Simon Hall's Blog, page 5

A fascinating interruption

Usually I don't care for being interrupted in the middle of writing, and particularly not when I'm in the closing stages of a book, as is currently the case.  But on this occasion I didn't mind at all.

I've been away for a few days in Kent, at the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Training Centre. This is a compound centred around a mock town where officers are drilled in all elements of crowd and riot control.

I've been learning how to survive while working in a riot, and an extraordinary experience it's been. The last time I was in anything similar was back in the 90s in Luton, and I'd forgotten how frightening it can be.  The training is very realistic, even to the extent that petrol bombs were being thrown. And that certainly concentrates the mind!

Anyway, I'm back home now, writing again, and just getting back into it.  It's amazing how fast you can lose your flow if you leave it for a few days.

So, following a familar bit of Hall rambling, the point of the blog is this.  For around a year now I've had an idea about how the tvdetective series of books might end (but not for a few novels yet, all being well and you kind people continuing to read the things!).  It's slowly coming together, and the training gave me a thought about what part of the book could contain.

Now, I'm aware I can get over excited and give a little too much away sometimes, and authors are supposed to be mysterious, so I'll stop there, except to say this - I hope the last book might just explain something rather fundamental about the main character and finally explain how he can do what he does and why he is the way he is.

Enough now, before I say too much!   But one final thought - if you're around Tavistock on Thurs evening (24th March), I'm in town as part of a fine event to celebrate historical fiction.  There are more details on the News and Events page - www.thetvdetective.com/news.html

Until the next time...

Ah, fair summer...

How sweetly summer has been flirting with us of late, and how very welcome her fickle attentions are.

I'm thinking not just as a long suffering member of the human race here - tired as most of us are with what's felt like an extended and bitter winter - but also as an attempted scribbler of the odd novel.

(And some odder than others I hear you say, but let's continue anyway...)

As an author, the longer, lighter and warmer mornings and evenings sure do help.  It's my routine to do most of my day's writing in the morn.  I usually get up about 6, to make sure I can fit in a couple of hours before work comes calling.  I tend to be at my freshest and most creative then.

In the evenings, I don't do much actual writing as I'm usually pretty jaded after the day. But what they are good for is thinking and planning.  I often sort out the next section of the book I'm working on in the evening, ready to set it down come the morn.

I also find it a remarkably powerful way to relax, switch off, and leave behind the tensions of the day; the simple act of settling back, closing your eyes, and letting your mind wander.

So, it's been splendid over the last few days to get a sense of the kinder season to come, and feel the inspirational power of the sunshine. Long may it continue!

A few questions have arrived over email in the last couple of days.  I'll try to answer them in the blogs to come, so apologies if there's been a short delay.  But do keep asking, I always like hearing from you.  You can get in touch via the contact page of the site - www.thetvdetective.com/contact.html

Rites of passage

There are more than a few rites of passage you have to go through as an author.  I've just completed another, and am feeling rather chuffed about it, in that somewhat pompous way with which regular readers of my musings will be more than familiar.

Thinking back, some of the highlights of the aforementioned -

Doing my first talk about the tvdetective books. I'll never forget this - I suppose for a scribbler it's kind of the literary equivalent of losing your virginity.  Or something such!

It was at Plympton Library, just outside Plymouth, on a dark winter's evening, to a lovely group of people, but I was so nervous I could have laid a carton full of eggs. I think it took approximately 4 days to calm down afterwards.

Another rite that sticks in my mind was the first talk I ever gave to the Women's Institute. It was in a village hall, just outside Dorchester, to an audience of around a hundred, and so was another beating for the nerves.

But my distinction there - apart from failing to recall the words to Jerusalem, and picking the winning Easter cake - was that I managed to present the whole talk with my flies undone.  As one lady pointed out - but only after I'd finished speaking.

Strangely, I've not been invited back...

Anyway!  The point of this particular blog was the latest rite I've negotiated, the source of my self satisfaction. It's this - (cue fanfare) -

The tvdetective novels are to feature as part of a doctoral thesis!

