The waiting is near done, my WIP is revealed. The paranormal brothers are back and now it’s time to decide; am I in or out?
This year I feel ahead of the game. Whilst a pantser by nature, when it comes to writing, this time round I’m developing from two bases.
- A sequel to last years novel called The Bequest.
- Developing an unfinished short story from way back that was serialised here on my blog.
Both focus on the brothers Carmichael and their intrigue into paranormal investigations. Initially sceptics, their experiences have led to a range of incidents that science alone cannot explain. If you’ve read the short stories then comments on those are directly responsible for both The Bequest and the WIP below. I thank you for that.
Without further ado, here is the WIP as it currently stands.
The Blurb
MarshBank House is haunted, so say the locals. It consumes people, or sends them to the lunatic asylum.
Alan and Joseph Carmichael run a paranormal investigation sideline. Two years ago they lost Conrad while helping Emma Strickland with her late father’s estate. He went into the house and never came back. He was not the first.
Behind the house lies a marsh that gave rise to the name. A Black Marsh with a long forgotten past. One that bleeds out every so often and consumes what it can, laying waste to the rest.
The brothers are done mourning, they want answers. They are not alone. The dead are walking and the film between past and present grows thin.
Journey with Templars, howling ruins and a pub with the world’s longest serving landlord.
So, there we are. Actually prepared and yet still deciding if November is the right place to push this forwards or use next years Camp NaNo months.
To write… or not to write? That is the question.
Anyone wanting to buddy up is welcome to do so. Even if I don’t do it this year, you will be on my dashboard for next time!
And? Did you decide to pick up and write again?
Yes I’m currently on Chapter 4 with 17k words. Scary stuff…oh, I tried to comment on one of your posts, but I don’t think it appeared. Did you see one or is it in the spam bin? Had that problem once before 🤕
Fantastic, you go Gary!
Will check…
It’s the sequel to last years novel and will incorporate elements from the short stories on the paranormal brothers from here. They stopped before completing the trail because it was telling me there was more to them. Hopefully it will pan out!
Seems like a fun idea 🙂 I tried to come up with a title name to my potential book bu true a blank. I guess I will have to start working on it frist. Yay! NaNo!
Last year I had no title until half way through when a word caught my eye in the text so I used that! This year it was easier to get the WIP title as its the sequel 🙂
I wish you all the best in your writing Gary, as you are a very supportive blogger!!
Thank you Suzanne, but to coin a phrase, “I’ll be back!” 😊
Write! And, I can’t wait to read it. 🙂
lol, me too… reading it that is! Thing is you might have to read the other book first 😉
Noted! And, I will happily do so. x
Such a generous thing to say…especially when I’m looking at NaNo and thinking eek. I have some serious work to do now lol
You can do it!!! This is coming from one who has never participated, or written a book for that matter, but you seem to be the determined type, so I’m pretty sure you’ll make it happen. 🙂
We shall see! Been pondering it today in fact. It seems characters from the previous book are a shade annoyed the sequel isn’t up and running already. Time is my main issue with NaNo. I know I can do it, but it needs empty hours with no interruptions lol
So sorry, this I found in the spam folder just now. For some reason it’s been doing that quite a bit of late. Thank you for the positive feedback. I rather think I am vastly out voted here 🙂
The answer is WRITE!! I’m intrigued. Get going. 🙂
Thank you Angela, the feedback has been absolutely extraordinary 🙂
You should definitely write it because I would love to read it.
Very much looking forward to this! You’ve left me wanting more and now I’ll be getting it!
I just knew someone would remind me of leaving them in limbo here lol. Thank you Jennifer…always appreciate your support!
And you probably knew it would be me. I think I’ve written that on every teasing post that you wrote (and continue to write!)
Ha,ha yes, I occasionally read the comments when I need some postive mojo. It’s amazing what they can do to moral when plots seem to have gone pear shaped or I think I’ve lost the ability to write!
Mind you it would be nice to allow the teases to become published works at some point!
Go for it Gary😊 you definitely have things to say.! I think you won’t regret it.
I’m rather overwhelmed by the comments here, all saying do it! It’s all tipping the balance towards giving it a go! Thank you 😊
I say go for it, Gary! What have you got to lose?
Very true Lisa, any words versus no words. Win, win really at all levels. Thanks for the positive affirmation!
You’re welcome!
Go for it Gary. 🌷
I am feeling rather humbled by all the comments saying exactly that. Thank yo so very much 🙂
You rock Gary. Go for it. I know you can do it. Love this already and looking forward to the full story.
