Structuring in a Mini Heatwave...

Working from the comfort of the bed today, with the big standing fan on and the window wide open.

My goal is to rough structure the plots of all my books: the Children's High Fantasy set (the first one completed), the first two Cosy Mysteries and the first Horror/Suspense novel, along with four novellas.

The second of the Children's High Fantasy has nearly 30k written, but I need a clearer view of the subplots and the development of all the characters as the story goes along. There isn't too much to do, so I'll probably work on that first.

The first two Cosy Mysteries have been the toughest to plot, as I felt like the mystery itself wasn't that enthralling. So, I've scrapped it and I'm giving it another try. The best thing is my setting, and my sleuth and the side characters. They're all fully fleshed out. So, it is just the mystery, now...the hardest bit - and the most important, really, isn't it? 😂

Then, the Horror/Suspense novel and novellas. I have a vague plot for the novel: who is going to be in it, and the storyline that follows them...you'd think that would be enough for a novel, but it's not.

That's the one that might take a bit of time to structure out.

I also have three novellas on the go, and I finished one a while back, so it will be four in total.

Well, I've got all day, but we're going through a little heatwave, so I feel a tad drowsy. 

But we have ice lollies, so that'll sort it. 😄

Ama.x

August 2023: Story Status...

August Story Status:

Children's High Fantasy: 

COMPLETED. Out on Submission.

Responses coming in.

Cosy Mysteries: 

Planning stage of book one (rewrite, as previous version doesn't quite work). 

Horror Suspense Novellas: 

One completed. Next two in planning stage.

Ama.x

Knaresborough Pool Closes for Good...

Knaresborough Pool has now closed down, set to be demolished.

I'm gutted.

I practiced swimming there when I was just starting to learn. I spent all my childhood summers excited to go and then got chips afterwards, still smelling of chlorine, my damp hair forming ringlets and dripping on the T-shirt I got especially for our trip.

I loved going by there, it's as recognisable to me as the Castle and Viaduct.

I went for one last swim...

The spot on the walls around the children's section of the pool, where I would jump in what I considered a Deep End, while my mum held her arms out to me, was still there. I could see it. The big slide was just as fast as I remembered. Perhaps not that well recalled, as I skidded through it and shot out the other end before I could catch my breath! 😄

I went down it seven times!

Swam over twenty lengths.

I didn't want to leave.

Now, it'll no longer be there.

It will be razed to rubble and dust, replaced with Modernization.

And the new building they've already begun to put up is hideous, and a monstrosity.

The older we become, the more often this occurs, it seems.

I'll miss it, but in its place may be a whopping big complex (yes, in a historic market town), but this one - this pool - even after every brick has been taken from its foundation, will always be there in the memories of my childhood.

A sad, sad day.

🌊😔

Ama.

31st August 2023: last day open.

The pool's last FB post: