Hello all, I hope everyone is well and managing not to bake in this stupid heatwave. ((It’s nearly melted my chips!))
I have lots to update you on ((OH Joy. I’m so inspired and happy and excited to hear all about your news…)) If you’ve had the Kickstarter updates then you might already have had some of this info but it’s a general life update as well. ((Oh double joy and excitement etc etc etc))
July was so fabulously busy going here, there and everywhere, including Newark Book Festival and I cannot tell you how nice it was to go as a visitor and just chat and catch up with friends. I love visiting Newark as I’m lucky to know so many people. I didn’t love some of the train delays but that’s just life in the UK.
I had a 2 hour meeting with my editor and I’ve worked hard ((chokes down the laughter)) on the edits for Killer’s List and managed to remove over 14,000 words! ((surely, you would be better off writing smarter and then you wouldn’t have to delete so many?)) If I was a planner then that would work but I’m not. I have realised that when I write, I over explain the characters and the plot ((evidenced by the ????? and crosses through your book from your editor)) I know but that is just how I write. I’ve made peace with the huge cull I knew was on the cards and I actually enjoyed the process.
Deleting so many words and 4 full chapters in the end was tricky as I had to make sure anything important to the characters and plot was slotted in somewhere and in the right order. A big job. Once I’d edited the book I created a pdf and uploaded it to my kindle to read and then I did a further edit. Killer’s List is now with 3 of my beta readers for their input and I’m interested to hear their thoughts as 2 of them read the original version back in 2018 and 1 has never read it so a good balance of feedback i hope. ((Imagine if you’ve made it worse???!!)) do not even put that out into the universe!
I’ve paid the deposit for Killer’s List so the typesetting and cover design is booked in for the beginning of October. We are hoping to also create the cover for book two but I need the title which brings me onto book two ((nice segway… is that some kind of transport?))
I’ve already started rewriting book two which I wrote in January 2019! Even though I have the basis of the story, it feels as if I’m writing a new book and I’m enjoying it. So far I written/edited seven chapters and it stands at around 12K words.
On the cruising front we have had to change our plans ((Never make a plan…buy Lost the Plot to find out more)) nice promotion, Brackets! Once again the canals are shutting due to low water. The other half has two weeks off work and we were going to cruise to Stratford-upon-Avon but that’s closed so we thought lets go to Birmingham. Friday afternoon, got ready, left Saltisford, arrived at the first lock and uh oh, one of the locks was broken so we went to the pub. Saturday we reversed and cruised the route to Braunston. A route we have taken many times but it was just nice to be out on the cut again.
Thankfully the lock is fixed so all being well nothing else will happen and we will be on track to have The Plot out of the water and blacked on Monday. As this job is only done every 3 years it creates some nerves hoping it will be all okay. A bit like waiting for your car MOT!
Wi-fi permitting, some new vlogs should be coming soon. It’s been a real nightmare trying to work on this stretch of canal but I’m getting there! I think that everything.
I will be nervously waiting for my beta readers to get back to me and see what work is required on book two.
See you next month.
Clair x ((And me… sorry I fell asleep))
C.L. Peache 