Thursday, October 7, 2010

Kate Walker talks about A Good Greek Wife?

By Anna Sugden

I'm delighted to welcome back a Lair favourite - the fabulous Kate Walker. We always have so much fun with Kate and I know today will be no different.

So without further ado, here's Kate

It’s so good to be back in the lair with the Banditas – it feels like I’ve never been away.

No – honestly. It really does. Have you had one of those years? One where you’re sure someone has got hold of the timing mechanism on the days and has wound it up so hard and so tight that spinning at speed and there’s this ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ feeling about everything.

This year has seemed like that. I’ve been celebrating 25 years as a published author. I hit a milestone birthday ( I was a child author so you’ll not be surprised that I’m now hitting 30 – again!) I’m sure it was only two seconds ago when I was hugging Anna S for real in the burning heat of the summer at the RNA Conference (and it was hot wasn’t it Anna? Extremely, and with no air conditioning too! Anna) Now the scene outside my window is cool and wet and foggy – all the things that make it a real autumn (or Fall) day.

But around this time I start to think in terms of a New Year, much more than in January. January is too bleak and cold and dark (well, it is here in Lincolnshire). And October with its new term, new school year appeals much more. So it’s sort of appropriate that right now I’m rounding off the celebrations for my 25th year in publishing and looking forward to the new and 26th year of this writing career of mine.

And things have changed so much since my very first book ever (The Chalk Line) was published in 1984. The covers for one thing. When I had my first book out the covers were just picked from a selection the Art Department had in stock , not commissioned for the book itself. Which is why my black haired, rough-edged hero turned into a smooth, sleek blond! Last month Mills & Boon started bringing out their new look covers and they are very different. Unfortunately I don’t have a new cover on any of my titles yet (that will come in March ’11) but I’m looking forward to seeing it. But I have to say that I do love the cover for my latest book – The Good Greek Wife? It represents the story well too, with the big carved bed and the sea out beyond the room. They’re both very important in the story.

I said this book was different – so why is that? Well, for one it’s my first book with one of the new-style titles. M&B Have published their last Greek Billionaire’s Blackmailed Amnesiac Virgin (Did you hear the cheers back in the summer when editorial announced it? That really brightened up every author’s day, I can tell you.) Secondly, this book is the result of something of a challenge.

My editor rang me up one day and said she hoped I’d like to write a book for a brand-new mini series they were planning. A series of books based on the stories of the ancient Greek Myths, bringing them right up to date and modernising them. I really wanted to be involved but first I had to find the right story to bring modernise. Weren’t all Greek Myths about monsters and battles and sword fights? But then I remembered the story of Odysseus. A man who goes missing for years and whose wife waits at home, never knowing if he is coming back or not. That was just the inspiration I needed.

And that’s the reason why this title has that intriguing question mark at the end . I have to keep remembering to put it in as I’m always tempted to write just The Good Greek Wife, with no ? And that’s something very different. Because the story of The Good Greek Wife? (I remembered that time) is one of two people who don’t really know each other well enough. They married in haste, in a red haze of passion, and were just beginning to learn about each other when tragedy struck and tore them apart. For years Penny believed that her husband was dead but now he’s back . . . and she doesn’t know if he’s the man she married. Or have the years in between and all that he’s been through changed him – for better or for worse? Zarek, her husband, needs to get to know his wife too, all over again. But has she waited for him faithfully, like Penelope, Odysseus’ wife in the old legend - or has she sided with his enemies, to take over his company? Is she still – or does she still want to be – a Good Greek Wife?

I loved writing this book – it was as I said, a real challenge. And it involved some heavy duty research - like watching the movie Troy once or twice (Brad Pitt, Eric Bana . . it’s a tough job, research!) It was as I was writing this story that I got a new insight into why Harlequin romances are so consistently popular and have been for so long. The emotions and the passions that the authors write about are truly the ‘classic’ emotions - feelings that are as old as time and never change fundamentally, no matter what era or place the book is set in. Whether the hero is an ancient Greek warrior or a Modern Greek Billionaire, the central core of the story – that love conquers all – is always essentially the same. And that’s what makes a classic love story. And a classic love-story is what I hope I've created in A Good Greek Wife?