Ok, when you've stopped laughing, we can continue...

(In fairness, that was my initial reaction too).

A post grad student from Exeter Uni wants to interview me about the ideas and inspiration for the books, and my writing process, if such a thing even exists.  Well, it would be rude of me to say no, wouldn't it?! 

I'm just not sure the poor chap knows what he's let himself in for yet!  And as for me, the only worrying part is my scribblings being subject to some rigorous intellectual analysis.

Perhaps it's time to end this blog here...

Ideas

My last blog, on the subject of da yoof, and how mixing with a fine sample of them had given me an idea for a new tvdetective plot, has prompted a couple of questions on the same theme.

Where do I get ideas for books from?

Well, the answer, albeit a little odd, is everywhere.

As I've mentioned before, I always carry a notebook to jot down thoughts. These can be as tiny as a detail of description - yesterday, for example, I scribbled a couple of lines about the impressive ruffling of a tree by a couple of frisky pigeons - or something much larger, like a concept for a whole book.

Looking back on the tvdetective series, most of the novels are based on one central theme. In The TV Detective, it's Dan's change of job and how that leads him to meet Adam.  The Death Pictures revolves around the central riddle and Evil Valley the hunt for an unbalanced man, and what he might do to take revenge on society. The Judgement Book is all about settling scores, and as for The Balance of Guilt - I can't say, because you don't get to know what the title refers to until the very end, and I don't want to spoil it if you haven't read it!

So I think that's how it works for me - to seek out one simple concept that might extend through a book and build on it.  I wonder if that's a reflection of my journalistic work.  One of the first things you learn as a cub hack is to be clear what your story is, and follow that narrative through.

Anyway, back to where the ideas themselves come from. One of the most common sources is the newspapers. I try to read a paper almost every day, time permitting, and some of the items can prompt plenty of thoughts about a possible plot.  But most of the work is done by our old and indispensable friend, the imagination.

Really, the secret of coming up with a good story - if one there even is - is simple. In my humble view, there's no substitute for sitting back in a quiet room, shutting your eyes, letting your mind wander and seeing where it may take you.

Difficult indeed in these busy times, but it works for me. Just giving your thoughts a chance, away from the noise and distractions of the world, and you can often be well rewarded.

If you've got a question about the tvdetective books, or any areas of my writing, you can get in touch via the contact page - www.thetvdetective.com/contact.html  I'm always happy to hear from you.

Da yoof

I've been doing some careers work at Exeter University, trying to give the students an insight into the media and whether it might be for them.

Hence the correct young person speak title of this blog.  Or something such...

Anyway, before I go off on another Hall digression, the like of which you'll be more than familar with by now,  the point was this.

Young folk can get a very bad press, and often seem to be routinely portrayed as wearing hoodies to disguise their identity, whilst doing some mugging / drug dealing as they sport a knife (at best), and (more likely) a sub-machine gun. 

This is not my experience. I found the group I worked with today to be keen, interested, talented, eager and simply looking for a decent future and to do their best in the world.  If any of you should be reading this, it was a pleasure meeting you and thanks for listening so attentively to me.

Part of the motivation for this blog is that I've been bitten by an idea for a new tvdetective book, and it feels like it might have enough mileage to make the perilous journey from thought to reality.  If it does, it will revolve around a group of youngsters who - without giving too much away - get fed up with the way they're being treated by society and try to do something about it.

Enough, before I go too far and blow all my secrets!

Anyhow, that was the point - the thought that so often we old crusties look down on the young folk and tut to ourselves about what they're up to, when why shouldn't they look to us and do the same, and worse?  Who caused these present economic difficulties, for example, but us? And don't they suffer them just as much?

Ok, that's enough, before I really go on and fill the poor web with a rant of Hall-waffle. One final thing to mention here - I actually like doing careers work, with schools, universities, whatever, so if you're interested, feel free to get in touch.  You can email me via the contact page of the site - www.thetvdetective.com/contact.html 

The same goes if you've got a question about the tvdetective books, or any area of my writing. It'd be a pleasure to hear from you.

