Did it … phew
here’s Cassie!
We were at a birthday party a couple of weekends ago – most of the people there we knew. One of them, a good friend, commented on my novels. He said that as well as my stuff he reads Jack Reacher. Mine, he said with real sincerity, were better than that penned by Lee Child. He amplified. He said that (as I have said this previously, as a fan of the Jack Reacher books), Lee Child writes to a formula, which gives his readers exactly what they want. [A Lee Child book is sold somewhere in the world every 20 seconds; so it’s not a bad formula] Mine are all different. Same genre – but all different, with plot twists and new ideas. Held together, he said, by the main character, Sam Green.
I have to believe Peter – my pal – because, early on (now almost 6 years ago) he told me that Unsuspecting Hero, a book I have subsequently rewritten, wasn’t very good. He’s now a convert.
I mention this because, breathes in, I have just finished draft one of book 6 (no title). I’ve laid down 126,000 words and only have an epilogue (2,500) to go. It has not been easy; and that’s an understatement. This year, with everything else going on, I have really had to push myself to get the words down. And now I’m done, I’m really happy with it. Yes, it needs a lot of work and I think there’s going to be more plot consistency issues than usual, but all of that is a joy. It’s getting the words on the paper in the first place that is the struggle for all authors. Ask any of us.
And this has come about exactly when my book sales have fallen off a cliff. I have no idea why – I never do. And so, notwithstanding Peter’s kind comments, I really feel 2020 is crunch time. I will (I will, I will) market the series as I edit the sixth book in the Spring. And if nothing comes of it, I will not start another until I feel that I’m writing for more than about 500 people.
We’ll see. Anyhow. It’s done (with two final plot twists which you’re going to love).
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spot the parking fine
What else has been happening? Mostly writing. And running. C has a cold – and has been shopping for our trip to Chatel – which has bucket loads of snow (yippee!). I popped down town today to handout a couple of Christmas gifts to an ex-Army homeless person I’ve met. Only to get a parking fine for the privilege. I met up with Elizabeth for coffee – which was fun – and, oh have I told you? I finished book 6.
I’m back with the MoD tomorrow – all day (a last minute request). And at a school in Salisbury on Friday. More work, but all in a good cause.
Hurrah?
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had a walk down the Severn
