Tag: Blog

Well, that went well…

~ GraydonJonesWriter ~ 1 Comment

On the 10th of September 2024, I completed the first draft of Annika Dash – The Dark Side of the Moon. Immediately, I sighed and thought, “Well that went well.” It’s that feeling you get when you reach the end of something you may have doubted you’d complete. Of course, I’ve lots more to do, but I think it’s important to stop and celebrate one’s success, right?

Now Draft 1 is complete, I am resting; stepping away. I’m doing other things. I found, that the longer I leave it before going back to edit, the more likely I will spot errors or ways to improve the plot, characters or settings. That’s what I’m doing now. I’ve started redesigning my creative working space at home, working on processing photos I took in the summer, and preparing to write some new music. My next writing session is planned for November to coincide with this year’s NaNoWriMo.

This is an American initiative, but it’s been widely adopted in other countries to encourage anyone to write a novel in November. The definition of a novel, for NaNoWriMo, is 50,000 words. That’s roughly 1666 words a day. These targets are important because they give the writer focus. One of the main reasons we don’t complete our work is that no one holds us accountable, encourages us forward, or picks us up when we fall. This is because writers normally work in isolation, choosing when to write. NaNoWriMo provides a robust framework to help with this. Some writers meet daily in cafes and libraries to participate in writing ‘sprints’. A sprint is a specific time, during which everyone writes together. Each sprint can be set to last between 20 to 30 minutes. Far more common are virtual meet-ups, with Zoom and FaceBook being popular platforms.

How will I work? The target I will set myself will be different. I will aim to edit and complete a second draft of Annika Dash – The Dark Side of the Moon. Accountability? I hope I have the discipline to complete my draft, but I will look for others who may need help, and join them if I can.

Entertainment recommendations this month…

Ludwig 2024

I have to mention another BBC comedy drama, Ludwig. If you like David Mitchell, then this programme is for you. It’s the ideal vehicle for his character to shine through. Like Upstart Crow it centres around a character blessed with talent, yet struggling with the world around him. It also stars the brilliant Anna Maxwell-Martin who has been in countless other stage and screen productions. Anna portrays the wife of ‘Ludwig’s’ much more successful brother who is missing. She comes up with a hair-brain scheme enlisting her brother-in-law; the identical twin brother of her husband. Brilliant Series 10 unicorns out of 10

Oblivion 2013

I caught a video on YouTube about the making of Oblivion. This 2013 Sci-Fi, based on a graphic novel, is probably one of my all-time favourite films, and the video reignited my enthusiasm for it. The video goes behind the scenes into inception, concept, set creation, locations, and stunts. Maybe I should be reviewing/recommending the YouTube video? Okay, here’s the link – Oblivion (2013) – Behind the Scenes Compilation (CinemaScope). I won’t say anymore other than it’s a… Brilliant film, 10 unicorns out of 10

Next month

I will concentrate on Draft 2 of Annika Dash and The Dark Side of The Moon from now until the end of November. After that, I will let you know how I did. In the meantime, I will keep posting on my FaceBook page.

Summer Holidays

~ GraydonJonesWriter

Incidentally, I hit play on my iPhone, and my Phil Collins playlist on Spotify starts playing… It begins with Another Day in Paradise. And, as I wonder what to write about, I can’t help but feel blessed that I — even with all my aches and pains — can do the lovely things I can do. Like the title says, Summer Holiday? Not exactly. I got to go out and about to take some photos of the Peak District and the North Norfolk Coast, but sitting down to write was difficult.

Graydon at Thornham Norfolk and the Coal shed

Thornham Coal Shed – North Norfolk Coast

No, not because I had writer’s block. It was because I had a back problem. Not sure how it started, but my lovely Osteopath, thought I could have lifted something heavy while twisting. Instantly, I thought of our luggage and our recent trip to Morocco. Which, incidentally, was when the pain started – I’d found the smoking gun! The last few weeks have seen my symptoms worsen to the extent I couldn’t sit to write at all.

Today, however, my back feels much better – it’s the best since May. How’s this you say? All I can say is, ‘Beware the smiling osteopath’. One minute he was talking in mellow tones… reassuring me… relaxing me… We were friends. Or so I thought… CRACK! Bones and joints clicked and someone else in the room (not me, I’m a grown man, for heaven’s sake) grunted, yelped, maybe cried – a little.

