I really should be writing

The Messenger is live!

2011-08-08T18:46:00.004+01:00

THE MESSENGER is on Kindle: goo.gl/2ocvr

'A land of souls. Genocide. And one soldier.’

… a story that challenges the basic belief of war.

Jack Chandler is a Special Forces operative whose close shaves have been adding up – which is why his wife, Sally, wants him out of the Regiment. On his last mission, he is mortally wounded and finds himself in a land overflowing with centuries of war dead ready to slide back and destroy this world – Jack’s world. He recovers, but the visions persist, driving a wedge between him and his family. Jack is told he has PTSD. He hopes it is. The alternative, that what he is seeing is real, terrifies him.

Jack discovers a US plot to invade Iran that will kill millions and flood the land with dead it can’t hold. He sets out to stop the genocide, but can one man succeed against the most powerful country in the world? And the souls? Are they real or is Jack's conscience creating them?

The Messenger - cover

2011-05-27T18:43:00.007+01:00

Well, chaps, this is the Kindle mock-up I have been working on for the cover of The Messenger - it needs slightly more work but I hope I'm almost there. The manuscript is out for a final read through and critique and then, subject to that, I hope to be out on Kindle by the end of June. Then of course I shall be at the mercy of the reviewers ... eek!

I will be interested to hear anyone's view on The Messenger mock-up cover shown here.

Next step ... rather than work on a sequel to The Messenger at the moment I am going to revisit my first novel - The Paradigm Culture (another thriller with other-world undertones). The sequel to that is already written - goodness, I have been busy this last ten years ha-ha.

A bottle of Coke versus The Messenger - decisions decisions.

2011-03-04T11:37:00.004Z

Again today I have been researching the prices of books on Kindle to gauge the price I should set for The Messenger.

Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Kindle price £2.74

James Patterson's Worst Case - Kindle price £2.75

Lee Child's 61 Hours - Kindle price £3.59

Sean Black's Lock Down - Kindle Price £4.18

Now, as a 'new thriller writer' I am conscious that, unlike Stieg, James, Lee and Sean, both me and my work will not be well known - so I can't overcook the price. However, my prospective readers will be getting a 150,000 word, page-turner of a thriller. But as I'm told so often it isn't size that matters - it's quality. And who am I to suggest the quality of my own work? That will be down to the readers /reviewers. They will tell me if it's good value for money. However, when I consider that a bottle of coke (other fizzy drinks available) at most motorway services will cost the best part of £1.50, do I use that as a marketing tool? "Buy a Kindle thriller for (less than?) the price of a bottle of coke at the Services!"

I began writing The Messenger in 2006 - and it has been a labour of love ever since. edits -alterations - research - deleted story lines - meetings - critiques - more editing - Agents - Publishers - suggestions - rejections - more writing - and so it went on. What I am trying to say is it's been a long time coming and now it's here I don't want to spoil the ship for a half-pennyworth of tar.

Kindle self-publishing ... goodbye to agents?

2011-02-22T19:02:00.009Z

Well guys, here I am at last. Having spent the last fifteen months chasing literary agents I have decided I am doing it no more. I am about to publish THE MESSENGER on Amazon Kindle instead. Publication is instant and worldwide. I will also achieve 70% royalties on sales in the UK and US and 35% elsewhere.

I have come to this decision not least of all because of the somewhat disturbing attitude of literary agents to new writers. I have researched around forty agents and written to twenty-three. Of these, three expressed an interest after receiving the standard opening chapters and asked to see the full manuscript. However, whilst that interest came to nothing I am grateful to those particular agents as it showed that they at least read their slush piles. I realise agents are busy people and understand that they need to advocate certain standards for submissions - double-spaced A4 sheets, synopses that can vary from one paragraph to six pages, enquiry letters with and without personal details, CVs and no CVs, return postage etc. We are also told quite bluntly not to contact an agent to see what is happening to our 'baby' until at least three months has elapsed. And we are warned that agents do not like us making multiple submissions - (which means if we stick to their rules we might have responses from four agents in any one year - if we are lucky). When agents do finally reply it is increasingly the case that the rejection slip is not addressed to us (Dear John) but rather contains a standard "this is not right for us - go away".

BUT ALL THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE! WE NO LONGER NEED AN AGENT TO BECOME MAINSTREAM PUBLISHED ON AMAZON KINDLE.

My wife, Jill, bought me an Amazon Kindle 3G for Christmas. Wonderful machine! It will store 3,500 books - anyone of which can be purchased and downloaded in seconds. But more importantly (to writers, who, like me, may have been chasing agents for years), the Kindle has a self publishing sector - which I have been investigating for the writing groups to which I belong. Briefly anyone can publish on Kindle. Write your book, upload it and put a price on it. Simples! And you get royalties. No printing costs - no waiting for agents to reply - no publishers telling you that your book will be out in two years. As soon as it's finished, critiqued, edited, proof read - in other words the most polished you can make it - you upload it and then it's up to you. Either sit back and hope it gets noticed or do some agressive marketing and make sure it gets noticed.

I hear you asking "If anyone can publish on Kindle doesn't it mean that there will be books which will not be up to scratch - not good value for money on the Kindle system?"

Yes, I suppose that could be the case - some writers will not take the trouble to have their stories critiqued, edited and proof-read and that's where the Amazon reviewers come into their own. They are not afraid to vent their spleen when they read rubbish. So, it's in the writer's own interests to get his /her story polished.

Anyway, enough from me for now. I will try to write regularly on how the process is going for me and my writing friends who are choosing to take the Kindle path.

If anyone out there has used or is considering using the Kindle publishing route and is happy to talk about the experience write to me on white4wordart@aol.com

Book that man ...

2010-01-22T20:14:00.002Z

It's been a while - but I'm here now.

I was interviewed by BBC radio on Sunday about The Messenger. BBC iPlayer - Michael Chequer and friends: 17/01/2010 I have three reviewers (chosen by the BBC) to whom I have delivered the draft manuscript. They are going to critique it and air their comments live on the show in around three weeks.

This is a precursor to the operation of a proposal, about prepublished books, that I put to the BBC. So watch this space folks!

Gut feelings

2009-09-25T08:52:00.007+01:00

Three months? Lots going on - some resolved - some not. I am due to have an exploratory camera thrust down into my gut on Monday afternoon. Hopefully that will sort out what has been plaguing me since I last posted. I am told that I must post the pictures on Facebook - not sure that will be wise.

I've completed some writing, but renovating the smallest room in the house took a considerable time - wouldn't you know it! What writing I have achieved has been mainly on the Jack Chandler sequel. Set in New York, Washington and London (and possibly Slovakia if the Trenchin Castle idea comes up trumps) it has action, assassinations and a secret society to end all secret societies (Dan Brown eat your heart out). Jack realises that the powers pulling the strings behind the scenes of Western Governments have an agenda beyond even his jaundiced imagination - but deciding who he can trust with the information is another matter.

I'll try not to leave posting so long next time - depends how the pictures develop!

As I was saying ...

2009-06-23T15:57:00.004+01:00

Two months? Has it really been two months?

