Who saw this last night? Sorry, I can't remember the title - if I ver knew it. I thought it was so-o clever when I expected it to be trute and so moving when I expected it to be schmaltzy. Plus I learned so much about the history of the company and the feminist interpretation of the genre. I have completely changed my mind about Mills and Boon. (Though not enough to read one, alas!)

I started watching it around 1am last night, after catching the end of How To Write Mills & Boon, and thought it was excellent, but couldn't keep my eyes open until ~2.30am when it ended so I've marked it for the 9pm Thursday repeat.

I used to read a lot of M&B as a teenager and they are excellent short stories - and have since discovered my cousin, Tim, used to write them - although I've no idea what pseudonym they were published under.


- NaomiM

I caught a bit of it but was busy with the kids; I'm going to watch it in peace (hopefully!) this evening. Looks fascinating though; when I was a student I used to buy all my books at charity shops and went through quite a few Mills and Boons!

SG

I stumbled upon the last 20 minutes of the programme that had Stella Duffy trying to write a M&B. It was fab and I found myself wondering whether BBC4 has lots of booky programmes I'm not aware of?

I started to watch last night but my husband was home and the sarcasm was just about all I could take - so I stopped and read while he watched something else. Might try again tonight - I also taped the drama after and then they did the Barbara Cartland thing didn't they... so I'll try that too.

Cancelled Sky sub to their films last night - hurray. What a waste of money that was!

Cancelled my mobile sub which was £41 (including stupid insurance and a tariff way over my needs) and came out of the shop with the same phone and a monthly tariff of £15 for 200 mins and 200 texts which seems pretty good and still more than I seem to use.

The penny pinching goes on... I might even start up an ebay selling spree...

Sarah

Sorry - all unrelated to Mills and Boon except first bit.

I didn't see the Stella Duffy thing but the drama that followed was first rate. Husbands, eh? Who needs 'em?

It was good, wasn’t it. And amazing to see Mr Boon! I think it would be a great niche to get into if you can do it – but I've tried and I can't. Can't do with the thrusting thighs, wandering lips, sardonic glances on every other page. It’s a very specialised genre and I actually have a great admiration for people who can write them.

Also think Stella Duffy was brave to give it a go.

Dee

No, I can't do it either. Considering I write for women's mags it's as alien to me as say writing science fantasy would be. Dee, where have you been? I was thinking about you on Sunday when the Grand Prix was on, but then I think I probably got it wrong and it's motorcycle racing you're into not cars. Lewis Hamilton Sunday, Barack Obama tomorrow?

Hi Jem, and thanks for thinking about me. Yes, it’s F1 I'm into and I was absolutely hysterical with excitement on Sunday afternoon – we opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate (the one we were saving for when I got a book published )

I've been here – sort of – all the time, but feeling horribly detached. Had a shitty summer all round but I'm planning to retire in February, and starting to think about a new novel so things are perking up now.

Dee