Pauline Rowson's Blog, page 62
January 21, 2014
Writing a crime novel - creating memorable characters
Creating a likeable, interesting and complex main character, one the reader can have empathy with, one they want to trust, feel his/her pain and disappointments, root for throughout the story is the key to creating a successful and riveting crime novel.
But it's not just the main character it's also the supporting cast, the villains and the walk-on parts who all need characteristics that are believable even if they are eccentric. The cast must be real to the writer and therefore real to the reader.
Read the full article on my website
But it's not just the main character it's also the supporting cast, the villains and the walk-on parts who all need characteristics that are believable even if they are eccentric. The cast must be real to the writer and therefore real to the reader.
Read the full article on my website
January 15, 2014
Pauline Rowson talking to Julian Clegg BBC Radio Solent about crime writing and DI Andy Horton series
My first radio interview of 2014 was today (15 January). It was a very early start to reach the BBC Radio Solent studios in Southampton from Hayling Island where I live by 6.30a.m. but at least I avoided the rush hour traffic on the very busy M27.
I was talking to the lovely Julian Clegg on his Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Solent about the DI Andy Horton crime series which is set in the Solent area, of Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.
We chatted about the Horton crime novels Death Surge which has just been published in e book format, Death Lies Beneath which comes out in paperback on 27 February and the new DI Andy Horton, Shroud of Evil, which will be published on 30 April 2014.
It was, as always, great fun being on the radio.
Death Surge
I was talking to the lovely Julian Clegg on his Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Solent about the DI Andy Horton crime series which is set in the Solent area, of Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.
We chatted about the Horton crime novels Death Surge which has just been published in e book format, Death Lies Beneath which comes out in paperback on 27 February and the new DI Andy Horton, Shroud of Evil, which will be published on 30 April 2014.
It was, as always, great fun being on the radio.
Death Surge
January 10, 2014
First talk of 2014 and what a great audience
On Wednesday I gave my first speaking engagement for 2014 at Monks Brook U3A and what a lovely audience they were. Over a hundred people turned out to hear me talk about my method of writing and the DI Andy Horton crime series set in the Solent area on the South Coast of England in Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. I talked about my method for developing plot lines and creating characters and signed copies of my crime novels.
There were plenty of questions from the audience including writing routines, first drafts and revisions, and what inspired me to write crime novels. You can read articles on all these subjects on my blog on my official website
U3As are self-help, self-managed lifelong learning co-operatives for older people no longer in full time work, providing opportunities for their members to share learning experiences in a wide range of interest groups and to pursue learning not for qualifications, but for fun. They are always a lovely audience and I'm honoured to have given so many talks to members of this great organisation. I have many more talks lined up at U3As and other groups in 2014.
To see all my events for 2014 visit the Events Page on my website at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
If you would like me to speak to your organisation, company or library please contact me via my website.
There were plenty of questions from the audience including writing routines, first drafts and revisions, and what inspired me to write crime novels. You can read articles on all these subjects on my blog on my official website
U3As are self-help, self-managed lifelong learning co-operatives for older people no longer in full time work, providing opportunities for their members to share learning experiences in a wide range of interest groups and to pursue learning not for qualifications, but for fun. They are always a lovely audience and I'm honoured to have given so many talks to members of this great organisation. I have many more talks lined up at U3As and other groups in 2014.
To see all my events for 2014 visit the Events Page on my website at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
If you would like me to speak to your organisation, company or library please contact me via my website.
January 2, 2014
What's in store for 2014
2014 promises to be another productive and interesting year. Here is a summary of some of the forthcoming highlights for me for 2014.
Events
The year kicks off with a talk to a U3A group and a radio interview on BBC Radio Solent in January, the first of many talks and public appearances throughout 2014, which is great. It's always enjoyable to meet readers and to give talks to audiences about how I write my crime novels. Throughout the year I'll be giving talks to U3A groups, Women's Institutes, Professional Clubs, Libraries and other organizations. I'll also be appearing at CrimeFest in Bristol in May, at CSI Winchester in March and then at the annual CSI Portsmouth, which I help to organize, in November.