I have had my head down - doing a rewrite. The Messenger intentionally crossed set genres (thriller and supernatural) and it was suggested that it could pose a selling challenge to an interested agent. So, I decided to see how the story may fare from being purely a thriller without its 'other world' subplot. The exercise has been fascinating. Whilst the concept of the original story - (are war dead free from the pain of death?), poses a threat (the more we kill, the more likely we are to kill ourselves) and brings a message (those who profit from war will destroy us - so believe nothing - question everything) when the supernatural subplot is removed it creates a totally new focus. Iran and the Middle East dilemma are still the object of the story, as is the US invasion, but the 'new' story (for which there is no working title as yet) drops the wordage from 144,000 to 115,000 and reduces the characters. The pace, however, is increased and becomes more story led than character led. Both allow me to provide a sequel. So, there we have it - that's where I have been for two months.

Oh, yes, and I met up with Camilla Bolton (Darley Anderson) at the Crimefest event in Bristol and she has requested the first ten chapters of the revised story when it is finished (in around two weeks).

The local bicycles. Red of course ...

2009-04-17T21:08:00.003+01:00

On Good Friday the journey from Calais to the Dutch hotel was tiring, but the food and accommodation more than made up for that. On Saturday we had a restful couple of hours on a boat travelling along the canals just outside Keukenhof - then visited the bulb fields and gardens - which are beautiful and have many hoardings extolling the Dutch connection with the USA. I didn't realise that the expression 'Yankees' comes from the Dutch, Jan (John) Kees (baboon). Not a terribly nice term I guess.
Travelling to Vollendam proved interesting if not a little eerie. We journeyed along a 19 mile length of roadway constructed from reclaimed land. The road was around 20 feet wide and only a couple of feet above the water on either side of us. The eerie part came in when we stopped halfway across and took in the view - water in every direction! God help the Dutch if sea levels rise.
In Amsterdam, on Sunday, the canals were atmospheric as were the buildings - the Venice illusion was strong. Back on dry land, I could not believe how many bicycles were parked up around the city - thousands of the things, in all shades of colour and age. Interestingly, despite the free use of Cannabis, the riders appear to obey the traffic signals - unlike some of the cyclists in this country. Again, I didn't realise that the title Coffee House (with an English spelling) signified where the drug is available - as opposed to Cafes where it apparently isn't. Anyway, we gave the spliffs and 'space' cake a miss, but not so the red light area. The streets are narrow and, behind the glass panelled doors, women, and I gather men, too, ply their trade. A range of bodily shapes and sizes are in evidence, but all are licensed, have regular health checks every six months and pay tax on their earnings. My wife, Jill, was shouted at by one woman for having her video camera open. Whether the lady concerned thought Jill was going to film her I don't know. Maybe she hadn't told her family what her real occupation was and didn't want it revealed on Utube.
Easter Monday saw us in Brugge, but not for long as Calais beckoned.

It's JFK, with clogs on ...

2009-04-08T16:26:00.008+01:00

Well, after a month of editing, a hard drive crashing and flu, the 20 chapters have been sent off. I really hope Camilla enjoys reading them.

This last edit was a very good exercise - especially on the scenes where Leyla and her people appear. Jack's reaction to her, and them, has escalated from bemused confusion to doubting his sanity. The fact that he's on a collision course with General Falcon and FLAG means little to him at the moment, but it will. FLAG kills those who get in its way, not even Presidents are safe, so, a British Army Sergeant will be easy meat - or will he?

In Holland for the next five days. Catch you guys when I return.

Only eighteen to go!

2009-03-11T22:42:00.006Z

On Thursday, writing buddy Rita and I spent five hours going through a hard edit of the next two chapters of the Messenger. On Saturday, when I managed to put the sixteen pages of alterations together in print, my laptop crashed and I lost it all. The machine crashed badly once before and I had the hard drive replaced, but I guess in the back of my mind, I knew there was still a problem. So, on Sunday, I bought a new laptop and transferred the story across - then spent until today rewriting and trying to remember what I had altered and how I had written it. Whoever is up there looking down on me is determined I will remain grounded and have to work my ba**s off for any success - which, I suppose, is the way it should be - and what I will do.

Does anybody else have a cat who won't pee unless it's done over a drain? I suppose we should be grateful it isn't on the carpet, but, in the middle of the night, it's a little disconcerting to find the cat in the bath using the plughole!

Say goodnight to the folks, Gracie.

It gets better ...

2009-03-03T16:13:00.005Z

Camilla Bolton liked the revision, is 'intrigued' by the plot and has asked for the next 20 chapters. I must admit to being extremely pleased that an agent of her standing has taken an interest in my character, Jack Chandler. Camilla has kindly given me as long as I need to edit the work she has requested. Let's hope I can impress her with the next 20 chapters.
So, folks, even though outside it's raining cats and dogs, is cold and windy, I love today!

Changes rippled ...

2009-02-25T16:05:00.010Z

Apologies - I haven't been around. I have been working like stink on rippling the changes, that Camilla Bolton suggested, through the rest of the manuscript. It took a while to do, but I have to say what she suggested has really helped - as you would expect from a professional in the business. I am working on the sequel and Rita and I had a meeting yesterday to iron out some ideas on it. Research is going to be a slog, but it needs to be done. Might need another trip to Slovakia to sort out one of the elements of the organisation I am going to incorporate in the story. Then of course, the chase scenes in Washington, will probably need more research too, haha. Now, when can I plan that for? The Fall is too long away.

Had an email from an old friend this week. It was nice to catch up and brought a lot of memories flooding back of when we used to work together in the seventies and eighties. Those were the days! Flares, shoes you could fall off, collars so long you could tuck them in your trousers - as for the men, that was a different matter. Hair, moustaches and sideburns were almost black then - although they've changed a little over the years - where there is hair, everything's silver!

Right, better get on with the sequel planning. Catch you again.

Will she won't she?

2009-02-11T22:12:00.003Z

I've been busy these last three days incorporating the changes in The Messenger that Camilla Bolton suggested. It's not only made a complete difference to the opening of the story, but made me think hard about how the changes will ripple through the rest of the book. I'm hoping to get the end result off to her on Friday.

The girl's death scene which I slogged over for a week is now condensed into the first quarter page in a very different format - which actually strengthens the story - so, Camilla's advice has had a profound and beneficial effect in a way I would never have thought of. I just hopes she likes what I've done with her critique. Catch you guys soon.

Second chance to make a first impression?

2009-02-09T18:45:00.003Z

My chosen agent, Camilla Bolton of the Darley Anderson Literary Agency, came back to me with a rejection on Saturday. However, the letter she sent wasn't the standard 'thanks, but no thanks'. It was a most complimentary and constructive acknowledgement of The Messenger. Camilla made suggestions as to how the story (which she thought exciting) could be improved by cutting portions of chapters and making a couple of other alterations - in general, it was obvious that she had spent time reading and inwardly digesting my story. I emailed her to say I was going to incorporate the changes she had suggested and thanked her for her time. I also acknowledged that the road to mainstream publishing was a tough one, but that I was determined to succeed. This morning I received an email from Camilla to say if I was willing to make the alterations and, if I wanted to re-submit to her, she would not only be happy to reread it, but would be happy to read anything else I write. What a brilliant lady! Obviously, there is a god after all.