This morning I wrote around 3,000 words for Annika Dash 2. And I’m trying to publish this blog before the day’s out.

With all this pain nonsense, you could say I have had an enforced Summer Holiday from writing. I have to admit, getting out to do one of my other favourite pastimes was truly rewarding.

Graydon at Higger Tor

Waiting for sunrise on Higger Tor – the Peak District

However, Annika Dash 2 is an itch that needs, wants… craves to be scratched. Yes, I have my other Fantasy Sci-Fi pieces I want to return to, but I can’t. I must finish Annika’s second adventure. This morning’s 3,000 words went a long way to take me well into the second act, with the action ramping up. I wish I could reveal more, but I don’t want to spoil your enjoyment by saying anything more.

Doing it differently

While I was stuck, unable to write, I began thinking about what I could do differently to promote this story. Different from the lowkey approach on Annika Dash and the Unicorn from Space. First off, I’m going to slow things down. There is no critical deadline. Next, I will spend more time on the artwork and enjoy the experience more. I’m going to think about changing Book 1’s cover to reflect that it is now part of a series (you’d better buy those 1st edition covers while you can!) I also would like to have a book trailer. This will be challenging as I will need to find some talented people to help me – watch this space.

Latest Sales

Just a shout-out to those people who bought my book in Australia and Japan. I don’t know who you are but thank you. I hope your youngsters enjoy Annika’s first adventure.

Entertainment recommendations this month…

Oh, I have to mention some great TV that has had us hooked this month. I should say what my definition of a brilliant series is. Well, when your plan to watch an episode each night goes out the window and you binge-watch as much as you can until someone in the room snores – That, in my opinion, is a brilliant series.

The Hour (2012) Netflix

Romola Garai(Vigil), Dominic West (Downton, Les Mis), Ben Whishaw (Bond)
The Hour A drama set during the Cold War, surrounding a ground-breaking news show, its suave anchor man, a maverick presenter and the gutsy female producer trying to hold it all together in a time when women shouldn’t be doing what she does. I’m not sure how we missed this, but we were pleased to find it on Netflix. As you’d expect, there’s a fair bit of cloak-and-dagger stuff, plus a clash of egos and talent, but the stakes are high and you can’t help but keep watching.
Brilliant Series 10 unicorns out of 10

First, Hijack (2023-2025) – Apple TV

Idris Elba, Neil Maskell (Peaky Blinders), Max Beesley (Homeland), Ben Miles (The Crown, Andor)
In Hijack, and amidst a strong cast, Idris Elba played a different kind of hero. A business negotiator, bargaining not only for his life and the lives of his estranged wife and son, but the 216 other lives on a passenger aircraft heading home from Dubai. We found it compulsive viewing and finished all eight episodes in just two evenings.
Brilliant Series. 9 unicorns out of 10

Not 10 purely because (Spoiler) the villain got off too easy. If there is a second season (see release dates above) to resolve this, then I’ll add the last unicorn to give it a perfect score.

Next Month

I’ll manage your expectations now. An operation on my hand will limit my ability to write both here and for Annika Dash. My consultant believes I should be back to normal (I’m not sure what he meant by that) in around six weeks. Of course, I might just get bored enough to hammer out something using one hand — who knows?

Outtakes

If I had an outtakes section, then this would be perfect…

When the tide comes in fast and you’ve left your wellies in the car…yikes!!

The tide is coming in a little too fast

Blimey – This water is cold.

Unfortunately, I can’t upload the video showing the mad dash through the water to dry land, but rest assured, I wasn’t scared at all. Honest.

Unveiling the Unicorn from Space .

~ GraydonJonesWriter

The book written for my niece finally comes home.

Well, what can I say? I’d told my brother and his lovely wife, our sister-in-law, Emma, how I’d been unable to write my normal Space Fantasy until I’d finished this story for my niece. And, after several long months, it was ready.

I wanted my niece to be surprised by it, and enjoy reading it. This led to long periods of anxiety, wondering how she’d receive, not only the first book I have published, but my first attempt at writing a children’s chapter book. I needn’t have worried because the reaction from Freya was priceless.

Her eyes lit up when she realised it was a unicorn story and that I’d written it for her. I loved the moment when Emma pointed out that Freya’s name was in the acknowledgements. This prompted my niece to read the front matter, and my day couldn’t have got much better. Even the table of contents sounded so good being read by my niece. Forget the Amazon sales and all the lovely reviews. This was… well, I have no words to describe it. No, I have too many words to choose from so I’ll just say it was brilliant.

