Everyday I Write the Book

I’ve started writing the follow up to ‘Oblivion Black’. Much like Hobson in the first book I was reluctant to go travel back into the Sanctuary, but there was still a story to tell. At the same time I’ve been working through some edits in the original book for a second edition which will set up events for the sequel. So spending a lot of time in this world at the moment. The reason I was reluctant to go back was that I’m always keen to move onto the next story and the next set of characters and I’m also enjoying writing the Phantoms Inc books, but there is a compulsion to carry on the journey for Connie, Danny and the rest of the ragged survivors.

It’s taken me a while but I’ve got a writing process which works for me. It runs like this. I write a synopsis which goes to about three/four pages then from there write a very rough draft in long hand, embellishing and making notes on the narrative as I go. I try not to be too self critical at this stage. When I’ve finished draft 0.5 I usually leave a week or two before I start typing it up, this is to let the characters and story settle in my head. Typing this up acts as a first draft and I find myself amending as I go. As soon as I’ve typed it up I’ll print it out and start on a second draft from there. I have a word count in mind and don’t normally hit it until around the fifth draft. After that I turn it over to my wonderful editor Helen Woodhouse, then a proof reader and finally my beta readers. The success of ‘Oblivion Black’ has given me permission to write and at the same time I’ve learned from my mistakes - and continue to learn - and listened to feedback even when it’s felt harsh.

I started writing the ‘Oblivion Black’ sequel at my kitchen table on the 20th May, and to date a day hasn’t gone by where I haven’t written at least a few lines. It’s already taken a few twists that I wasn’t expecting. Some days it flies and other days it’s a grind, but that’s the nature of creative writing for me. Most days I enjoy, and although I have a plan for where the story and characters will end up I’m excited to see how they’ll get there.