Just too busy, and then….
Let me introduce myself. My name’s Mark Richards. In the day job I’m a freelance copywriter – and when lockdown struck in March last year I immediately lost two clients. ‘Sorry, too much unpredictability.
We need to cut all our costs…’
That was bad news – financially and psychologically. Financially for obvious reasons. Psychologically? Because it took my excuse away.
I’d already written and self-published some books: non-fiction, humorous books about long-distance walks I’d done with my son. But there was a small voice inside me. It kept whispering ‘write a novel, write a novel.’ Fortunately I kept it at bay. ‘Clients, mate. I don’t have time.’
No Excuses
But then lockdown took care of those clients – and I couldn’t ignore the small voice any longer.
Six months later I published Salt in the Wounds.
Michael Brady was a high-flying detective. His wife was killed in a hit-and-run that was meant for him. He goes back to Whitby – his home town – to rebuild his life and be a good dad to his teenage daughter. But then his best friend is murdered…
SOS
Clearly I needed more than my ad-hoc collection, and occasional advice through the Facebook Cops and Writers group
I needed to work with someone long term: find someone who’d come to know and understand me, and know and understand Brady. Essentially, I needed help in three key areas:
I needed to put the foundations in place. Brady needed a believable career path. What exams did he have to pass? How old would he be when he became a Detective Sergeant?
Photo Credit: University of Bradford
So what do I get from our working relationship?
He understands the importance of small details. Let me give you an example. There’s a scene in the book I’m writing at the moment where Brady needs to interview an inmate in prison.
