It has been a heck of a ride! As I get closer to releasing book number 4, #NorthernECHO, and number 5, #GipsyMOTH I take a look back at my writing journey so far.
I originally started #OperationARGUS back in 2010 and after a series of stop-start, start-stop, self-doubt, this is way too hard, then never give up, seven years later, I eventually got it ready for sending to the publisher, iUniverse and in May 2018 it was published and the writing bug took hold.
I already knew that I wanted to write a second, #BikiniBRAVO, a continuance of the story of Mitch and the boys, and his daughter Bella. Next up was #ColdCOURAGE and the epic tale of Shackleton and his ill-fated Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914 on the backdrop and all that was happening in those extraordinary times. #BikiniBRAVO and #ColdCOURAGE were both released at the back end of 2019.
By that time, my fourth book, #NorthernECHO was already on the slab and in draft format. This is the story of two boys growing up in the north of England during the Punk-Rock era and on the backdrop of what was for many the darkest times in British history - the unlikely savior being the flamboyance of the music, the movement, and the moment.
Then the Coronavirus pandemic hit, nearly four months of lockdown and not wanting to waste a minute of that time, I set about on book number 5, #GipsyMOTH. The story of my Aunt Nikki, her family, and her friendship with aviatrix Amy Johnson, and in parallel with that of Amelia Earhart on the other side of the Atlantic. This was a time of pioneers and the golden age of aviation.
#NorthernECHO and #GipsyMOTH are due to be released towards the end of 2020.
As with all these books, they are novels of fiction surrounding true events, peppered with personal experiences, tales, and twists.
"All in all, ten years, approximately half a million words written, the equivalent of 333 writing days, over 2,600 hours, and soon to be five books published!"
It's been a journey and one that I hope to continue. Next up?
The final book in the #ARGUSseries #FoxtrotOSCAR. And next in the pipeline, the story of the rise of the Russian Oligarchs, #HotelODESSA. In the background, I am also collecting all of my poems for what may be my final book, an unfinished work, whenever that may be. This book of poetry will be called #Dramming.
Thank you to all of my supporters, readers, friends, and family who have all been so supportive and patient along the way!
Thank you! I hope you are enjoying my writing journey too!!
ONWARD: Always a little further...
