Lola Jaye

... And I am now home, chomping on my pink cupcakes and in my party outfit (satin corset and skirt) and full make up (I told the MAC artist to make me look like Beyonce!). I don’t want to take my make up off (great false lashes) and I’m tempted to wear it to bed and hope it stays put for the Orange Book awards tommorow.But I’m being silly, right?Right?Yes… Ok, i’ll go to bed… Maybe in an hour or so….BTW the book launch was FAB. A lot more controlled than last year and when I say controlled I mean there was a lot less screaming!!!!  My mum was there in her stunning nigerian attire and once again it was lovely to see my friends, family and colleagues all in one room.Time to take the make up off…?Maybe in another hour…   

….Is officially out today!!!!

… with me in it! I was taking my copy edited page proofs of my novel ‘While You were Dreaming’ to my Editor at the time.

No worries, I am very very happy and blessed that I walked away with ‘mild concussion’. It could have been much worse indeed. I thank God.

So today I’m feeling so much better - after a maad reaction to my Codeine painkillers the other day (don’t ask - that was crazzzzzy!) I have now been given some anti-inflammatory ones by my G.P. so that’s good.

Oprah! 

Those of you familiar with my story will know what an influence Oprah has had on my writing and today’s story on Diva TV was about ‘young moguls’ and the message was basically this; ‘Find your passion. Pursue that passion, not for money but because you enjoy it - and the rest will follow’ (or something like that!). The same messages and themes that are in my book ‘Reaching for the Stars’. I luvved the show and I luv Oprah! Oh and yesterdays edition FEATURED, WAIT FOR IT…

MR. WILL SMITH!!!!

Again, those of you who have followed my story, know what he means to me… I got to HUG him the day after my first book launch party in the summer and I have always imagined him in the lead role of my novel By The Time You Read This…

Mr. Smith… I. Salute. You.

I got two copies of the German edition of By The Time You Read This… in the post from my Agent today; AND THEY ARE IN HARDBACK!!! And they are FAB!  And then I get home from collecting the books from the Post office depot and THERE’S A HUGE BUNCH OF FLOWERS WAITING FOR ME ON MY DOORSTEP!!!!!!! And from one of those posh florists, too.  They are from Harper Collins and my lovely editor wishing me a Happy Publication Day (for yesterday!).  They smell wonderful and admittedly the only flower I recognise are the pink  roses! I am thrilled!!! This is greeaat! Then I did a telephone interview with The Voice newspaper for next week’s edition.Now, I’m getting back to my desk to finish off my book… 

 And I was in Chester overnight to do a book signing at a hospital learning centre organised by Union Learn.  Apparently Ricky Tomlinson did one a couple of years ago - so I was in good company!As you know I have been mad busy finishing novel two and this felt almost like a break! (especially the hotel Jacuzzi bit!)I arrived back in London just over an hour ago and I really need to go back to my manuscript - but… I thought it was important to Blog just in case any of the LOVELY people I met today logg on (one lady even admitted to having read my blog! - that thrilled me!) And that’s another thing; PEOPLE IN CHESTER ARE SO LOVELY. No one was too busy for a chat.Examples. 

• The ladies in the butterfly shop (I bought some pretend butterflies to stick on my wall, don’t ask!) gave a run down of the best places to visit and eat.
• I know that my taxi driver has never been to London but his wife has for her business.
• My question of why there was so much welsh translation in Chester was answered by the man waiting with me at the train station!

I’VE LEARNT SO MUCH! The kindness of strangers. How LOVELY! 

…. worked so hard in my entire life! 

…I better get off this computer, as I have an appointment at a city spa for my ‘Chocolate Indulgence day’. HOLLA! 

When I think back to where I was when President Obama was inaugurated into office, I will say; “At home, cooking a huge soul food feast, utterly transfixed during his speech (rewinding bits)  and waiting for my three friends and two beautiful children to arrive. The rest of the evening discussing the amazing implications of this appointment, playing with the kids, watching the re-runs of his speech, a prayer, they left and then the remainder of the night speaking to another friend on the phone who happens to be African American. Perfect.”

 I witnessed history today.I will never forget it.The inauguration of America’s first African American President. Breathtaking. 

…  And to say I am excited is an UNDERSTATEMENT!!!!   I just wish I was in DC soaking up the atmosphere or even just anywhere in America!  I can still remember what it felt like being there during the run up to the election- the atmosphere was absolutely ELECTRIC!!!! I did do a thirty minute piece in my church today, to mark this up coming occasion.  And it went really well. The man is such a great speaker, I ended up quoting him more than once!  I also talked about Rosa Parks, Dr Martin Luther King and what Barack Obama’s appointment will mean for our children.  It was lovely and so energetic and I am soooo excited!!! (I know, I said that already).   I even got to thinking afterwards… I didn’t get to put a quote from Barack Obama in my Quick Reads book - ‘Reaching for the Stars’ - as I finished writing it a few months before the election result and at that time, didn’t feel sure that he would be elected.  What he has said about following your dreams (and just what he represents) is so relevant to the book, but it is now too late to make additions.  BOO HOO!!!!   However, my acknowledgements page for the American edition of ‘By The Time You Read This…’ is yet to be written…  so I think I’m going to add something to ‘all the other great fathers out there’ (remember the book is about a great father, Kevin Bates, after all!) and I think I might just add Barack’s name to that list…