And I’m so happy to have this book to round off the celebrations for my 25th year as a romance writer. I’m ending this special year on some very happy notes. There’s the publication of A Good Greek Wife? and I just got the news that the book has actually sold out since it was published over here in the UK. So I really hope that it has the same success when it appears in Presents Extra in America. Another sell-out book has been my second edition of the 12 Point Guide To Writing Romance. My publisher tells me there isn’t a single copy left in the warehouse and he’s busy reprinting a 3rd edition which will hopefully be out at the end of this month. I have a new book coming out in March and right now I’m just finishing a new story – another of those ‘challenge’ books ready for another series coming out next year.

It’s been a great 25 years and I’m really looking forward to what’s coming next. And to round of this year I’m running a big contest over on my web site (www.kate-walker.com). This time I’m giving away not just a couple of prizes but 25 prize giveaways, one to mark each year of publication. I can tell you that Sid the Cat who of course helps me pick all the winners to my contests is feeling pretty happy at the thought of having to choose 25 cat crunchies to give me the names of my winners. Of course so that he can do this, I'll need at the very least 25 entries. So I hope you’ll come along and enter. But just for the Romance Bandits I have a special giveaway - I have two signed copies of The Good Greek Wife? and one of my special Kate Walker tote bags to give away to someone who comments today.

Just tell me if you had to modernise a story and turn it into a modern romance – which one would you choose? Would it be another Greek myth – or one of the fairy tales and fables? Or perhaps a tale from Shakespeare or even a nursery rhyme? You never know – you might inspire yourself – or me!

I’ll try to drop in and chat with you as often as I can but I’m travelling today – teaching a workshop in Halifax (that’s Halifax West Yorkshire, not Halifax Nova Scotia) at the weekend and I’m doing a series of 1to1s today. But I’ll hope to connect with the internet – and you all – along the way.

83 comments:

Linda Henderson said...

Is the Golden One mine?

Linda Henderson said...

I think Little Women could stand to be modernized. My daughters love that story, but it's just not my cup of tea.

Deanna said...

Congrats on the GR today Linda.

Kate, what a wonderful run. Happy 25 years and may 26 and onwards be just as wonderful and rewarding.

Deanna said...

Oh and I love modernizing classic stories, legends, myths, fairy tales. I'm not picky at all. I just love seeing something old, familiar and comfortable turned into something new and exciting and being given a new lease in life. I recently finished Eloisa James' "A Kiss at Midnight" which was a Regency version of the Cinderella story and loved it.

Sheree said...

Happy 25 years, Kate! Congrats!

I think some of the Norse myths can do with modernization. How would a present day Loki convince Odin to use his sister-in-law Freya as collateral for finishing Valhalla? Considering that she's no slouch as a goddess, since she gets half of the slain heroes?

ironss[at]gmail.com

Donna MacMeans said...

Kate - So happy you could join us in the lair and CONGRATULATIONS on 25 years of publishing success. That early Mills & Boone cover is a hoot! The Good Greek Wife? sounds intriguing. I'll be watching for it.

I love the idea of modernising old classics as they have a quality that resonates through time. We've certainly seen a number of remakes of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast - and isn't Beauty and the Beast a remake of another classic? Maybe the one with Persephone who must live underground six months of the year with the beast. I like Sheree's idea of remaking Norse legends mainly as I'm not all that familiar with them. (grin).

Congrats to you as well, Linda, for the rooster snatch. He's a legend unto himself.

Helen said...

Well done Linda have fun with him

Kate

Huge congrats on your milestone and so well deserved I love your stories and this new one sounds awesome.

And as for modernising a story for a romance I too am not picky I love them all but one of my favourties is Cinderella and Beauty and The Beast.

Again congrats Kate and thank you so much Anna for inviting Kate back to chat with us today.

Have Fun
Helen

Anna Sugden said...

What a lovely thought, Linda. Little Women is a great story and would be ideal to update. I know that Eloisa was inspired by Little Women as the basis for her Essex sisters series.

