R.N. Morris's Blog, page 2
September 25, 2024
Farewell, Virginsky. Farewell, Porfiry Petrovich.
I’ve just typed ‘THE END’ on my latest writing project, the final book in my Empire of Shadows trilogy featuring the investigating magistrate, Pavel Pavlovich Virginsky. I now have to read the book through, give it a thorough edit and then submit it to my publisher. I have to admit, I choked up a little …
Farewell, Virginsky. Farewell, Porfiry Petrovich. Read More »
September 17, 2024
Another little bit of hope (for writers)…
I’m going to keep going with this… in the hope that it will bring my blog back to life!
September 14, 2024
A little hope for writers, and anyone else who needs it
I’ve been feeling guilty about neglecting my blog. It happens. Life gets in the way. There’s the small matter of a book, or two, to write. The day job kicks off. Oh, and don’t forget the social media commitments that any modern day author is more or less obliged to tend. Before long, you realise …
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January 5, 2024
381
As a physical object, the book is a thing of beauty. The cover is a modern design, vibrant colours, geometric shapes and random objects floating in an abstract limbo. And numbers: 381, 381… That’s the title, THREE EIGHT ONE. It presents an enigma, promising meaning, but withholding it too. It feels like an invitation. Open …
November 18, 2023
A Selfie diary of the writing process
I’ve just finished the first draft of my latest novel. I think it’s pretty nearly there, though I am about to start another read-through. While I was writing it, whenever I remembered, I took a selfie of myself at the keyboard. Once I had 100 selfies I edited them together. But then I took one …
November 16, 2023
The St Petersburg Mysteries
Last time I looked, my four novels featuring investigating magistrate Porfiry Petrovich are on special offer on Amazon, with the ebooks selling at just 99p (or 99c in America). By the time you read this, that offer may have ended. Apologies, if so. As some of you may be aware, I took my central character …
June 14, 2023
Should I cancel myself?
I was left feeling decidedly uncomfortable by Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert’s decision to withdraw from publication her historical novel set in Russia, not least because I’ve just published my own HNSIR (The Crimson Child, thanks for asking). I confess I haven’t watched her self-cancellation, or should that be self-flagellation, video. But I read …
May 19, 2023
Extract from The Crimson Child
Spring. 1880. It was General Krolikov’s name day, the day he celebrated being Timofei son of Timofei. He chose to spend it in Tavrichesky Garden, St Petersburg, as he did every year, weather permitting. As usual, his daughter Vera had arranged a party. Most of those in the group were strangers to him. He assumed …
April 29, 2023
The Crimson Child.
For those of you who were wondering when and if I was ever going to write or publish another book, I have some news. A new historical mystery featuring investigating Pavel Pavovich Virginsky, with a cameo appearance from Porfiry Petrovich. It’s the second book in my Empire of Shadows series, but can be read as …
February 18, 2023
Russia reimagined. Again.
A writer’s journey takes place largely in the imagination. When I first pitched the idea of writing a detective novel set in 19th century St Petersburg, I had never been to Russia. I’d read some Russian novels in translation. One of those was Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky. I picked it up from my school library, …
