Simon Hall's Blog, page 8

Balance of Guilt

It's now been a couple of months since The Balance of Guilt came out.  A fair few people have read it, and the feedback has been positive.  Which equals - a large phew!

It's such a peculiar feeling.  All the work goes into planning and writing the book, then rewriting and editing it, and when finally it's published... it's like taking a very deep breath, handing this precious, very personal thing over to a group of strangers and saying - go on then, here it is, tell me what you think.  And because of all that work, you're always nervous about what people will say.

So, thanks to everyone who has read it and taken the time to get in touch, I do appreciate it.

One thing I've particularly enjoyed is what people said about the end of the book.  Without giving too much away, in the other tvdetective novels I think it's fairly obvious within the first few chapters what the title refers to.  But in The Balance of Guilt, you don't get to find out until the very last four words - and even then, I wonder whether you can really be sure!

On which teasing note I shall leave you for now.  It's the weekend, the weather has finally been kind enough to stop raining (at least for a while), so I'm off to walk along the river and then head to the gym for a session of stretching and exercising.  Maybe more of the former than the latter!

One final thing to mention in this post.  If you're in Cornwall next Saturday (Nov 27th), it's the Callington Book Fair, a fine opportunity to purchase some Xmas gifts.  I'll be along, signing copies of the tvdetective books, and hopefully doing some Xmas shopping of my own! There are more details of the fair on the News and Events page - www.thetvdetective.com/news.html

A holiday - not!

I'm officially on hols for a couple of weeks, but that doesn't mean I'm taking it easy and relaxing, by no means.

Firstly, I'm teaching at Tiverton High School this fortnight, on a project to encourage and improve creative writing.  The theme is superstition and beliefs, which gives us plenty of scope.  It's great fun and very rewarding, but also tiring - the kids are such a bundle of energy and ideas!  Every time I work in a school, I come away with more and more admiration for the wonderful work that teachers do, and Tiverton is no different.

As I've learnt you young folk say - respect!

A quick aside here in the rambling Hall tradition - years ago I thought I might like to be a teacher. But I just don't know if I'd ever have had the talent, stamina and commitment.  And anyway, I suspect the world of education breathes a sigh of relief that never came to pass...

Today, I'm in north Devon, doing some careers work with a couple of schools there - in Barnstaple and Ilfracombe - talking to the youngsters about a life in the media. Of all that I'm fortunate to be able to do, it's the education and careers work I find the most rewarding. I suppose it feels like a legacy thing, the ability to try to have just a little positive influence on a few lives.

In between all that - and there's not much time left, I assure, you, but I'm still trying to find some! - I'm working on ideas for a new tvdetective book.  Publishers are hungry beasts, who always like to know there's a new meal being prepared, so I'm trying to meet that demand too.

But after that little list of how busy life can be, I will now happily admit that I prefer it this way. A quiet life is something that somehow, I never got the hang of, and long may it continue.

Finally here, if you're interested in this jobbing author and passable hack doing some education or careers work with young folk in your area, you're very welcome to get in touch to discuss it.  You can do so via the contact page of the site - www.thetvdetective.com/contact.html

Readers' groups, wine and supper

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to receive a very kind email from a readers' group, who had enjoyed The Balance of Guilt, and wanted to ask me some questions about it.

A few I was able to help with, as they seemed simple points of detail, others I was not - because you know what we writer types are like.  We revel in the mystery thing about our books and like to leave plenty of room for readers to imagine, discuss and debate.

Howsoever, the point of this blog is thus.  After an exchange of emails came the question as to whether I might be perhaps interested in talking to the group about the tvdetective books. It was delightfully (by which I probably mean flatteringly!) phrased, along the lines that doubtless I had many such requests, I was clearly a very busy and important man, and it was of course an imposition, but they just thought they would ask etc etc.

I told you it was very kind!  Anyway, this busy, important etc etc. man duly accepted, partly because a gentleman shouldn't turn down such a lovely request, but also for a couple of other more practical reasons.