Sex

Thought that'd get you reading!

A slightly naughty question has arrived in my inbox, as it were.  It's this - why are there no sex scenes in the tvdetective books?

Yet again, as with so many inquiries from my wise and perceptive readers, it's a darned good one.

As befits the nature of the question, I shall be frank and answer by telling you a little story. 

When first I began writing, some 7 years ago now, I got to a point in A Popular Murder, where Dan and Kerry became so intertwined they were about to do what boys and girls have been doing for many a year.

From my subsequent  conversations with other writers, I now know this presents a dilemma for us all.  Romance is an inevitable part of most books, and when it comes to fruition that leaves the author a choice.  Do you follow the characters into the bedroom to reveal to the world what goes on there, or cease your journey at the bedroom door?

Filled with enthusiasm for my new found writing, on my first attempt I went into the bedroom with the lucky couple to observe and describe (imagine the scene!) and wrote it all up.

This had an unfortunate result.  Upon reading my efforts, my editor laughed so much that she claims she almost fainted.

And this had a suitably traumatic effect on me to - (1) remove the offending scene, and (2) never attempt to write another.

I hope that provides an understandable answer to the question.

There is, however, a little subtext here, which I'll go on to mention.  After the unfortunate episode of above, I did have to ask myself why I couldn't seem to write convincingly and impressively about sex.

And a nasty little nagging voice in a dark corner of my mind suggested that perhaps it was because I'd never really got the hang of it myself...

Enough! See what can happen if you ask questions!

Don't forget, if you've got an inquiry about the tvdetective books (although not another sex related one please), or any part of my writing, you can get in touch via the contact page of the site - www.thetvdetective.com/contact.html

My little (not black) book

I often get asked what I think are the indispensable tools for a writer.

Well, there are many - imagination, persistence, writing ability, determination, the list goes on and on.  But an often overlooked, although very important part of that, is a little notebook.

I find ideas for plots, characters, locations, or just pieces of dialogue can strike me anywhere and at any time, and it's maddening if you haven't got something to write them down on. If you're like me, a good idea can pop into mind, only to be long forgotten a few minutes later.

Hence, these days I carry with me, and just about everywhere, a little pocket notebook. It's not black, but a rather bright blue and white striped number. The reason for this is simple - it means I'm less likely to lose it!

It's become a subject of some amusement for my friends - we can be out having a drink, a meal, a walk, and like a gentleman of old with his sword, I'll whip out my notebook and scrawl something down.

If ever I'm stuck for an idea when writing a new book, whether it's a bit of plot, or a quirk of character, back to the notebook I go and usually the little tome of wisdom can provide an answer, or at least a suggestion to help.

If you're trying to write a book, along with all the other traits I've mentioned, I'd thorougly recommend getting yourself a pocket notebook.  It'll be a few pounds very well invested.

Don't forget, if you've got any questions about the tvdetective books, or any areas of my writing, you can get in touch via the contact page of the site - www.thetvdetective.com/contact.html 

I look forward to hearing from you...

Fashion

This may come to be a rather ironic blog, as fashion is something I never really got the hang of. I've got an amusing little tale to impart on the subject - at least I think so - but more of that in a moment.

I'm prompted to write about the issue of fashion, because of a conversation I had with a stranger earlier this week. The lady in question was kind enough to comment on the ties I wear, but then went on to say that there's little in the tvdetective books about Dan's dress sense.

In this she has a good point. I suppose it's because of the relative priorities of the characters - Adam's attire often gets a mention, as he's a fashion victim, but Dan seldom worries too much about such matters.  As I'm often asked how much of Dan is made up of myself, and usually fudge the answer, here at least I can say it's a fair comment - fashion isn't exactly my strongest subject either.  Hence I suppose it not featuring highly in the books.

As an aside here, a good friend once said that I found a style I liked in the mid 80s, and have stuck with it ever since. The cheek of it!  I was about to remonstrate when I realised he may have a point!

