Well, there's another month gone by and busier than I anticipated as I really did intend getting down to some serious writing. The first few chapters of a new novel are always the hardest as the author becomes familiar with new characters. If you imagine meeting someone for the first time; you take in the initial appearance of them; their bearing, their demeanour or manner, their personality and so on, and you generally know whether or not you are going to like them, but perhaps don't immediately become friends. It's rather similar with creating new characters for a novel; then there's the business of deciding where you will place them, what kind of setting will they be living in and do they have parents, sisters or brothers and so on, and that is why it is so important not to rush the beginning. It has to feel just right before the author can continue with the tale they have to tell!
There are of course many aspects to an author's life other than sitting down and writing; you will have heard of the fateful news of intended library closures which have been threatening for quite some time and many authors have signed in protest of these. We are all agreed that libraries are an essential part of most lives; most authors have spent at least part of their childhood in them, borrowing books for pleasure or for research and many a literary career began there. Alan Bennett was particularly incensed over one library closure and created a considerable wordy furore. I was asked to contribute to this debate on Radio Humberside and questionedon whether I agreed with Mr Bennett's comments to which I replied that although I wouldn't have chosen his words -- he is more eloquent than I, I did consider it to be akin to criminal to deprive children, the elderly, the blind and partially sighted who read and listen to large print and audio books, and those who cannot afford to buy books from the High Street of this wonderful facility.
On July 2nd at the Hull History Centre and part of the Humber Mouth Festival there is to be a day devoted to 'Telling a Story in which people are invited to do just that. It can be a fictional story or a real one, perhaps something that has been passed down from one family member to the next. Rupert Creed of the Community Play fame will be planning the workshops, two 'Fishermen's Wives will be telling what kind of life they led and I will be speaking on how I research my 19thc novels. It should be very interesting and although not all the details are yet in place (we have had one session of brainstorming), if anyone would like to know more then get in touch with Rachael Drew at the Hull History Centre who is arranging the day.
So an interesting few weeks -- and more to come.