You can see all my events on my website and I will be adding new engagements as they are booked. If you would like to book me to speak to your organization please contact me via my website at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
You can also view numerous videos of my talks and my books on my You Tube Channel and on my website.
DI Andy Horton crime series
On 1 January the latest in the DI Andy Horton series, Death Surge, was published in America. It is already published in the UK and Commonwealth. It is now also available as an e book.
Then on 27 February, Death Lies Beneath, the eighth in the series will be published in paperback and will also be released as an unabridged audio book, read by the very talented actor, Gordon Griffin.
In April 2014 the NEW DI Andy Horton, number eleven in the series, Shroud of Evil,will be published. More details on this to come.
I will also finish writing the current DI Andy Horton crime novel which is number twelve in the Horton series. The first draft is already completed and I am well on the way with the second draft.
In addition, I am working on the first in a new series, featuring a brand new hero,while also continuing with the next DI Andy Horton.
So plenty happening in 2014.
Here's wishing you a healthy and peaceful 2014.
Events
The year kicks off with a talk to a U3A group and a radio interview on BBC Radio Solent in January, the first of many talks and public appearances throughout 2014, which is great. It's always enjoyable to meet readers and to give talks to audiences about how I write my crime novels. Throughout the year I'll be giving talks to U3A groups, Women's Institutes, Professional Clubs, Libraries and other organizations. I'll also be appearing at CrimeFest in Bristol in May, at CSI Winchester in March and then at the annual CSI Portsmouth, which I help to organize, in November.
You can see all my events on my website and I will be adding new engagements as they are booked. If you would like to book me to speak to your organization please contact me via my website at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
You can also view numerous videos of my talks and my books on my You Tube Channel and on my website.
DI Andy Horton crime series
On 1 January the latest in the DI Andy Horton series, Death Surge, was published in America. It is already published in the UK and Commonwealth. It is now also available as an e book.
Then on 27 February, Death Lies Beneath, the eighth in the series will be published in paperback and will also be released as an unabridged audio book, read by the very talented actor, Gordon Griffin.
In April 2014 the NEW DI Andy Horton, number eleven in the series, Shroud of Evil,will be published. More details on this to come.
I will also finish writing the current DI Andy Horton crime novel which is number twelve in the Horton series. The first draft is already completed and I am well on the way with the second draft.
In addition, I am working on the first in a new series, featuring a brand new hero,while also continuing with the next DI Andy Horton.
So plenty happening in 2014.
Here's wishing you a healthy and peaceful 2014.
December 24, 2013
My round up of the highlights of 2013
Here is a round up of the highlights of 2013, videos and photo slide show to come in following blogs.
The DI Andy Horton marine mystery crime novels were published in China in 2013 by Nanhai Publishing Company of Haikou who bought translation rights to six in the DI Horton series published in the UK and USA by Severn House.
Undercurrent, the ninth in the popular marine mystery crime series featuring the flawed and rugged detective DI Horton was published in the UK, Commonwealth in January 2013 and USA in May 2013.
Footsteps on the Shore the sixth in the DI Andy Horton series was published in Large Print on 28 March by Severn House Publishers and as an unabridged audio book in July by Isis Publishing and read by Gordon Griffin who also reads the others in the DI Horton series.
Tide of Death, the first in the DI Horton series, Dead Man's Wharf, the fourth DI Horton crime novel and Footsteps on the Shore, the sixth in the DI Andy Horton series, went Underground in London to help commuters to while away their journey.
Death Surge, the tenth to feature the flawed and rugged DI Andy Horton was published in the UK and Commonwealth by Severn House Publishers on 30 September.
Tide of Death, Deadly Waters, and The Suffocating Sea, the third in the DI Andy Horton series took to the New York Subway for commuters to while away their journey.
A Killing Coast, the seventh in the DI Andy Horton series, was published in paperback and as an unabridged audio book by Isis publishing, read by Gordon Griffin who also reads the others in the DI Horton series.