Congrats on nabbing that pesky bird!

Laurie G said...

I love fairy tales so how about remaking some of Hans Christan Anderson's tales like The Snow Queen.

Also classics:
Snow White and Rose Red, Heidi

I like twins who switch identities so a remake of The Prince & the Pauper or change to The Princess and the Waitress.

Congrats on 25 years WOW! I love your Greek stories. There is just something about a hardnosed Greek with an attitude, whose world gets turned around by the love of an enterprising young woman!!
The Greek Wife sounds fantastic!!

Anna Sugden said...

How funny, Daz - I just mentioned another of Eloisa's series in answering Linda's question. AKAM was very good, wasn't it?

I know you'll enjoy Kate's latest too.

Anna Sugden said...

What a great idea, Sheree - updating Norse mythology. Very cool

Gillian Layne said...

Kate, huge congratulations on your prolific 25 years!

I think I would re-write Sleeping Beauty. In fact, the thought of it is making my fingers twitch. Maybe I'll have to leave work early today...(cough, cough) :)

Your 12 point guide is on my to-buy list. I love craft books.

Anna Sugden said...

Donna - One of my favourite reads is from PC Cast's Goddess Summoning series and is the one that features the Persephone story - Goddess of Spring. I love the way she put a new twist on the myth and on the yummy Hades.

Anna Sugden said...

You'll love A Good Greek Wife?, Helen - one of Kate's finest.

I love the Cinderella story and I also love Snow White - probably influenced by the Disney movies, I admit it!

Anna Sugden said...

Updating some of the non-Disney Hans Anderson fairy tales is a fab idea, Laurie.

I also love the prince and the pauper theme. And The Little Princess (which I thought was only a Shirley Temple film until recently when I heard it was also a book - duh!)

Anna Sugden said...

I'd love to see your updated Sleeping Beauty, Gillian! It's wonderful when an idea grabs us like that.

I think you seem to be coming down with a bout of flu. Yes, you definitely look poorly. I'd get home and make yourself better *g*.

Anna Sugden said...

Kate's 12 Point Guide is awesome, Gillian. It was one of the first romance writing books I read that was sensible. I know that sounds like an odd recommendation, but I felt as if Kate was in the room talking with me and speaking my language. It made sense and was written in such a down to earth way, I felt I could apply what I'd learned.

SiNn said...

congrats on 25!


the old woman in the shoe be kinda cool to have modernized maybe
as well as the brther grim fary stories
rumple stilsken as well

Anna Sugden said...

What interesting choices SiNn! What is it about those stories that you think would be fun to see reworked and modernised?

Louisa Cornell said...

Linda, you've caught one of the great myths of all time - at least in HIS mind! Enjoy your day with the GR !!

Congratulations on 25 years, Kate! That is fantastic!

And I LOVE the idea of a series based on remixes of ancient myths. Odysseus is one of my favorites!

I think a paranormal romance based on the story of Pandora has all sorts of possibilities!

And the Cupid and Psyche romance is another of my favorites.

Anna Sugden said...

ROFL Louisa - yes, the GR is a legend in his own lunchtime!

Yes, Pandora does lend herself to the paranormal romance ... I can see it as a pretty neat romantic suspense too.

Cupid and Psyche reminds me of that great classic movie - The Ghost and Mrs Muir.

Karyn Good said...

Kate, congratulations on 25 years and counting!

I've always been fascinated by the story of The Twelve Daughters. It would be an interesting one to tackle.

Anna Sugden said...

That's interesting, Karyn - I don't know that story. Is it a fairy tale?

Hellie Sinclair said...

I love the story of Hades and Penelope--I'd try to modernize that one. And the myth of the Watchers, the angels who watch us and some mated with mortal women--that would be cool to revamp.

And of course, I'd have to do a Romeo & Juliet (I love star-crossed lovers whose family is against them, but hate the whole suicide ending) story; and a Beauty and the Beast...

Your Odysseus sounds like a wonderful story! I love reunited lover stories!

Hellie Sinclair said...