Firstly, I think readers' groups are great.  They're vital in making sure the written word and a love of books continues to thrive, they're very sociable, and they're extremely effective in introducing people to books and authors they might not otherwise have tried.  They've always supported me well and I've spoken to a few in my relatively brief writing career, and always enjoyed it.

There is another reason though, and it's this.  I think I've learnt a great deal from readers' groups, about the sort of things people like and don't like in books. And I believe that's helped me become a better author.

The fact that the offer I mention came with the added bonus of a bite of supper and some wine didn't hurt at all!

So, I shall look forward to my trip come the spring of next year, and if there are any other readers' groups out there, scanning through my meanderings - (1) keep up the fine work and (2) if you want a wandering author to come talk to you, and you're happy to feed and water him, you know where I am!

Seriously, if anyone has any questions about the tvdetective books, or 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.

Armistice Day

This is a day which always makes me feel reflective, so please excuse a more serious blog than usual.

My grandfather, Percy, was a gunner in the Second World War.  He survived, but the noise of the guns left him profoundly deaf for the rest of his life. I always think of him today, and how his story is just one of the many millions of sacrifices men and women of our past have made for our future.

As regular readers will know, I rarely talk about my day job in my blog, but on this occasion please indulge me. I'll be out on the road today, reporting some of the Armistice Day services, and it's something I consider to be an honour, just a little contribution to making sure those sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Much has been debated about the wearing of poppies, and I have no intention of getting into that here.  All I will say is that I shall be wearing my poppy with great pride and a similar degree of reflection.

Settings and seasons

A confession (isn't it odd how this blog so often turns into a confessional?)

I was doing some wandering around the shops in Exeter yesterday afternoon, when I... and steady yourself for this... are you ready?  You sure?!  Ok then, when I...

...did some Xmas shopping!

How's that for organised?  Or just oddly premature?!

It wasn't deliberate, I was just looking in some windows in Gandy Street (for those who don't know it, that's our little avenue full of distinctive, independent stores) and came upon a jeweller's.  I saw something which I thought would make a great gift for my adopted daughter, Niamh, and there you go, before you know it the Xmas shopping is underway.

Like so many such bugs, it took a hold fast and within an hour I'd done a load more. I've even bought and sent my Xmas cards, which will make the remaining relatives in the Hall clan either smile or grimace.  Mind, by sending them early I suppose you get better value for money.  This way they can be on display for a couple of months!

Anyhow, the point of this, before I started digressing (in the familiar manner) was that my little burst of seasonal shopping started me thinking about the times of year in which I set the tvdetective books.  I've noticed most tend to be in the turning seasons of spring and autumn. 

It's another case of something sub-conscious seeping its way into the novels.  They're my favourite seasons, not too hot or cold, and always with something interesting happening, whether it be the leaves coming down as now, or the renaissance of the natural world, as with spring.  For books which tend to be about life changing, they feel appropriate times for a setting.

And that, in turn, made me determined to try a different season for a future book.  So in the usual Hall roundabout way, I'm blogging to say I've got an idea for another tvdetective novel, which will be set in December/January, and in the snow.  I've got a few thoughts about how that could work nicely in a plot and am currently shaping them to see how they'll fare. It's rather exciting, a sort of early Xmas present to myself!

Finally, on the subject of Xmas, if you fancy a signed copy of one of the books as a gift for some poor unfortunate of your acquaintance, I'm doing a couple of signings in the run up to the day itself.  I'm in Callington later this month for the Book Fair, and also in Waterstone's in Exeter next month.  There are more details on the News and Events page - www.thetvdetective.com/news.html

Dreams and notebooks

A funny thing happened to me last night, as the old saying goes.  Fear not, you can read on, it's not that distressing.

I had a bizarre dream, which took me back 20 years and more to my university days.  I don't know if I mentioned before, but I started in the media business by becoming a DJ, and I began spinning the "platters that matter" on the "wheels of steel" as it were at the college radio station.

