Revelations – it’s always been there

Another six days at work and roll into the rest days with plans for the new stuff for The Magdon Series and marketing. It is quite funny the fact I sit staring into the ether coming up with random ideas on my journeys home (or naughtily when on training at work and not taking part). Well, what other time do I get to build this world of madness I have created?

It was quite amusing yesterday. Having been to the local retail park I got a new shirt for the Archy outfit (feedback is that people expect more variety in his clothes – however in the same vein people must appreciate this isn’t a Hollywood gig, it’s a stopgap UNTIL it becomes a Hollywood gig!) That said, a new pink shirt that is yet to be “customised” with some dirt, grime, blood and tears to add to the authenticity.

 

[image error]I’m probably enjoying this business a little too much

 

So, having purchased the newest ensemble I quickly scurried into the building site that is my unfinished cellar, slapped on some make-up around my face to add some bruises and decided the best way to approach that day was to interview Archy. Before I even went shopping I did my usual gym session, came home then took my oldest son to the youth gym. Whilst he’s pumping his own weights I sat in the reception area tapping out my ideas for a character interview.

It was then, as I was writing Archy’s answers to the questions, that I realised it has been done before. You see quite a few character interviews but I wanted mine to be different. That’s where the idea to do it in person popped into my mad brain. Of course, any excuse to get changed into costume can be forgiven. Funnily enough when I came downstairs the first thing my (soon to be three-year-old) daughter said is “Oh look it’s Archy!” I must be doing something right.

Off I pop into the cellar (with her whispering “daaaaddddyyyyyy” through the keyhole breaking my improvisation and character for just a moment.

It went well. I don’t half hate my own voice so I tried not to listen to what I had recorded if I didn’t have to. I sound like some over-posh wannabe!

Needless to say, it was when I was talking about Archy’s adventures in 1911 (the focus of the first book in the series Origins Of The Magdon: Vercovicium) that I had a flashback. You can probably see it in my face when I’m talking about throwing a stone at the wall that I get my glazed look that means my brain is somewhere else (or in this case some TIME else).

I was reminded of a small ruin of a building I found many years ago. I was seventeen at the time and used to walk to see my then girlfriend, now wife, along an old Roman Road and through the local countryside. It was always a nice walk and there was a private wood at the top of Roman Road that I decided to walk through one day. I remember literally stumbling overt his small wall and found the outline of an old house of building. To this day I have no idea what it used to be but I remember it in summer, the air close beneath the thick trees and bluebells growing all around. I used to meditate there it was so isolated.

There, sat talking about Arcy’s discovery leading to the adventures of the series, I realised that his find in the woods was mine from some sixteen years ago. I don’t think I’ve given that place a second thought for the last decade or more, yet here it is as vivid as anything manifesting in my story.

 

[image error]I’ve written all The Magdon books on this laptop – just look at the keyboard!

 

That made me realise how much of the real world seeps into my stories. I’ve come to accept what I have created as truth simply because I have thrown myself wholeheartedly into the world of my books.

Don’t get me wrong, I may have spent a few hours interviewing myself dressed up as a fictional character less than 1% of the population even knows exists but it felt the right thing to do. No matter how hard I look I can’t seem to find the “get famous publishing your books and perfectly advertise it without costing millions” portfolio that people seem to hint exists.

I am making this up as I go along. Much like my way of writing. I get an idea, a whim, a tickle of something and just run with it. Life is about, for me, taking those chances. As they say in training at work, I need to be a little more prepared to “suck up more risk”.

I don’t know if what I am doing is right. People keep downloading the freebies, I make occasional sales and interactions seem steady from what I do put out there to advertise me, my books and my world but who knows. I haven’t opened that email/letter from some Executive Producer or Publishing Giant that begins “we think your ideas are fantastic and would love to discuss with you the option of……….”

One day it may happen, maybe it won’t. I cannot predict the future but really, like I said in a comment on Facebook, I can’t rely on anyone else to be as connected, as invested or as caring about my project than I am. Heck, I can;t afford to ask some supermodel fella to become Archy so I’m afraid you’ll have to put up with my ugly mug until that happens (or doesn’t).

I’ll leave with this parting thought.When I asked Archy/myself the following question this is the answer he/we gave:

Q:

Is there anything you would like to say to people who might read your story?

A:

I am no motivational speaker, no influential figure of history so it feels quite strange trying to say something people might listen to but I suppose I would say this.

Never turn away through fear, dare to tread along forgotten paths as they lead to a world of adventure. Believe in yourself and one day, eventually, the world will too.