After this, we had a kick-around with Alfie’s new football – an official Euro 24 football. Alfie is Freya’s older brother, and is football crazy, just like his dad and uncle.

I amazed the little ones with my Messi-like ball control despite my young niece and nephew bombarding me with questions about the book, Annika Dash and the Unicorn from Space. Questions like, who was the baddie? What was the unicorn called?

I was proud of how little I gave away, though I suspect gasping for air while trying to keep up with Alfie and Freya played a part in this. Puffing and panting, I gave up only a few details – teasers, really – cleverly designed to encourage them to read the book. Freya promised to do this straight away and sat down to examine the map of the City Space Museum, inside the book’s front cover.

Nonchalantly, Alfie performed keepy-uppies while looking me straight in the eye.

“Will there be another book?” he asked. “A sequel?”

The park fell silent.

I stared back at Alfie. Alfie glanced at Freya. Freya narrowed her eyes at me.

Someone gulped. I think it may have been me…

Someone who believes in you

~ GraydonJonesWriter

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.

Never let the truth…

~ GraydonJonesWriter

I posted this Facebook pole (which may or may not have anything to do with my follow-up to Annika Dash and the Unicorn from Space) in a group of old school friends. I asked if they remembered which school House they were in. The choices were: Burghley, Sargent, Newton and Tennyson. Being a little cheeky, I added Gryffindor and Slytherin.

It didn’t surprise me that someone would mess about and choose Gryffindor. What did surprise me was looking up who wanted to swap their Muggle life for a pointy hat and broom and discovering Gryffindor received no votes! Is it spooky or Magic (See what I did there?) that it shows 1%?

My programming background tells me it’s more likely to be a Facebook glitch, bug, or coding anomaly; something to make the percentages add up. Whereas the writer in me wants to believe it is some power-crazed alien AI bent on taking over the world, starting with our old school’s Facebook page.

Which do you want to believe? Coding or Magic?

What do I believe? Well, I retreat to that old maxim at times like this:

“Never let the truth get in the way of a good story“.

Of course, Annika Dash is just a story…. isn’t it?

Silo (2023- )

~ GraydonJonesWriter

What about Silo on Apple TV? I’d not heard of the novels, but once we re-subscribed to Apple TV, this was the 10th item on our list of things to watch. Yes, I enjoyed Foundation, and maybe I would have written about that had I not been releasing The Unicorn from space while we completed the first two seasons. But I didn’t, and, to be fair, as brilliant as it was, if I had to write about one thing this year, I think it would be Silo.

The actors:

Two of my favourites, Tim Robbins and Iain Glen were, as you’d expect, brilliant. Though I wasn’t sure about the latter’s US accent. The Star, Rebecca Ferguson, shines too, depicting someone thrust unexpectedly into an adventure that they probably didn’t expect but were probably ready to go the distance – no matter the cost.

My favourite characters are Paul Billings, played by Chinaza Uche and Common (the wrapper) who plays Robert Sims, from ‘Judicial’, with a low voice that reminded me of Vin Deisel. I also enjoyed Rick Gomez’s character, Patrick Kennedy, who I would have liked to have seen more of. Finally, Dame Harriet Walker… Is she going to sit on the list that contains Dame Judi Dench, and Dame Maggie Smith as a British treasure? What do you think?

The story:

Without giving up any spoilers, the story starts with two other characters who set the scene, and immediately start you guessing how it all ends. Yes, you do have to suspend a certain amount of disbelief, but this is fiction. I mentioned Isaac Asimov’s Foundation, and that is, without a doubt, brilliant. Very twisty-turny and complex. And I will get around to reviewing it. However, I liked Silo because, even though I first dismissed it as something like the 2008 Film, City of Embers, featuring Bill Murray (sorry, there were many other actors in this, but you can’t forget Bill, can you?) It struck that middle ground that hit the spot for me. Not too long, too complex, and with a twist or two to make it not as predictable as you might think. From the get-go, it had us guessing what the finale would reveal. All I’ll say is that we were not disappointed, and at the same time… let’s just say there are 3 novels.

Dressing gown and slippers

~ GraydonJonesWriter

No, this isn’t an opening scene from one of my favourite writers, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Though I’ve always had a hankering for a Sherlock Holmes-style smoking jacket, calabash pipe and deerstalker. What do you think? Okay…maybe not – I don’t smoke, nor do I stalk deer (unless it’s with a camera).