Oh my, no pressure then. I am actually in awe by the positive messages of support. I really was dithering despite having this prepared to go out. Now I’m tipping well onto the way to giving it a proper go.
Thank you once again Esme 🙂
Gary – I am eagerly awaiting the full story – just let the fingers do the talking on the keyboard and away you go
Thanks Esme, alongside this I really need to start procuring a publishing method for the ones sitting as manuscripts too! Best not to worry about that until after November now!
Sure, one thing at a time – enjoy and have fun while you do it
Will do and time will out, as they say!
Oh, come on. You’re not fooling anyone. You’re totally going to write. NaNo is calling you. Resistance is futile. Saddle up to the keyboard and get to it, sir. 🙂
OMG, you turned NaNo into the Borg; “Resistance is futile.” You are right though, it is calling and its only my head that is trying to put fingers in the ears and go “La, la, la.”
I fear you may have a significant point good lady, the game is afoot. My thanks for your decisive input 🙂
I love the cover, very dark and mysterious, and the idea too. Why not go for it now if you are all fired up and ready!! Good luck with whatever you decide 🙂
Good point; I’ve never been this ready prior to NaNo! I also have backstory from the previous one too. I guess its a case of nothing to lose..except self esteem and confidence lol
I think I will be doing it now though; the support from you people has been immense 🙂
Although I won’t be doing it myself, I am here to cheer you on Gary! 🙂
No pressure then lol. Thanks Judy, but I may be absent from everywhere for a short while !
Well, try and let us know how it is going if you get chance to breathe!! 🙂
I have a vague memory of last year not blogging until February! I can’t be certain of that mind….I read somewhere today that folk tend to forget things as they get older 🤔
Hmmm. wonder where you read that? 🙂
Me too, I e been wracking my brain all night…but it’s gone….terrible state of affairs…😱
🤣🤣
Write!! Sounds great….now looking back to find your old posts! Where can I find the novel??
Parts of the Bequest, or it’s character tests are filed under “The Bequest.” You might have unwittingly come across them as BUYB posts. The novel isn’t published yet as there is some editing to do before it reaches the end product.
I just need some time away from that to re-charge 🙂
Seriously getting some “write” votes here. I was thinking maybe tumbleweed would allow me to not write lol
No chance!! Always happy to read and review for you…..something I can actually do when on a poor health day!!
Crumbs, that is some accolade if you take time to consider my writing on a bad day Claire. I am rather humbled in fact.
Thank you for such a positive comment x
You can buddy up with me here: https://nanowrimo.org/participants/hblyne
Now connected there 🙂
How can you wait? If you’re story’s bursting to come out, surely you have to write it now. Although part of me understands NaNoWriMo, most of me wonders how people can have a novel inside them and then they wait until November to let it out. For me, if it’s there, it’s got to be written down.
April, a lot of people who do NaNoWriMo are first time novelists who are using the community challenge to give them the encouragement they need to get started. Others, like myself, are full time authors who are always working on one novel or another and participate for various reasons. I’m not sure there are many writers who hold on to an idea all year just for NaNo! But maybe there are some and maybe that’s what works for them. We are all different.
There is no shortage of ideas, the imagination is abundant with them, so there is no need to be worried that an idea will vanish if you don’t write it immediately.
Besides, November is just around the corner, it’s not exactly difficult to do a bit of prep work now, ready to start the draft in 10 days. That’s not a long wait at all 😉
I wasn’t thinking about losing ideas, more about the impossibility of holding on to something that’s demanding to be written. We all create differently, I suppose.
Just tossing my angle in. For me, sometimes a story has to sit. If I crack it out before it’s ready then it loses muchness (to coin a certain Hatter’s turn of phrase). Small things like chatting to the characters and drifting scenes and locations. I do much of this before writing anything at all. I don’t think there actually is a right or wrong way to do it. Some sit with traditional methods and some flow with Kings system. Inbetween are a multitude of variations that creatives land on to meet their own needs.
Ha, ha, great question April. I have several “novels” waiting to “burst out.” NaNo acts as a “get on with it” kick up the backside. For most of the year I am still working on other projects, finishing off, editing and now aiming to publish. I also spent a lot of time on social media development too. That has taken time away from writing. I rather think the balance is wrong, which is my big dither point over this!!!
In that case, definitely go for it.
I rather think I am vastly out voted and one must now rise to the challenge. Thanks April 🙂
Good luck.
Thank you April 🎃
Ooh, sounds intriguing. I’m also doing NaNoWriMo this year. I’m a natural planner so have been making full use of Preptober to get ready. Good luck with your project!
Thanks Holly, last year I had no plans at all and deployed full pantser tactics. That worked very well on reflection! I’ve buddied up with quite a few people on here now too. I find the sense of community support a good motivator.
