Category: writing

And writers

Categories
writing

Losing the thread

I thought I’d take this week off from writing Josh 2. The plan was to read some good books for inspiration and distraction. But instead I got sucked into becoming a Celebrity Big Brother fiend. The worst case of BB addiction I’ve ever had…I watched Big Brother, Big Brother’s Little Brother, Big Brother’s Big Brain, Big Brother’s Big Mouth, and the live feed for hours at a time, lurked on the Digitalspy boards. Yes, I’m a basket case.

(It’s drama, Jim, but not as we know it.)

Anyway, the distance has already helped me to start editing some earlier sections. But as for getting back into the writing…yikes! I was right in the zone, really trying to empathise with Josh as he embarks on a particularly climactic stage of the journey. Now I’ve lost the thread, all I can think about is the 4-career car crash that is Celebrity Big Brother 2007.

I should give it up. Can’t go cold turkey though. I’ll go back to the highlights show only.

Meanwhile some of us at Writewords are talking about the experience of writing a sequel to one’s first published novel. Seems that everyone’s feeling the pressure, as welcome as it is. Think I’m the only one to admit to dropping the pen to watch a reality TV show.

Categories
Joshua Files readers writing

Hey Danny, where are you?

Last summer whilst playing with my five-year-old daughter in the local playground I came across a family of children playing with their grandparents, with whom they were visiting.

One of these children, aged 10, was named Danny. Whilst playing on the roundabout we discussed Man United’s upcoming game, his school’s extra-curricular lessons in detective skills, and eventually he asked me what I did for a living.

I told him I wrote children’s books, but that none of them had been published yet. He seemed very interested, asked to know more. I told him about ‘The Joshua Files’. He was even more interested, even excited. “When can I read it?” he asked. Then I had to explain a bit of the publication process and the painful fact that he might never read it because it might never be published.

Agent had had the script for 3 months and I’d heard nairy a peep…

As we departed, I told Danny that he could find news of my book on the little Website I was knocking together for the book.

Danny – if you ever read this – guess what, “The Joshua Files” is going to be published. I’m sorry but you’ll have to wait until you’re at least 12 to read it!

Would you like a free signed copy of the book when it arrives in spring 2008? If you write to my agent, tell him what town you come from and which football team you support, then we’ll know it’s really you. I’ll see that you receive a copy asap.

Categories
ice shock writing

Book 2 begins

Since the beginning of December I’ve written the first 30,000 words of The Joshua Files – Book 2. I had considered the title ‘The Lotus Sect’ but my agent didn’t like it. I went back to the drawing board, came up with something that’s hopefully a bit more intriguing.

(An’ NURR, am not tellin’ you wot it is so SHU’ URP!)

Loving this writing. Book 1 is getting a good, thorough editing by my editor as I write Book 2. I’ve agreed to make one significant change to the character in the original ms – bringing Josh’s age down from 15 to 13. Trying this out in Book 2 was key to getting it right in the revised Book 1.

The Editor was right, the difference is subtle, yet will hopefully make the ms more accessible to a slightly younger readership.

NB I will name The Editor when The Publisher emerges from behind the screen.

Categories
agents writing

Yanno – Copyright Miss Snark

I may, from time to time, use the word ‘Yanno’. It’s an ironic version of Tony Blair’s ‘Yenno’.

I didn’t invent it, Miss Snark may have. Miss Snark is a literary agent whose blog provides snarky advice to aspiring writers. I am a fan of Miss Snark. There, I’ve said it.

Categories
Joshua Files writing

MG’s Books

I have a two-book deal for the first books of the series title: ‘The Joshua Files’.

Book 1 is ‘Invisible City’. Book 2 – first draft written – no title yet.

‘Invisible City’ is due out in Feb 2008.

UPDATE ADDED JULY 2007
The deal was recently announced by Scholastic Children’s Books and reported by Publishing News. You can read Redhammer’s (who represent my writing) announcement here.

Meanwhile I am now working on another project. Quite Secret! I’m not giving anything away about it except that it is set in Cuba and has the working title ‘Jaguar’s Realm’.

UPDATE ADDED OCT 2007
“The Joshua Files – Invisible City” is now listed at online retailers like Amazon.

It will be available from Feb 4th 2008.