I completed the first draft of my third book a year ago and anticipated publishing it in mid 2020. However when lockdown came I thought it would be an ideal opportunity to concentrate on my most demanding project to date: a paper on the family research for my first book, written to academic standards with full referencing for all the facts quoted.
It did of course require a totally different approach compared to writing a novel and I became totally absorbed in the work. It took me all spring and summer to write the paper, including summarising the English Civil War in 4 pages (!) and I was very pleased to finish it in October. I hope to submit the paper to Durham University when things are back to normal, whenever that is.
Meanwhile my novel was under review. Following some very helpful feedback I decided to re-write it! It was a much longer process than anticipated and more work is still needed. I think the end product is going to be really good and I am quite excited about it.
The advice I was originally given that ‘the first draft is only the first step in the novel writing process’ is so true!
Oh yes, I have also produced a full colour hardback version of my first book with many additional illustrations. I have a proof and it’s looking good. Watch this space!