Severn House Publishers bought World English language rights to the eleventh in the DI Andy Horton series. Shroud of Evil will be published in the UK and Commonwealth in April 2014 in hardcover and in the USA in hardcover in August 2014 when it will also be released as an e book.
I entertained over three thousand people in 2013 with tales of crime writing, murder, mystery and mayhem giving twenty two talks and appearing on five panels around the UK.
I spoke to many more via the wonderful medium of radio with nine radio interviews and media coverage in local and regional press.
On the writing front I finished writing Death Surge which was published in 2013, and also finished writing the eleventh in the DI Horton series, Shroud of Evil, which will be published in April 2014.
I started writing the twelfth in the DI Horton series.
A lovely year. My thanks to all my readers, my publishers, to the libraries and organisations who have hosted my talks, to the audiences who came to hear me, to the press, radio presenters and their listeners, to bloggers and their readers,and to my family, friends and everyone who has supported me throughout 2013. And a special thank you to the hunky DI Andy Horton!
Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas.
Pauline Rowson's official website is at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
The DI Andy Horton marine mystery crime novels were published in China in 2013 by Nanhai Publishing Company of Haikou who bought translation rights to six in the DI Horton series published in the UK and USA by Severn House.
Undercurrent, the ninth in the popular marine mystery crime series featuring the flawed and rugged detective DI Horton was published in the UK, Commonwealth in January 2013 and USA in May 2013.
Footsteps on the Shore the sixth in the DI Andy Horton series was published in Large Print on 28 March by Severn House Publishers and as an unabridged audio book in July by Isis Publishing and read by Gordon Griffin who also reads the others in the DI Horton series.
Tide of Death, the first in the DI Horton series, Dead Man's Wharf, the fourth DI Horton crime novel and Footsteps on the Shore, the sixth in the DI Andy Horton series, went Underground in London to help commuters to while away their journey.
Death Surge, the tenth to feature the flawed and rugged DI Andy Horton was published in the UK and Commonwealth by Severn House Publishers on 30 September.
Tide of Death, Deadly Waters, and The Suffocating Sea, the third in the DI Andy Horton series took to the New York Subway for commuters to while away their journey.
A Killing Coast, the seventh in the DI Andy Horton series, was published in paperback and as an unabridged audio book by Isis publishing, read by Gordon Griffin who also reads the others in the DI Horton series.
Severn House Publishers bought World English language rights to the eleventh in the DI Andy Horton series. Shroud of Evil will be published in the UK and Commonwealth in April 2014 in hardcover and in the USA in hardcover in August 2014 when it will also be released as an e book.
I entertained over three thousand people in 2013 with tales of crime writing, murder, mystery and mayhem giving twenty two talks and appearing on five panels around the UK.
I spoke to many more via the wonderful medium of radio with nine radio interviews and media coverage in local and regional press.
On the writing front I finished writing Death Surge which was published in 2013, and also finished writing the eleventh in the DI Horton series, Shroud of Evil, which will be published in April 2014.
I started writing the twelfth in the DI Horton series.
A lovely year. My thanks to all my readers, my publishers, to the libraries and organisations who have hosted my talks, to the audiences who came to hear me, to the press, radio presenters and their listeners, to bloggers and their readers,and to my family, friends and everyone who has supported me throughout 2013. And a special thank you to the hunky DI Andy Horton!
Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas.
Pauline Rowson's official website is at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
December 13, 2013
Severn House to publish new DI Andy Horton, number eleven in the series, in 2014
Severn House Publishers has bought World English language rights to the eleventh in the mystery crime series featuring the flawed and rugged DI Andy Horton.
Shroud of Evil will be published in the UK and Commonwealth in April 2014 in hardcover and in the USA in hardcover in August 2014 when it will also be released as an e book and available on all devices including Kindle, Kobo and Nook.