In the dream I was back on air, aged 19 or 20, and I kept reliving every mistake I made, whether it was forgetting to cross to the news on the hour, or not playing the right records.  A strange angst dream indeed, but it did give me an idea for part of a plot or a character in a future tvdetective book.

So, to the nub of this blog, which those of you who are kind enough to read regularly will know can go missing, presumed lost, in a Hall ramble. Anyhow, the point was this - I've learnt from writing that inspiration for a story, or one of the participants in a book, or even a location or scene can strike at the most unlikely and unexpected of moments.

Hence I now keep a notebook, or at least some paper and a pen, with me wherever I go, be it out for a meal or a drink, shopping, just a stroll, or even when I'm at work.  Inspiration has a habit of striking when you're unprepared, so I now do my best to be ready for it.  I still live in fear of my early writing days, and how many good ideas may have been long forgotten and lost because I never had a chance to write them down.

On the subject of blogging, I received an email asking if my strange thoughts are all recorded on the tvdetective site.  The answer is (I'm afraid) yes, and if you're interested in my mental meanderings, you can find them on the blog page - www.thetvdetective.com/blog.html 

Personally, they sometimes prompt me to wonder what goes on in my mind, but make of them what you will, and charitably please, if you'd be so kind...

A strange attraction

Thanks to everyone who came to the Poole Literary Festival yesterday, and to the organisers for such a fine event.  I very much enjoyed it and hope everyone who toddled along did too.

A very good question was raised at the Crime Writing Panel, and it was this - can you explain the continuing appeal of crime in literature, particularly when the subject matter can be so very shocking and distressing?

It set me thinking, so I'll do my best to try to venture an answer, in my humble view anyway.

Firstly, if we're honest, I think there's an element of voyeurism to it, a desire to witness events which are outside of our experience, and from the safety of our imaginations.  It's a kind of taboo thing, exploring that which is almost unthinkable.

There's the challenge too, the desire to try to outwit the author and uncover the killer, or perpetrator, from amongst a list of suspects.  That also is a powerful allure - just look at the enduring popularity of crosswords and other such puzzles.

Finally I think there's a big element of the age old story of a battle between good and evil.  In crime writing, you know which side's which and you can root for the good guys and gals and hope they come through.

Those are the main reasons I can think of - I'm sure there are plenty of others, as many as there are readers in fact.  But in brief, I'm just glad crime is still appealing, as it provides me with a great pastime in writing it!

Don't forget, if there's a question you'd like to ask about the tvdetective books, or any areas of my writing, you can get in touch via the contacts page of the site - www.thetvdetective.com/contact.html  and I'll do my best to answer.

Imaginary friends

I've come to wonder whether the signs that I might make an effort at being some kind of an author were apparent when I was very young.

As a child, I had lots of imaginary friends.  And before the cynical raise a word - no, I don't think it was because I was too unpopular to make any real friends! I just liked inventing characters to accompany me through life.

So it goes on today with the tvdetective books.  I'm currently working on some ideas for characters (aside from the usual suspects) for a new novel.  This is another part of the writing process that I find great fun, because it gives such scope for invention.

Akin to many writers I've been lucky enough to meet, I particularly enjoy putting together the villains.  It was something I was asked about last month, when I was doing some work in a couple of schools, and a very good question too - why is it that the bad guys and gals are often the most memorable in books and films?

After some frantic thinking, the answer I came up with was this - that with the goodies, they're usually all good in roughly the same way.  But with baddies, they can be bad in a delightful range of manners, so giving a writer far more scope for creativity.

Anyway, back to the original point, after yet another Hall digression (apologies), and imaginary friends. 

What I was going to say - confess in fact - is that the habit of creating and keeping them has effectively stayed with me, even to this day.  When I'm inventing a character for the books and I think I know enough about them, I'll have a chat with them, to see if I can be sure how they'll respond.  If I'm getting it right, then I'll know the character is working - I'm familiar enough with them to write about them convincingly.

