Saturday 5 May 2012

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:......





47 comments:

  1. Perhaps a simple name change would keep agent happy? Diamond Girl by Katie Price, or Diamond Girl by Elizabeth Taylor? :)
    Great to see your blog! Juliet x

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  2. Happy birthday to your blog! Maybe you need a new agent as I can imagine just how good your book is or as Juliet says a change of title. Keep on blogging.

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    1. I remember when your blog was a year old!!!

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  3. Well a very Happy Blogday to you!....A year already eh? Didn't realise I'd been in therapy that long!....Was interesting to read your first virgin blog...your signature chuckle spots are all over it like a very welcomed rash! I always look forward to your posts...they make me smile...guffaw...and hold for me similar qualities to a banana as in the 'slow release' thing...but in this case...the slow release is of highly amused chortles throughout the day.
    Thanks Carol..for making me laugh...for giving the weekends a purpose other than soddin' ironing...and for being a much loved and valued friend...xx.......*no wine...stingy sod*

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    1. There is some prosecco...did the PINK SOFA not offer you a glass...I wonder why not....

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  4. Interesting to read the blog as it was a year ago, as you know, I did a complete re-write, and in the meantime,uploaded Jigsaw Pieces an an ebook!!

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  5. Cake ... don't mind if I do ... Happy blogday, Carol.

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  6. Happy Birthday to your blog - and many more to come.

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    1. Thanks people ----my,my the prosecco is going down fast!!!

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  7. Wow...Happy blogday! Congratulations on your first year and here's to many more!x

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  8. Interesting to read that virgin blog Carol. I see you were tilting at windmills even a year ago. Hopefully the outcome of the 'affordable housing' inroads into village life was the same as the great Snail debacle, which is doomed to failure... (fingers X'd). Long live those who fight city hall!!! Anyway, happy blog birthday. And here's hoping you have many more. Cake please?

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  9. Enjoy your first blog birthday. Your blog always makes me chuckle, and I look forward to reading many more. : ))

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  10. Courtesy, commitment and content make
    This Carol Hedges’ blog a giant pink cake.
    That oozes with a filling incredibly sweet
    To counteract the tasty tang of satire neat.
    And topping off the lot, as you will plainly see.
    Is the gorgeous decoration of her 2CV.

    Love Saturday... love this blog... love the lasting aftertaste.
    Happy Day!

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    1. hahaha. Don't let Lynn see this - she will regard it as competition!! TX for your support...the stays are helping a lot.

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  11. I see I've already replied to this post - 1 year ago! How time flies.

    There is a fifth C to add to your list and it is 'Carol'. You have a real gift for writing witty entertaining blogs, so this milestone is well deserved.

    Congratulations and a big hug from across the pond x

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    1. I know, unbelievable. And you were kind enough to comment on many many following blogs. Have fun in the US!!

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  12. Happy blogiversary! I'm so happy I've connected with you and found your blog, Carol. :)

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    1. You and I have been commenting on each other's blogs for a long time now...glad you could make it to the party!!

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  13. Many Happies grumpy blog woman...now about that cake...

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  14. Happy blog birthday, Carol xx

    DizzyC

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  15. Congratulations, Carol!!! I am a relatively recent regular (3 R's instead) but I wouldn't miss your blog for the world now. I regard it as my Saturday morning dose of word wit and wish I could write with your powerful and punchy pith (is that enough alliteration for you) :-) In other words, I LOVE your blog! Has your historical novel been published yet?

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  16. Many Happy Returns, Carol. It was a real pleasure to meet the pink sofa and be interviewed - the abundance of cake was a pure bonus!
    Best wishes,
    Paul

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  17. Happy birthday Pink Sofa! I know I always enjoy reading it, and indeed enjoyed appearing on it - long may it continue!

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  18. The Pink Sofa is delighted to endorse all complimentary remarks, and may even, coyly,let you admire its legs, which have been newly varnished.

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  19. Great blog, happy birthday and I hope the book gets accepted as it's the sort of thing I'd read. Thanks for plugging my cakes :)

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    1. They look sooo scrumptious!!! (and low in calories)

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  20. Happy birthday! Cake begins with C, also. And I can think of at least one more word beginning with C. Maybe two. And concupiscence. That's three.

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    1. ooh...there's Carol...and ....carol......

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  21. Ah, can't believe it's been a year. Does this mean I've known you a whole year? I'm sorry... I've been a bit distant lately. Divorce, selling/buying house etc has taken it's toll... and I think my own blog has suffered for it, as I haven't posted as regularly as I used to. But I do try to blog once a week, just not always on the same day. But I do take my time before hitting the 'post' button lol! (Believe it or not!).

    Happy birthday, blog!

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    1. Yeah we do seem to have lost touch - will remedy this! Thanks so much for dropping in!!!

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  22. Happy birthday blog. Mine is a mere stripling in comparison.

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    1. You had to get the word 'strip' in, didn't you...

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  23. Happy blogiversary, Carol! I pop in and out from She Writes and wanted to congratulate you on a very successful blog year! Write on and celebrate in fine fashion! *dying for a nibble of those magnificent treats by Tina*

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    1. Thanks Patricia. Shewrites is a great site and I have met some lovely people (kelly Hashway for one)

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  24. Happy birthday, Pink Sofa. You are so lucky to belong to Carol Hedges, the woman is a genius, a very funny genius. Thank you for all you do, keep it coming!
    Jay Dawes

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  25. Happy birthday to the Pink Sofa. You are so lucky to belong to Carol Hedges. She is an amazing woman and sooo funny. Keep it coming,
    Jay

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  26. Well, Happy belated Birthday to your blog! I'm just sorry I haven't discovered it before. Thank you to Richard for pointing me to it. It's great, Carol, and I'm now going to look up your books (you'll beat the mainstream publishers at their own game!) - and perhaps share in some of that delicious-looking cake Tina has produced.

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  27. Happy birthday to your blog, and thanks for letting me start my day with a celebration! Here's to many happy returns.

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  28. Happy birthday to your blog, Mrs. I can't think of owt funny to say coz I have been writing all day and am a bit all-laptopped-out. Yer know worrit's like, luv. I was going to write a blog post about the Newcastle Writing Conference wot I went to on Saturday, but I don't know if I can be bovvered. Might just eat cake, but I am sure you would approve of that!!!!

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    1. I would!!! And do a blog about the conference, coz I'd like to read it!!

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  29. Okey-dokey, I shall make a start on it tonight and finish at some point this week - I know a few people have said they would like to hear about it, so I shall do it. It means a lot of link finding, but .... oh, ohhhh-kay!! :)

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  30. Thought you'd been blogging for much longer! Just goes to show what I know. Nice to read the first post and find out a bit more about my favourite cake fetishist.
    Get those cushions plumped for me:) Hope Sting's invited.

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  31. It can't only be a year since your first blog. It feels like we've been blogger mates for an eternity. Funny how low key your comment about the disused allotment was. That was pre snail-gate! Is it me or are those cakes not the edible variety? *cleans glasses*

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    1. Ladies, I am as baffled as you as to where the time has gone!! Bev - the sofa will have calmed down and be over its hangover by Sat, it assures me!!

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