I feel like a writing machine. I’m 73,000 words in and, b...

I feel like a writing machine. I’m 73,000 words in and, by the end of today, that’ll be at least 75,000. That’s about 70,000 words in a month, some of them in the right order. I am getting them down on the page much quicker than usual, and certainly much faster than I could hope for. I should, notwithstanding an earthquake, have a first draft by the time Bex, Steven and Henry arrive home on the 18th of December. That would be fab.

it’s all getting a bit complicated

It’s been a strange, but interesting book so far. I normally have Sam and the team split between a couple of locations. And a further major, sometimes two, subplot(s) which seemingly have nothing to do with the book, but eventually tie in with the main plot. Other characters pop in and pop out, and it’s always a bit crazy, but I manage. This time I have Sam and the team split between two locations, but Sam and Jane are constantly moving (just left Athens). And I have two and a half subplots, including three new characters. I have also brought back two old characters (Wolfgang and David Jennings) and intend to bring back two more – the Israelis from The Belmonte Paradox and, if you’ve read the books, do you remember the congressman’s daughter from The Innocence of Trust? It is doing my head in, especially as every time I write something, something new pops into my head which can’t stop itself … because it’s interesting. And trying to keep the whole thing afloat so that I don’t have a plot hole, or an issue with continuity (like, have I mentioned what Heather is wearing? Did I describe her coat? Does it have a hood?) is an intellectual minefield. My head is hurting.

And then there’s the whole series continuity. That’s about balancing history – making sure that when I go back in time, or mention the past, I’m accurate. But actually, it’s more than that. Is Sam Green still Sam Green? Does she do things Sam would? Does she say things like Sam does? Is she believable as a continuity character?

Eight books in and it’s all a bit messy. But, it is fair to say that I am still loving it.

And C and I are very close to finishing the second edit of the audiobook. I think we’re on Chapter 17/24. Unless I haven’t understood the Audible process, a 1 December publication looks like it’s workable. And Jen has finished the artwork, which we both love.

mmmm

It’s not been all work, though. Yesterday I took the car to get a new tyre (it was an MoT advisory and we are heading for Chatel in January and you can’t beat having decent tyres). In the end I went to a very decent garage which does part-worn tyres. I got a winter tyre, four balances and tracking done for £77. I didn’t go ‘new’ because all of the tyres will need replacing next winter and I’m sure what legs the old girl’s got left in her. C reckons the winter looks new … and it does. Clearly it’s off a car which has been in an accident, but I took it up to Gloucester yesterday and it ran perfectly.

looks good?

My trip to Gloucester was to see my mate Peter, who’s had his knee replaced. I went bearing gifts of grapes … and we had a good old chin wag. All’s well there, which is great. Tomorrow I’m out for breakfast with Kenn, one of my other Army pals. We go to the Tollgate, just north of bath. That’ll include a lot of politics. And then it’ll be back for some more writing. And more writing after that.

Keep safe everyone. C had a scare yesterday when she woke not feeling great. She took a lateral flow test, which came back negative, so that’s ok.

And off to Jen’s on Saturday to knock down some walls. I might do some writing between times …