It has been a while since I posted on this blog.
My intention has always been to be a diligent blogger, posting weekly with new and interesting content, but this is not always possible, and I deeply admire those who manage to stick to this type of schedule!
However, I can share some news today that will at least serve as my note of excuse over the coming months!
I have a new work in progress.
This new novel will be a little like “Gone to the Dogs” and its prequel, “Thryke: The Man that Nobody Knew,” in as much as it will have both humorous and satirical elements – but there is one fundamental departure. While both of the aforementioned titles are set in the 20th century, my new work finds itself birthed in Medieval England.
I’m only just working out what this means in terms of the language and devices that I can employ because many of the turns of phrase that I would naturally write, particularly within dialogue, just would not have existed at the time!
My main character, Crispin, a young carver, comes from a village that the rest of Norman England has seemingly forgotten. This gives me an interesting tool, as I can exploit holes in his knowledge for comic effect. Is it possible he would not even know what a King was? If he did, he would definitely not know what the King looked like. This sort of loophole could easily be used to gently mock our modern age of celebrity.
I also like the idea of a carver – seeing the image that is already in the wood or simply chipping away to see what emerges.
I say that because I have no idea how this work will resolve itself.
I must admit, writer friends, that since I finished “Thryke”, I have been waiting for the next idea to emerge in a clash of cymbals, perfect and fully-formed. A couple of years on, and guess what, nothing happened! So when a kernel of an idea came into mind a month or two ago, I took the decision to go with it – even if I had no real idea of direction.
And this is where I find myself today.
I think I will post semi-regular updates here – if only as a sounding board for my own thoughts – but I would also love you to get involved via the comments section with your own views, experiences, and observations.
In the meantime, I have work to do, so toodles!