Robert Reid's Blog, page 6
December 29, 2023
The New Year
After a lot of writing and rewriting I hope I have found a suitable ending for The Empress. I have managed to avoid the big battle finale and still found a satisfactory conclusion - I hope. A bit more to write before it goes for editing.
Wishing you all a peaceful 2024
Wishing you all a peaceful 2024
December 8, 2023
BBC Sounds
Listen to me talking about White Light Red Fire 0n BBC Sounds with Adam Crowther
1 hour into the programme on
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0g...
1 hour into the programme on
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0g...
November 30, 2023
The Ending of the Story
The right ending for The Empress continues to elude me. I have written and then scrapped several different versions. I could just write about one last final battle to draw it to a close but although that could work it doesn’t feel right, for me or my characters. It has made me wonder – is writing a fictional history like real life – it is easier to just go to the final battle than it is to go to the final peace?
November 9, 2023
A never ending story?
Hi Folks,
These days I sort of look on my writing as my job. Many people would find it a rather lonely existence writing each day in a small home office. I enjoy it and having spent 25 years working as an independent contractor the home office is a natural home. The difference between being an author and being a consultant is I am absolutely my own boss. In the consultancy role you are pretty much always working for someone, consultancy did of course pay much better. The only stress I have had in my writing career was finishing “The Thief”, the third volume of “The Emperor the Son and the Thief”. I was conscious of my own disappointment when I had read part 1&2 of a series of books and the third takes so long to appear you have forgotten what went before. I was determined not to be guilty of that sin and so with “The Emperor” published in October 2020, “The Son” in June 2021, I was determined and “The Thief” was published in February 2022. Phew. Maybe lack of this pressure is why “The Empress” is referred to in my house as the never ending story.
Bob
These days I sort of look on my writing as my job. Many people would find it a rather lonely existence writing each day in a small home office. I enjoy it and having spent 25 years working as an independent contractor the home office is a natural home. The difference between being an author and being a consultant is I am absolutely my own boss. In the consultancy role you are pretty much always working for someone, consultancy did of course pay much better. The only stress I have had in my writing career was finishing “The Thief”, the third volume of “The Emperor the Son and the Thief”. I was conscious of my own disappointment when I had read part 1&2 of a series of books and the third takes so long to appear you have forgotten what went before. I was determined not to be guilty of that sin and so with “The Emperor” published in October 2020, “The Son” in June 2021, I was determined and “The Thief” was published in February 2022. Phew. Maybe lack of this pressure is why “The Empress” is referred to in my house as the never ending story.
Bob
October 30, 2023
So many stories never told
Hi Folks,
When people hear I have written and published books (They typically don’t know if I have written good books) I am often told “I think I have an idea for a book.” I usually respond with Alan’s words. “Well get on and write it.” I will often add, “If you write one A4 page a day your story will be 360 pages long in a year.” I will also offer to proof read the semi finished article. I have only proof read the one book which went on to be published. So many stories that never get told.
Bob
When people hear I have written and published books (They typically don’t know if I have written good books) I am often told “I think I have an idea for a book.” I usually respond with Alan’s words. “Well get on and write it.” I will often add, “If you write one A4 page a day your story will be 360 pages long in a year.” I will also offer to proof read the semi finished article. I have only proof read the one book which went on to be published. So many stories that never get told.
Bob
October 16, 2023
A Telling Off
Hi Folks,
When did the writing journey start and why? Good questions. I can’t remember exactly when, but back around 2002 I had an idea that I could write a book. “The Book” as it was called back then got to about 20 pages and I thought “Well I am sure I can write a book – I will finish it some time.” Those 20 pages sat untouched on their floppy disc (remember them) for 16 years. Alan had written a book about his travels in Spain which I proof read for him. After reading his book I mentioned I had the start of a book somewhere. Alan’s admonishment. “It is no good just starting it get on and finish it.” Probably delivered over a pint of beer. So I did and by March 2019 it was 484 pages on the hard drive and “The Book” finally became “White Light Red Fire”. Just shows what a good telling off can do.
Bob
When did the writing journey start and why? Good questions. I can’t remember exactly when, but back around 2002 I had an idea that I could write a book. “The Book” as it was called back then got to about 20 pages and I thought “Well I am sure I can write a book – I will finish it some time.” Those 20 pages sat untouched on their floppy disc (remember them) for 16 years. Alan had written a book about his travels in Spain which I proof read for him. After reading his book I mentioned I had the start of a book somewhere. Alan’s admonishment. “It is no good just starting it get on and finish it.” Probably delivered over a pint of beer. So I did and by March 2019 it was 484 pages on the hard drive and “The Book” finally became “White Light Red Fire”. Just shows what a good telling off can do.
Bob
October 5, 2023
A writer's day
Hi Folks,
What is a normal day like in the author’s house? Well I have to say not terribly exciting. I try to make sure I am in the office just after 9-00am after breakfast and the requisite medications that seem to be a necessary part of having recently passed the grand old age of 70. Switch the computer on and respond to any mails then look at the BBC Sports News, maybe look at the general BBC News but it is always a bit depressing. Writing probably starts around 10-00am and if I complete a couple of pages by lunchtime I will be happy (I am not very disciplined so faff about too much). After lunch the regime will be much the same, so if I manage to write four pages a day I will be pleased. The Empress, the current book is currently 660 pages long, so at a couple of pages a day you can see how long it takes.
Bob
What is a normal day like in the author’s house? Well I have to say not terribly exciting. I try to make sure I am in the office just after 9-00am after breakfast and the requisite medications that seem to be a necessary part of having recently passed the grand old age of 70. Switch the computer on and respond to any mails then look at the BBC Sports News, maybe look at the general BBC News but it is always a bit depressing. Writing probably starts around 10-00am and if I complete a couple of pages by lunchtime I will be happy (I am not very disciplined so faff about too much). After lunch the regime will be much the same, so if I manage to write four pages a day I will be pleased. The Empress, the current book is currently 660 pages long, so at a couple of pages a day you can see how long it takes.
Bob
September 9, 2023
The Empress V2
Have you ever ended up in a situation where the characters in the story seem to conspire together to stop the story reaching its end. I am finding that with The Empress - now at 650 pages in draft and the characters keep adding more to their stories. I guess The Emperor, The Son and The Thief trilogy was in total 1,200 pages and I never really knew what the ending would be until it was written. I guess I will just have to stay in the story until they are ready to let me know how to write the end.
August 12, 2023
The Empress
The history of Kermin and Amina will continue with the Empress's story. At the end of The Thief Sylva is exiled. Her story continues in exile until she is freed, then her worry for the Princes (Aaron and Ergil) becomes intense. The Princes' story overlaps the Empress's journey to reclaim her sons' throne.
First part now sent for editing - now I have to let the characters show me how their journeys end. Hope to finish the book in a couple of months.
First part now sent for editing - now I have to let the characters show me how their journeys end. Hope to finish the book in a couple of months.
July 21, 2023
The Emperor
Much appreciate all the ratings for The Emperor. I hope you all go on to enjoy The Son, Audun's journey continues, and The Thief, Raimund's journey sees the trilogy reach its end.
I look forward to seeing how you all rate the other books
The Emperor
The Son
The Thief
I look forward to seeing how you all rate the other books
The Emperor
The Son
The Thief
