The novel is finished, checked over and now awaiting a final read by my daughter before it goes off to the publisher, thankfully ahead of schedule. This is something I always try and do – it makes for a comfort zone. There is relief when a novel is finished but also sadness. The characters I have got to know so well are to be left behind, unless there is to be a sequel. But there is always excitement ahead as I look forward to meeting new characters. What have I in mind now? Well I have three ideas I am toying with at the moment and my daughter rang up to say she has an idea for my next novel but would not divulge what that was until we meet – maybe next week. Wonder what it is?
Monthly Archives: November 2008
Comics
I have just read in today’s newspaper that comics are making a come-back. Great! Especially in these days of Television and other attractions (should that be distractions) that take children away from reading. Comics have an important part in that development. Don’t anybody deride them. I can remember my first comic well and I go back a long way. RAINBOW! Great excitement when it was comic day to read the adventures of Tiger Tim and the Bruin Boys. Also CHIPS with its leading characters of Weary Willie and Tired Tim – great fun with these two adorable tramps. As the years progressed so did my reading stimulated by those early comics and encouraged by my parents. Yes, on to MODERN BOY with Captain Justice combating the rogues, then BOYS’ CINEMA – the title tells all – and PICTUREGOER. And during this time I made forays into ROVER, WIZARD, HOTSPUR, CHAMPION, TRIUMPH and FILM FUN. And every Christmas BOY’S OWN ANNUAL. Great days, great memories of the time that gave me a love of reading and of books that has lasted so long and led to a career in writing. Long live comics !
Calamity in the Kitchen
It really occured about a fortnight ago when my food processor (well it was more than a processor because it does a certain amount of cooking as well – very useful) started tripping one of the main electric switches and closing everything down. Urgent phone call to the agents as they are the only ones who should deal with problems. I had had the processor over nine years and this was the first problem. Result it went back to them. Result- naturally it didn’t trip their electricity! But some new parts wanted – not cheap, And would it return and still trip my electricity? Oh, what the heck, I had hammered it over the years. Let’s have a new up-to-date one! New one received this week, got it set up and yesterday I put it to work — made bread, soup, meringues, a sponge cake, ground some coffee beans, made caster sugar and crumble for an apple crumble to serve to a guest on Tuesday. So I gave it a good test in its new home. It came through with flying colours and I am happy to have the latest version – I couldn’t live without it !
Western
TRAIL TO TEXAS published November in Large Print by Magna Large Print Books in their Western Dales Large Print series. This novel was original published in hardback in 1973. This was one of my 36 Westerns that were published between 1960 and 1993 along with other books and articles.
The novel SEALED SECRETS
7.15 p.m November 18th 2008 A memorable moment. I have just written the last word of my present novel SEALED SECRETS. Of course that isn’t the end of the work. It has all to be checked over to make sure everything has fallen into place and the characters have behaved themselves and made no gaffs. Even though there is still work to be done it is an exciting relief when that final word is written. I am ahead of my scheduled date for submission to the publisher. I like to have a month in which to check the manuscript and alter if necessary. So now I will be looking ahead to the next one. I have three possibilities in mind to put to the publisher when I’m ready.
Music
I play a lot of music while working at my writing. I find it helps to relax my mind while concentrating – this may sound strange but it works for me. Of course I listen to music when I am not working. I am no expert but I KNOW what I like. My range is wide. I enjoy all sorts. I regret that I never learned to play the piano. I was a stupid little boy who said he didn’t want to. I realised how stupid I had been when I was in the RAF and was pally with a chap who could sit down at a piano and play. I swore then that if ever I had children they would all learn to play some instrument. They did and all have benefitted from the enjoyment. I think it was because I didn’t learn, and enjoy music, that I have gathered over the years so many 45s, 78s, LPs and CDs. Now I also download. I must say that has led me to discover composers and performers previously unknown to me. Recently, the piano magic of Imogen Cooper, the singing of Elaine Silver and Jill Barber. Happy listening everyone.
