Tag: manuscript

Hazards of the Modern Writer-(ex)Postman. Episode 18

Here in Oz we’re in the back end of winter. Cold weather is good writing weather. So, I’ve been writing. Yep, I’m hard at it on a new crime novel called Happy Days. ATM, I’m 49,000 words into the manuscript (that’s about 60% completed) and I think- no, I’m sure- No. No. I think I know who-did-it. Always helpful in a murder mystery I suppose (especially if you’re the author).

So, what’s Happy Days about, Chris? I hear you ask.

Well . . .

Forty-something, Martha has left her boorish husband, Simon, to begin a new life with her soul mate, Gordon. Unfortunately, Gordon is killed in a car accident. Grief-stricken and adrift, Martha uproots herself from the city and moves to the picturesque town of Melton in the NSW central west where she plans to open a book shop.

Melton was a boom town during the 19th century gold rush and a famous nugget, Happy Days was found close to town. That nugget, preserved at the museum in Sydney was stolen almost 20 years ago when on display at a gold festival in Melton. Martha rents the shop that was used as a base by the thieves and this piques her interest to solve the mystery and find out Happy Days fate.

But a firebug strikes in Melton – attempting to burn down Martha’s shop, as well as an out building on a nearby farm. The farmer, Sarah, tells Martha she’s been the victim of ‘bad luck’ – with stock getting out, equipment mysteriously breaking down – and now the fire.

With the police ineffective, crime-fiction loving Martha determines to reveal the firebug and in doing so uncovers a multi-million dollar plot that could cost her life.

That’s all I’m giving away. Okay?

As I said in my previous dispatch, I’m no longer a postman. I’m at that stage in life where I can support myself (at a comfortable level) through my savings and writing income. So, it’s not bread and water – or road kill – for my meals. Mind you, we have a plague of wild deer here in the Illawarra.

Yeah. I said deer (see pic. below)

This picture was taken on my postie run a few years back. There are deer everywhere now. As I said, plague proportion. The upside is a wonderful supply of fresh venison. Not to everyone’s taste I know, but why look a gift horse (deer) in the mouth? Mmmm. Venison in a red wine sauce with truffle oil and chat potatoes. (Pretentious? Moi? Oh, no, no, no!)

Music I’m listening to as I write:

Augie March

Porcupine Tree

Okay. That’s it for now. Hopefully next time I post I’ll have GOOD news to crow about.

Until then, bye, bye, bye . . . .

Hazards of the Modern Writer-Postman. Episode 13

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 Hazards of the Modern Writer-Postman. Episode 4.

I understand maintaining your garden can be time-consuming and not exactly high on one’s priority list of household chores. But lorks-a-lordy, spare a thought for your friendly neighbourhood Writer-Postman.

Somewhere in that green Cousin It look-a-like vegetative monstrosity is a letterbox!

Pass the machete please!

Can you see the letterbox? Just right of centre, low down. Yeah low down all right! A Writer-Postman runs the risk of poking out an eye – or poking something worse.

So come on people, think of the hardworking postmen and postwomen who bring you messages of joy and hope (and the occasional bill) and get those hedge clippers out. TODAY.

Manuscript Existential Crisis

It had to happen. Just had to. It happens with every novel. A crisis of faith in the story and the characters. Self doubt. A dip in confidence.

This crisis was triggered when I realised I’d taken a wrong plot path – and followed it a very long way. Aargh!

But now I’ve picked my way back through the wilderness and found where I veered onto the wrong path. The good news is that I think I can use some of this material later in the manuscript.

The even better news is I do have confidence in this manuscript and characters and it will be back on track in no time.

But, oh, the darkness, the doubt, the fear. Be gone!

Aaah, that feels better. Okay, back to the keyboard. . .