Hello,
It’s been a while since I contributed to my blog, and it’s May already! Condensing these last few pandemic-dominated months into a few paragraphs reminds me of how much writing I’ve actually done. My big news (and you’ve probably guessed it from the feature image), is that my short story, ‘Behind The Eyes’ was published in the ‘Black Lives’ anthology from Nottingham Writers’ Studio. I’m delighted, not only to be published, and the recognition that brings, but to be associated with the Black Lives Matter movement which swept the world following the murder of George Floyd in the USA.
I’ve been trying to improve my craft, taking part in online writing events and talking to fellow writers. The backdrop to all this is an ongoing exploration of the work of other writers. I’ve read so many wonderful books recently: A Gentleman In Moscow (Amor Towles), Holiday (Stanley Middleton) and Station 11 (Emily St. John Mandell). I’ve just begun The Chymical Wedding by Lindsay Clarke. Rubbing up (so to speak) against these literary talents keeps me focussed on sentence structure, plot development, and all those elements that conspire to tell a good story and to tell it well. I’ve also been using software to spot elementary mistakes such as missed commas and layout errors. They’re a useful tool for additional objectivity.
So, onto my new projects. I’ve finished two new novels. The first, MARTIN, is based around a driverless car. AI cars will be on our roads in 2021, so I hope my dystopian thriller will capture people’s imagination. The second book is AFTER THE FALL—the follow-up to my debut, THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE. It’s on its second draft at the moment, so there’s a way to go before it’s ready for publication. I’m also writing short stories, which I really enjoy. There’s something satisfying about creating something poignant and thought provoking in a more concise format. It reminds me of my other life as a TV composer, having to write 45s songs that tell the viewer everything they need to know about the show and the main characters.
I think that’s it for the moment. Wishing you good health.
All best wishes,
Paul
