Finishing the First Draft

My posts to this blog have been few and far between recently as I've been finishing the first draft of my next novel. While it seems easy to cope with the numerous calls for action and attention everyday life makes when I first start a new story, there comes a point when the need to be with the characters takes over and I find myself paring down other aspects of my life to spend the maximum amount of time possible with them. It's a weird feeling, but one that I have to admit I quite enjoy. 

For me, the first few days after finishing a first draft are akin to those following the end of exams after a period of intense revision. Suddenly, there are hours to fill almost at whim, so that even the backlog of neglected tasks looks less daunting. I know it won't last long - it's a mini vacation from the writing life, a chance to gear up for the revision and formatting necessary to make the draft fit for publication and, perhaps more importantly, a chance to concentrate on real people rather than fictional ones! 

To celebrate my return to reality, I've put The Anniversary e-book on sale until 30th July. Only $0.99 in the US and 99p in the UK. 

click here to purchase

Detective Paul Rigby’s role in his girlfriend’s death has haunted him since that tragic event almost one year ago. With his dreams of marriage and a family already destroyed, Rigby’s guilt now threatens to sabotage the one thing left to him: his once promising career. 
That career would already be in ruins without the intervention of Chief of Police Jim Pearson. Reluctant to lose his best detective, Pearson is forced to resort to ever more devious methods of keeping his young protégé under control as the anniversary approaches. 
Sidelined following a spontaneous act of violence, Rigby finds himself at increasing odds with his mentor but is determined to prove that he is still worthy of Pearson’s trust. A manpower crisis within the department offers a chance of redemption during what should be a straightforward case, but when repercussions from his punch-up and his unorthodox handling of the investigation collide with devastating results, Rigby discovers he has a lot more to lose than he thought.