No, my nose isn’t blocked, but I have been down with a nasty flu. Am better now, though, and staring at the boulder I’m supposed to be pushing uphill. However, I have a couple of problems. Let us equate each writing idea as a hand-hold, dear reader, and we’ve got to get enough leverage on …
Tag Archives: editing
Only Blimmin’ Moaning
Nano update today: My crime thriller, Only Bloody Money, which I will describe as A Very British Nobody has now completed second draft, and it’s looking good. Thrillers are generally 80 – 100k, but this in only 77k. I could pad it out a bit more, but would rather keep it tight-on. Have fun, adventurers.
VE Day
Just a couple of quick notes from me today to let you know that from 01 May 2025 to 08 May 2025 my vampire-slaying, gun-toting, close-protection book The Covenant will be 50% off in the Kindle Store. That’s not all: To commemorate Victory in Europe Day, my Middle-grade ‘The Knitted Knomes‘ about a bunch of …
Nightscares
Had a terrible ‘dream’ last night about my writing. It was quite disturbing, all told and frighteningly realistic. I’d applied to go on a writers’ retreat hosted by a university not far away from me. The retreat was, essentially, an excuse to get away from things currently annoying my nipples off IRL, and hopefully gain …
Hard re-Start
After yesterday’s prelude I thought I’d drop in a sprat of Only Bloody Money‘s first chapter. On top of this, The Covenant has been enrolled in Kindle Select, so watch out for a deal promotion soon. Here’s the snippet (350 words, should be a quick read): When Officer Mike Henley was murdered, no-one knew what …
Righting Group
I recently joined another writing group run by our local council, which operates from a library of the town just up the road. It has a variable clientèle which bases itself on being a friendship group first and foremost, and as such my writing isn’t really going anywhere. I’m trying to help, but most of …
The Dawn Breaks
Second star to the right, and straight on ’til morning… J.M Barrie, Peter Pan. All of January, and much of February is now gone. Where have I been? The usual, under the weather with whatever bloody awful flu or virus can be had. It’s put me out and held me up, no mistake – but …
Comparisons
When developing and planning a book, it’s good practice to have an idea where it goes on your shelf, and more importantly, where you are aiming to put it in the market. That’s one thing, but your book has to be different. Further, it has to be yours in style and feel, and in how …
Got You Covered
My man, the one and only (and recently award-winning – congrats Ken!) Ken Dawson over at Creative Covers has come through with some draft ideas for the cover of Covenant, my verisimilitude-thick, vampire-action coagulated, urban fantasy that combines John Steakley with Mi5. Still not sure on the actual title, might have to add ‘The’ or …
Antagonism
‘Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.’ – Reverend William Anderson Scott, Daniel, a model for Young Men. ‘The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.’ – Albert Einstein (Attrib, but multiple other origins proposed). We continue our little series about my latest, …
Mightier Is The Pen 