Tuesday, 25 December 2018
Saturday, 1 December 2018
Finish That Novel!!
We had a little chat afterwards and there was only one thing Rebecca could really say to me:
"Running Out of Time"
Miss Marley - Rebecca Mascull at Lindum Books
This year we attended Lindum Books (very) Special Christmas event, which included 10% discount from 6-7pm. Me, Yvonne and Michelle have had our tickets since Val McDermid in September!
The shopping was then followed with a talk by Rebecca Mascull in the Ice Cream Parlour next door, where we enjoyed festive refreshments and Rebecca signed copies of 'Miss Marley' - a spellbinding Dickensian tale of ghosts, goodwill and hope (it says here), a perfect prequel to 'A Christmas Carol' with a fantastic cast of characters both familiar and utterly original.
'Miss Marley' was the last book written by Rebecca's friend; the late Vanessa Lafaye, and was lovingly completed by Rebecca after her death. https://vanessalafaye.wordpress.com/ A truly magical evening.
The shopping was then followed with a talk by Rebecca Mascull in the Ice Cream Parlour next door, where we enjoyed festive refreshments and Rebecca signed copies of 'Miss Marley' - a spellbinding Dickensian tale of ghosts, goodwill and hope (it says here), a perfect prequel to 'A Christmas Carol' with a fantastic cast of characters both familiar and utterly original.
'Miss Marley' was the last book written by Rebecca's friend; the late Vanessa Lafaye, and was lovingly completed by Rebecca after her death. https://vanessalafaye.wordpress.com/ A truly magical evening.
Monday, 5 November 2018
Monday, 29 October 2018
Saturday, 20 October 2018
George Mann at Lindum Books
This time last year (https://theonlyconsequence.blogspot.com/2017/11/georga-mann-wynchwood.html) we went to see George at Lindum Books and we enjoyed the evening (and his books) so much we decided to see him again. It was great night and a lovely crowd; including myself and Yvonne and we got sat next to Tim which is always interesting.
I loved listening to George and where he gets his ideas / research from for each novel It was fascinating to hear about the Witches of Belvoir; supposedly hung in Lincoln. (See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witches_of_Belvoir). It's interesting to think about the consequences of old decisions, the choices people make and the repercussions of history. On the surface all appears normal but no one is addressing the undercurrent - what lies beneath. He also talked about the hand of glory at Whitby Museum (See: https://whitbymuseum.org.uk/whats-here/collections/special-collections/hand-of-glory/) a mummified severed hand of a man who has been hanged.
A year ago I bought Wychwood by George, as well as one of his Dr Who graphic novels for Jamie. Wychwood was his first book featuring journalist Elspeth Reeves and DS Peter Shaw. Hallowdene is the second. I have to say I love them both - Hallowdene being especially fitting for this time of year with its witches stone, murder and black magic.
George discussed both novels and how going back to Elspeth and DS Shaw was like meeting old friends and asking 'what's next?' Writing about a Witch Stone being moved from a grave was like the unearthing in Quatermass.
He also mentioned the Witchcraft museum in Cornwall (Boscastle) See:
https://museumofwitchcraftandmagic.co.uk/ so that's a few more places on my 'To Visit' list for next year.
George talked of the supernatural elements in his books, but what I enjoy about them is that they are everyday crime novel with a hint of the supernatural thrown in. You can choose to believe or not to believe. There is room for doubt as to what exactly has gone on. And although there are hints to the past, instances such as a dead phone battery bring us right up to date! I do think both novels; although not necessarily explained in terms of the supernatural, both have a satisfying reveal.
We were all pleased for him when he said that he was currently in talks with a TV production company who are looking at perhaps doing three stories for the Sunday night viewers (think Vera / Endeavour) that was a bit darker. I do hope it happens for him.
We were all pleased for him when he said that he was currently in talks with a TV production company who are looking at perhaps doing three stories for the Sunday night viewers (think Vera / Endeavour) that was a bit darker. I do hope it happens for him.
