The Revolution is over. It was not televised. (Although it was dramatised and re-enacted)
Now we skip back across the channel to Regency London...
You may recall (or you may simply read in the other blog on this page) that I write. And that I have a story in my head that I’ve been working up.
Well I had two goals for the Pacific leg of our grand tour.
One was to finish writing a short story I’d started, set in the French Revolution.
The other was to get stuck into the second novel I’ve been planning, picking up where my last, Where Innocence Ends, left off. (I will link you all to the Amazon page with big neon lights when I finally get Where Innocence Ends up there. It needs a cover design. I’m working on that. But things move slowly when you have sporadic internet!)
It seemed to me that an ocean crossing might provide the perfect focus/lack of distractions to really kickstart things. And so it proved. You’ll be pleased to hear that the French Revolution well and truly went off. There were barricades in the streets, running gun battles, and a stuttering, stupefied ruling class which could not quite believe what was happening to it. Amidst it all, my hero gave his own acerbic view of what he saw, and which I hope you will enjoy…
Writing historical fiction means there’s a fair amount of research. Not everyone puts the same value on historical accuracy, but for me it’s part of the attraction. It gives me the excuse to go delving into the past – and there are always stories to be found. Some of them can be weaved into my narrative if the timing and the location fit – like the extraordinary Marshal Mailly. Many more don’t quite align – like the Chevalier D’Eon. But they do pique the imagination. It turns out that the past is just as fascinating as the present.
However, getting too interested in my research can get in the way of writing the actual story. So 23 days without an ounce (or gram if you’re that way inclined) of internet was a challenge laid down to me to build up a head of steam of narrative. No recourse to fact-checking or world-finding. Just good old-fashioned writing.
So the short story was finished (more about that in a moment), and I got about a quarter of a way through the new novel - working title: The Student. That’s far enough for the chessboard to be laid down, the pieces to be described and placed, and the first big engagement to have taken place. We’re through the opening exchanges now: the game is afoot.
This is the really exciting bit of writing: you’ve been building the tension, humanising the characters, making them interesting and compelling, and you’ve been working towards a moment where the challenge is laid down. In Fahrenheit 451, it’s where Guy Montag grows a conscience, and realises he can’t light another fire. In Nutshell, it’s where the conspirators declare they’re going to commit murder. In Hitchhiker’s Guide, it’s where the earth gets blown up. (Guess what books I’ve been reading!)
Well, the challenge is now laid. The question now, is what will my protagonist do about it…
Now. About that short story. I need some beta testers. Since you good people are reading this, perhaps you can be tempted to read a little more.
Attached is the first chapter of the story. If you like what you see, drop me a message (Whatsapp or Facebook if you have me, Twitter if you don’t – see the links at the top of this page), and I’ll send you the whole shebang. I need some honest feedback. Missing full-stops (shudder), or jarring character inconsistencies or historical inaccuracies – or just something that doesn’t feel right to you – all comments are welcomed. You can even tell me if you like it (but not too much – I’m British, after all).
It won’t be a pretty ebook, with preamble and a cover and all that jazz. That comes after a good edit. And for that, I need your feedback. Savvy?