Push it all the way in, Jack...

2009-01-28T07:42:00.001Z

I read Brenda Brooks comments in the Plymouth Herald's 'Saturday thought' (a religious segment of the paper) about the survival of the people on the plane which landed in the Hudson River. Brenda states that the pilot told everyone 'to pray', unfortunately, I can find no reference to this statement actually being said. What I do find is that Captain Sullenberger's one instruction to the cabin was to 'prepare for impact'. However, whilst Brenda does give Captain Sullenburger some credit in this horrific accident, she implies his 148 passengers survived by the grace of her god through prayer. I was wondering if this is the same god who chooses not to answer the millions of prayers of those men, women and children caught in conflict, genocide, ethnic cleansing etc., throughout the world - or do their prayers and suffering not attract the necessary media attention for her god to act? Or am I being cynical?

Jill's digital movie camera broke just before we went to Slovakia and she bought a new one to take with us. Before purchase, she established with the store assistant that the camera would play the film she took on our TV as well as recording it to DVD and he suggested it would do all that she wanted. However, after the trip she spent hours trying to get it to play the film on the TV without success. She took it back to the shop yesterday and explained her problems. The assistant decided to try it on a TV the same as the one we have and it worked! Elated, Jill brought it back and plugged it into our set and guess what? It didn't work. We couldn't understand why - the set was the same as the shop, the leads were the same, the connections were the same - it just didn't make sense. Granddaughter Leah had a go and attached the cable from her video camera onto Jill's camera and images appeared on the TV screen - so, we were guessing the fault was with Jill's connection leads - which we tried once more and, yep, 'no joy'. Then I did what I should have done when Jill first had the problem a week ago. I checked the connection - and Jill hadn't been pushing the small jackplug all the way into the camera socket each time she did it! At least the camera is performing as it should now.

No news from Camilla Bolton on The Messenger, yet. Is that no news is good news, I wonder? Met up with Rita this morning to talk through the storyboard for the Jack Chandler sequel. I am finding the story research (on GM crops) alarming and more like fiction than fact with Terminator Seeds (Good name for a book, but terminology for male sterile seeds) which are modified to produce one crop only and regarded as intellectual property for the purposes of law. I gather the French have stopped (temporarily?) using a certain brand of GM maize. How do we know what the long term effects of GM foods and additives will be? Are we setting up our children and grandchilden to reap what we sow? I hope not.

Slovakia - service not included...

2009-01-21T12:01:00.000Z

We arrived in Trencin at around midnight on Thursday 15th January to lots of snow. The town is a sprawling area formed around a hill on the top of which is a large 14th century castle and church. Our hotel, which was very close to the top of the hill, had large rooms which were warm and comfortable.
On Friday, Jill and I and all the children and grandchildren made our way up to the castle to explore. The cobbled path to it was steep and long and covered in slushy snow. We had a tour of the building and the view over the city from the main tower and battlements was amazing. Coming down was a little exacting as some of the slush had frozen due to a change in the temperature in the two hours or so that we were wandering around the place.
In the evening we all decided to have dinner at the hotel to save going out in the cold to eat in the town. Whilst the food was good and reasonably priced the service was slow. It seems people in Slovakia don't complain about poor service because, if they do, it is usually ignored as the customer is seen almost as an inconvenience. We ordered our food at 6.30pm and the first meal arrived at 7.20. The other dozen or so meals eventually arrived over the next hour and a half. At 10pm Matthew and Lenka, and those guests who had gone to Bulgaria skiing with them, arrived at the hotel. They had had a three hour journey to the airport in Bulgaria, a two hour wait, a two hour flight and then an hour drive to the hotel - so they were tired and hungry, but no food was available as the chef had finished cooking by then.
On the Saturday we all went ice skating at an open air rink in the centre of town. I managed to do some skating with Sarah, Kirsty and Christian and the grandchildren. I hadn't skated for around twenty years, but it eventually came back to me. Afterward we all went for coffee and hot chocolate - and, I am told, the chocolate was literally melted chocolate.
That evening was Matthew and Lenka's marriage celebration at a large restaurant just up the hill from the hotel. As we all waited the owner of the venue, a thick set man, sporting a shock of black hair, beard and black leather jacket said a few words of greeting before Matthew and Lenka sipped from a glass of brandy and cut their way through a huge sheet with two hearts painted onto it. Then they led guests into the building. There rooms were decorated with huge chandeliers, candles, mirrors, flowers and tables and chairs with light green lacy material on them. Apparently the cost of a reception here is reasonable until the customer is told that if they want what they see - in terms of decoration - everything will be extra - and not to have these extras would make the room rather bare looking. (I wondered if the owner had been trained by a budget airline) The meal, Slovakian soup and a main meal was very well presented and tasty, but, by virtue of the three teenagers serving the 67 guests, again the service slow.
Lenka's mother read a speech in English to welcome us all and she did it incredibly well considering she is not familiar with the language. Slovakian traditions are a big part of the celebrations and Matthew and Lenka had to start by eating soup from the same bowl to signify 'sharing' in their marriage. Later a plate was broken on the dance floor and Matthew and Lenka had to sweep it up - again to signify the partnership responsibilities of the marriage. While they were trying to sweep up the mess members of the family were being encouraged to kick it further away from them to make the work harder. I think this element of the tradition was to imply that relations can cause problems in marriage! Later, as we ate some of the delicious cakes that Lenka's parents had supplied, two women dressed as gypsies (one was supposed to be heavily pregnant and had a rag doll in her arms, the other was dressed as her father) came into the room and started shouting at Matthew. The pregnant one was accusing Matthew of being the father of her children and he had to publicly pay her to go away. I wasn't sure what tradition that was to signify, but it had all of us in fits of laughter.
Then at 10.30pm there was a problem. A large amount of money had been placed with the owner to allow guests to have drinks at the bar after the meal - during the meal there were many bottles of wine on the tables. The owner said not only had the money been used up by the guests ordering at the bar, but that it had gone over by £200 and he wanted the money. The guests were more than a little surprised as the people hadn't been ordering that much from the bar - and to have consumed the money so quickly would have meant every guest having around ten drinks in an hour and a half. When asked for a breakdown of the bill the man couldn't supply it. The guests, especially the Slovakians were becoming angry at the situation and a few minutes later the owner said he'd made a mistake and there was at least £100 left behind the bar. From then on guests were keeping notes of any drinks they had from the bar to ensure the man had no chance to make any more 'mistakes'.
Around midnight, Lenka's parents had arranged for bowls of beef strogonoff (which was delicious) to be brought into the room and everyone began eating again. The food seemed never ending.
The next day when the bill was being settled the owner said someone had broken a candle holder and that he had to spend more money on staff than he originally planned and ... guess what? This came to an extra £200 - so, I guess he got his 'pocket money' after all, but I gather word of his dealings with a large local family is spreading round the town very quickly.
We visited a small Mall in the town before we made our way to the airport at Bratislava to come home. I have to say the whole four days was a wonderful family experience enjoyed by everyone.

up up and away

2009-01-14T15:42:00.000Z

See you guys when I get back from Slovakia

100% proof fairy cakes

2009-01-09T15:42:00.000Z

For some reason I don't understand the date of this post is listed as Friday 9th January when I posted it today Monday 12th January - has anybody had this date problem before in posting - or is it just me?

