09/09/2026
Once Halloween is done and dusted, Monty Pine Mystery Book 3 starts to take shape. The reason I've chosen November is nostalgic, I suppose.
My first fiction murder mystery, 'Murder at Headingley Hall', was written during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in 2022. It focused the mind on writing 50,000 words during November.
Rather like eating an elephant, it was broken down into manageable chunks. In other words, 1,667 words per day. That sounds more workable, doesn't it?
Once it had been tidied up and sent to a professional editor, it was published in November 2023. It was a big learning experience for someone who was more at-home with non-fiction.
Developing the plot and new characters starts this month. October is planning the sequence of events in more detail. Often, during the writing process, I'll veer off the plan if something better comes to mind. Why wouldn't you?
All in all, it's great fun. I have to remember that. And not get too bogged down in the minutiae.
What could be better than leading the reader to believe they know who the murderer is through a series of red herrings, and then deal the shattering blow...
As long as it all makes sense in reality.
Talking of reality, it's time to get back to planning...
