Review: THE DA VINCI FRAUD, by Jack Dunn and Jonathan Coad, published by Silvertail Books

Phew. Where to start with this one? Okay. When I wrote THE LAST TEMPLAR, back in the far-distant days of March 1994, not only did I know that this would be the start of a glittering literary career, I also knew that my research had been impeccable, the characterisation superb and the plotting without fault. … Continue reading

Quick Tips: Goals

I keep having people ask how I work: how do I get my ideas down on paper? How do I write so quickly? Well, I work one hour at a time. In 50 minutes I can type 1,000 words, and that is most of a scene, usually. Then I’ll take a ten minute break, during which I … Continue reading

Drugs again

Drugs – Yet Again Ach, I really, really dislike returning to this, but really, what is the point of the anti-drugs policy? I saw this today http://chapman.dailymail.co.uk/2011/11/your-best-friend-calls-you-and-tells-you-heshes-really-sick-how-do-you-show-you-care-1.html and felt the irritation rising again. A nice picture needed to calm me down now. Let’s see. Ah, water. That’s good. Is there a purpose to our “War … Continue reading

More Money Musings – and Publishing

A little more about money, since apparently everyone is interested in authors and their incomes. First, although people seem to understand the simple principle that “advances” are only interest free loans against future income, there is still confusion about how much authors get paid. I think it’s fair to say that the vast majority of … Continue reading

Musings on Writing – and Money

It is so tempting, having heard that a second very senior policeman from the Met has decided that his career is better off curtailed, even though he doesn’t see that he did anything wrong, to launch into a long spiel about the newspapers. But I won’t. I have interests in the story, which I’ll explain … Continue reading

A Moderate Moorland March

There are few things better than getting away from the desk and enjoying a ramble over the moors. That’s what I’ve been doing this weekend. My brother Keith and I left on Friday to go for a little wander over Dartmoor, hoping that the weather would be kind to us. It certainly wasn’t last time. … Continue reading

I Hate Losing Friends …

I am a pleasant guy. Honest. Look at me. Not terribly shifty, am I? And all I do is write books, after all. I am a very nice fellow. So why have I just ditched several hundred friends and friend requests from Facebook? It is a weird thing, that whereas in the past, authors were … Continue reading

Hacks and Hacking

Down here in Dartmoor, Hacking means taking the horse out. Not in London. There are all too few journalists who are trusted. I wonder why? They always show up as being less wholesome than estate agents – or even, God help us – ruddy politicians. I know a few journalists. Generally my own opinion is … Continue reading

Amazing reviews

The thing is, you see, I never trust reviews. Why would anyone trust them? I have reviewed a lot of books in my time. With some, such as the absolutely superb Lincoln Lawyer, or Angel’s Flight, both by Michael Connelly, I was rigorously honest and said I loved them. Good. But there were plenty which … Continue reading