Jill and I, our children and grandchildren attended our nephew, and Godson, Matthew's wedding over the weekend. His fiancee, now wife, Lenka (Slovakian) looked quite regal. The best man Gord (Canadian) made part of his speech in Slovakian, French and Japanese for the guests from those countries - which I thought was a very brave thing to do, and impressed me greatly, until Lenka's sister asked me if I thought he'd realised that he'd made a toast to the bride and a small fridge freezer!

We are going out to Trencin to complete the celebrations with Lenka's family later this week. I gather we will be given lots of small cakes to eat at the party - a tradition it seems. The cakes are followed by many shots of Vodka - not so much a tradition, more a test of staying upright. The weather there is cold and snowy - so, winter draws on.

Putting more research in on the next in the Jack Chandler series. Why is it every story I come up with is complicated? Why can't I just have a straightforward plot line? Is it an over active imagination or a creative curse? The trouble is the more I research the more my fiction looks like it could become fact - eek!

Mars - helps us work, rest and pray?

2009-01-05T20:14:00.000Z

I've just been watching the news reports on the Gaza strip conflict. What the hell are we doing to each other? No matter where war takes place it's the innocents in the middle who suffer - men, women and children - on both sides. Am I wrong in thinking that the average citizen of any country is seen as cannon fodder by its Government? Unless we have a value - which we appear not to (other than when those same governments need us to become part of their army) then we seem to be expendable. Each time I see news reports of people being blown to pieces I see me, and my family. I can't imagine the terror the children of conflict must feel every day, wondering if the next missile has their name on it. And the parents too on both sides - people like you and me - how can they protect themselves and their children? The simple fact is they can't - and that can't be right. I really wish I had the answer - more importantly, I really wish governments had the answer. What niggles me is that we can afford to spend ten billion on the Olympic Games - and god knows what on the prospect of getting to Mars, but not on saving lives. Maybe someone knows we might need althletes to populate Mars when we finally blow this planet of ours to bits.

Chapter 1 continued ...

2009-01-03T21:29:00.000Z

A sudden clatter of bullets was drowned by the shrieks of those falling in front of him while others ran for cover.

Ten metres away the girl stood screaming amongst crumpled bodies.

He grabbed his rifle, kicked the door open and ran. ‘Cover me!’ he yelled.

Robbo returned fire as Jack swept the girl into his right arm and glanced back at the Land Rover. The pillars were closer cover. Followed by bullets, he darted for them, his boots skidding in the dirt as he slammed him and the girl behind one. More shells whistled past demolishing tables and smashing tall jars of spice in the market place. The warm woody aroma of cinnamon filled the air and, for a split second, he was a kid again watching his mother bake apple pie - until the sound of bullets hammering into the pillar refocused his mind. He turned and levelled his SA80. It was a right-shoulder weapon, but he couldn’t risk putting the frantic girl down to change hands. He squeezed the trigger and she screamed as shell casings ricocheted off the pillar from the ejector – then stopped. He squeezed the trigger again. Nothing. ‘Don’t you fucking jam on me!’ he spat and tried again. Nothing. He dropped the rifle against his feet, hugged the girl onto his left side and pulled a Browning 9mm from his chest holster. Edging a look around the pillar he knew the man on the roof was beyond the thirty metre range of the semi-automatic, but he let loose shots anyway as Robbo bent below the wing of the Land Rover to reload.

The girl wriggled, kicking, shouting for her parents – ‘Umi, Abi’ – Mummy, Daddy. He couldn’t stop her pushing away from him. Her actions were making them both an achievable target. He slipped her to the ground behind his legs – a large firm hand holding her shaking body. His breathing slowed as he looked down at her. Terrified, brown eyes and a dusty tear-stained face stared back, while small shoulders lifted rhythmically as she gulped air. She must have been about eight he reckoned.

‘Sniper!’

Jack looked across at Robbo pointing to the building. A second insurgent was visible behind a broken window on the end of the third floor. Under cover of the roof-top gunner, his shots were more precise. He picked off anyone still moving. One by one the screams of the wounded died away as his rifle tracked around and then stopped in line with the pillar.

‘He’s on you!’ bellowed Robbo.

Both insurgents opened fire smashing the concrete of the pillar in all directions. Jack wiped grit out of his right eye with the heel of his gun hand as dust and stones up flew up around him.

‘Umi! Umi!’ cried the girl.

He felt her freeze and pressed her harder against the back of his legs as another strafing exploded more chunks off the column. He glanced up. It was taller than his six two and leaning slightly now. If it fell there’d be nowhere to run. It looked like this could be it – he wasn’t going to get home to Sally and Mark after all. The buzz of twelve millimetre shells and the girl’s screams jerked his thoughts back. He let loose more shots. It was useless. The insurgents had the advantage. He knew it and they knew it. He glanced at the Land Rover. Maybe he could even the odds. ‘Robbo,’ he shouted.

His coporal turned.

‘Use the RPGs.’

Robbo reached in and dragged the weapons out. ‘Stay there!’ he bawled as he knelt by the wing and aimed.

Jack wasn’t going anywhere. He took a panted breath and smoothed a hand over the girl’s back. ‘You’ll be, OK,’ he said. She didn’t look up – didn’t take her eyes off the bodies in the road. It didn’t surprise him. He knew she wouldn’t understand his reassurance, but he needed to say it anyway.

Robbo fired. The RPG exploded against the parapet throwing the machine gunner into the air.

‘Get the sniper!’ ordered Jack as he looked down at the girl wriggling against his legs.

‘Umi. Umi,’ she cried and broke away from him.

‘NO!’ He snatched at her – the ends of straggly hair passing over his fingers. ‘Come back!’ he yelled.

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The Messenger

2009-01-03T18:43:00.000Z

I seem to have lost the formatting on this, but I did promise to post it, so here it is - page one:

Chapter 1

Iraq - Present day

Thursday 3.37 pm – local time.

The road through Hit had been quiet, too quiet for Sergeant Jack Chandler, but the city was almost behind them now. For two months, he and his corporal, Robbo Banks, had made equipment runs along this sixty mile desert corridor and today was their last duty. In a few minutes, if he could pass the old truck in front of them, he’d put his foot down and get back to base at Hadithah in readiness for the unit’s return to the UK.

The truck slowed, a light behind a broken indicator glass pulsing as the vehicle blocked the road to turn into an alley between dirty white buildings. Jack touched the brakes on the Snatch Land Rover and looked across at Robbo resting his SA80 assault rifle against the passenger door as he wiped sweat from his face with his sleeve. An internal smile at the thought of them having a beer together in Plymouth in a couple of days dissolved as the prospect of becoming a civilian occupied his mind, again. The truck reversing brought him out of his thoughts and he glanced into the door mirror at cars slowing behind them and no room to back up. He gave a toot on the horn and the vehicle jerked to a halt three metres in front of them.

