Libby

Only just got to this. Great stuff. Works by itself or could be part of something longer. I had a couple of comments and then I realised there was an updated version that had addressed them. Great voice, and I love Florence’s, ahem, sangfroid and acerbic wit.

Tiny editing thing – Medical Corps rather than Corp.

I really enjoy this Sophie. I thought it really came alive when we were inside the room and inside his head. Really compelling internal monologue, lots of info and hints at info contained within the that but none of it telegraphed. Just enough to intrigue and pull you in. You do this sort of ‘dark underbelly’ of society so well.

I think the oth…[Read more]

Bonjour

When we lived in La Rochelle, my governess tried to make me say ‘Bonjour,’ to people we met in the street. It was polite she said, I would never be a gentleman if I did not learn to be polite. But I was shy, and after our morning walk she would scold me, and shake me impatiently. Papa was away at the war and Maman was – distant. I knew s…[Read more]

I’ve blogged about FoW but it’s pix only, I’m afraid, and they’re in an odd order but I don’t have time to faff. What an awesome weekend for Denizens it was. We raised several glasses (each) to absent friends.

This is wonderful news CJ. Important step on the road – I suspect the fact is has taken a long time is a good thing. Beware the quickly sorted contract.

Yes, Flying to the Edge. It’s a slight connection, but it’s there

@jillybean Odo the bishop of Bayeux or Odo the lurcher?

Wow, thanks Richard, thanks all. I’d be interested to hear how a back-to-back read feels, actually. The two books were written together in the first instance, although there was a lot of editing in the mean time, so it ought to work as a flowing narrative. The second one definitely has the advantage of pace – the history definitely felt as though…[Read more]

Yeah. I recommend not posting Thompson’s regime as writing advice

Anquetil had a comment for that, too – it was something along the lines of ‘you expect us to do what we do on mineral water alone?’

If there was a performance enhancing drug for writing, I’d be sorely tempted by it right now. (Not sure Hunter S Thompson’s idea of such a thing counts, btw)

Well that’s just unreasonable WB 😉

Jacques Anquetil, first five time winner of the Tour de France was once asked what advice he’d give aspiring bike racers. ‘Ride a bike, ride a bike, ride a bike’ was his answer. The equivalent for aspiring writers could be ‘write a book, write a book, write a book’.

*air punch* Yes, publishing moves at a glacial pace but this is a fabulous stride forwards – at last. I saw your lovely agent at York, though we didn’t have a chance to chat. I do know how much she adores you though. (Don’t we all!) xx

Huge congratulations CJ. Faberoo