The DI Andy Horton series is set in the Solent area of Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight on the South Coast of England. The series has received some lovely reviews from readers and reviewers in the UK, Commonwealth and the USA where they have been described as 'multi layered, twisted and complex,' 'crisply written, cleverly plotted procedural with a nice twist,''a high quality puzzle with devious plots', 'taut and exciting' and have been likened to the novels of Peter Robinson, John Harvey and Ed McBain.
Undercurrent, the ninth in the series was published in 2013 and Death Surge, the tenth was published in the UK and Commonwealth in 2013 and will be published in the USA on 1 January 2014.
To read more please visit http://www.rowmark.co.uk
Death Surge
Shroud of Evil will be published in the UK and Commonwealth in April 2014 in hardcover and in the USA in hardcover in August 2014 when it will also be released as an e book and available on all devices including Kindle, Kobo and Nook.
The DI Andy Horton series is set in the Solent area of Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight on the South Coast of England. The series has received some lovely reviews from readers and reviewers in the UK, Commonwealth and the USA where they have been described as 'multi layered, twisted and complex,' 'crisply written, cleverly plotted procedural with a nice twist,''a high quality puzzle with devious plots', 'taut and exciting' and have been likened to the novels of Peter Robinson, John Harvey and Ed McBain.
Undercurrent, the ninth in the series was published in 2013 and Death Surge, the tenth was published in the UK and Commonwealth in 2013 and will be published in the USA on 1 January 2014.
To read more please visit http://www.rowmark.co.uk
Death Surge
December 6, 2013
A lovely way to round off my talks 2013
A visit to the newly refurbished Sandhurst Library in Bracknell Forest on 4 December was the perfect way to finish a busy year of talks and public appearances in 2013. Not only were the audience lovely and packed with some die hard DI Andy Horton fans but after my talk about murder, crime and bodies there was also a gorgeous English tea complete with cucumber sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, yummie Victoria sponge cake and tea served from teapots in real china cups with saucers - how civilised is that!
I talked for about forty five minutes giving the audience the low down on how I plot my crime novels, how I create characters, where I get my ideas from and how I develop these ideas into crime novels of approximately eighty thousand words.
I also read the prologue from one of my stand alone thriller crime novels, In For The Kill. The audience were then invited to grill me about my crime writing, which they did.
After this and over the splendid and sumptuous tea I signed plenty of books for the avid group of readers.
The full write up of my visit to Sandhurst Library is on my website blog
My thanks to Helen Snow and the volunteers and audience at Sandhurst Library for making my final talk of 2013 such a memorable one.
In for the Kill
I talked for about forty five minutes giving the audience the low down on how I plot my crime novels, how I create characters, where I get my ideas from and how I develop these ideas into crime novels of approximately eighty thousand words.
I also read the prologue from one of my stand alone thriller crime novels, In For The Kill. The audience were then invited to grill me about my crime writing, which they did.
After this and over the splendid and sumptuous tea I signed plenty of books for the avid group of readers.
The full write up of my visit to Sandhurst Library is on my website blog
My thanks to Helen Snow and the volunteers and audience at Sandhurst Library for making my final talk of 2013 such a memorable one.
In for the Kill
December 2, 2013
What's on in December
It's hard to believe that it's almost Christmas and another year has flown past. December looks like being a fun month with plenty of writing as I finish the first draft of DI Andy Horton number twelve.
On 4 December I'm giving a talk at Sandhurst Library and looking forward to meeting some lovely DI Andy Horton fans and entertaining the audience. My talk is taking place at 2pm with tea and cake, very civilized after a talk about murder, mystery and mayhem.
It is being held at The Broadway, Sandhurst, GU47 9BL Tel: 01252 870161 or email: sandhurst.library@bracknell-forest.gov.uk Tickets £3.
Then on 20 December it's time for the Julian Clegg Christmas Party something I greatly look forward to and which is tremendous fun.
This has become something of an institution, held every year (with the exception of 2012 when Julian was holding another event for charity). It's when Julian Clegg's regular guests (his Julian's People) of which I am one, get together for the breakfast show which is recorded live in the BBC canteen in Southampton. There is coffee and croissants, mince pies and carol singing and Julian with his team go around with microphone and camera and interview everyone there.