Back to today. I really am sitting here in my dressing gown and slippers, despite feeling totally unwell. [sniff, cough] I’m sitting here because there’s only…

Five, Cinq, Fünf, Cinque, Cinco…

…yes just 5 DAYS TO GO until Annika Dash and the Unicorn from Space will be available.

The last few weeks of frantic work learning about self-publishing, using the KDP software, and tweaking the cover and manuscript until it all fit together perfectly, was worth it.

My next worry, believe it or not, is my signature. If medical qualifications were based on how illegible your signature was, I’d be a Consultant Surgeon. Before you consider me pretentious, friends and family have asked me to sign their copies. Flattered by this, I agreed without hesitation.

Gosh, I’ve just thought of something else – what else would I write – besides my signature??? I guess I’ll cross that bridge next. Meanwhile, back to my signature.

I have a pad close by and later, armed with my favourite pen and a toasted Hot-Cross-Bun, I’ll practice. It mustn’t be too plain, nor too flamboyant. Maybe I could get Amanda to do it for me – her handwriting is amazing – no, I couldn’t. Why has my handwriting become so bad? It was rubbish when I left school and worsened at college. Then, working in IT for nearly 30 years, I swapped my biro for a keyboard, so used a pen less and less. I guess James Bond has this very same problem: he’s not able to use his biro unless he wants to shoot someone or blow something up. Yep, 007 must have rubbish handwriting too.

Anyway, having established 007 is much like me, if you have any ideas about how to fix my handwriting in 5 days or less or just want to get in touch, please use my contact form.

In the air tonight

~ GraydonJonesWriter

The title? In truth, I couldn’t think of anything to sum up this month’s writing, so I bucked the Facebook trend of choosing the last thing I ate and the colour of my underwear and went with what I’m listening to — Phil Collins’ defining work.

Now, what a month. Gathering my thoughts I spent a lot of it in bed or under the weather, but despite this, I have completed much writing, including the re-write of my current story, Escape from Hades. I say completed, but in reality, it’s the section where I connect the new beginning of the story to the existing middle and ending. I had suspected this would be a smooth transition, but introducing three new characters and handling the demise of two others has made more things difficult for me. Yet, here on the 23rd of October 2022, I have completed that connection and, in my opinion, quite smoothly. There is the small matter of the remaining 40,000 words, but I’ll think about this tomorrow.

What else? Oh, I enjoyed some good TV, endured politics, and helped other writers by critiquing their stories.

I’ll save the good things for last and touch on the state of the Country. As a layman, I don’t see why our government can’t use a windfall tax on the energy companies to 1, help pay for government borrowing and 2, force the energy companies to invest NOW in green energy, like they should have been doing these past 12 years. But I’m neither a politician nor an economist; I’m just… enduring it, like many others. Rant over.

Good TV. Well, we’ve enjoyed watching the latest series of Professor T. Ben Miller is one of the best character/comedy actors around today, and, in my opinion, highly underrated. His portrayal of the Cambridge University criminologist Jasper Tempest, who suffers from OCD and a traumatic past, sees Miller at his understated best assisting the hapless local Bobbies to solve complex wrong-doings. I understand [from IMDB] it is based on a Belgian series of the same name, and one can’t help but draw parallels with Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. This parallel echoes his past performance in another BBC production, Death in Paradise. Again, Miller plays an understated, genius detective solving the unsolvable using Agatha Christie-esque tools. Well worth a watch.

Ben Miller – Professor T

We’ve some pretty good movies, too. The latest was The Duke, starring Jim Broadbent, Helen Mirren and Matthew Goode. It was after watching this film, based on a true story of one man’s determined if naïve fight against social injustice, that inspired me to write my [little] political rant, above. The characters are lovable and despite the predictable, feel-good ending, there is a little unexpected twist. Again, well worth the watch.

Last but not least, I have been determined to give back a little to fellow writers. As a member of a critique group, I, for the first time, volunteered to help other writers by reading their work and pointing out areas where they might improve. My most important rules were: to choose genres I would read (and therefore understand) and TO BE KIND. I truly believe in what we practised when bringing up our children. It’s easy to knock someone down, but it is better to be the wind beneath someone’s wings or the fertile soil in which they can grow.
With that, I can’t see a better way of signing off.