Monday 26th January
Last week I received a proof of my second novel, Blood Law, from my publishers, along with a request for me to give it one last read through ahead of it being type-set for printing. At this stage I’m really only looking for any mistakes or minor corrections, and I now have a two week window of opportunity in which to notify my editor of any such amendments, so best I get reading!
Strangely enough, my third novel, The Beholder, also requires a read through, as I’ve now completed the task of including additional research to help add further depth/realism, so all that remains is for me to give it one last look before I send it to my agent, Broo Doherty, for her comments.
On the music front, I saw Limehouse Lizzy last week, the world’s foremost tribute act to Thin Lizzy. I could wax lyrical about how they plundered the band’s awesome back catalogue to great effect, mixing juddering riffs, intricate fret work, and impassioned vocals for nigh on two hours, but instead, I’ll pay them the highest compliment I can think of – the boys were so good that at times I forgot I was watching a tribute act and enjoyed them as a band in their own right.
And finally, it’s time for me to pay my dues. Regular readers of this blog will know that Justice For All has received a lot of support from the website www.sonsofspade.tk, including both a glowing review and an award for Zac Hunter as the best new P.I. of 2008. The guy that runs the site, Jochem Vandersteen, has just published a collection of short stories that feature his protagonist Noah Milano, an L.A. based security specialist who’s the estranged son of a mobster. The collection is entitled Tough as Leather, and is available for purchase here: http://www.cafepress.com/sonsofspade. Best of luck with the collection Jochem, you deserve every success.
Cheers,
SteveWhat’s Steve been listening to this week?
Agony and Irony – by Alkaline Trio
The ’59 Sound – by The Gaslight Anthem
Panic Movement – by The Hiss
Monday 19th JanuaryNot much to report from last week, as I spent my time scanning through The Beholder, making some minor enhancements as suggested by my wife Lisa, and looking for opportunities to include some additional research to help add further depth/realism to the novel. This research can provide background colour, such as being able to name types of cactus and vegetation in a desert, or it can be more facts and figures based, such as being able to quote the length of the US-Mexico border along with the daily volumes of people and vehicles that cross it. By the end of the week I’d worked through about two thirds of the novel, so not long now until the second draft is ready.
Cheers,
SteveWhat’s Steve been listening to this week?
The Colour and the Shape – by Foo Fighters
Happiness In Magazines – by Graham Coxon
Kick Up The Fire, And Let The Flames Break Loose – by The Cooper Temple Clause
Monday 12th JanuaryLast week, I spoke to Suzannah Sorrell, the editor of up and coming mens’ quarterly ‘1 Degree East’, regarding my debut novel Justice For All. Suzannah really enjoyed the book, and she plans to include a couple of features on me in the magazine’s next two issues: first, an excerpt from JFA in their Q1 issue (due out at the end of January), and then an interview with yours truly in their Q2 issue. More news to follow in the coming weeks.
And now for some good news on The Beholder. My wife and harshest critic, Lisa, has finished reading the first draft and given it the thumbs up! As per usual, she’s made a number of excellent suggestions regarding the plot, and spotted a number of continuity errors, which I left in on purpose to test her (honest guv…). For my part, I spent last week working through the big file of research I undertook for the novel, and highlighting a few facts and figures that I think might add further depth/realism to the story. And when I say big file of research, I really mean it! I do a lot of background reading before I set out to write a book, and while only around 10% of it will actually get used, the rest helps give me a broader understanding of my subject matter.
My next job is to consider both Lisa’s suggestions and my highlighted research while working through the novel, making changes where I deem them necessary, and once that’s done, I’ll have my second draft!
Cheers,
SteveWhat’s Steve been listening to this week?
Is This It? – by The Strokes
Live Through This – by Hole
Liqour in the Front – by The Reverend Horton Heat
First up, Happy New Year to one and all, and I hope that 2009 brings you all you could wish for.
2009 has certainly started off well for me, as my debut novel, Justice For All, has won its first award. For those of you that have been reading this blog for a while, you may remember that JFA attracted a glowing review on www.sonsofspade.tk back in early November.
The Sons of Spade website is run by a Dutch writer, Jochem Steen, and it’s a great source of information about the crime writing genre. When Sons of Spade announced their end of year awards, I was very excited to find that they voted Zac Hunter, the lead character in my novels, best new private eye of 2008. Given the amount of crime novels that the site reviews, this was a great honour, and a fantastic way to start the new year!Cheers,
SteveWhat’s Steve been listening to this week?
Our Love To Admire – by Interpol
Ferment – by Catherine Wheel
Folie a Deux – by Fall Out Boy