writerlywitterings

This month’s reading for basics. Other books in the TBR pile!

Those who have kept up with my recent blogs will know that I have tried a number of different approaches in recent months.

First I had the brilliant idea of going to first principles and writing long hand with my fountain pens (thanks, Dante del Vecchio and Visconti), but although I was very keen on the idea, there is no doubt that it was a much slower method than my old one of simply typing things straight to computer, and I have to admit, I find that my thoughts and writing flow much better with a keyboard. Ideas and planning is better with a pen and paper, but actual writing, for me, is best on screen.

My new approach involves using my Astrohaus Freewrite. It will be much faster to type, and with luck the fact that I can take it with me everywhere will help. Not that I mean to take it to cafes or restaurants (that’s not time- or cost-effective), but the fact that I can sit here in my kitchen with the pup means I can do more writing, and that in itself is a big improvement.

If you’ve read my reviews, you’ll know that I absolutely adore my Freewrite. However, one thing that is not good about the Freewrite is the lack of a cover. The box it comes in is good, but the unit cost of a moulded plastic lid would be so tiny compared with the cost of the machine itself that I really do not understand why the clever chaps at Astrohaus don’t do it as a standard. Be that as it may, I’ll make a leather case when I get some time.

But before I can do that, I have a book to write. This one will be using the Freewrite as the main input device, my iMac as the editing machine using the latest version of Scrivener, and then Nisus Writer Pro to track changes and amendments coming back from the editor, copy editor and proof readers.

It’s going to be an interesting project. Wish me luck!

In the meantime, I have a new series starting shortly. PILGRIM’S WAR is the first in a gritty tale about the First Crusade. This first story tells the tale of the long march of the followers of Peter the Hermit. The next book will take us to the capture of Jerusalem, and subsequent stories will tell of the Kingdom of Jerusalem from the point of view of a Knight Templar. I hardly need say that I’m really looking forward to getting back into medieval mode!

PILGRIM’S WAR will be available from February 8th, but you can order your copy now. It’s in hardback first of all, so if you want a copy, put in your order soon. There’s only a limited print run, and I don’t want you disappointed!

After PILGRIM’S WAR, I have another book out in May/June, which will be the third in my BLOODY MARY series. As my readers know, this is my holiday series. Not for you to take on holiday, no. It’s for me. I haven’t had a holiday for a couple of years, and the nearest I get to it is writing a fun tale.

This series is more of a humorous romp, and for me, it’s a little relaxation after the harder effort of the Templar, Vintener and Pilgrim stories. Why? Well, the characterisation, plotting and research take as much effort, but the lead character is fun to write. It’s a bit like the difference between going to work and going to the pub. Jack Blackjack doesn’t feel like work (yet). He’s just a rather confused, slightly foolish man who’s been thrown into a nasty set of situations, and who is desperately trying to extricate himself at every turn.

The latest one is my first writing under the new regime. I have already written the main themes and planned the flow. Now all I have to do is write it! The past stories have been a blast to write, and have had me laughing out loud while writing. Hopefully this will be the same – and it’ll have the same impact on readers!

And that is about it for now. I have a lot of work to get on with, and two hounds who appear to be desperate for a walk now. So I’d best get on with things!

Happy New Year!