And… we’re back! Morocco was beautiful. The weather was warm, and the people were friendly. Lying in the sun on the beach, or sitting in the local marina, listening to Billie Eilish’s new album, “Hit me hard and soft“, while sipping mint tea. It was just what the doctor ordered for the good Mrs Jones and me.

We visited a tourist hotspot further down Morocco’s west coast, Agadir. With its long red sandy beach and well-kept promenade overlooked by the old fort and surrounded by the Lesser Atlas Mountains, it was just the right mix of old and new for us.

Annika Dash accompanied me, but only within a notebook into which I scribbled the occasional idea for her second adventure. I didn’t just restrict my thinking to my latest heroine, however. I also considered other projects (First Contact, Escape from Hades), but I’ll write about those separately.

Between walks along the promenade, lunch by the marina, the beach and visits to the Souk, I wanted to lose myself and relax while taking in another story. To that end, I had a book with me, “Run Silent, Run Deep” on which one of my favourite films is based. It starred two Holywood giants, Burt Lancaster and Clarke Gable. I didn’t get time to read it. Instead, I continued listening to a story I’d started on Audible before leaving the UK. This audiobook is so good, that it merits a review of its own and not a short footnote here. I will get to read Run Silent, but not just yet.

Anyhow, I’m not a travel writer so will not do Agadir the disservice of trying to write about it any more than I have. Besides, I’m now back in front of my desk, trying to pick up where I’d left off, and, as you’d expect, I have nothing (zip, zilch, nada).

Then those thoughts writers fear began creeping in: What if I couldn’t complete Annika Dash 2? What if I couldn’t complete Escape from Hades? What if I couldn’t think of anything at all to write about?

Going back onto Facebook — something I avoided while in Morocco — I thought I’d try to cheer myself up by watching cat videos, or my friend, Chris, doing his metal detecting. Instead, I stopped scrolling when I saw a Stephen King quote, referenced by another writer.

“Writing is a lonely job. Having someone who believes in you makes a lot of difference. They don’t have to make speeches. Just believing is usually enough.”

I thought of the people who supported me in my writing. What they say. What they do.

Time for a coffee before I try again.