It’s Been A Strange Week

By Mick Arnold.

rp_Mick-Arnold1-224x300.jpgIn my last column I said I was taking a wee break from my book, reading young Bella’s next chapters and then going back to starting an edit on my finished masterpiece (ok, that was part of a dream I won’t inflict upon you right now). Part one – check. part two – check and very enjoyable it was too. Now, we get to part three…I’ve got a good excuse though guv. Honest!

Well, it goes something like this. In the first chapter of the book ‘that-must-not-be-named’ (couldn’t resist it, sorry) there’s a scene which kind of inspired a (very) short story that went on Amazon over Christmas. I was just sitting down, minding my own business and before I knew it, there was the first draft of what turned out to be a Christmas Love/Ghost story. After about six or seven drafts and running it by the kind friends who beta/proof-read for me, I was happy with how it ended up and I was persuaded to put it up. As it was so short and it was meant to be a tester to see if anyone reviewed it and basically told me to go forth and multiply and ‘for heaven’s sake never pick up a pen again!’, it was put under the pen-name of Micah Arnold. Well, ‘A Christmas Gift’ did pretty well seeing as it was free for five days straight just before Christmas Day. Went to number 1 in the free Paranormal chart and was held at number 2 by that wonderful lady Carole Matthews (curse her – only joking Carole).

I’m leading up to what happened at part three above. There’s a Valentine’s short story up there too, but a friend at work (also a reader and the guy who does the wonderful covers – thanks Rod C) has been asking me if/when I’m going to put up the next part in the serial. And that’s what has got in the way! I didn’t have any idea as to what to do for the next one, but out of seriously no-where, I’m suddenly about 1,000 words into a new one, tentatively titled ‘The Hen Club’. Trouble is, what started out as a series set around two characters, now has my female lead having fun with her three best friends. Plus, I’m not certain how I’m going to get her dead husband into the story? Perhaps he could be the delivery guy?

So, that’s where I am. What to do? Take the weekend to see if I can finish off the first draft? Or start the edit of the book? Hopefully I’ll have time for both. Either way, I’m going to take the time to write and write and write.

Quote of the day – You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

 

Every fortnight, Mick will be chatting about his experience as a male author in the romantic genre.  Mick is a forty-something member of the Romantic Novelists Association, New Writers Scheme. He lives in Northamptonshire and is the proud keeper of a cat bent on world domination.When he’s not trying to write books, Mick has a deep-seated love of reading that he’s brought from his teens to the current day with no signs of waning. He’s also mad on the music of the Beach Boys and enjoys the theatre and humouring his Manchester United supporting wife. Mick can be followed on Twitter

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Laura
I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.

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