‘What’s he doing?’ asked Robbo. ‘Give him a blast.’

‘And let everybody know we’re here?’ Jack directed a nod back behind the seats at cases of ammunition and two Rocket Propelled Grenades. ‘Just keep your eyes open,’ he said scanning their position. Further along on his right, to the rear of a large open space, people threaded their way past a three story building toward the road. Fifteen metres ahead on his left, behind two concrete pillars a bustling street market – he guessed this was where they were going. He looked back and traced the path of a young girl, her long dark hair bouncing as she ran across the wasteland. A man in a white robe and a woman in black walking after her shouted and she stopped. The hand she held up was quickly grasped by the woman who walked with her to join others at the kerbside.

The truck finally juddered its way into the alley and Jack waited as groups of people hurried across the road. He glimpsed the girl turn, frown a look back across the wasteland, and tug on the woman’s sleeve as she pointed. He followed the direction of her outstretched arm. Behind the roof parapet of the building a head and shoulders shimmered in the afternoon heat. The silhouette next to it tightened his gut. He punched a fist at Robbo. ‘Machine gun! Three o’clock.’

Stand and deliver!

2009-01-03T09:27:00.001Z

On Sunday the central heating packed up and of course we had no heat and no hot water for showers etc (kettle worked overtime!). The plumber came late on Wednesday and advised the fan had bust and parts would be hard to get over the Bank Holiday. He also mentioned that the bill would be close to £200 for the supply and fitting of a new fan as the new fan would cost 'at least £125 + vat'. The combi-boiler was installed by this plumber five years ago. In an effort to assist him in getting a new part at 8.30 Friday morning I telephoned three suppliers within a five mile radius and found two with the relevant part in stock and, guess what? The new fan to me, without trade discount, was £62 +vat. I immediately rang the plumber to say I'd found a supplier with the part and he told me he'd already bought one earlier that morning. So ... later that day he came, detached four push on connectors, unscrewed 4 screws, placed the new fan in position, rescrewed the screws and reattached the connectors. 15 minutes - job done! The bill? £180 - no receipt available - so, I paid by cheque. I want to have ten radiators replaced and some other sundry plumbing work carried out and that job is going to the man I should have called - as is the profit.

Still polishing the three chapters to go to Camilla Bolton - hopefully get them off Monday. It's been rather cold to type recently.

it's almost upon us ...

2008-12-22T17:11:00.000Z

Tiger, Tiger, burning bright in the forest of the night.

I like to paint tigers. This one was my favourite.

Can I wish everyone one of you a brilliant Christmas and a bright New Year. Who knows what 2009 will bring - hopefully it'll be peace and understanding - and maybe a book deal.

Artist at large?

2008-12-19T19:08:00.000Z

Really good to meet up with Sarah at the book signing at Waterstones last evening. I found out Sarah is an artist, too. Reminded me to put a photograph of one of my paintings on here. This one was auctioned by the Born Free Foundation in 2000 to raise money for endangered species. It became a #450 Limited edition print run. This painting The Waterhole is one of my yellow skies series. I wanted to get away from the general blue sky image to create a more prehistoric atmosphere for the subjects - lions, tigers and zebra. Strangely, it was my abstract work which sold the fastest at galleries. I'll post one of those sometime.

One last polish of The Messenger and then it's off to Camilla Bolton of Darley Anderson. New Year, I reckon. I'll post the first page on here soon guys - see what you think.

four told smart breakfast up a lemon tree

2008-12-16T09:23:00.000Z

Excellent meeting with Jenny, Silja and Ed 'Fourtoldfiction.com' on Sunday. Lots of good ideas and motivation - bags of motivation - well done chaps. Each of us seems to be moving on with sequels and prequels. The advice Danny King passed on was incredibly useful to each of us in different ways. In my case linking my writing style to that of Simon Kernick and Gerald Seymour was a real bonus. Ed lent a copy of SK's 'Relentless' to me. I'm reading it currently - there's definitely a connection. I'll pick up a book by GS and check that out, too. It's good to have an established writer compare your work to other established authors - thanks Danny.

Meeting at SMART Southway (Portal writers et al) yesterday - it was nice to catch up with old friends. Robert is off to Germany in a couple of days to carry out some more research on his story. His son has arranged for him to interview a couple of survivors of the trek. It will be an emotional tale. Silvia has spent two years producing a 'simplified learning' version of the bible. An amazing piece of work which I am sure anyone would find intriguing. Presents for children? Are children allowed to study the bible in this Politically Correct world? Gloria's romance stories, Pete's civil war sequel, and everyone else's work is coming on in leaps and bounds. Everton's stories are fascinating - I believe he should be looking at radio scripting with his work.

Breakfast meeting with Rita tomorrow morning at the Tavern to discuss the seeds of The Messenger sequel and get a sounding board on the chapters to go to Camilla.

Will also try to drop in on Sarah Turton's book signing at Waterstones tomorrow evening. Good Luck Sarah hope it goes really well - here's the detail: http://turtonsarah.blogspot.com/2008/11/book-signings.html

The times they are a changing ...

2008-12-12T17:43:00.000Z

I received a very charming email from Hannah Ferguson, telling me that The Messenger 'despite its qualities' was not something she could deal with. Almost didn't feel like rejection. Onward and upward. I met Danny King the author and sit com writer (Thieves Like Us BBC3) here in cyberspace - great guy, really interesting background. He sent lots of really good personal advice. His site is here: http://www.dannykingbooks.com/advice.html I found his site whilst I was researching Camilla Bolton (Darely Anderson). I saw an interview she did with Byker Books, here: http://bykerbooks.co.uk/camillabolton.aspx - I liked both her comments and style - I believe she is the person to whom I should have sent The Messenger. I like Darley Anderson's bio, too, here:
http://www.darleyanderson.com/html/darley_p.html

virgin on the apologetic

2008-12-05T10:16:00.000Z

Contacted this morning by a young man from Viginmobile. He apologised for the problem, was 'unable to comment' on the call centre being in South Africa and said my complaint had been passed on for further investigation. Offered £10 top up on my phone as a goodwill gesture. I am still rather disgruntled - not at the good will gesture, but at the fact that Virgin sees it necessary to site its call centre out of Britain.

Family photograph tomorrow. Smile please ...

Virgin on the ridiculous?

2008-12-03T22:50:00.000Z

This is a copy of an email I sent to Virginmobile which I hope is self explanatory. If anybody else has had this problem let me know.

