A Writers Confidence!

 

Hey Folks

As I've not posted for a while, and I've still not finished Midnight Falcon by David Gemmell,  I thought I would do this writing post.  I'm way behind my reading target for 2021, so the reviews are few and far between.

My writing status at the moment is best to be described as "paused".  I set up in Camp Nano so it would fire me up to write and finish "The Cubby Hole".  A haunted house short story/novella which I started to get me writing! DOH!!!

  "Neil,  you literature lothario what is the problem?"  You may ask.

Well I think the main problem is my confidence in writing.  When you don't do something for a while you forget.  With me, it's my uncertainty with even simple writing techniques like sentences, spelling, grammar and the way to show dialogue. 

Then there is my lack of faith in my stories!  Are they good enough, original enough, written well, make sense.

I'm sure some other authors go through this at some point, even well established published authors.  Especially with today's climate.

By that I mean there are most likely more writers out there than the seventies and eighties.  This now includes authors self published, and the rise of smaller publishers.

The Covid Pandemic probably got more people writing, as well as reading, thinking they could make some money.  Sadly a small percentage get offered deals from the "Big" five publishers. 

Plus authors have to be careful not to offend and get backlash in this crazy "Woke" age, where a matter of opinion can get you cancelled.

Yet - it's not all doom and gloom.

Book sales are apparently good even with the pandemic.  More people are self publishing and some are picked up by publishers.

Smaller publishers are doing well and writers do get their dream of being published.

In my Writing group Zoom meeting the other week I learned that one of our writing buddies has signed a second book deal with a publisher.  Another writer is close to achieving this also.  This is on the back of another of our writing group already winning writing awards, having two short story collections published and a novella coming out.

So what shall I do about my writing ?

Well the answer is clear I suppose.  Just write and enjoy it and in time I should improve.  I haven't exactly got my dream of being a published author by forty, but that's on me,  procrastinating too much.  Plus my confidence in my own writing hasn't helped but should improve.

There is a glitter of hope out there, you just have to reach for it!

Well hope you enjoyed my chat - if any authors have any ideas to gain confidence then let me know in the comments.

Chat soon friends.

Neil x

Happy Easter/April Update

 Happy Easter

Just a quick update for April.

Not much to add except I'm full of cold.

Reading wise, I'm behind my schedule reading David Gemmell's Rigante series and on book 2 - Midnight Falcon.  Was hoping to be on book 3.

Writing wise I've signed up for Camp Nano and hope to finish The Cubbyhole.

I'm also still job searching but that's it.

Enjoy your Easter Eggs.

Neil

Starting Rigante Book 2 - Midnight Falcon.

 

Hi

Can't wait to start book 2 of David Gemmell's Rigante series.  Sword in the Storm was epic!

Although I'm annoyed I'm behind in my reading, as I wanted to have finished this book by now and read books 3 and 4 in April.  Oh well.

Enjoy the sun folks.

Neil

Book Review - Sword in the Storm (Rigante 1) by David Gemmell

 

Books Read in 2021  -  No. 5

Hi Readers

Continuing my reading journey of my favourite author David Gemmell, I have now moved onto another popular series of his.  The Rigante series.

Comprising of 4 novels it isn't as well known as his Drenai series.

Sword in the Storm - book 1 - took me by surprise as it is definitely a Gemmell novel, yet has a slightly different writing style which I wasn't sure about at first, but then loved.

It is different as most of his novels take place at a certain point in time like a siege in Legend or a hunt in Waylander 2.  This novel spans years even decades, as it follows the birth and eventual rise to Rigante leader of Connavar. Spoilers! 

The book not only follows Connavar as he grows, feels heartache, fights a bear, becomes a hero and fights alongside his enemies - the Stone army - but lots of side characters and even minor ones.

Gemmell has the ability within a few paragraphs to explain who a person is, how they think and act and even backstory.  This all adds to the overall story and action.

Connavar grows up with his mother Meria and stepfather Ruathain, after his father dies in battle.  He grows believing his father is a coward and makes sure he isn't like his father.  His friend Banouin is older and comes from over seas where his people, the Stone army are a warmongering race.  Connavar goes with Banouin overseas where there is tragedy and Connavar works with the Stone army.

When Connavar returns home he knows it's only a matter of time before the Stone army rampages across the peaceful Rigante lands and makes it his job for them to prepare for war.  In doing this he becomes the leader.

There is some magic but not much in the book.  There is the Witch Vorna, and ancient spirits in the woods called the Seidh whose magic is dying.

