It’s been a couple of weeks again since I updated this series with how work had been going, what with Christmas being last week.
I hope you have had a good Christmas and a Happy New Year, whatever you have been doing. I wish for you a positive and healthy 2019.
If you remember last time I updated you I had just finished the editing project I had been working on. Well, now, I have finished Hannah Robbins book 5 and it was sent to my editor yesterday. I know it was New Years Day, I didn’t expect her to start work on it, but I was pleased to get it off my desk and class it as finished for now at the start of the year.
So, two projects I was working hard on through November are now finished – for now. Both will come bouncing back to me at some point this month I imagine.
So, what now for me? What am I going to be doing with my time starting today? Well, I am not one to be sitting and taking a relaxing break – I did too much of that when I had my cold virus in December. I need to get back into working properly now. First I need to write the back cover copy for Hannah 5, so that’s today’s job and then I need to write a synopsis/plan for the next book I’m going to write which is the first book in a new series. No, I’m not stopping the Hannah series, I’m just introducing another series. So, when I update you next week I should have a full outline for the next book if I’ve not yet started writing it.
I’m in two minds whether to do the non-fiction book I have been thinking about doing. The book for crime writers on police procedural stuff. I don’t know if it will be worth doing, whether there is enough interest in the book to put time and finances into it. I may have a tinker on this and look at a rough outline of how it might work. I might be better off sticking with the fiction though. I’m not sure there is a large enough audience for this that I would even make my money back that I would outlay on an edit and cover.
I am looking forward to the new series though and hope to get a good chunk of it down before either of the other two projects come back to my desk.
I have plans this year to write between three and four books this year. I know it’s a lot but I proved to myself during NaNoWriMo how much I can achieve when I put my mind to it. I just have to be aware that my health can interrupt my plans at any point and accept this without giving myself too much of a hard time.
What are your plans for the year ahead?
As I am suffering from the same cold virus, the one that makes you feel as though you are dying, I am having trouble thinking about anything… which is all very depressing, as I wanted to start the new year with a fair amount of optimism so I can get to grips with my WIP. My new year will be starting later than originally planned…
I’m sorry to hear that, it really does take it out of you and you just have to ride the wave I’m afraid and wait it out. Hoping it passing soon x
Ambitious plans, but I think you have shown us you are very capable of achieving them. I’m also currently writing my own plans for 2019 and feel like quite a slacker in comparison, but any creative writing at all will be progress for me, compared to last year.
I work from home doing just this though, you have a job to contend with as well though, so don’t forget that. You are definitely no slacker. And if you saw the pace I actually worked at home, you would be calling me the slacker! I’m just somehow quite good at achieving in the time I do I work.
I think a book on police procedure for crime writers would be well worth doing. Not every aspiring crime writer has easy access to a police station or police officer available to answer their questions which can often be minor rather than major points. Also procedure will keep changing over time and need to be updated. And what about differences between English and Scottish procedures?
You make a good point about things changing – which I’m afraid is another point against the book rather than for it. As for Scottish and English, the book would only be worth buying for authors writing English crime as Scottish crime is very different in the way they work. I do run a consulting service for writers who want to discuss their work, but I know that’s not always affordable to everyone and the book would be.
Rebecca, congratulations on completion of Hannah Robbins #5! That must be such a great feeling to start 2019 with. I wish you every success with your plan to write three-four books this year.
Thanks, Prashant. Yes, it’s great to be so far along with the first book of the year. Gives me a head start on those three-four books 🙂
Happy New Year, Rebecca. I’m so glad for you that you got Hannah Robbins 5 off to your editor. Isn’t that a great feeling? I think it’s interesting that you’re considering non-fiction. Whatever direction you choose, I admire your ‘get up and go.’
Happy New Year, Margot. It is a great feeling. Especially as I got a bit waylaid in December. It’s nice to catch up with things. If I do this non-fiction book I think it’ll only be the one book. I enjoy writing fiction too much!
I believe the non fiction book is an investment that will pay itself off in prestige and reputation. You will not be just a crime fiction writer, but THE writer who wrote THE book on police procedures for crime writers. It might also open doors to conferences, lectures, etc ($$$). Finally, if you don’t do it, someone else will and take all the credit for such a great idea..
Thanks, Jose. There is already a book out there but I’m not sure how basic it gets. For instance I want to start very basic for writers, with the entry level stuff like the phrase WPC is at least twenty years out of date. Stuff like that. I’m sure there is room for two of us.
Hey 🙂
Just a though if you are going down the none fiction route you need to also look at the competition.”The Crime Writers Casebook” by Stuart Gibbon are also writing a 2nd which I think is about being a detective.. https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Being-Detective-Z-Readers-Writers/dp/1847168892/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1546460003&sr=1-1
if you can find a niche in the market go for it, but on first looks it does look very crowded market but isn’t crime fiction also?
X
You’re right, I do need to look at that book, but I think the books will be different. I want to include the very basic entry level stuff in mine for writers. Things like the phrase WPC being at least twenty years out of date. It’s the stuff like that that writers really are getting wrong consistently not just the more complicated stuff. Thanks, Claire.
If you can find a niche then go for it, otherwise it might just end up being a waste of money…
Is there a “writing crime fiction” for dummies