I wished to top up my mobile phone this evening. When I rang to do this I couldn't use the normal automated service. Instead I was connected to a call centre in South Africa. A gentleman there told me that my visa card had expired two years ago. I was rather upset at this and told him my card was in date. He reiterated that it had expired and I would need to re-register it before I could top up. I asked him how I managed to use that same card for a top up in October of this year if it had expired and he told me I couldn't have. Whilst he was on the phone I checked my credit card statement and quoted the transaction to him and said I was more than a little upset that someone had changed the date on my records at Virgin. He said there had been and upgrade recently and all card users had to re-register their cards before the automated service would be available to them. He also told me that this upgrade was to benefit customers. There are several things about my experience with your South African call centre that concern me. The first is that it is in South Africa when this country needs all the support it can have in these difficult times. Secondly, I don't like being told that my credit card has expired when it hasn't. Thirdly the upgrade that your gentleman told me was for the benefit of customers is certainly not benefiting me when I have to spend time discussing the validity of my credit card. And, if this is the way that your company deals with financial matters, I am wondering how reliable my wife's investments are with your company. I would like you to tell me why I should continue to be a Virgin customer.

Watch this space readers!

Is brainwashing dead?

2008-12-02T18:47:00.000Z

Well, it's almost a month since the last post. I have been completing a 'final' edit (is there ever a final edit?) on The Messenger and it, rather like Topsy, grew and grew. Final word count 144,600. It's no wonder it's taken so long, it's almost like writing two books. Anyway, I've submitted to Marsh Agency, Piers Russell-Cobb in particular. When I was researching, his agent profile told me he wanted 'quirky' fiction and that's what I write (amongst political / military / conspiratorial and psychological). So, watch this space.

The eyes are OK and the glasses useful. The white lights have disappeared and the black dots are now shadows of their former selves.

I'm looking forward to weekend of 13th / 14th December as Fourtoldfiction will be meeting up in Cornwall. It'll be excellent to see Silja, Jenny and Ed again. It'll be good, too, to see how much their current novels have progressed. Ed sent around a brilliant piece on writers and how they construct their craft. What was surprising, and somewhat gratifying, was that things I thought were peculiar to the way I operate as a writer actually others suffer from - drinking too much coffee, working odd hours, having down times, having up times etc. Thanks Ed, for restoring my faith in the way I write. Here's the link for those of you interested http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00fvgj5/Charlie_Brookers_Screenwipe_Series_4_Episode_3/

Well, the dancing is having a watershed moment. We are trying to decide if we can learn (and remember) more steps to the Ballroom dances, and more of the Sequence dances (we have eleven under our belt - or should that be shoes?). It would be nice to continue both, but there is a fine line between learning more and becoming more proficient at what we have already learned. I think the new year will be the crunch time. Saturday night dances may help - so, we'll investigate those, too.

For those of you interested there's some intriguing background on Doomsday Vaults and the Tavistock Institute, out there. Maybe that's the next book! ha ha!

20 / 20 vision - and that's not just Obama.

2008-11-06T09:01:00.000Z

We spent last week on the Isle of Wight with Grandchildren Leah and Rebekah. What is it about mobile phones and the need to have one permanently attached to the right ear? Or is that just me getting old? Excellent week and weather was super unlike the rest of Britain I gather.

Eyes to be checked on 19th. Glasses, reading and distance - never had the former before - I collected today. I was told it would take ten working days from order date - it has taken closer to 20. I managed to get 10% discount on total price for the inconvenience.

I spent yesterday morning with Rita - working breakfast at the Liskeard Tavern (staff were very helpful and pleasant - I guess that's part training and part a pride in one's role - I don't see that much nowadays). Valuable time spent on synopsis and tidying up loose ends on Messenger. Trying to get 14 pages of synopsis down to 2 is a task, but it'll get done. Set myself deadline to approach agent by end of November.

Obama is obviously the right man for the job and hopefully will withdraw the troops from Iraq and Afghanistan asap. He bears a similarity to JFK - an optimism for the future and a driving force for good. Let's hope those who destroyed JFK don't see BHO as a threat.

A rant - a reward - and the personal stuff - it's all here

2008-10-20T18:46:00.000+01:00

Three things which got up my nose this last week.
1) I, amongst other citizens of this fair city of Plymouth, learned last week that Plymouth City Council had £13 million invested in the Icelandic banks. Now, I suspect this transfer to the Icelandic Banks was done by PCC in good faith and with due diligence, however I later learned in the media that Tory Party Treasurer Michael Spencer's City firm, Butlers, gave advice to local councils (it is to be seen if PCC was one of them) which led them to deposit around £200 million in these banks. Spencer's company apparently made a fortune providing information to town halls on where to invest their cash. At the same time his firm of brokers, ICAP, took hundreds of thousands of pounds in commission from the Icelandic banks for moving money into them. (Source - Page 9 - Sunday Mirror -Oct 19th). Would it be an idea to ask Billionaire Michael Spencer to hand the commissions to the ratepayers of the cities affected as it will probably be they who will end up footing the bill?
2) It appears that rogue foreign drivers with luxury supercars owe one council (not Plymouth - we rarely have supercars in the city) £4.5million in unpaid parking fines. A Hummer owner who's collected 35 tickets owes £4,000 in fines - A Rolls Royce Phantom owner with 23 tickets owes £3,000 - and, get this, the owner of a Kreidler motorbike worth £1900 owes £45,000 from 400 tickets. Apparently local authorities cannot enforce parking fines abroad - but what's to stop them towing the cars away until the debts are paid? The newspaper reporting it (Daily Mirror 18th Oct - Page 31) even gave the registration numbers of the cars and motorcycle concerned. Come on Westminster Council get your finger out and collect - if it was an old lady refusing to pay her council tax you'd soon sort her out wouldn't you?
3) Churchcastle Ltd (trading as Spencer and Mayfair 2007) have a full page advert in today's copy of the Daily Mirror (page 47) suggesting that people can solve a word puzzle and 'claim' a 'stunning emerald pendant' - however, what it places in print (around font size 6, I guess) at the bottom of the page is that the call to claim one's stunning emerald pendent lasts 3 minutes and 30 seconds (at £1.50 per minute on BT landline - god knows what it would be from a mobile) at the end of that call you will be asked if you wish to transfer to another phone line to receive a 'matching bracelet' - if one does that then the call will last 3minutes (again at £1.50 per minute). So, 6mins 30 secs at £1.50 per min = £9.75! Well at least Churchcastle have dropped the heading of 'Do you qualify for a genuine emerald pendant', which they used in two previous adverts for the same thing last year. Some interesting links - I'm assuming here that the Churchcastle Ltd mentioned is the Churchcastle Ltd of the above - fair assumption?
ASA Non-broadcast Adjudication: Churchcastle Ltd t/a UK Cash Rewards
The Office of Fair Trading: Prize promoter gives undertakings to High Court
This is a really interesting link - it was actually published in the Daily Mirror in 2002 They cash in on trash - Investigations Maybe the Daily Mirror doesn't look at its back copies.

On a rewarding point - Coroner Andrew Walker - keep up the good work. People in power need people like you biting at their heels -- Army bosses should "hang their heads in shame", says coroner - mirror.co.uk News Headlines, Celebs and Football - Mirror.co.uk

On a more personal point the old eyes have been playing up - white lights and floaters. Have to go see a specialist soon - talk of retinas detaching has me rather concerned.
I am on with the final (for the moment anyway) edit - page 104 at present - some rewrite, but overall it's working.
Jo and Leigh are over from Oz - meeting up on Thursday. It'll be good to catch up.