Work in Hand
April 7th 2008. Having finished STAY WITH ME and completed its final vetting it is now with my publisher. I have several ideas that I am toying with so it is a matter of which one really entices me.
STAY WITH ME is based in the latter half of the nineteenth century and at the moment the new idea that is capturing me more than the others is set in the earlier part of that century and the main background area would be the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Coast an area that has served me well in the past.
However several of my books end with the suggestion of a sequel – it may be an idea to look at one of those possibilities.
It is quite an exciting time making a decision but it is also one that I am eager to get out of the way so that I can get on writing the novel and building up a relationship with my characters.
13 MAY 2008
Since I posted the above entry I expanded on an idea and sent an outline to my publisher. Yesterday I received word that they would commission this book. Thrilled. Now I can get on with it and become involved with my characters. Exciting times ahead
21 May 2008
I have finished the first chapter of my new novel, at present titled SEALED SECRETS. That has presented two of the main characters placing them in a period of time (the mid 19th century in this book) and showing them active in a setting (Whitby, the North York Moors and Rosedale).
29 May 2008
I have almost completed chapter two. This has introduced several new characters who will play an important part in the story and will interact with the characters created in chapter one. Exciting times are ahead. While a lot of the wider research has been done through writing of the same period in earlier novels there are cerain aspects of this book that will need more detailed research. I enlist one of my daughters to help in this.
1 June 2008
I have finished Chapter two and done the necessary alterations and corrections. Progress will be largely halted this coming week as I am going to my eldest daughter tomorrow and on Friday we go to her youngest son’s wedding. In Chapter three, as well as meeting characters from the first two chapters again, we will be meeting new characters who are important to the story. So I will have plenty to think about this week even though I won’t be doing some actual writing.
25 June 2008
After a week away I got back to the novel soon after my return. There was some revision and some alterations to do. While I was away certain aspects of what I had already written needed altering in keeping with what had come to mind while I was away. With these out of the way I got into my stride again. The new characters in Chapter three have fitted in well. Their reason for being in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1858 has led to some interesting research. This is one of the aspects of my writing in which I involve one of my twin daughters, Judith. Facts she has discovered have led me to strengthening one of my leading characters. It is interesting how snippets of information can lead to other aspects of the story which I had never considered when the novel was first contemplated. This is the way I work; letting characters and events dictate the unfolding of the story. It is all an adventure to me.
One point regarding the research – We have found contradictory reports about Queen Victoria’s visits to Newcastle in the 1850s. We still have some Internet sites to explore but if there is anyone out there who can supply the information my daughter and I would be grateful.
15 July 2008
I have been absent from my blog for a number of reasons, not least among them writing my present novel. I am now on Chapter Six but Chapter Five needed some re-writing so that I could strengthen the relationship between two characters so that they were acting towards each other according to their social standing and according to the time in which they are living – the mid 1850s. A writer must be aware of these things and must be every character acting in the way that particular character would act in relation to the other characters and to the times in which they live.
27 July 2008
Chapters six and seven have been completed; that is approximately 35,000 words into the novel. It is coming along nicely and I am satisfied with the shape it is taking. In part of these chapters I have been showing two well-to-do (self-made) Victorian families enjoying Christmas together in contrast to one followed by a middle class family. It has been quite interesting researching these two backgrounds. Next it will be New Year. Against these backgrounds I must keep the story moving forward, in fact they become part of the story, helping to establish relationships between the characters, and sowing in the reader’s mind queries and doubts about those relationships and so keeping the tension present in the novel
19 August 2008
The last entry was 27 July. My goodness, how time flies ! That’s what happens when life is full, with plenty to occupy you and you enjoy whatever you are doing. I count myself fortunate that I am a writer and enjoy writing and have experienced success. All the ingredients are there to spur me on to keep doing what I like doing even though it can be hard and lonely work at times. Since I made a last entry in this column the novel has been progressing very well, especially through my characters telling me, they should do this, they should go here, they should take this action and so on. They certainly spring surprises on me but they are nearly always right. So the story is kept flowing. This is all part of my writing life but if you are not interested in that aspect I hope you find something of interest in the Category ‘The Other Side of Me.’ Try it. I am aiming to expand that Category with other topics that are of interest to me and hopefully to you.