Is the 12 Daughters the same as the 12 Dancing Princesses?

Anna Sugden said...

You guys are making me turn to Google a lot today! That's what comes of a science background rather than an arts *g*. It's very educational!

I think you'd like the PC Cast story, Hellion. Hades is particularly yummy and the underworld is nicely drawn.

Yeah, I'm not fond of the ending to Romeo and Juliet either ... a tad melodramatic *g*. But I do like the star-crossed lovers theme.

Anna Sugden said...

I found two stories about 12 daughters on Google - one was 12 daughters (kind of a moral tale about greed) and the other was the 12 dancing princesses.

Have to say the latter confused me - why spend all that time cosying up to the youngest princess and then choose the eldest?

jo robertson said...

Hi, Kate, welcome back to the Lair. I like the idea M&B is going with the allusion to Greek stories. A Good Greek Wife? sounds delicious.

I'd definitely remake a Shakespearean tale. PBS did an interesting production of MacBeth with Patrick Stewart which aired last night.

My favorite story, though, is Othello. Every time I read it or watch a production, I expect Othello to stop choking Desdemonda, realizing he's made a horrible mistake. I want my HEA in that tragedy!

Cassondra said...

Hi Kate!

Thanks so much for joining us in the lair. It's always such an honor to have guests with your experience and long publishing success. In particular, long-running careers with Harlequin are inspiring to me because that's the line which got so many of us started in romance reading, and then following into writing.

I guess if I had to choose a classic story to apply to one of my manuscripts, I'd choose a fairy tale--Beauty and the Beast, which origins I haven't even thought about much beyond the Disney adaptation and that show with the very sexy Vincent who lived underground. However those stories always get me. I'm writing one now in a way. Hadn't thought of it as a B&TB story until I read this interview. I've a thing for Cinderella stories too.

As to the ancient myths.....I have a little more trouble with those as I have to get through the sometimes tragic details to get to the possible adaptations, and I'm such a wuss about tragic details. :0/ Literary lightweight, I am.

Wonderful interview, Anna, and thank you for bringing Kate back to talk with us.

Anna Sugden said...

I'm with you, Jo - I like a little HEA with my tragedy! Don't know what it says about Shakespeare that he loved to end his plays with despair.
Though, A Midsummer Night's Dream is cheery!

Anna Sugden said...

Sorry to have disappointed you, Karyn. I, for one, would love to come out to Halifax, NS! It's the birthplace of so many hockey players *g*.

Wuthering Heights - still more misery and angst! Liked the song, though *g*. An interesting one to rework, if you could find a way to give someone, anyone, a HEA!

Anna Sugden said...

Ooh I loved that show with Vincent living underground, Cassondra. Despite not liking my heroes to be quite that hairy, there was something about him that really appealed.

I can't see you as a wuss when it comes to anything! I can see you trading tragedy for boom *g*!

Nancy said...

Linda, congrats on the rooster!

Kate, welcome back, and congrats on your 25-year milestone! What with the new book out and the reprint of the 12 Points, you're having quite a year.

If I had to modernize a story, I think it would be the Odyssey. At least, today it would be. I have that on my mind because I was talking about it with my students today.

Pat Cochran said...

Congratulations on reaching this
momentous anniversary! Happy 25th!

I would look to fairy tales for a
story to modernize. Some have been used quite a bit but there are so
many more available. Many countries
have their own stories which could
be updated by our modern authors
into books we will all love!

Pat Cochran

peggy said...

I think i would love to modernized Romeo and Juliet I just love there story.

pjpuppymom said...

Welcome back, Kate! Congratulations on your 25 year anniversary. What a wonderful accomplishment!

The Good Greek Wife? sounds intriguing. I'll definitely be looking for it.

I love fairy tales and enjoy modern romances with a beloved fairy tale theme at its roots. Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella are favs. I agree with others who have named A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James. Loved it and am looking forward to the next of her fairy tale books, When Beauty Tamed the Beast, which comes out in February 2011. She also does a great job of using Shakespeare's writings as inspiration for many of her romances.

runner10 said...

