! What you do now is go for ...PC - LOL at overeating! What you do now is go for a nice long walk. No paper or pens or mobile phones or PDAs or anything you can write on. Betcha when you get back, you're raring to go...<BR/><BR/>Instigator - gym? Am impressed. (I used to, in my ratrace days. A step class at lunchtime, twice a week. But now... it's me, the dog and the Wii Fit.) And definitely spending time with kids. Mine has her best friend home with us for dinner tonight, and I was just itching to record their conversation. Hilarious, and full of lightbulb moments! (I swear I'm going to use the quote about bogeys, but shhhh, don't tell my editor.)Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-62669311786632950242009-02-26T10:47:00.000-06:002009-02-26T10:47:00.000-06:00Christine - a meet-up after target/goal is a brill...Christine - a meet-up after target/goal is a brilliant idea. (Hmm. Must schedule in some lunches...)<BR/><BR/>Deb H - nice to see you, and thanks for the compliment! Diving sounds really interesting: not something I've ever done (nearest I got to it was going out in a glass-bottomed boat in France - which was fine until we sailed out of the sheltered bay and the water was c-h-o-p-p-y) but I bet it's fabulous: a whole new world.Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-62967244303833809572009-02-26T10:45:00.000-06:002009-02-26T10:45:00.000-06:00Angel - I'm an uber-planner, so I know how many wo...Angel - I'm an uber-planner, so I know how many words per day I need to meet my target (factoring days off with the kids etc). And in school holidays I am Bad Mummy and let the kids watch a film while I get some words down/work late in the evenings. It's a bit of a juggling act, and it doesn't always work (today is one of THOSE days, and I may have to raid my children's easter eggs), but it comes with practice :o)Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-3510314481586510122009-02-26T10:42:00.000-06:002009-02-26T10:42:00.000-06:00Kathy - sadly, I get very little input into my cov...Kathy - sadly, I get very little input into my covers. (Otherwise I would've had Mr Banderas as my cover model for about 20 books, by now *g*.) I do get a bit more say in my nonfiction covers, though!Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-3382416634408623872009-02-26T09:58:00.000-06:002009-02-26T09:58:00.000-06:00Gosh Kate! Six books a year for HM&B and loca...Gosh Kate! Six books a year for HM&B and local history books - not to mention all your family commitments - I'm not suprised you have to refill your well! How on earth do you do it? I'm lucky if I churn out two books a year - although my only caveat is that I do work full time (although that's probably not much of an excuse!). To refill my well I love to read, read, read and read. HM&B - all genres - but I do like Historicals, and Medicals and Modern. And to help fill the well when it is really empty I scour magazine's and newspapers for tidbits of info which I cut out and stash in a box - for my "what if?" ideas- and lot's of chocalate and copious amount of tea! Luv CarolineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-73365782964059940022009-02-26T09:13:00.000-06:002009-02-26T09:13:00.000-06:00Snuggling up in bed with a good book is my best wa...Snuggling up in bed with a good book is my best way to refill the well. Although, lately, after I get done with my stint at the gym I feel pretty darn good too. Or just spending time with my girls. They always make me smile...well, as long as they aren't bickering :-) <BR/><BR/>InstigatorKira Sinclair - AKA Instigatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14274056066229852126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-36966797008759473272009-02-26T08:46:00.000-06:002009-02-26T08:46:00.000-06:00Hi Kate!I think I spent too much time refilling my...Hi Kate!<BR/><BR/>I think I spent too much time refilling my well. I'm feeling sluggish and uncreative and writing is like pulling teeth. It's like I overate and now need to sit on the couch and groan for a while. :-)<BR/><BR/>But this weekend is going to be both refilling the well *and* research, so I'm hoping to be in rare 'riting form Monday morning!Problem Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01456049865200737618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-75369907023185452772009-02-26T08:34:00.000-06:002009-02-26T08:34:00.000-06:00Kate,I just love your writing and enjoy keeping ta...Kate,<BR/>I just love your writing and enjoy keeping tabs via your blog. My way of refilling my well ususally involves sinking into a thick comforter in front of a fire with a thick book *bliss*<BR/>it's that, or spending the weekend out on the dive boat with my DH, exploring the sea life and wrecks just off Virginia Beach, Virginia. something about floating beneath the waves...<BR/><BR/>DebHAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-67545104519375565132009-02-26T08:30:00.000-06:002009-02-26T08:30:00.000-06:00I plan lots of time with friends I haven't seen in...I plan lots of time with friends I haven't seen in a while after I finish a project or reach a goal.<BR/><BR/>I also have champagne or sparkling rose... <BR/><BR/>I read a lot...<BR/><BR/>I play...Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05383099148014297450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-77034227092173248652009-02-26T08:29:00.000-06:002009-02-26T08:29:00.000-06:00I like several of the above ideas. A long, hot bat...I like several of the above ideas. A long, hot bath (after the kids are abed) always relaxes me. And reading. Sometimes I get on a scrapbooking kick. I'm way behind, but love it when I have time to indulge.<BR/><BR/>Kate, how do you balance family life, writing, and refilling your well? Where do you find the time? :)<BR/><BR/>AngelAngelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17010424240956906870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-34485990944708569972009-02-26T08:25:00.000-06:002009-02-26T08:25:00.000-06:00Thanks for coming to play, Kate! You always have ...Thanks for coming to play, Kate! You always have such great covers for your books? How much input have you been given into them?<BR/><BR/>I like to refill my well by watching movies, especially movies from the genre I write in, historical. Lots of ideas flow from there and from listening to historical movie soundtracks. Reading, of course, also invigorates the idea box. ;)Katherine Bonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14701961380138616355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-65686448669883526342009-02-26T06:48:00.000-06:002009-02-26T06:48:00.000-06:00LJ - thank you. And I'm with you. Anything with An...LJ - thank you. And I'm with you. Anything with Antonio...<BR/><BR/>Veronica - vanilla's one of my faves, too!<BR/><BR/>Betty - you're in good company :o)Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.com