Writing The Little Teashop of Broken Hearts: Part One

I decided to keep a little diary while writing The Little Teashop of Broken Hearts, so I thought I'd share it here on the blog during the run-up to publication.

First Draft:

Week 1

Day 1:

I’m excited to be starting a brand new story and getting to know a whole new set of characters. The Sweetest Kiss* centres around Maddie’s teashop so it involves cake. Lots and lots of cake. And that is NEVER a bad thing.

I’m usually quite a big planner but this time I haven’t really gone to town with the planning beforehand. I have my synopsis and a basic overview of the main characters and a few of the café’s regulars so I’m looking forward to where the story is going to take me. I do like having the security of my plans in place so it’s a bit scary too! What if I get stuck? Meander too far from the story and get myself into a wordy knot? There’s only one way to find out and that’s to put fingers to keyboard. Wish me luck!

Day 3:

Two chapters down! I’ve met my two main characters, Maddie and Caleb (though they haven’t met each other yet) and I’m enjoying getting to know them. I’m about to start the third chapter, where we’re going to find out more about the teashop. The teashop was a cute location I used in The Wedding Date and I knew I wanted to return. At the time I didn’t really know anything at all about the business – who owned it, who worked there, the regular customers – so it’s been fun mulling ideas and finding out. This is the first book of mine where the location has inspired the whole book!

Day 4:

I’ve finished the first three chapters (and loved every minute of writing them) and sent them to my editor. Fingers crossed she likes them!

Things I have Googled this week:
Top 100 baby names of 2007


Word Count: 8,339


* The Sweetest Kiss was the working title of The Little Teashop of Broken Hearts

From fairy cakes to first dates!

Maddie Lamington’s dreams are crumbling around her. If she doesn’t come up with a plan to save her little teashop on Sweet Street soon, it might be too late…

So when she sees how the perfect apple crumble brings together her lonely father and faithful customer Birdie, inspiration strikes: she’ll set up a dating night involving all her sweetest bakes.

Luckily, seriously gorgeous Caleb is on hand to help sprinkle a little magic – and a lot of sugar! Could one night of scrumptious first dates fix Maddie’s heartbreak and save her beloved teashop, too?

Amazon UK | Amazon US