Neil J Hart's Blog, page 2

The Last Scarecrow: Book In A Month

Write a book in 30 days, Neil. Huh? OK, then… and The Last Scarecrow was born.

Writing a book in a month is not for the faint hearted, but this was the task I gave myself at the end of July. It’s gone fairly well. ‘The Last Scarecrow‘ is 55,000 words in total so it’s a little on the short side but it’s a first draft of a book, nonetheless.

I’d been kicking around the idea of a story that had a little or no human characters in it. There is something far more magical and captiviating about animals and imaginary creatures, monsters an...

‘The

The Madison Chronicles: Playlists

Want to know what I listen to when I’m writing The Madison Chronicles?

I’m currently writing and editing book two of The Madison Chronicles while book one— Sadie Madison and the Boy In The Crimson Scarf— is going out to agents. In the meantime, here’s a blog about the music I listen when I’m writing and editing my work. Music in The Madison Chronicles

Music plays a huge role, not only writing The Madison Chronicles, but as part of the story itself. Sadie Madison is a keen pianist and, throug...

The Madison Chronicles: Inspiration

Where does my inspiration for The Madison Chronicles come from?

I’m currently writing and editing book two of The Madison Chronicles while book one— Sadie Madison and the Boy In The Crimson Scarf— is going out to agents. So, before you can get your hands on it, here’s a blog about some of the tv shows, films, books, and people that inspired me to write this series.

I’ve been inspired by thousands of different things for these books and stories. The major ones that kicked it all off are below, so check them out. Since I’ve been w...

Dark Kings (Tales of Sorrow #1)

I started writing my fifth book Dark Kings this month. It’s the first book in my new YA dark fantasy series Tales of Sorrow.

Imagine a city somewhere between life and fathomless reaches of death. A dark, subterranean metropolis where rival families own the streets and all that lives within them. A tyrant King observes from his fortress high above, while plots formulate in every dark corner. Plots to destroy the King and claim his throne for themselves. Welcome to Sorrow. Life is Hard
Death i...

FREE Extract: The Last Scarecrow

Want to read the first two chapters of The Last Scarecrow? Of course you do.

As you may have read in other posts or on my social media, I’ve been writing / editing a number of books over the last six months. One of those is The Last Scarecrow: a post-apocalyptic, middle-grade, fantasy adventure novel.

As I approach the final stages of editing The Last Scarecrow, I’m giving you the first few chapters to whet your appetite. You can expect action, adventure, friendship and danger, as Twelve (a S...

FREE Extract: The Last Scarecrow

Want to read the first chapter of The Last Scarecrow? Of course you do.

As you may have read in other posts or on my social media, I’ve been writing / editing a number of books over the last six months. One of those is The Last Scarecrow: a post-apocalyptic, middle-grade, fantasy adventure novel.

As I approach the final stages of editing The Last Scarecrow, I’m giving you the first few chapters to whet your appetite. You can expect action, adventure, friendship and danger, as Twelve (a Scarec...

Writing Goals and Other Stuff

For the first time ever, I’m looking forward to the new year. 2017 is going to be amazing. I’m sure of it. I have it all planned out. Here is a list of my writing goals and other stuff for 2017.

I normally try to avoid new years celebrations and the resolutions / promises that go along with it. To me, Dec 31st into Jan 1st is a night like any other, but I’m running with it this year and promising to start 2017 as I mean to go– with LOTS of writing.

The Madison Chronicles

I’ve been through S...

2016, My Year in Books

Stephen King wrote, “If you haven’t got time to read, you haven’t got time to write.” In 2016 I read 50 books and wrote 2 myself. I hope to read 100 next year and write 2 more. This is A Year in Books!

As a child I hated reading. Couldn’t see the point. I’d rather cradle my chin on my fists and stare endlessly at the TV. In my teens I discovered Ian Livingstone’s Fighting Fantasy books and Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. I haven’t stopped reading since.

I try to read one book a week. Usually I s...

2016, A Year in Books

Stephen King wrote, “If you haven’t got time to read, you haven’t got time to write.” In 2016 I read 50 books and wrote 2 myself. I hope to read 100 next year and write 2 more. This is A Year in Books!

As a child I hated reading. Couldn’t see the point. I’d rather cradle my chin on my fists and stare endlessly at the TV. In my teens I discovered Ian Livingstone’s Fighting Fantasy books and Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. I haven’t stopped reading since.

I try to read one book a week. Usually I s...

NaNoWriMo 2016

On November 1st 2016, I will begin the 30 day challenge that is NaNoWriMo : National Novel Writing Month.

Having previous written a novella in around a month (‘The Last Scarecrow‘ which i am currently editing), I thought it would be fun to join thousands of other writers undertaking NaNoWriMo. There are lots of peptalks and support on the NaNoWriMo website to help me along the way and the chance to connect with others from all over the world that are taking part. You can find out more about N...