It takes amazing stamina for the team to do this, never off air and on the go from 6.30am to 9.30am while the rest of us watch, join in with the singing, eat our breakfasts and have a good old chat.
I'm not sure what time I'll be on air but tune in to the show if you can from 6.30am to 9.30am. It's always very lively, informative, fun and interesting.
The Christmas party at BBC Radio Solent will be broadcast live on Friday 20 December 2013 96.1 103.8FM and DAB Digital Radio.
You can view the slideshow of photographs from the BBC Radio Solent Julian Clegg Breakfast Show Christmas Parties from 2008 - 2011 on my website
On 4 December I'm giving a talk at Sandhurst Library and looking forward to meeting some lovely DI Andy Horton fans and entertaining the audience. My talk is taking place at 2pm with tea and cake, very civilized after a talk about murder, mystery and mayhem.
It is being held at The Broadway, Sandhurst, GU47 9BL Tel: 01252 870161 or email: sandhurst.library@bracknell-forest.gov.uk Tickets £3.
Then on 20 December it's time for the Julian Clegg Christmas Party something I greatly look forward to and which is tremendous fun.
This has become something of an institution, held every year (with the exception of 2012 when Julian was holding another event for charity). It's when Julian Clegg's regular guests (his Julian's People) of which I am one, get together for the breakfast show which is recorded live in the BBC canteen in Southampton. There is coffee and croissants, mince pies and carol singing and Julian with his team go around with microphone and camera and interview everyone there.
It takes amazing stamina for the team to do this, never off air and on the go from 6.30am to 9.30am while the rest of us watch, join in with the singing, eat our breakfasts and have a good old chat.
I'm not sure what time I'll be on air but tune in to the show if you can from 6.30am to 9.30am. It's always very lively, informative, fun and interesting.
The Christmas party at BBC Radio Solent will be broadcast live on Friday 20 December 2013 96.1 103.8FM and DAB Digital Radio.
You can view the slideshow of photographs from the BBC Radio Solent Julian Clegg Breakfast Show Christmas Parties from 2008 - 2011 on my website
November 25, 2013
Pauline Rowson video interview on the path to becoming a published crime author
I loved adventure and mystery novels when I was young, and this has continued throughout my adulthood with the enjoyment of reading crime fiction. I adore heroes and I think most women do and most men want to be one.
In this video interview just uploaded on my website and to my You Tube Channel I'm talking to Tony Smith about what got me into crime writing, my progression from reading childhood adventure stories to becoming a published crime fiction author and how my marketing skills have helped both with my writing and marketing my novels.
Death Surge
In this video interview just uploaded on my website and to my You Tube Channel I'm talking to Tony Smith about what got me into crime writing, my progression from reading childhood adventure stories to becoming a published crime fiction author and how my marketing skills have helped both with my writing and marketing my novels.
Death Surge
November 20, 2013
An intriguing visit to the Fingerprint Bureau
Crime authors get to research all sorts of interesting things and last Saturday I spent a fascinating morning at the Fingerprint Bureau at Hampshire Police Support Headquarters at Netley learning how the fingerprints taken at the scene of crime and of people in police custody are identified.
Although I'd researched this before and have had lots of advice from the Fingerprint Team I went there specifically to ask questions that relate to the DI Andy Horton crime novel I'm currently writing, number twelve in the series. And I'm obviously pleased that not only were my questions answered but the information I gained threw up some further interesting plot lines, which of course I'm not going to spoil by mentioning here.
The team from Hampshire Police Fingerprint Bureau have always been extremely helpful, turning up as they do for CSI Portsmouth every year in November (a one day event where crime fiction meets crime fact) and also for CSI Basingstoke, which I helped to organise in July 2013, and they'll also be at CSI Winchester, which I'm also involved with, on 8 March 2014. So I have lots of reasons to be grateful to them.
