Happy Birthday Blog: ''In the Beginning was the Deed''

Cake!

A week of joy and jubilation at Hedges Towers. The blog is one year old!!! Unbelievable, but true. I have learned many things since I started out, a lot of them to do with not pressing the 'apply' key until I am absolutely sure I know what I'm really doing. Still can't believe that I have been blogging for a year - nor how much I continue to enjoy it. So, while The PINK SOFA dons its celebratory party upholstery and locates the candles and a box of matches, here are four important things that I have learned over the past 12 months:

Content: This is the most important. Despite what it may appear, I spend a very long time writing, re-writing and re-re-writing posts, in an effort to make each one the best that I can achieve.

Consistency: Regular followers know that my blogs are always posted on Saturday morning at around 8 am. That is probably why they are regular followers

Commitment: Goes with the other two 'C's'.

Courtesy: A lot of people now read the blog posts - I know because I see the visitor numbers. Some are kind enough to leave a comment. I enjoy and very much appreciate all the comments, and I believe it is part of my role as blog host to respond.

More cake!

And so here it is: the very first blog post from 5th May 2012. It had 12 views, and received one comment; I was thrilled!

'' This is my first post on my new blog. For anybody who does not know me: Let me introduce myself to you. I am a fiction writer - I have written eleven teenage books, four of which are still in print (published by Usborne). I have written for the Times Ed and two short stories for the BBC. Right now, I have completed my first adult novel, which took me three years to research and write, and have just been told by my agent that it will be 'very difficult' to sell it to a publisher.

By 'very difficult' I think she means that I am not famous, drop dead gorgeous or a celeb. i.e. so what publisher gives a stuff how good it is. I hope she does not mean that it is a load of rubbish. Because it isn't. Anyway, after a few days feeling so damn angry I contemplated deleting the whole thing, I have decided to publish it as an e-book and bid a final farewell to the mainstream publishing industry and all its devious little ways.

Even more cake!

The book is set in 1860 London, a period I really find interesting. It is called Diamond Girl, and is a murder mystery. So, this blog is the start of its journey. I shall keep you informed of my progress.

On other fronts: my campaign to stop the local council from building ''affordable'' houses on a disused allotment site near my house is ongoing. I am the chair of a community action group; we have submitted a Town Green application to the County Council to block access to any future developer.

The final decision will be made on May 23rd.  Fingers are crossed and deities are being supplicated! Beloved Husband has just asked whether I'd like to go into town - a sop before he settles down in front of the TV to watch the Cup Final. Oho, I am not fooled for one moment! However, I am not in position to refuse, as I need to visit the local library for more books. I write therefore I read. ''

So Happy Birthday Blog, and hopefully, we will all be celebrating next year as well!! Ah - The PINK SOFA has now lit the candles, poured the prosecco, and is tuning up its springs ready for a good sing-song. So, if you have nowhere better to be, and nothing better to do, have a seat and join in the birthday celebrations! We will be cutting the cakes shortly.

(The wonderful birthday cakes have been supplied by fellow writer, friend and cake-crafter Tina K Burton. She makes them to order, so if you want a special cake for a special occasion - and let's face it, who doesn't - contact her on Twitter @TinaKBurton)

Okay friends: deep breath and all together:......