Children's and YA Author
Long time no talk- er, type. Whatever. The writer-postman is back – and I have a lost interview to share.
I was very fortunate to land a gig on this interview show. I discussed a children’s fantasy novel that was slated to be published . . . only to see the publishers go out of business! yeah. Reason Number 423 an author doesn’t get published.
Oh well, here’s the interview from ‘The Covid Years’.
2023 has proved quite a challenge for this writer-postman. Not a lot of writing done. Not a lot of postmanning done either.
I can usually produce a polished manuscript in twelve months. It’s true that the twelve months of 2023 aren’t up yet, but the odds of me offering a completed crime novel manuscript are not good.
The reasons for this are neither writerly or postmanly. They are deeply personal – but I am willing to share them with the cyber world. I’m not giving away state secrets or deeply buried feelings. They are real.
After a protracted illness, my beloved Father died in June 2023. He was a humble man with a great sense of humour and a warmth and love for others that I only hope I can aspire to. I don’t think I ever heard him swear or speak ill of others. Even when he was dying he wanted what was best for everyone else. I love him and miss him greatly.
I underwent two surgeries. A hand operation in May and an emergency appendectomy only last weekend. These have seen me off work at the Post Office since May.
My wife also underwent surgery. Throughout this year we have acted as each other’s carer. I have learned from these experiences that ours is a very very special love/relationship/friendship and I cherish it deeply.
But not all distractions from writing/postmanning were not sad or painful. Far from it. In September I was blessed to become a grandfather again with the birth of my first granddaughter. A bonny sister for my grandson. I cherish them both. They bring light to my gloomy world.
To writing: My novel-in-progress Mule sits on 52,000 words. I am amazed I have that many words down. The manuscript progresses slowly, but surely. I am pleased with the narrator’s voice – a 17 year-old young man from Sydney’s western suburbs – who gets caught up in a drugs deal gone wrong thanks to his feckless father, a broken-down ex-footballer. I think, if I can ever finish it, that it will be snapped up by publishers. Crime fiction authors (and their publishers) continue to stain the streets of rural Australia with blood. I’ve moved crime back to the city, but to the seldom used working class suburbs out west.
And now Christmas and a new year looms. I can only hope for good health for myself and family and that the words continue to flow for Mule.
What I’m listening to when I write (or recuperate) . . . ‘The Car’ by Arctic Monkeys. Do yourself a favour and have a listen . . .
As for postmanning? I may have delivered my last letter and the Post Office and I may be parting ways, soon.
Until next time . . . bye bye bye.
The weather is a major factor in the day-to-day exploits of the modern writer-postman. Sweltering heat, torrential rain, cyclonic winds. And sometimes all at once.
Such conditions can detract from the plotting process of works of fiction when house roofs are being lifted, cars are being washed away – right there in front of you!
A little rain had fallen- All right, a LOT of rain fell. Everywhere in the whole city. Flooding, distress, disorder. But there was no wet mail delivered by me. Oh no. I am a professional and I care for my customers’s mail, always.
Anyway, let’s move on to the writing part of this post. Two points to cover: My manuscript tentatively called Corruption is currently under consideration at Hachette. So, it’s fingers crossed for a YES. Secondly, I’m currently – yes, I’m very current – polishing my manuscript-in-progress called Squeezed (don’t like the title) and will be looking to email it to Lyn, my agent at Australian Literary Management, at the end of this week (today is Sunday. I’m giving myself to Friday afternoon to fine-tooth comb my words).
Below is a pic of my current editing suite . . .
Well, it does the trick. There’s plenty of natural light and fresh air. It’s comfy, roomy, close to the kitchen. Every writer-postman should have such a room.
That’s it, I’m out of here.
At the moment (didn’t want to type ‘currently’ again) I’m reading:
‘The Glass Hotel’ by Emily St. John Mandel
‘Vacuum in the Dark’ by Jen Beagin
‘Sweeney and the Bicycles’ by Philip Salom
At the moment (really didn’t want to type ‘currently’ again) I’m watching:
‘Truth Be Told’ Apple+ (5/10. Cliche dialogue – plus characters who don’t listen to one another. They have their info dump (plot information/backstory) to deliver (rather clunky) and just go for it. The main character didn’t make sense. Can’t see she’s destroying the lives of her loved ones and always put herself first).