On Saturday, Jane Ashton, Supervisory Fingerprint Examiner, showed me around the modern single storey building named Herschel House appropriately after the father of fingerprinting William James Herschel who was born in Slough on 9th January 1833. He was the grandson of astronomer William Herschel, and the son of John Herschel, also an astronomer but his father asked him to choose another career, luckily for us, and he joined the East India Company.
Following the Indian Mutiny of 1858 he joined the Indian Civil Service and it was here, while drawing up a contract with a local man, that he made him use a hand print in order to prevent him from denying the contract later.
Throughout his life Herschel experimented with fingerprints using them to prevent forgery and as an administrative tool. But it was Francis Galton and Edward Henry, building on the foundations that Herschel had laid, that turned fingerprinting into a tool for fighting crime. And I saw it in action.
Here are some facts from my visit, you can read the full article on my official website blog at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
1. Although the police have a computer system for fingerprints called IDENT1, fingerprints are still physically examined by humans, through an eye glass and careful study.
2. The trained examiners know exactly what to look for and how skin reacts, ages and can be scarred. They can spot a scar and other smaller details that IDENT1 can't.
3. Fingerprints, palm prints and toe prints don't lie. They are unique and even identical twins will have different fingerprints.
4. Fingerprints on objects can survive for a very long time and can be lifted from paint, oil, grease and from those left in blood.
5. Contrary to belief most villains don't wear gloves and even when they do they usually take them off for some purpose and then touch something.
6. The role of the scene of crime officers is to find that mark. The role of the fingerprint examiners are to identify it.
It's a fascinating topic and I enjoyed my visit tremendously. My thanks to Jane Ashton and her team at Hampshire Police Fingerprint Bureau, keep up the good work!
A Killing Coast
Although I'd researched this before and have had lots of advice from the Fingerprint Team I went there specifically to ask questions that relate to the DI Andy Horton crime novel I'm currently writing, number twelve in the series. And I'm obviously pleased that not only were my questions answered but the information I gained threw up some further interesting plot lines, which of course I'm not going to spoil by mentioning here.
The team from Hampshire Police Fingerprint Bureau have always been extremely helpful, turning up as they do for CSI Portsmouth every year in November (a one day event where crime fiction meets crime fact) and also for CSI Basingstoke, which I helped to organise in July 2013, and they'll also be at CSI Winchester, which I'm also involved with, on 8 March 2014. So I have lots of reasons to be grateful to them.
On Saturday, Jane Ashton, Supervisory Fingerprint Examiner, showed me around the modern single storey building named Herschel House appropriately after the father of fingerprinting William James Herschel who was born in Slough on 9th January 1833. He was the grandson of astronomer William Herschel, and the son of John Herschel, also an astronomer but his father asked him to choose another career, luckily for us, and he joined the East India Company.
Following the Indian Mutiny of 1858 he joined the Indian Civil Service and it was here, while drawing up a contract with a local man, that he made him use a hand print in order to prevent him from denying the contract later.
Throughout his life Herschel experimented with fingerprints using them to prevent forgery and as an administrative tool. But it was Francis Galton and Edward Henry, building on the foundations that Herschel had laid, that turned fingerprinting into a tool for fighting crime. And I saw it in action.
Here are some facts from my visit, you can read the full article on my official website blog at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
1. Although the police have a computer system for fingerprints called IDENT1, fingerprints are still physically examined by humans, through an eye glass and careful study.
2. The trained examiners know exactly what to look for and how skin reacts, ages and can be scarred. They can spot a scar and other smaller details that IDENT1 can't.
3. Fingerprints, palm prints and toe prints don't lie. They are unique and even identical twins will have different fingerprints.
4. Fingerprints on objects can survive for a very long time and can be lifted from paint, oil, grease and from those left in blood.
5. Contrary to belief most villains don't wear gloves and even when they do they usually take them off for some purpose and then touch something.
6. The role of the scene of crime officers is to find that mark. The role of the fingerprint examiners are to identify it.
It's a fascinating topic and I enjoyed my visit tremendously. My thanks to Jane Ashton and her team at Hampshire Police Fingerprint Bureau, keep up the good work!
A Killing Coast