Back to the world of dreams ...

Did he jump or was he pushed?

2008-10-01T09:38:00.000+01:00

Julian Grail committed suicide by jumping off the Tamar Bridge in the early morning of April 17th of this year. These things happen you might say, but this man did it because, according to newspaper reports, he could, no longer bear to be involved in immoral Council decisions. He worked in the Chief Executive's office of Plymouth City Council as a Planning and Performance Officer. His wife told the inquest that her husband had a very strong sense of fair play and he began to think those principles didn't sit alongside the job he was asked to do. She added, he was party to things that he thought were immoral. Sometimes huge amounts of money were involved. A spokesperson refused to comment on any suggestions of 'immorality' at the Council.
Time to put the claimed transparency of local government to the test me thinks. A public enquiry? Or is that too transparent - for some? My sympathies and condolences go to Mrs Grail. Men like Julian (men with principles) are needed alive. (The newspaper report of Julian's death can be seen at http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/SUICIDE-MAN-BLAMED-IMMORAL-COUNCIL/article-352029-detail/article.html )

We saw Jill's mother Molly off on the train this morning - she'd been with us for a week and was returning to Wells via Castle Cary. The train (Penzance to Paddington) was five minutes late. We quickly assisted Molly to her seat and pushed her small amount of baggage onto the rack as there was no room for it by her side or feet - and then the carriage doors locked automatically. I was trying to work out how to reopen the nearest one before the train left with us on it when a young lady said, ' You have to lean out and push on the handle' - I pulled the window down, leaned out, stretched down and grabbed at the handle. I managed to stop myself falling onto the platform as the door swung outward and wondered how someone who was infirm (or short) would manage in the mad rush of the train leaving to do the same thing (always assuming they had a young lady by their side to instruct them). Molly arrived safely.

Last stages of conservatory remodelling. I have to finish it today - I want to get on with final edit of Messenger.

How old?

2008-09-29T12:17:00.000+01:00

Well, yesterday was the day - I made 62! Loadsapressies and, except for Sarah and Paul who are sampling the delights of Thailand and Bangkok for a couple of weeks, a great family dinner. I am doing the school run for Rebekah and Amelia while they are away.

Feel knackered today. Not sure why. Maybe the conservatory remodelling or reboarding of the loft floor is catching up with me. Sequence dancing this afternoon - so I need to get myself together.

Found a site called Longstockings - a group of eight writers in the US - although, one is based in London.

Right, dancing shoes on Ginger.

The strategy for peace must match that for war.

2008-09-22T18:55:00.000+01:00

My friend, marine biologist and writer Silja Swaby, telephoned to suggest I listen to a replay of an interview (with former soldier David McGough) which had been on Saturday Live on Radio 4. Silja thought the content would be of interest because of the theme of my book and the similarity of my character's problems to that of David, (a young medic who was suffering both physically and mentally because of his experiences in war zones). I managed to pluck the story from the Radio 4 'Listen Again' menu.

David's recounting of the incidents he and others had to face - especially being a medic (although, as such he was expected to be a regular soldier too) was heartrending. He talked of young men and women in their late teens / early twenties who had joined the army, he suspected, without fully realising what horrors lie ahead and how many when those horrors erupted - often with devastating results - wished they were elsewhere - usually at home with their families.
He talked of a young Iraqi girl of nine who approached his small patrol and to whom they gave water and chocolate. A crowd of armed men appeared and dragged her off. As the crowd grew more agitated and began making noises about hanging her - he had a decision to make. Did he and his men stay and try to save her from the baying one hundred and fifty armed men or did they leave? He knew if they stayed and a firefight ensued there would be blood shed on both sides. He made the decision to leave - a decision, he says, he regrets to this day - a decision that will never let him go, because the girl was hanged. David is home, now, but the trauma of war has left its mark on him. You can listen to the interview (it's around 18 minutes into the programme) on this link: iPlayer Radio Console

I and thousands of others, are so grateful to these young men and women because their bravery in volunteering means that, in my case, my grandsons will hopefully never have to face this sort of trauma.

The more we can let people be aware of the horrors of war and the responsibility we have to these young people when they return damaged, both physically and mentally the better. Maintain an army - it may be needed, but demand war is the last resort, not the first and demand answers of those whose agendas kill our young people so that we are not led blindly into conflict.

Back in the land of the living ... ?

2008-09-19T15:41:00.000+01:00

Well, the hard drive in my laptop decided to give up the ghost just over a week ago and I have been wandering around the house like a lost soul without it. But I managed to refloor the loft and reclad the conservatory - so, not a complete waste of time. Jason (PC medics Plymouth) did a brilliant job replacing the drive, but when I came to reload AOL I found my emails for the last three years had disappeared - which is a real sod. I have business and private correspondence which I need, but can't get access to. I complained to AOL and received an email in response which began: With reference to your email, I understand that after reinstalling AOL your PFC got disappeared. Somehow this didn't instill the confidence I was looking for. The instructions then assumed that I had a file on my desktop which I didn't and a file in my system which was not there - so, I still have my problems with email. Another problem is that my research for the book - it was under my 'favourites' list, has gone walkabout. AARGH!

Silja, Jenny and Ed have been coming up with superb ideas and contributions after reading the first draft of Messenger and I am going to incorporate them in the final edit. Then it's off to Piers Russell-Cobb to see if he thinks it's a goer.

Fourtoldfiction is on the launch pad! Watch this space!

The sketch print of the new Harley 1200 (signed by the designer Bill Davidson) has arrived. Pity the delivery service smashed the glass in the frame, but hey ho can't have everything I suppose. It was, after all, a great first prize for my motorcycling recollections. Competition winner

Talked with Robert Shove today. His Tales from a Kit Bag is doing well. Lots of sales in Services related links. He said he's 2/3 through the new story (WW2 trek ) and off to Germany soon to research the survivors. Sounds an amazing story - certainly film material. He was also keen to push on the formation of a steering group for South West writers (Groups) and asked if I would join him at the funding meeting. I reported sadly there was no further response from Marjons on the adaptation of the Creative Writing BA modules. Maybe I should have approached Plymouth Uni instead.

Trains and boats and ... Fourtoldfiction.com

2008-09-07T23:14:00.000+01:00

So much has happened since I last posted - not sure I'm going to be able to get it all down.
Met with Ex UN Weapons Inspector, Scott Ritter on QE2 in August. He gave four totally consuming lectures on the US in Iraq and anti-war strategies. Bought three of his books and found Waging Peace incredibly thought provoking - so much so that I have revised last chapter of Messenger manuscript to enhance an idea I had at one of the lectures. The trip was excellent too, Bay of Biscay rough on way out - mill pond on way back. Sardinia no go due to swell - tenders rocking all over the place. Cannes good - Lisbon beautiful - Barcelona was absolutely magic (must go back - it has changed so much since we were last there 35 years ago) Gib was Gib (Blackpool with wildlife). I have been really lucky with lectures on board both this year and last. On Queen Mary 2 last year I met with an FBI profiler who gave superb information on insurgent kidnaps. Rita's critique on story is and has been superb - I've suggested she start her own critique agency.

