LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

    My poor readers. You've been eagerly awaiting the next book in the DI Sonny Russell series of crime mysteries and I've kept you hanging around for much longer than I usually do between books. I don't know why this one has taken so long - almost two years already. 

    It started well, with a good strong thread revolving around dubious goings on in a sanatorium, then a second thread dealing with Egyptian artefacts someone was trying to sell, which might have been stolen and might or might not be genuine. Somewhere along the line writing slowed to a crawl as I was struggling to find a way forward. It wasn't writers block, as such, but I couldn't even see the tunnel, let alone the light at the end of it. But, at last, the writing has gathered pace.

    In my usual way, I write as a reader - keen to discover what's coming next. Interesting ideas came out of the blue, including a new character, an Assistant Chief Constable, who has requested Russell's help in a sensitive case. This only happened about twenty pages ago and has helped the narrative immensely. 

    I have just passed the magical 75,000 word mark so feel I'm on the home straight. So saying, I'd better get on with writing it!

SLOUGH OF DESPOND

 SLOUGH OF DESPOND

or why can't I be arsed?

Maybe it's because of the never-ending pandemic. Maybe it's because of the fallout from the stupid Brexit. Maybe it's because of the crap, unsettled weather. Maybe the planets are misaligned. Maybe it's all or none of these. Whatever it is, I just can't raise enthusiasm for tasks that I normally find challenging and usually enjoy. 

Generally, Aggie and I go for a trot to the beach and I find a suitable location and take a photo of her posing somewhere interesting, then post it on social media later. But even those photo shoots are now few and far between. I still try to walk a couple of miles a day and odd things still lift my spirits. Yesterday, it was the sight of a schooner in full sail in the bay which got me excited, but it hasn't lasted. Even railway modelling, where I can usually lose myself and lose track of time, holds no attraction.

I'm not suffering from writers block, either. In fact I've put down over a thousand words of the new book - number six in the Inspector Sonny Russell series - and I know where the plot is going - vaguely, so it's not that. Also, I've got a new laptop so writing is physically much easier. But, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to actually get down to it.

I've been trying to get the latest book, Blood in the Garden, formatted for kindle. Even that is proving to be a trial and I'm wondering if it's worth it. 

Could it be my age? I know we're supposed to slow down as we get older but it ain't no fun. I guess I'll just have to weather it and hope my normal enthusiasm returns soon. Otherwise...

WHO'S ZOOMING WHO?

 

WHO’S ZOOMING WHO?

Shinglesea 2007

I generally give between 15 and 20 talks every year to a variety of groups: WI, U3A and gardening clubs. The most popular talk is called ‘BEHIND THE SCENES AT CHELSEA’. No, not the football club, or the London borough, but the annual, prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show where I designed and built three small show gardens. I talk my audience through the process of applying to exhibit, sourcing plants and materials and approaching sponsors. Then how, in ten long days, starting with a patch of bare turf, we create a little bit of landscape that looks like it has been lifted bodily from somewhere else in the country and plonked down on the Chelsea show site. The talk, that lasts about 45 minutes, is illustrated with more than 80 high quality photographs.

Spana's Courtyard Retreat 2008

This used to mean that I had to jump in the car and drive to the venue. As my ‘fame’ spread further, the distances I had to travel had increased so the journey there could sometimes take more than an hour and just as long to return home - often quite late in the evening. On top of that, I had to make sure I could find the hall and that I’d remembered all the equipment I’d need: laptop, projector, relevant connecting cables and extension lead. And most importantly that I’d got the right day. But, like so much else, all that changed a year ago.

The Pilgrim's Rest 2009

Now I’ve become used to giving my talks via Zoom. The upside is that I can do this from the comfort of my own home. No worrying about closed roads or inclement weather that I’ll have to drive through; no last minute panic that I’ve left something critical behind or that I haven’t left enough time to get there (yes, I am guilty of cutting it fine). The downside is slightly different.

The Pilgrim's Rest 2009

People have become accustomed to, and comfortable with, using Zoom so it’s surprisingly easy to access nowadays. The groups are well versed in setting it up so all I have to do is fire up the laptop and click on the link to their group. Once the preliminaries are over I can start my talk and share the photos I normally project onto a screen and this is where it becomes strange. Almost without exception my audience is muted. This means that apart from just four people visible down the side of the screen, I’m basically talking to myself – which is a little weird. But, I’m very grateful that groups still want to hear my talks and long may it continue.

BOATS and how I use them

 BOATS

and how I use them

Compass Point - tide's out.

I'm sure you're aware that as well as designing gardens and writing crime novels I also model narrow gauge railways. I have built a number of layouts over the last 30 years or so and nearly always incorporate boats.

Castle Quay - layout in a wine box.

My love affair with boats and the water started when I began sailing dinghies at the age of about 12. Since then my passion has never gone away. I like things to be correct so I put as much time and effort into getting the details of the boats correct as I do into modelling trains and landscape.

Compass Point - tractor and boat-launching trailer

Not only in getting the details of the boats correct but of all things to do with them, especially in making sure they are correctly tied up and moored.

Crab boat - based one one moored in Rye Harbour

Boats also play an important role in my books as they are set close to the coast in Sussex. The one I'm currently working on - and coming to end of writing - involves a boat, a bit further away, on the Medway. I've had to dig deep into my experiences to write about a boat getting caught in a strong  tidal current, when it's not suited for that type of water. 

Sabots Wharf - a layout in a shoebox

You'll have to wait a little longer to find out what happens, but in case you haven't read the previous escapades of DI Sonny Russell and his faithful hound, Aggie, details of the titles can be found to the right of this blog. The books are available in paperback and kindle.

