Thinking and talking about writing
I've written a few non fiction books and received great satisfaction from their publication. However, it was only when I sat down to write The Handsworth Quartet in late 2014 did I experience the true joy of writing.
The first book in the series, A Death in Winter: 1963 introduces Probationary Police Constable Michael Collins, Constable Clive Clark and Mrs Agnes Winters to the world. Within less than 10,000 words I'd fallen in love with all three and could hardly wait to get to the computer each day to find out what they were up to.
As the book progressed my wife became somewhat bemused by my habit of talking about my characters as if they were real people. It often took a few seconds for her to realise that the Michael, who had just been beaten up again, was not our son.
I suspect that most writers feel the same about their creations. It's essential that the world the writer creates is real for them. Because, if it's not how can it be real for the reader?
The first book in the series, A Death in Winter: 1963 introduces Probationary Police Constable Michael Collins, Constable Clive Clark and Mrs Agnes Winters to the world. Within less than 10,000 words I'd fallen in love with all three and could hardly wait to get to the computer each day to find out what they were up to.
As the book progressed my wife became somewhat bemused by my habit of talking about my characters as if they were real people. It often took a few seconds for her to realise that the Michael, who had just been beaten up again, was not our son.
I suspect that most writers feel the same about their creations. It's essential that the world the writer creates is real for them. Because, if it's not how can it be real for the reader?
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