And as for the family of folk you're used to seeing in the tvdetective books, Dan, Adam, Claire and all, they have become such a part of my life that I'll often have a chat with them about an issue facing me. 

It's not uncommon for me to talk to Dan about a story I've got to cover whilst driving there, or chat to Adam about a crime and why it may have been committed.  As for Claire, she's always my best guide for emotional advice, lovely lady that she is.

In fact, I was once asked whether Claire was my ideal woman, but that's a discussion too far for this post!

One more thing to mention this morning - the Poole Literary Festival, where your rambling (and, looking back on this musing, often eccentric) blogger will be appearing, heavens protect the poor people of fair Dorset.  It's on Sunday (31st Oct) and there are more details on the News and Events page - www.thetvdetective.com/news.html  Hope to see you there.

Psychology

I'm in the plotting phase for a new tvdetective book, which those unfortunates who regularly read my ramblings will know is one of my favourite parts of the writing process.  It's a chance to thrown wild ideas around, think some pretty daft and outrageous things, so you can see why I'd like it.

However! This current plotting process had not been going smoothly.

Without lurching into too much detail, and potentially spoiling any future books for you, I had a thought for a central theme of the new book which I reckoned would make a good plot. I was working away at it, but knew there was something missing.  I could see the end, I could see the beginning, but there was a strand running through the middle which I just couldn't visualise, try as I might.

The result was that I started getting frustrated and grumpy (some may say more grumpy than usual), and progressively disillusioned with the whole idea.

Then, on Thurs evening, after a long day's school I transported myself to a local pub and sat with my notebook working on it.  After approximately a pint and a half (a standard Hall measure of time) the solution just popped into my head.

The relief was wonderful - it required another pint to celebrate, naturally - and I've been pretty much smiling ever since.  The world now looks a much happier place, and I've been feeling energetic and very keen to start writing again.  All that stemming from just one second's inspiration.

So, I was reflecting just how much we can be influenced by little bits of psychology. Have a good moment and suddenly the momentum of life feels like it's with you.

I'm even feeling sufficiently positive to set off for a gym class now - wow!

One more thing to mention on this post, before I go working out.  Next weekend is the Poole Literary Festival, which looks like being a good show.  I'm doing a talk about the tvdetective books, a signing, and a panel discussion on crime writing.  There are more details on the News and Events page - www.thetvdetective.com/news.html

Food and drink

Another good question has arrived in my inbox, and it asks this - how important are food and drink in the tvdetective books?

Yet again, it's got me thinking about how - subconsciously - significant parts of myself find their way into my writing.

On a basic level, I suppose the answer is that food and drink are important to all of us being that they help sustain us on the planet, and so both are present in the books to an extent.  But it's also obviously the case they mean more to some than others. 

For me, as you may have noticed, I am fond of beer.  Yes, I know that's a masterpiece of understatement, but I thought I'd say it anyway.  I feel blessed to live in Devon for a great many reasons - the people, the scenery, the history, the quality of life, all that kind of stuff - but another factor is that we have some wonderful breweries here, who produce quite the finest ales I've ever tasted.  And taste them I do. 

I often wonder if my love of beer goes back to me being born in a pub, but that's another story...

So, as I was saying, beer features in the books a fair bit, because Dan and Adam both like a pint, and will often pop to a pub for a drink and to discuss a case.  We've got some brilliant pubs in the south west too, but I'll stop there (for now) as I'll only digress again otherwise.

As for food, don't get me wrong, I love a good meal, but it doesn't play the dominant role in my life that it does for some who seem to spend a fair portion of their lives in restaurants.  I'm not into restaurants and fine dining - I find that all a tad too formal for my more relaxed taste - my idea of an ideal night is a gastro pub, with great dishes and ales to complement them.

And so, without thinking about it, all that finds its way into the books - there's little about the characters enjoying meals, but more than the odd interlude in a pub!

I hope that answers the question, albeit in a very Hall roundabout type of way.  If you've got a question you'd like me to (attempt to) answer, you can get in touch via the contact page of the site - www.thetvdetective.com/contact.html