26 August 2008
Work on SEALED SECRETS goes well I am half way through and my characters have pointed the way ahead. The title came when I first penned a short outline of the novel. I think it fits aspects of the story well. I don’t anticipate a change in the title but when the work is completed the publisher might think otherwise. A title change has happened on the odd occasion and it was for the better.
Have a look in the WESTERN entry it might interest you.
5 September
Nothing but rain today, so apart from going to the shop, which is directly opposite me (very convenient) to collect my morning paper collect my morning paper I did not leave the house. I missed my daily walk which I do for the good of my health but which I also enjoy. I make it my ‘thinking and reminiscing time’ Today unable to venture out meant more time for writing so today I really got back into the flow of my novel which had been set aside for four days because family were visiting. A new and unexpected aspect came to the fore and puts more strength on to the development I had in mind. This type of unforseen happening makes writing exciting and enticing and so eliviates the hard work, for don’t let anyone persuade you that writing is asy and isn’t hard work, but for me it is enjoyable hard work that brings an end product of which I can be proud. If you get swept up in writing I am sure you will feel the same. I suppose it is the same for artists as no doubt my friends at Brabos Arts wiill confirm.
8 September
Chapter 11 finished today except for re-reading. It is always a filip to reach the end of a Chapter. I don’t work to any set length for a Chapter; I find the time to end a Chapter comes automatically. It seems to tell me the time is right – end it now and the ending will lead into the next Chapter or give an indication that it is time to move the scene elsewhere or re-introduce a character who has been patiently waiting in the wings. Endings should make the reader curious about what is going to happen next and therefore keep reading. And that is what an author wants his audience to do.
13 September
Chapter 12 is finished and I am well on with chapter 13. 60,000 words so far so about another 50,000 to go. I am about to move into another aspect of the story and there will be a hint of how some of the strands are going to weave with one another yet leave the reader tantalisingly wondering if that weave is going to become undone and if the strands will come together again or move in another direction.
25 September
Since my last entry I have finished Chapter 13 and 14 and after making this entry I will embark on Chapter 15. Events have taken a twist when some characters found themselves moving in a new direction but always with the end goal in mind. So interesting developments are ahead. Writing time has had some interruptions through attending a 60th Anniversary Luncheon of Scarborough Writers’ Circle, attending a Society of Authors meeting in York, and a visit to the publishers of my Large Print Editions but contacts with various aspects of the writing world are always valuable. Well, here I go with Chapter 15.
3 October 2008
Finished Chapter 15, well, the first writing. It will have to be checked over and honed to my liking but all the ingredients are there and the story is moving forward apace now. I can see how all the elements can be drawn together and I should be able to do this in the word limit at which I am aiming – around 100,000. I am about 71, 000 at the moment. Another good day like today will be great.
9 October
Chapter 15 has been checked and alterations made. Now i am 5000 words into Chapter 16. Relationships between the characters are developing nicely and certain characteristics in some of them which they have kept submerged are beginning to suface with interesting results. Long may the writing keep flowing as it is a present.
16 October
Chapter 16 is finished and checked over. I did not get as much writing done this week as some of my family were at home for four days but that does not mean the novel was at a stand still. The way ahead for the story was milling around in my mind and so tomorow I will get into Chapter 17 already knowing where and how I want to start it.
26 October
Chapter 17 and 18 are finished. Checking them over resulted in some changes in Chapter 18 which were more in keeping with how the character would have reacted to certain situations and to the actions of another character.The author must be all the characters and behave and react as the characters would, NOT as he (the author) would react in the same circumstances. I have started on Chapter 19 and the time is coming when the characters must find a plausible solution to the dilemmas each one of them faces. Interesting to see how they do it.
