One of the most interesting things about writing is when a story appears to take control of itself and starts making decisions for you, the writer. When I started Mephistopheles, still only a working title but I have got an idea that I like for a better one, I had only one protagonist in mind, … Continue reading Writing My Seventh Novel – Part Eight
Writing My Seventh Novel – Part Seven
Plotting. When it comes to writing there is no question of whether to plot or not to plot, it is an integral part of the story building process. Events have to happen for the story to move forward. This is true even where the tale is character driven. How successful a writer is at spinning … Continue reading Writing My Seventh Novel – Part Seven
Writing My Seventh Novel – Part Six
Torture. Not the writing, the act of extracting information from an unwilling person. It is not a pleasant thought. I suppose, unless you have prior experience of being a torturer, then that is exactly how it should be. However, the act of torturing someone does appear to be something of a staple in thrillers. The … Continue reading Writing My Seventh Novel – Part Six
Writing My Seventh Novel – Part Five
I am just approaching the 20,000 word mark. Some writers insist that the word count is unimportant but I do not agree. I like having both a target and a measure as to how I am progressing. 70,000 is the approximate minimum figure for a novel these days. I usually exceed this by several thousand. … Continue reading Writing My Seventh Novel – Part Five
Writing My Seventh Novel – Part Four
I have been busy! My status as a key worker has been revoked due to health concerns. Basically, I have been identified as vulnerable and my employer has decided that I should remain at home. This disappoints me as I felt that my work was worthwhile and I have already been exposed to the Coronavirus, … Continue reading Writing My Seventh Novel – Part Four
Writing My Seventh Novel – Part Three
Just like everything else involved in writing different authors have different ways of planning the plot of their stories. Mine generally take shape in the first draft phase. There is very little that is solid about this, however. I have found that unless you are writing about something that has already occurred, as in historical … Continue reading Writing My Seventh Novel – Part Three
Writing My Seventh Novel – Part Two
So, the first draft has done its job, whether it is finished or not. I rely on my instinct to decide the opportune moment for moving onto the next stage, which is of course, the second draft, and everything else that goes with it. Where the first draft was an exercise in capturing ideas the … Continue reading Writing My Seventh Novel – Part Two
Writing My Seventh Novel – Part One
Having decided to write my next book I thought I might use this blog to record my progress. Hopefully, I will be able to post regular updates as the project develops. To get things started I thought I would begin at the beginning, very original eh? What I mean by this is to start with … Continue reading Writing My Seventh Novel – Part One
Being Creative in a Time of Negativity
My wife reminded me lately that I once said that if I could have a couple of months of work then I could write another book! Prophetic words. I have not exactly had a couple of months to dedicate to writing another book, I am a key worker, but I have recently had a couple … Continue reading Being Creative in a Time of Negativity
Kingdom (Netflix)
I am not a fan of zombies. I have always found them rather limited as a horror staple. I do, however, enjoy Korean movies. I decided to try Kingdom simply because it was set in medieval Korea and included not just the zombie element but also all the court intrigues involved in a power struggle … Continue reading Kingdom (Netflix)
Peter C Whitaker 