Happy 25!! Enjoying your books. Let the party continue!!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Linda, way to go on the chook!

Anna, so lovely you brought Kate back to see us! We loves us some Kate!!!!

Kate, great to see you. I LOVE the sound of the series based on Greek myths and your book sounds like it's outstanding. What a fabulous premise! And congratulations again on all your success and your 25 years as a published author. That's a major achievement! Yay, you!

Actually I think the myth of Psyche and Cupid is actually the basis of Beauty and the Beast (beautiful girl kidnapped away to keep a 'monster' happy, the slow growth of trust broken in the black moment, appearances aren't everything, you have to look deeper - think about it!), I think I already HAVE modernised a myth. Well, modernised to the early 19th century anyway! Most of my books are Beauty and the Beast. I would have said all until I wrote Midnight's Wild Passion which I think comes closer to Cinderella!

Anna Sugden said...

What lucky students you have, Nancy, to have you discussing The Odyssey with them. Of course, they won't appreciate you for years to come, but we know how lucky they are!

Anna Sugden said...

I think you're right, Pat - there are many fairy tales that have yet to be updated or are rarely updated which would be great to use. I think it's fascinating hearing tales from other countries - probably growing up with a Persian mother *g*.

Anna Sugden said...

Romeo and Juliet is a wonderful story, Peggy, if only they had a happier ending *g*.

Anna Sugden said...

I know you'll love A Good Greek Wife? (note that I didn't forget the question mark - always do what Kate tells me! LOL) PJ.

The book I've just read by Eloisa, Kiss Me, Annabel, is inspired by the Taming of the Shrew - I'd expect no less from a professor of English!

Hey that's a Shakespeare without a tragedy!

Anna Sugden said...

You can count on us to keep the party going, Runner! I blame the dragon - she gets huffy if we don't have enough parties!

Anna Sugden said...

You know, I was thinking that about Cupid and Psyche earlier as I read up on it - seems Beauty and the Beat-ish to me too, Anna!

Ooh - you've got a Cinderella book coming up - LOVE Cinderella - and no it's not just because of the shoes! Thopugh I do have a plaque in my office, sent by a dear friend, which reads 'One shoe can change your life' Cinderella! It is, naturally enough, next to a signed pic of my favourite hockey hunk *g*

Anna Campbell said...

Actually this book is different in many ways, Anna - people actually get to dress up and go to parties! ;-) I'll look forward to seeing what you think!

Hellie Sinclair said...

why spend all that time cosying up to the youngest princess and then choose the eldest?

Youngest one is probably the one with the biggest mouth that will tell him what he needs to know; the eldest probably comes with the kingdom. You only marry to get land, remember?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Kate! Welcome back to the Lair! It's always a delight to have you visit us.

I love the story of Oysseus and Penelope.

If I had to update a Greek myth, I think I would do the story of Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos who had the Minotaur in the maze. Thesus was sent to kill him, but needed Ariadne's help with the giant ball of twine to find the way into and back out of the maze.

Alas, sadly once he escaped, he left poor Ariadne on the island and fled back to Athens. Dionyseus, the god of partying, (oh okay wine), came to the island and rescued Ariadne, taking her to his home and marrying her.

Somehow I think there's a great modern day story in that one!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Okay that was Odysseus...geesh, I truly can't spell when I crawl out of bed!

Anna Sugden said...

Hey guys - BIG apology time! I got my days/dates mixed up when I was posting the blog and this posted a day early. Kate is actually supposed to be here tomorrow (hits head against wall!)

I'm sorry to you all and to Kate for messing this up. I'm sure Kate will reply to all your comments tomorrow, so do check back!

Anna Sugden said...

I like your thinking, Hellion! Guess I was hoping for a more romantic ending *g*.

Anna Sugden said...

Anna - I look forward to reading it too - if only it was out sooner!

Anna Sugden said...

Ooh Suz, Ariadne and Minos etc is a good one!

Looks like there are a lot of votes for Greek myths!

Nancy said...

Suz, I thought that was Theseus also.

Hellie Sinclair said...