So, back to that incredibly amusing fashion story I promised you. In an attempt to be with it, as it were, I recently bought one of those ultra cool Superdry sweatshirts. It's a fine piece of fabric, very warm and comfortable, and indeed, I'm assured, wonderfully trendy.

But this is the point.  When I did some washing this week, and a couple of days later came to take the sweatshirt in question off the drier, guess what?  It was the only item of all the collection which wasn't dry!

Oh, the irony!  Oh, how I laughed...

When you've recovered from being overwhelmed by mirth, don't forget if there's a question you'd like to ask about the tvdetective books, or any area of my writing, you can get in touch via the contact page of the site - www.thetvdetective.com/contact.html  I'm always pleased to hear from you, particularly if you've got any fashion tips...

The trials of technology

A fortnight ago, my old mobile phone was adjudged as sufficiently battered and ill functioning for me to be awarded a new one.  I was pleased about this - until the moment the thing arrived and I started trying to work it.

It was hardly the most encouraging of signs that it took a full 15 minutes to sort out how to get the back off and the battery in.  However!  Undaunted, I overcame that considerable hurdle, only to utterly thrown by what awaited me when I got as far as switching the phone on.

The new phone is one of those touchscreen things. It took me a while to understand why there was no keyboard... As for what it can do, the list is seemingly endless - surf this new fangled internet thing, send and receive emails, find out the weather anywhere in the world, tell me my GPS position, inform me of my appointments, so much in fact I was a little disappointed there wasn't a function to iron my shirts and cook my tea.

Anyhow, aside from pointing out what a technophobe I can be, the other thrust of this blog is to crow my achievement.  You'll be so impressed, I know.  Two weeks on and I have at last mastered how to make and receive calls, and send texts too. Now, how about that for progress?!

The real point of this blog, apart from wondering about the extraordinary advances of science etc., is to lament how such remarkable bits of kit can make the life of a crime writer much harder.  These days, it's more or less impossible to put a victim somewhere where he or she can't phone for help.  And as for disguising the movements of a murderer, it's not so easy when their mobile can be traced to within a few inches...

One final word on the subject of technology, and again I think you'll be impressed. Today, it being a Saturday of leisure and all that, I've decided to attempt to be ultra cool and modern and try to load some music onto my phone.  Something about MP3 players, or some other such jargon?  The only trouble is, looking at the phone, I just can't work out where to slot the MP3s in...

An unwanted birthday present

Apologies for being out of touch awhile, but I've been suffering with a cold.

Now I know some of the less kind hearted types amongst you - if any such people could ever read my blog! - will immediately accuse me of overdoing my suffering, but boy, has it felt rough. Forget accusations of man flu, this has been more a mix of the plague, Lassa Fever, Black Death and many other an awful ailment all in one.

In short, as you may have guessed, I've been feeling more than a little sorry for myself. That sensation has only been enhanced by the fact that it was my birthday last week, and a cold seems a most unfair present from the fates.

(Incidentally here, many thanks to all of you who were kind enough to get in touch and wish me a good birthday - which I did my best to have, despite my suffering.)

I resent illness on many levels.  I hate feeling rough, I hate being cooped up at home without the energy to do much, and I hate the way it effects my writing. It makes knocking together any decent efforts at a book so difficult when you have to struggle to concentrate.

However, the good news is that I'm now feeling much improved and the scribbling has resumed. So I can respond to a question that I keep being asked - how is progress on the new tvdetective book going?

The answer is - very nicely.  The first draft is done, so it's now into the reading through and editing, sharpening up, cutting the unnecessary waffle, removing inconsistencies, all that sort of thing.  And it's a pleasure to be back at it, now that I'm once more feeling as near to human as the Hall ever gets.

So, please excuse me if I get back to it.  I'll keep you updated on progress, as ever.  And don't forget, if you've got a question you'd like to ask about the tvdetective books, or any areas of my writing, you can get in touch via the contact page of the site - www.thetvdetective.com/contact.html

I wish you a fine, and hopefull cold free February.