A lot’s happened in the last month. For a start, I’ve turned the big four-ohhhhhhhh, much to the amusement of my friends. Then I went to Las Vegas to celebrate heavily and sleep lightly, before returning and enjoying the Christmas and New Year festivities. Soon …
Read MoreThe inbetweener
This time of year always feels a bit strange for me, more so this year than any other before. It’s partly because I’m unavoidably sliding down a big tube marked “My 30’s” and in a few days I’m gonna crash through to the adjoining one. …
Read MoreThe beginning after The End
“The End” – two of the most glorious words I’ve ever written. 105,000 words preceded them to make up the first draft of my novel, ’26 Miles to the Moon’, but those closing two meant phase 1 is now complete. And I’m absolutely chuffed. …
Read MoreFirst draft completed!
It is with great pleasure that I can inform the world that as from 11:12am today, the first draft of my first novel 26 Miles to the Moon is now complete! More to follow, but just had to post this to say how chuffed I …
Read MoreKeep the faith
Did you ever enthusiastically start something, leap into it with all guns blazing, get halfway through and then suddenly think, ‘Oh shit – what the fuck am I doing?’ Well that’s happened to me in the last week with my novel. Crisis? As Bon Jovi …
Read MoreCharacter assassination
I went for a run today and killed someone. They didn’t see it coming and arguably didn’t deserve it either. It was a bit harsh, but had to be done. Got to make things interesting, you see. I guess I feel a bit guilty, but …
Read MoreAugust: writing, running and shitty weather
My first month of writing is over. I started my novel on August 1st and now have over 30,000 words in the bag. I’ve had one short story accepted somewhere. I’ve also now been jobless for two whole months (but I prefer the term “free”.) …
Read MoreStats the way to do it
17,000. Seventeen thousand. 17K. Whichever way you put it, that’s a lot of words, especially for just 11 days’ work. Unfortunately it’s just a small proportion of what’s needed for a novel, so there’s still a long way to go. I thought this blog entry would …
Read MoreSchool’s in for summer
Where the heck did July go?! Whilst kids and teachers are celebrating the start of summer holidays, I’ve just committed myself to a schedule of writing. Slack time is over. Cricket matches no more. Internet locked in the cupboard. Come what may, the novel starts …
Read More