Changing Direction - guest blog by Simon Dinsdale
Simon Dinsdale is a retired murder detective - and a very successful one - who has turned to writing crime fiction. His first novel, Dark Shadow, is out now, and his journey from one career to another makes an interesting story, in my opinion. So I invited him to contribute a guest blog post about that journey. Here it is, and because Simon is a good storyteller, it has a great last line!
'In April 2010, I retiredfrom Essex police. I enjoyed my twenty-seven years as a detective and had risento senior rank. During that time, I encountered and investigated the very worsthumanity is capable of and saw things no one should see or suffer. All thisexperience has given me a fund of stories to tell, and not all of them tall.
My retirement plan was straightforward. To fulfila long-held ambition and write the book I had been itching to start but never hadthe time for.
I set myself two objectives. To sign apublishing contract and be accepted into the Crime Writers Association. With anOU creative writing course under my belt and a fully formed character and plot readyto go, what could stop me?
My knowledge of police procedure, forensicsand how to investigate a murder inspires my writing, although there is, ofcourse, a healthy dollop of poetic licence.
I soon discovered things weren’t as roundedas I thought. Early drafts were greeted by readers with an embarrassed smileand advice to not write it like a police report. First submissions to literaryagent slush piles were rejected at lightning speed.
As time went on, self-doubt crept in, and Ioccasionally considered giving up. But I am passionate about my stories andenjoy the process, so I persevered. But continued rejection takes its toll.
Then COVID hit, the dreaded lockdownfollowed, and my luck changed. Through a mutual contact Martin Edwards and Iformed a double act as we delivered a series of lectures together on Zoom.Martin enthralled the audience with his encyclopaedic knowledge of crimefiction, and I followed with my experience of real murder investigations. Whenhe discovered I was an aspiring crime writer Martin was full of interest. He gaveme sage advice, practical assistance and gently encouraged me to not give upand self-publish.
I took his advice, persevered, and signedthat elusive publishing contract with Sharpe Books last year. My first book,Dark Shadow has now been released. It follows the adventures of Christian Dane,a Senior Investigating Officer, as he hunts down the ruthless killer of fivemen. Along the way, he encounters trials, tribulations and finds a soulmate as hispast threatens to destroy him.
It has been a long journey, but I have achievedmy objective. The feelings I experienced when holding a paperback book with myname on the cover for the first time are difficult to describe.
The CWA has accepted my application to joinas a full member, and more adventures of Christian Dane are on the way. So, Ican say, with some pride, the first mission is accomplished. Although snaring apublishing contract is harder than catching a serial killer, believe me.'