Granddaughter Millie (12) had an operation to assist hearing - hopefully it will do that although first impressions weren't that good, but it will take a while to settle I gather. Epilepsy tablets seem to be working thank goodness, but diabetes is still volatile at times.

Granddaughter Leah (17) had a superb month in New Zealand with grandparents. Helicopter rides and sheep and much much more! Officer, Fay, at Orewa Police did a splendid job - think I overreacted, but better to be safe than sorry!

House still alive with people which is lovely - and lots going on. Hopefully things will be resolved soon for those involved.

Slovakia January (after Wells) for Matthew and Lenka's continued wedding celebrations.

Excellent strategy meeting of our Fourtold fiction setup today. (Name is now domain Fourtoldfiction.com) Jenny Cole working on second detective mystery novel (prequel), Silja Swaby out to agents on The Deluge, Ed Evans in planning stage on third modern fantasy. I'm going to approach Piers Russell-Cobb, Marsh Agency, with Messenger. I spotted him on the Marsh site and he looks to be the man - also on Julia Hales blog and trekking last year. Small is beautiful and 'Fourtold' provides time and expertise to look in detail at all the projects each of us have going - not sure that would be possible with a larger group.

The more research I do for a sequel to The Messenger the more I realise that we owe the troops the best treatment when they come home. Whether people agree with Iraq / Afghanistan or not the soldiers don't get the choice - it's 'go there and fight'. They are risking their lives and we owe them good, private medical facilities and a chance to recover properly both physically and mentally. It's called authority with responsibility - you can't have one without the other.

Well, I haven't mentioned as much as I thought I would - oh well, there's always next time. Say goodnight to the folks, Gracie.

Secrets and Lies.

2008-07-04T00:20:00.000+01:00

The world turned upside down on Friday - and family came first. The end of an era for some and the beginning for others. The house is now diffferent, but nicely so. The devil on one shoulder and an angel on another are having a field day. Who will win? Who can say? Life is what happens while we're waiting to die. Brave people take chances and others stay put. Sometimes corners are forced upon people and they come out fighting for a new future.

The story edit is two thirds through and I am two thirds tired. On the telephone to a flying school here last week I mentioned that my main character would find himself on a 747 packed with explosives. tree-topping the Hudson, on target for Indian Point and my phone line died. It clicked several times and eventually came back to normal. You know the feeling when someone is listening but doesn't talk? Well that was it. I guess I hit trigger words and Menwith Hill 'acquired' my computer history. It's been three years now and the research has been hard work. Did you know that an SA80 is a right shoulder weapon? That the Browning HP 9mm is best drawn from a chest holster? That low yield weaponry make one hell of a mess? That GX9 Gas simulates radiation poisoning? That FLAG is a covert military organisation established in 1959? And Major Frank Chandler was hung out to dry by the British Government during the Iraq/Iran war while on a black op in the Zagros Mountains? Which country has the largest reserves of oil? Which country is next on the US list? I ran a long way to get this information.
Time for bed said Zebedee.

Ghosts or dreams that is the question ...

2008-06-01T14:16:00.000+01:00

Another week sailed by! Finished this one with a wonderful trip to Harrogate for a few days to see friends. Friends are so important - especially those from our youth - the time when we all thought we were fireproof. When we rode at the limit a 500cc twin would go - maybe a 105mph down hill with the wind behind us. What is it nowadays? 140mph in first? The bikes have become faster - we've become slower. No longer fireproof and there's the rub.

Interesting discussion recently on how far the tentacles of secret organisations can stretch and how they place locked gates on career paths. Do you have the key? If not you could be totally buggered. No gates (locked or unlocked) is the answer.

The book has me dangling at the moment. Learning curve is straight up. Will it plateau? I bloody hope so! Incidentals: Browning HP or Glock 9mm? Leg or chest holsters? Why are SA80s designed for right-hand firing - my guy has to use his left-hand and the ejector sends casings against the pillar then into his chest or his face.

The weekend is here ...

2008-05-16T20:09:00.000+01:00

It's Friday - Working on edit.
Dilemma ... the ending needs total reversal. Hollywood ending may be best after all. Lots of discussion on validity of souls / FLAG/ Messenger. Why is it that being so close to the story sometimes doesn't let you see the wood for the trees?

What the hell happened to Monday?

2008-05-13T19:06:00.000+01:00

A morning discussing the synopsis with Rita was time well spent. Now, if only I can find someone who writes the sort of storyline that I do then I'm in business trying to find a good agent and publisher. Trouble is I think I am the only one with my sense of 'other worldliness'. I seem to see the 'what if' factor in everything I do. Mind you, I don't do much nowadays other than write. Must get back to the gym.

Well, it's been a beautiful day- the sun has been kind and Millie is back in the land of the living, thank God (or whatever force makes the sun shine).

Tried to vote for the amazing young diver, Tom Daley, but the Sun (not that sun) site wanted me to take a free trial of something called High Beam before it would let me vote - what sort of sharp practise is that? I feel a letter coming on. Actually a letter has come - and gone. I sent a missive to the Herald advertising my displeasure at this shoddy sales pitch.

Now, this next bit is important as it will figure in the future of everything, believe me:
The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweighed the dangers, which are cited to justify it.
President John F. Kennedy
Address to Newspaper Publishers
April 27, 1961

What's that throbbing?

2008-05-11T11:44:00.000+01:00

Well, it's a bright day - wish now I hadn't sold my yellow Harley last year. It'd be great to cruise around Dartmoor in the sunshine. Trees and shrubs appearing on the tors like huge cardboard cut-outs against a blue sky. Coming out of a dark tunnel of overhanging branches into sharp sunlight. Sheep skitishly running from the middle of narrow roads, others dithering, debating whether to go left or right and, at the last minute, standing still. Brown and white pot-bellied ponies lifting their heads as I pass saying, 'Blimey, I haven't seen a Harley that colour for a while. Let's put the shits up the rider,' as they stroll four abreast into the road and turn their tails to me. Crows the size of grave stones crashing into each other six inches above the tarmac as they tug at the innards of a dead cat. Actually, now I think about it ... maybe not.

Get editing lad ... get editing!

What a day!

2008-05-10T23:53:00.000+01:00

Sarah's 40 and Millie's hospitalised. Frightening day for all concerned. It is to be hoped that Millie will now get the medical treatment she should have been granted before this happened.

Editing is slow, but it's happening. Trouble with the military - they are unable to assist with certain aspects of weaponry and vehicles due to security. Air Force One plans which US Air Force said were Classified - I found on childrens' Q&A site! Now, providing the US doesn't invade Iran before it's published I should still be writing fiction.

The local case has been submitted. The turning point was the exemption ref Article 8 of the HRA - it works both ways. Let's see them wriggle out of this one!

Right, back to the world of dreams.

2008-05-10T16:53:00.001+01:00

EEK!