Time to start

I've done as much research as I can for the moment so it's time to start writing book 3.

I don't rely solely on using the internet for research purposes but it's certainly a big help. Mind you, I'm a bit worried about my search history being looked at closely by anyone in authority. In the last couple of days I've researched what goes on at a crime scene, manual strangulation and what a body looks like after it's been throttled to death. I also looked at a website for girls names as I have a new character. If that doesn't say 'planning a murder' I don't know what does! Still, on the bright side, prison life could prove to be a great research tool as well.

Starting a new novel can be a daunting task, especially when you're moving out of your comfort zone. The trick is to break it down into manageable chunks. At the moment I'm looking no further than that first scene in the first chapter. Once that's written then I'm off and running.

I think it's good to come out of your comfort zone. Writing 'Driven to Distraction' was my first attempt at a comic novel and when I started; I didn't have any idea whether I could bring in enough humour to sustain the whole novel.

'Nothing Ventured' was another step forward; taking four separate stories and intertwining them so that the novel flowed and the plot was easy to follow.

Now I've got a murder mystery to write where I need to keep the pace flowing and the readers guessing, right up to the end. Can I do it? There's only one way to find out.

Chapter 1, scene 1; Maggie Reynolds let out a long, relieved sigh as she locked the door and turned the sign to 'Closed.' She...