FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION
Hi all. Over the coming weeks, I will give you an insight into how my novels get started and how they eventually end up as paperbacks. Maybe there's more to it than you imagine. I have almost completed my fourteenth novel, as well as writing a host of short stories, so I have quite a bit of material to draw upon.
One question I am often asked is: where do I get my ideas from?
Ideas can come from anywhere, of course, but to get down to specifics, I begin by thinking of a general theme that interests me. For example, I wanted to write a story about a man who flirts online. This turned into MURDER ON THE CARDS. Below you can see how other novels began their lives.
I wanted to write a story where personal diaries are a key component.
DEATH OF MISS WETHERBY
I wanted to write a story around the EU Referendum
FANDANGO NIGHTS (almost completed)
I wanted to write a story about secrets.
SECRET LIVES
I wanted to write a slow moving story
MEG'S JOURNEY
I wanted to write a story about witchcraft
DEATH SPELL
I wanted to write a story about a sociopath
TERMINAL FIVE
I wanted to write a story about a vulnerable widow
NEVER SAY GOODBYE
I wanted to write a story about a cantankerous old man
FAR SIDE OF THE LAKE
I wanted to write a trilogy in one book
ESSENCE OF EVIL
These are just examples of how I first think of a theme and then go from there. Call again in a couple of weeks.
FANDANGO NIGHTS is a slice-of-life social drama which takes place in 2016 and centres around an over 35's dance club. It explores the many and various relationships between would-be dancers and shows how the EU referendum heightens divisions and causes confrontation. A large cast of characters. Drama, humour, romance, skeletons in cupboards, deceit, ambition and more.
Just finished third edit and now looking for someone who would be willing to read through over next two weeks (270 pages) and give me feedback. Would be most appreciative of objective views as I'm a bit too close to the story now to see the faults. Let me know. thanks.
Apologies to all those wide-awake Lords and Ladies reading this.
LORDS A-SLEAPING
It's oh so tiring being a Lord,
Having amendments to weigh.
Checking MPs are doing their job
For just £300 a day.
Here in the chamber, I sit for hours
Listening to members mumble.
For £300 a day, I suppose
I really shouldn't grumble.
I steal forty winks, before anyone blinks
A little sleep helps things along.
For £300 pounds a day, you see
I mustn't do anything wrong.
If I can lie low, pretend I'm awake
And nobody calls my bluff
I reckon I'm onto a bloody good thing
And £300 is enough.
Where else could I sleep in a nice warm room
And get £300 a day?
The only place is The House of Lords
And there's no electric to pay.
I've done it for years, a drink and kip
Not a word does anyone say.
But for £300, it's now gotta stop
Cos the cameras will give me away,