Nottery Quay - based on the Strand in Rye

WRITER'S BLOCK? WHAT BLOCK

 WRITER'S BLOCK

WHAT WRITER'S BLOCK?

A bit of a tongue in cheek title for this blogpost as I don't actually suffer from writer's block. Words have never been a problem for me. Probably as a result of being 5/8ths Irish - yes really. Plus my mother kissed the Blarney Stone. (I went to Blarney Castle a few years ago but as I suffer from vertigo, there was no way I was going to lean over backwards to kiss it, so the gift of the gab must have come from her.)

However, when I'm writing I sometimes come to a point where I'm not sure how the narrative should progress or in which direction to take it.

I learned a valuable lesson, many moons ago, in a different life, when I was ceramic designer. Then, being young and headstrong, I thought that if I just ploughed on doggedly, when stuck, something would come out of it. I soon learned it was completely the wrong approach. If I did this, whatever I produced would be either absolute rubbish or things would just keep on going wrong. But if I left the problem alone and did something totally different for a while, when I returned to it things seemed to work out. (I will admit that the something different might involve alcohol, but as I said, I was much younger then.)

These days, now that I'm older and wiser (!) I have a different approach. I put the writing aside and take myself and Aggie for a long walk, usually on the beach. Something about the openness of the landscape or the fresh air or the lack of distractions, helps to clear my mind. Then, the plot, or characters, become clearer, and I return home refreshed, knowing the direction the story is going to take. 

I also treated myself to a drum kit, when I reached a recent milestone birthday, and the discipline of concentrating on keeping time is another good distraction.

THE FORTUNES OF WAR - a writer's inspirations

THE FORTUNES OF WAR

a writer's inspirations.

Last week I finished writing BLOOD ON THE STRAND, book three in the DI Sonny Russell series of crime novels. Hurrah! and Oh dear! I felt a sense of satisfaction for sticking to something for over a year coupled with a strange sense of loss. I've felt this before and the best thing, I find, is to get on with the next project - straight away. But what to write?

I've long had an interest in the esoteric, particularly Tarot cards and the germ of an idea featuring them had been lurking at the back of my mind for some time. But how to use them in a story? I remembered I'd come across an actual unsolved case known as The Wirral Pillbox Murder where the body of a prostitute was found in a WW2 pillbox in 1955. Despite a huge manhunt, which saw 40,000 people being quizzed across the country, her murder still remains unsolved. 

Now, if that didn't start my imagination rolling, nothing would. Obviously, I wouldn't use the story - I write fiction, after all, but a fortune teller and a body in a pillbox? A rotten cold has meant an enforced rest from anything physical but pounding a keyboard isn't physical - is it? So, I'm happy to say that BLOOD ON THE CARDS has seen the light of day and is now well underway.

WHO PAYS THE FERRYMAN - AND WOMAN>

WHO PAYS THE FERRYMAN

 - AND WOMAN?

 Johnny Doughty - photo Steven J Downey

Where no bridge is available, a stretch of water can be crossed in a boat - and if you don't have one, hopefully there will be a ferry.

Johnny Doughty

Sadly, there is no longer a ferry at Rye Harbour. It probably finished operating in the late 1960s, early 1970s. For decades it was used to take trippers across to the dunes, where there was a salt water lagoon where they could paddle and swim. Also it connected with the Rye and Camber Tram, which ran from 1899 until 1939, carrying fishermen, golfers and holidaymakers.The last ferryman was called Johnny Doughty.

Not only did he ply his trade but he also sang folk songs. He made an iconic record called Round Rye Bay for More. I remember sitting next to him in the William the Conqueror pub (thinly disguised as The Shipwrights Arms in my DI Sonny Russell crime novels) while he was being filmed for a TV programme.

Walberswick Ferry

Luckily, 150 miles away, in Suffolk, there is a ferry that still operates, crossing the River Blyth, from Walberswick to Southwold. But, what is unusual, is that the operator is a ferrylady!

Dani Church 

Walberswick - motor ferry

Dani Church is the fifth generation to operate the ferry and has been doing so since 2001. The ferry runs from Easter to November, usually rowed but occasionally using a boat with an engine.

Compass Point

I've paid my own tribute to these doughty souls (pun intended) on my model railway layout, Compass Point. Although the layout is inspired by Rye Harbour, the ferryman's hut and boat are closely based on the one at Walberswick. The difference is that my ferry is operated by a man, named Jack Spratt.

Reedham Ferry

Finally, a quick trip further into Suffolk brings us to Reedham Ferry. This wonderful craft does carry cars - but only two at a time!

STUDIO/WRITING HUT - re-purposing an iconic structure

STUDIO/WRITING HUT

re-purposing an iconic structure

Back in 2007 I designed and built my first garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Amazingly, I was awarded a Silver-Gilt medal and I met and shook hands with the Queen.

The garden featured drought tolerant seaside plants put directly into 4 tonnes of shingle. The backdrop was the facade of a Victorian railway carriage, beautifully constructed by my good friend and bespoke furniture designer, Robert Patch. Since then the structure has been languishing in his workshop and I kept promising to do something with it.

Finally, this autumn, work has started, utilising it as the front of a garden building I can use as a studio and writing room.

The floor is also re-purposed, made from four, eight foot by four foot decking panels. As the garden slopes at 1 in 4 I had to get two strong chaps to carry them up to the top!

The structure is going to sit very happily in the garden and blend in beautifully. Also the views from inside, towards the sea, are stunning. I can't wait to finish it! Aggie is looking forward to it too.