Guess I was hoping for a more romantic ending

Clearly why it needs to be revised. But in its defense, it was written way before modern romantic sensibilities. Remember, the original Cinderella had the stepsisters dancing in hot iron shoes until their feet became stubs. (Or was it Snow White? Doesn't matter--either way, VERY GRUESOME rather than romantic.)

Hellie Sinclair said...

he left poor Ariadne on the island and fled back to Athens. Dionyseus, the god of partying, (oh okay wine), came to the island and rescued Ariadne, taking her to his home and marrying her.

I concur this is a cool story for a modern tale. The bad boy rescues the girl? The heroic warrior dude jilts her? Oh, yeah, total modern day storytelling in the making....

Kate Walker said...

Ah so Anna jumped the gun - and posted me when I wasn't looking! Sorry about the confusin everyone - but then I'm easily confuzzled!

I'm going to try and catch up and chat with you now I know you're here.

(Do I get a special Black Rooster for being the last one to arrive?)

Kate

Kate Walker said...

Congratulations Linda on grabbing the rooster (that sounds vaguely wrong somehow - or is it just that it's too early in the morning to think straight?)

I used to love Little Women too - and I think you'r right. A book about 4 sisters, all so very different, finding their way in life and love could be good. I wouldn't be able to kill off Beth though!

Kate Walker said...

Daz thank you for your congratulations - I'm looking forward to the 26th year. And yes, modernising Cinderella is a great idea - I must look for that book.

Kate Walker said...

Seree - I 'd lov e to update some of those Norse myths. Loki was a real bad boy character, wasn't he. Hmm - I have my mother's book of Norse Myths ssomewhere. Must go and check it out for inspiration.
Thank you for the congratulations.

Kate Walker said...

Hello Donna - I'm glad you find that 'classic' M&B cover as wince making as I do. Though I don't think it was as bad way back when . . . You're right ab out the classics and that's why they keep coming back, though I must admit my ,mind is buzzing now you've mentioned Persephone. I'm wondering how I can work that one . . . . watch this space!

Kate Walker said...

Helen thank you so much - you've made my day saying how much you enjoy my books. If you do pick up The Good Greek Wife? I hope you enjoy that too. About Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast - I often wonder if the people who wrote those first knew what they were doing, tapping into people's psyches like that

Kate Walker said...

Anna - thanks for stepping in when I didn't appear (if I'd known it was today . . .;o) )

Not to worry, I'll catch up now!

Kate Walker said...

Laurie you've got some great suggestins. I love the Princess and the Waitress, but I think Liz Fielding did something like that - I think it was called Trading PLaces last year. (That reminds me - I read the first book, need to go and find the second one.)

The good twin, bad twin idea is always a good one.

You're right about those Greek heroes - there is a toughness about them so that when they fall . . . I hope you like Zarek in this book

Kate Walker said...

Hi Gillian - your choice of Sleeping Beauty is making my writers brain twitch too! In fact, so many of these ideas are stirring my imagination, I'm going to have to make notes. Ir's fascinating isn;t it the way that old themes can just keep coming back and back and can be reworked again and again.

I hope that if yu get a copy of the 12 Point Guide that it helps you - please let me know if it does.

Kate Walker said...

Anna - thanks again for keeping up with the chat. And a special thank you for the lovely compliment about The Good Greek Wife? (I keep forgetting that ? ) I'm thrileld to know it's one of my 'finest' - you Banditas are really making me smile today!

Kate Walker said...

. . . and thanks too for the praise for the 12 Point Guide Anna. What has made me so happy is that you've described it exactly as I hoped it would
be - as if I was talking to you. I wanted it to be like being at one of my workshops like the one I'm doing tomorrow

Kate Walker said...

SiNn - that's an intriguing choice. The Old Woman who Lived in the Shoe . I have to wonder if all those children would get in the way of the romance! Or perhaps the story of how she came to have all those children . . . ;o)

Kate Walker said...

Hi Louisa. When my editor suggested this project, Odysseus was just about the first that came to my mind. I needed to have a Presents hero of course and he seemed just perfect. And I love the idea of a paranormal based on Pandora's box - are you going to write that one?