4 November
Following the last sentence of 26 October – it was very interesting. By the end of Chapter 19 the characters were getting rather unruly. I had to take then in hand and bring them to order! Result was a restructuring of Chapter 19 which is what I am doing at the moment. It is working well and intensifying situations and attitudes of some of the characters for each other. I am may be one or two chapters from the end. Now I am toying with ideas for the next novel, but being careful not to let them distract me from the immediate purpose of finishing SEALED SECRETS with satisfying impact.
Visit to Lincoln
Last week I spent two nights with my eldest daughter in North Lincolnshire. My journey there was terrible with lashing rain and wind across the Yorkshire Wolds. Fortunately the following day was good – we met my two other daughters in Lincoln. Good lunch in an Italian restaurant. Visit to a second-hand bookshop (an Aladin’s Cave). I resisted buying, but my daughters didn’t – they are as enthusiastic about books as I am. We visited the magnificent Lincoln Cathedral. High on its hill it was a landmark for bombers returning to their airfields during the Second World War. I remember its comforting sight well, though there was a successful landing still to be made. Naturally I visited the RAF chapel with the Bomber Command plaque. 
My journey home was much better than the day I went to Lincolnshire.
Visit to Whitby
Yesterday I went to Whitby. Woke at 6.30 – pouring down. Not what I wanted. About 40 miles to travel, a lot of them across the North York Moors. 9.30, brighter prospects, well the rain had stopped. 10.00 leaving time- still dull but no rain; maybe we are going to OK. Hopes drop as we climb out of Hutton-le-Hole to head for Castleton on the other side of the moors – very unpleasant fog. Oh dear it is not going to be good in Whitby. Amazement as we start to drop down into Castleton – fog disappears and there are brighter signs ahead. Those sign improved until we had sunshine when got a little nearer the coast. And that is how it remained. A very pleasant day in Whitby and no fog all the way back in the moonlight. So ended a good day. I had had the pleasant company of a friend from my village. I had been on a signing session at the WHITBY BOOKSHOP signing my latest paperback to come out, DANGEROUS SHORES. That had gone well with some enjoyable chatting to fans and I was able to publicize two books that are coming out in February – STAY WITH ME in hardback and WINGS OF SORROW in paperback.
Dangerous Shores extract 3 on-line preview
Here is a third extract from Dangerous Shores.This is from Chapter 24. I hope the three extracts have made you want to read more. The paperback edition comes out tomorrow 6th November. That will settle your mind. Enjoy. Happy reading.
Abigail looked out of her bedroom window. Fingers of fog swirled, thinned, and disappeared to leave only a ghostly moonlight. Her thoughts turned to what Tess had said. Could she be right? The fog rolled in towards the house, turning the moonlight into an eerie glow and gradually obliterating it; an ideal night for wreckers if the old stories were true. But these days? There was doubt in her mind but the possibility tormented her. Martin had told her to do nothing, to wait to hear from him. But she hadn’t so far and this waiting was too hard. She had to do something. She had to know. If Tess was right, this was likely to be a night for wreckers to go abroad.
There was only one way to find out; only one way to lay that ghost. Abigail stepped quickly to her wardrobe. She grabbed a thick cape which she flung round her shoulders; wound a kerchief round her neck and tucked it inside her cape which she fastened at her throat. Outside the house she recalled that Tess had mentioned the Gaisford harbour that had never been used so hurried in that direction, thankful that the fog had thinned a little by now. She heard the slap of the sea against the cliffs before she could see it and slowed her steps to orientate herself. She felt sure she was not far off where she wanted to be, but what should she do now? Where should she go? She tightened her lips in annoyance. What on earth was she doing out here? Why had she come? She should be fast asleep, safe in bed. She started to turn for home then stopped. A rent in the fog exposed a light further along the cliffs. Beyond that moonlight for a brief moment flirted with the water in the harbour. Was that new light there for some nefarious purpose? Did Tess’s story have some foundation? If there was to be a wreck then the wreckers would be looking somewhere near the bottom of those cliffs. Could she find a way down?