Good luck with yours too 🙂
I’m going for it. What will be will be. If stuff gets in my way so be it but I have my schedule that I plan on sticking to.
At least you have the blurb Gary…..sure give it a go and see where it goes. 😁
We know you want to! 😉
Good show Gloria, Just take it at a realistic pace for you and if stuff gets in the way then at least words have been written. Loads of other Camps to finish things off if you want a month target of your own choosing and moral support from Campers like me 🙂
As for me… I rather think bloggers have tipped the scales. You are right I want to, but I keep looking at time availability and think “When???! 🙂
Love the premise! Best of luck Gary, watch out for the 30k wall!
Thanks Lucy, I try and look out for walls of any description!! My method is to set 20K as target and then use 5K increments afterwards to try and ignore the actual target. As long as I hit my targets I’m happy enough 🙂
I have faith in you Gary 👊🏻
Oh dear…new wall enriched by satirical graffiti “No Pressure Now Then.”
Thanks Lucy and I really appreciate all the positive comments too…which give me time to ponder Roxy… I have read it and am…despairing!!!
“Oh Gary”, Roxy says, “don’t despair!”
I do though, I see all the hallmarks of self destruct and one needs to offer much stiffer advice !!
Oh dear! I won’t tell Roxy some stern words are coming from Gary..
Oh my, I gave a soft spot for her predicament, but I do wonder if she needs someone to nudge her into the right place. Goodness knows what Marcus is thinking now!
Yes, Gary! I love that blurb. Don’t get in your own way and give it a go 🙂
Brilliant phrase Shaun; get in my own way. I think you have nailed that. Nothing to lose and everything to gain is the motto 🙂
“the film between past and present grows thin” is a great image. Like the concept and wish you well.
Also intrigued by the idea of the aged pub landlord.
Thanks Mickey, I’ve always like the concept of weak point in time and space. In fiction it’s easy to use that to draw in ghosts from the past into the present, or vice versa.
The landlord is a curio to me at the moment too. I’ve written three books (not published yet) in which he is a constant. His pub is also the stage of many queer happenings. It got me thinking that maybe he is at least as old as the pub which makes he role more subtle and, in many cases, the source of comedic relief. I may put up some extracts with him in to test what readers think 🙂
Remember, you’re only competing against yourself, Gary. I always found that quite motivating as I wanted to prove to myself I could do it. Having done NaNo four times I can say it’s a wonderful way to get that first draft out of your head. Your blurb sounds fab and we NEED your book!! Go for it! Share your word count on FB and tag us in so we can keep you accountable. Do everything you can to free up the time and space you need and devote it to your writing. Good luck x
I addressed the competitive elements in my previous post in that heed what I say and not as I do fashion. I actually did it last year and hit nearly 60K. This “should” be easier in the sense that it follows on from the last book. Time is my real enemy and I’m trying to identify blocks of time to write in. A case of finding the habit again I fear!
Thank you for the wise words Shelley x
Hi Gary. It sounds like you have an interesting plot created. I hope you go for it. I’ve never done NaNoWriMo before, on purpose. My hats off to those who do.
– Ryan Lanz
AWP Writers Club
https://www.patreon.com/AWritersPath
Thanks Ryan, I’m still weighing it up this year even if comments here are pushing for me to do it! The full NaNoWriMo is time demanding as my previous post talks about. I’m actually trying to rally people for the easier introductions next year in CampNaNo. Exactly the same, but the writer sets their own goal. Helps generate a writing habit and boosts confidence with a buddy network of people doing exactly the same thing. I’m aiming to tempt people to join in on those next year. It’s a great introduction to the process, even if one never does the main event!
Thanks for dropping in. WIP previews are always rich in cognitive dissonance as it open up the idea to anyone who drops by. Mind you, that’s writing for you I guess!
Indeed!
Do I really need to answer that question?
Um, yes if it’s on behalf of you 🙃
I’m just in the denial phase. I mean, this has been dropped onto my NaNo profile. I never did that last year!! 2,000 words a day and one finishes with time to spare…how hard can it be 😱
Grab that bull by those horns and ride! I mean WRITE!!!! #GaTu
Bah, there was me expecting folk to say “Don’t like that blurb!” Last time I try psychology to put me off!! Thanks Ritu #GaTu
😁 any time!!!!
Bah lol
Write, my friend – write 😉
Crumbs, I’m getting out voted!! Thanks Helen 🎃
Write Gary!!!
Ha, ha, thanks Noelle….but it’s a huge commitment and last year I didn’t look at any social media for a whole month!!!