George discussed his writing process. He stated he has been a full time freelance writer since November 2015. He has a file card for each character with all their details on, including motives and considerations. He also has a web of relationships which shows how close each character is to the others in the novel and who loves / hates who. He always has a timeline and a scene plan made up of 1/2 lines of what happens in each scene. His outline is made up of a paragraph per chapter and includes characters and red herrings. It is this he sends initially to his editor. He is luck enough to have a 'writing' and a 'reading' room; although one used to be the garage!
I also bought Sherlock Holmes: The Spirit Box, which is one of George's novels writing as John H. Watson. Loved it!!
Wednesday, 12 September 2018
Val McDermid at The Collection - 12th September 2018
The three of us (Me, Michelle and Yvonne) all went to see Val McDermid talking about her new novel; Broken Ground. It was Sold Out so we all arrived super early so that we would not make the same mistake as last time (Ann Cleeves) when we ended up sitting right at the back! This strategy paid off, not only did we get a space in the car park but also front row seats!!
Broken Ground is the latest novel in her Karen Pirie series. When a body is discovered in the remote depths of the highlands (it says here), DCI Karen Pirie finds herself in the right place at the right time. Unearthed with someone's long-buried inheritance, the victim seems to belong to the distant past - until new evidence suggests otherwise, and Karen is called in to unravel a case where nothing is as it seems. Val told us that the story had come from an anecdote - a "Wee Glimmer" - that a bookseller had told her.
Val was an excellent speaker and told us how she ended up as a crime writer. She was born in a small town in Fife and her family lived opposite a library. This meant Val could pop across the road and borrow books whenever she wanted. She developed a habit of reading crime stories early on and was reading 'Murder at the Vicarage' when she was 8/9 years old.
She said before she was a full time writer she would think about her novel all week and was very productive when she had her 'writing' time. You need to pencil in that writing time and stick to it! She was eventually able to leave her job, aged 35, after she had sold the first two Kate Brannigan novels. She states she made a loss in her first two years but hasn't looked back and in 1995 was awarded the Gold Dagger for 'The Mermaids Singing'; the first Tony Hill and Carol Jordan novel. This novel she said, dropped fully formed; although she knew nothing about psychological profiling initially.
Although Val does feel you need: Talent / Hard Work / Luck to be successful, she still feels energised herself to write, as its the only thing she has ever wanted to do. The ideas / stories still keep coming. Although currently she is reading the Booker Prize Short List as she is on the judging panel. She has had recent appearances on the Radio - Any Questions, and on the TV; including Have I Got news For You? and Mastermind
Val was an excellent speaker and told us how she ended up as a crime writer. She was born in a small town in Fife and her family lived opposite a library. This meant Val could pop across the road and borrow books whenever she wanted. She developed a habit of reading crime stories early on and was reading 'Murder at the Vicarage' when she was 8/9 years old.
She said before she was a full time writer she would think about her novel all week and was very productive when she had her 'writing' time. You need to pencil in that writing time and stick to it! She was eventually able to leave her job, aged 35, after she had sold the first two Kate Brannigan novels. She states she made a loss in her first two years but hasn't looked back and in 1995 was awarded the Gold Dagger for 'The Mermaids Singing'; the first Tony Hill and Carol Jordan novel. This novel she said, dropped fully formed; although she knew nothing about psychological profiling initially.
Although Val does feel you need: Talent / Hard Work / Luck to be successful, she still feels energised herself to write, as its the only thing she has ever wanted to do. The ideas / stories still keep coming. Although currently she is reading the Booker Prize Short List as she is on the judging panel. She has had recent appearances on the Radio - Any Questions, and on the TV; including Have I Got news For You? and Mastermind
As I have yet to read any other novels in the Karen Pirie series (Broken Ground is the 5th) I bought the first novel as well as the latest. Here is Michelle getting her copy signed:
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