Kate Walker said...

Thank you Karyn. Oh . . . I'd forgotten about the 12 Daughters. You're right. That would be a fascinating story. Not sure I could use it for Presents though!

Kate Walker said...

MsHellion, the Persephone and Hades story already has my fingers twitching to write notes on that idea. And The Watchers sounds fascinating - I need to look that one up. That would make a great paranormal. Updating Romeo and Juliet and giving it a happy ending sounds a little like the project I'm working on now. I'll tell more when I can!

Kate Walker said...

Hi Jo thanks for the welcome back. I agree with you. I loved the idea of the Greek myths stories when it was suggested to me and I really enjoyed doing the book. Like you I think Shakespeare has a lot of plots that could be reworked - specially if you give the tragedies a happy ending. I did Othello for my english exam at school - a fsascinating play

Kate Walker said...

Hi Karyn - I had to add West Yorkshire because I wondered if anyone might think Nova Scotia. Is that where you live? Interestingly, my sister who like me grew up in Halifax Yorkshire, then moved to Halifax Nova Scotia for a time.

Wuthering Heights . . .ah - you may just get your wish . . .watch this space - or, rather, watch my web site!

Kate Walker said...

Cassondra - thak you. What lovely compliments. I have to admit that I'm amazed when I look back to find that I'm still here, still writing. It's been a long time and yet those 25 years seem to have passed in the blink of an eye - I think it's because I was so busy concentrating on my writing!

Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella keep coming back, don't they. It must be because they speak to something in us. And Vincent - he just shows that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When that first started it could have worked wonderfully or just been laughable. Great credit to the actor who played him.

Kate Walker said...

Hello Nancy and thank you. It is a great year and these boks are just the icing on the cake. What an intriguing coincidence that you were talking about the Odyssey with your students on the day I'm talking about Odysseus in here. Yo'd be able to tell which bits of the story I kept in and the ones I cut out.

Kate Walker said...

Hello again Pat - I'm 'seeing' you a lot this month. And yes fairy tales are great to modernise. You made me think too that maybe some other tales from around the world, from different coutries could be reworked too. I'd just need to read them first!

Kate Walker said...

Hi Peggy - Romeo and Juliet would work really well as a romance - but like Anna said I would have to give it a happy ending. I couldn't kill off my hero and heroine. Shakespeare was much more cruel than me

Kate Walker said...

Hello PJ - I'm glad I've intrigued you with the thought of The Good Greek Wife? And my editor will be glad to know that her idea has created such interest too. You and the others have really whetted my appetite for A Kiss at Midnight - and now I'm also going to have to look out for the Beauty and the Beast book too.

Kate Walker said...

Hi runner - and thank you. I'm keeping the party going as lon as I can. My very first bok was published December 1984 - so I have a couple of months left

Kate Walker said...

Hi AnnaC! Lovely to see you here too. It's been too long since we met in the real world. I love your Beauty and the Beast stories - they just hit the spot for me. And now I'm going to have to go away to think about Psyche and Cupid story more.

I knoew that askgng this question would give me lots of wonderful suggestions and inspiration

Anna, I was in York last month so I thought of you - and it wasn;t even raining!

Kate Walker said...

Never forget that question mark Anna! And yes, always do as Kate tells you . . .just remember to tell me too!

Kate Walker said...

Suzanne - you and me both with spelling Odysseus - I kept getting it wrong in all the stuff I had to write about this book. But I was better spelling that than the other version - Ulyess - Uyles - Uylesses - Ulysses

And yes - I'm with you and Ms Hellion on Theseus - I love a story where the obvious hero isn't really the right one

Kate Walker said...

I think I caught up - did I? I'll wait and see if anyone else has any suggestions and then I'll get Sid on the job of picking a couple of winners!

Thanks for having me visit! And I'll hope to get the right day if yu ever have me back!

Anna Sugden said...

Thanks again to the wonderful Kate for popping in and chatting with you all - even though I'd made such a huge mess of things! It really was totally my fault - apologies to you all and especially to Kate!