‘Vera’ ABC (Australia)
‘The Weekly with Charlie Pickering’ ABC (Australia) Comedy gold about the news.
And ‘Poirot’ on DVD. My wife and I are rewatching every case in episode order. We’re up to number 60.
Hello cycling enthusiasts and welcome to beautiful Wollongong, here in NSW Australia.
I’ve laid my quill on my desk and put the lid on the ink for a moment to embrace this huge cycling event that has arrived on my doorstep.
It was the Mens Final today and what a race! Below you’ll see one of my reports for sporting news websites and channels across the world.
No news. At all. Nothing. To quote the modern vernacular: crickets . . .
Okay, Mr/Mrs Publisher, I can take a hint. Maybe we both need a break from each other.
I’m going on holidays! My wife and I have headed south – down Australia’s east coast to the region known as The Sapphire Coast. No, no. The waterways and environs aren’t littered with precious gemstones, rather the sea and the sky are sapphire-like in colour.
I’ve published two kids books on Amazon through kindle.
First off, here’s a fantasy tale called ‘The Miraculous Destiny of Edward Cooper’. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C1T5F28
My second novel is called ‘The Trials and Tribulations of a (Wannabe) Teenage Rock Star’. I think the title’s pretty self-explanatory. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DLTZF6B
By the way, adults can read these books. They’re not sweary or rude, but have fun and spills and thrills, good guys and bad girls (good girls, too. And a couple of really bad guys).
Here’s the link to my Amazon Author’s Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/chrismctrustry
It’s happened. The first time, ever, for me in my fiction writing career.
A form of WRITER’S BLOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t if it was, you know, WB, but the other night, as I was on the cusp of sleep I pondered my novel and where I’d be going with it next. There was nothing. Just this dark wall-like thing in my mind (where I can usually play out the action like a movie) preventing me ‘seeing’ anything. Nothing. But the next day I had an answer (a key to The Block) and onwards I travel. Phew. From a writing perspective that feeling is awful. I felt lost. Hopeless. Plotless. I’m glad it was only overnight.
But now it is onwards and upwards with the manuscript – plus, I sat down and wrote myself a detailed plot line from where I’m at (close to the end) all the way to The End.
Now onto more more important matters:
Can you find the letterbox?
Okay. It wasn’t that hard. But this is still an obstacle course for your friendly Writer-Postman.
Manuscript word count: 81,408.
Getting close to the end now and I can’t wait to find out who the killer is. I have my suspicions, but you can never tell with a crime novel there’s always a final twist.
The weather continues to be the enemy of all posties here in Eastern Australia.
Rain, rain, and more rain. And then more rain, rain, rain.
But how does this ‘rain’ of which you write manifest itself? I hear you ask. (see below)
Need I say more? It’s a lot for a modern writer/postman to deal with, but deal with it I did. I mean, the sooner the mail is delivered, the sooner I can get home behind the keyboard. Of course I take care of family matters, domestic chores, and then it’s off to the world of . . . well, wherever my imagination takes me.
MANUSCRIPT UPDATE: Corruption is currently under consideration at a publisher. The Squeezed, my latest in-progress manuscript, progresses well. 75,000 words down. Editing on the run has got me caught up to where I’m at. This means I’ve added in changes, made adjustments, deleted unnecessary sections and generally tidied the draft. Now it’s on to uncharted waters. But never fear, there is a plot line for me to follow. Now it’s onward to:
T H E E N D
Hiding Letterboxes
My crime manuscript Squeezed continues to blossom. And bloom. And now I am pruning. Yes yes. I know. It’s premature – the blinking thing isn’t finished yet, but the edit is really tightening the prose and focusing the plot and developing the characters.
So it’s onwards and upwards. I shall continue digging out my novel and finding those pesky hiding letterboxes.
I’m doing something I promised myself I wouldn’t do. No. It’s nothing illegal or something that could be deemed ‘naughty’. I’m editing my manuscript before I’ve completed the first draft.
Finish the damn thing. Completely. Then tinker and cut and polish, the little voice inside my head yodels. But no. I’m editing.
Why now? you ask. Now, when you’re so close to finishing the manuscript. The short answer is: I have to.
This pollution monstrosity on my postie run is a pretty fair representation of what’s going on in my writer’s head at the moment.
But I shall prevail!
Onwards and upwards to ‘The End’
Chris McTrustry 