I started writing the book some weeks back and, at present, I'm managing about one to two hours a day (such are the demands of writing a novel whilst also having a full time job and a full time life!!) Despite the restrictions on time (God knows, if I could write all day I would do so!) I do find there is real catharsis to the actual process of writing and being creative. At least, at this stage, I can concentrate on the formulative process of the book and not worry about marketing and publishing (not necessarily in that order) at a later stage. I've already planned it out meticulously and it is just a case of maybe filling in the gaps in order to get the first draft completed, before moving on to the next stage. I hope to have all this done by the end of the year. In the meantime, I can just crack on, enjoy and fill in the gaps with research etc. I'm definitely looking for an on-line VA if anyone is interested!
I've just completed a section of the book (don't fret – I'm not giving the plot away here!) whereby some characters attend a military briefing. I hope that I've managed to describe it with some realism, as well as setting up some of the background for the reader as the novel progresses. The proof will be in the pudding, as they say, when the book is completed. My partner (who will definitely get a dedication!) also made a brilliant suggestion today. All will be revealed in due course.
Following on from the matter of research, I'm currently reading James Lovelock's latest (and probably last book) on Gaia theory – 'The Vanishing Face of Gaia'. It's his final comment on Climate Change and immensely relevant. I hope to have finished it by the next post, which I can then make a critique of the book. At this stage, I can only add that its well worth a read.
Owen Law
