Enjoying the life of a writer - Camperdown park, Dundee
I thought it was time for another update on how things are going with my writing and the DI Shona McKenzie books. Yes, I know that her name was McLeod in the last blog. This is the first major change in the series. I discovered poor Shona had a name which was too similar to the heroine in another Scottish Murder Mystery series so she has changed her surname. She wasn't very happy about it, but there you go, life is tough.
For anyone who has recently joined this blog you may be wondering what this is all about. I can hear you saying it's a book review blog. For those of you who want to catch up with my journey here are the previous blog posts on this subject
In the last blog I was working on the second book in the series. I am several chapters into this and loving the way the story is going. However, I have put it aside to edit book number one. I am finding this strangely enjoyable and think the way the book is developing will make it a stronger read. I am using a book called Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel by Hallie Ephron, to help me do this. This is a great little book and the chapter on characterisation alone is worth the money. I reckon this could be useful to any writers. Click on the Amazon link to the right and check it out further if you are a writer.
Just to prove that Wendy is not all work and no play, I have been out enjoying the sunshine for the past few days. The best thing about being a writer is that you are not stuck indoors. Setting the scene is important in my novels so I've been out and about exploring Dundee. I find that the trips give me inspiration and the photo's help me to keep the scene in my head. Here are a few photo's of Dundee to give you a little flavour
Camperdown Park - Woods and plenty of nooks for inspiration
The Friary - An Iconic Dundee Building
RSS Discovery - You never know what could happen whilst treading these ancient boards
There's only one small problem with this. The pictures are all taken on nice days. There is a lot of ran and snow in my books. If there is one thing we know how to do in a spectacular fashion in Dundee that's weather. Never fear. Di Shona McKenzie is ready to track down killers whatever the weather. Nothing and no one will stop her.
On that note I am going to ignore the rather spectacular thunderstorm outside my window and get back to editing. Have a great week and, as always, keep reading.
Brilliant, Wendy! Ha, ha... did you see you called her 'McLeod' again in the second last paragraph? (Habits are hard to break!) I'm always interested to read about your Dundee exploits as my dad was from Brechin just north of Dundee, and was the grandson of Jessie Lindsay who came from the Lindsays of Dundee!
ReplyDeleteWow it's a small world. Thanks for letting me know about the name. The problem is she was Shona McLeod for a year and Has only been McKenzie for a couple of weeks
DeleteI love the photos. A very inspiring scene indeed!
ReplyDeleteKeep inspired, environment can often be the key.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I think I am going to have to bite the bullet and go out on a gloomy day
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