Well there’s been a lot of changes since my last blog post. I became a granny, turned sixty, and son has finally moved out, so suffering from a bit of empty nest syndrome. The editing is going a little slower than I would have hoped, but it’s still going.
I don’t know if it’s due to the big birthday but I’ve been in a reflective mood. Looking back at some of my early writing. The first big novel, which I still love, well the idea anyway, the writing is rather grim. Characters with similar names, too many cliches, confusing chapters. One day I might go back to it, although the amount of work needed to make it good might put me off. The second novel was better, quite a bit better if I’m honest, but still would need a heck of a lot of work to get it presentable. Although a few characters have wheedled their way into the latest novel.
Now the latest one, it has legs, it will be set free on the world this year. Just one more round of edits and it’s done. To say I’m happy with it is an understatement. I love my story, my characters. What started off as a standalone crime novel has morphed into an urban fantasy trilogy.
I have a friend (well I have a few) but I have one friend who has been with me since the story was nothing more than a handful of scenes. We’ve spent hours talking, me bouncing ideas off her and her making a few suggestions that have sent the novel on a different path. Biggest one was a simple suggestion about a character who appeared in one paragraph explaining my main character's motivation. She’s now a huge part of the story, and it wouldn’t be the same without her.
This friend makes journals, and she made me one for each of the books in the trilogy. When I’m stuck, I’ll pull one out and flick through the pages and it helps me focus and get back on track.
Here are a few photos of the pages that inspire me.
I’m lucky that I have supportive friends, some who write, some who just love reading, without them I wouldn’t have got this far. Onwards and upwards.
.jpg)
