Debi Alper

Good to know! Coffman starters are great. Basically using a shotgun cartridge to start an engine, minus the lead shot of course. I don’t just do naval aviation btw, my last nonfic was a biography of a RAF bomber pilot, flying instructor and test pilot before and during WW2. Any technical queries, feel free to ask

Sounds like you might be doing spider diagrams, Philippa – more poshly called mind mapping I think, but ‘mind mapping’ sounds too abstract for me. Anyhow, I find the technique very helpful. Completely agree with the two ‘touch points’. I need somewhere to head for – that itself is the basis of an idea. Also need to know the main theme before I…[Read more]

That’s really kind of you Daeds. I’m OK at the moment but there could well be something as I still do bits of research as I draft. I promise not to bombard you. My story deals with flying before and during WW2 but I admit I’ve kept naval aviation at arm’s length as something I don’t need to include, at least not in any detail.

You’ve already…[Read more]

Just seen this post…

I too am floundering about in the “half-idea” realms…. I think I usually need two sort of “touch points”: an inciting incident of some kind, but then another event of some kind to head towards in the narrative. At the moment, I sort of just have my inciting incident and not another “way point”. Grrr.

These days, I find…[Read more]

Very interesting blog, Elle. Place is very important to me when I write and when I read. It’s often the element of a novel that stays with me longest after I’ve finished it. I try to think in terms of how the people in my story react with the space within the scene and what part the place has played in their lives but your list is very helpful.

Thanks Libby, that’s really nice of you. Glad you found it interesting and informative. I thought they struck the balance pretty well, and as you and Jane felt, did not overdo it with reconstructions. The little bits they did have (a snippet at the start of the Eugene Ely segment and some sailors running through corridors on a warship in the…[Read more]

I too really enjoyed this, Daeds. Thank you for sharing it. I’d never have found the programme otherwise, and it does cover some of the period of my WIP. The episode was really well paced and, as you say, didn’t talk down. I learned a lot and thought all the experts were well chosen – you most of all of course. I can find documentaries…[Read more]

Thanks Jane, am blushing now! You’re very kind

Just finished watching this. Daeds – you’re a star. The depth of your knowledge and your passion shine through. Plus I thought the programme was a quality production. It told the story in an interesting and engaging fashion, simply enough for someone with no knowledge like me to follow but without talking down and without the endless repetitions…[Read more]

Yes, that’s good. Intriguing, suggestive and evocative. Well done, that’s a relief! 🙂

Glad you guys like it! Thanks again for all your helpful input on this. Titles clearly aren’t my forte….

That’s great, and very exciting. Looking forward to hearing more about book 2.

My inclination would be for you to leave as-is Jonathan. I’m sure you’ll get plenty of entries as and when. NaNo month is always a bit difficult for things like this, but I for one am keen to make sure I enter every Den comp

That works. Nice and simple!

Hi guys,

To update: the title Sarah and I have decided on (for now) is….

After We Found Her

What’s in a name, eh?

Oh wow, @alanr, that is such exciting news about the request!!!! Amazing. Have you sent it off yet? Whatever happens, I am sure you’ll get some invaluable feedback. Congrats again!!

That’s great insight! I guess this is what we mean by the “lie” that our characters labour under. (Their misunderstanding about how the world works and what is needed of them) Our stories will have tragic ends if our characters never learn to see through the lies they are living by.

Fantastic!