I couldn't help but think Gemmell was writing an environmental novel as the Stone army is going to come destroy the woods and lands.  Like we are doing now, until the magic of woods and country is gone. Replaced by houses, shops and roads.

Overall  -  Already Sword in the Storm is one of my favourite Gemmell novels.  With multiple POVs, which I've tried to emulate in my stories but readers are left asking whose POV is it.  They need to read this as it manages it so easily and I'll just keep practising. 

With plenty of action and emotion, Connavar goes through a lot, this book will take you into Rigante lands and have you care for the characters.  One of Gemmells best books so far.

Score   -   10/10

Better Late than Never

 

Newest Gemmell book!

Hi guys

A quick post as I've not posted much in March.  I've finally got Lion of Macedon which I ordered on 6th February from Amazon.

Amazon, plus local book shops and Waterstones had no copies left, and I learnt from Brighouse Books that the publisher Orbit were doing a new reprint. 

Patience is a virtue and I waited till I got the e-mail that Amazon had new stock.  It was important I had this book, as I'd bought it's sequel Dark Prince a while ago and it's best to read the first book first.  Plus I wanted the same cover design to match the sequel.

Fair play to Amazon who have been great over the last couple of years, getting books to me next day, plus also having books I've not been able to get in book stores including Waterstones.  These include two Transformers books plus a chick lit.  It's weird as I thought Waterstones would be the most stocked.  Yet Amazon have more smaller authors and self published authors too.  Something Waterstones and smaller book stores should try to do. 

This is because I'd rather buy books from Waterstones or smaller book shops to keep them going, especially in this current climate with big brands disappearing.  If Waterstones goes it would be tragic for authors, readers and publishing.

Anyway ramble over.  A big thank you to Brighouse Books - Google them and visit their store.

Happy reading.

Happy World Book Day/March Update

 

 

My 3 Bookshelves! 

Hi Peeps

It's quite late, but anyway, Happy World Book Day - hope you're enjoying the magic of a book. As it takes you to strange worlds, meet new characters and just escape from this grey boring life.

Today I'm continuing on David Gemmells "Sword in the Storm".  So far I'm enjoying it a lot.

Update -

Firstly this month I'm continuing to job search.  I need a job pronto, by June the latest. September the very latest when help is taken off and I'll be £80 down.  It will be a struggle.  I'm after office work, maybe in publishing?

Writing wise, I'm determined to finish my novella "The Cubby Hole".  Plus this month I will make notes on a new project.  Not sure what yet but this year I'm taking part in Camp Nanowrimo in April/May.

Reading wise I'm on track for my March/April reading goals.  That is to read all 4 Rigante books in David Gemmell's Rigante series.

Well I'm off to read.  Hope you are too.  

Enjoy.

Neil x

 

Book Review - Doctor Who - The Nightmare of Black Island by Mike Tucker

 

Books read in 2021 - No. 4

Hi Folks 

Well I've managed to whizz through 4 Doctor Who books in January and February as predicted, but it is an easy task when each book is about 250 pages long.  It is also made easy by how much fun they are, as they are fun filler books to bump up my reading count.

In March the real challenge begins reading big, adult books - The Rigante by David Gemmell. There are 4 in the series and I hope to read 2 in March, and 2 in April.  Most book nerds and Booktubers would probably be able to read all 4 in a month.

Well back to The Nightmare of Black Island by Mike Tucker.  With the other Doctor Who books I have read, this is also a well written enjoyable romp.  Mick Tucker worked on the Sylvester McCoy Doctor Who show and co-wrote some 7th Doctor novels, so he knows his stuff.

A Welsh coastal town is being attacked at night by horrible monsters, as the children of the village have nightmares.

An abandoned Lighthouse on the Black Island shows sign of life, and a nearby rectory is being used again to look after the elderly.  Could there be a connection? 

Only one man can find out - the Tenth Doctor and Rose.

This is another fun ride, with plenty of scares and cliff hangers and plot twists. If I hadn't read it, I wouldn't believe so much could fit in 250 pages but Mike Tucker does it with ease.  With great pacing and characters including a great Doctor and Rose plus the girl Ali, and the mysterious Mr Morton at the old rectory, and his assistant Miss Peyne.

Overall  -  Another fun Doctor Who book and now one of my favourites.  These are great little adventures and another that kept me up late wanting to read on.  The only problem with these books is that they are too short!

Score  -  8/10