Just Got Back From Ontario Canada

Got to celebrate this week as finished my first draft of Quest for Courage at 87,000 words. Thank you to everyone who sent me congratulations on FB, that made my day.  Have set that aside now. My methodology for writing always involves putting completed work away for several weeks and working on something different. This means I can come back to the 2nd draft without a emotional head tied up with the awesome story, but a logical head ready to review, critique and refine. 

Picked up the draft of What If, to commence revising that came back from the editor a while back. Must admit I'd been putting it off, but with Q4C finished I'd no excuse any more. Somewhat emotional beginning. Lots to think about, lots to amend/adapt.  When I started writing the inital first pages in 2017 it was set in England, the characters English. Somewhere along the way I ended up using places in the USA I know well because it gave me the landscape and city structures I needed. Unfortunately, those type of places are rare in England so those reading in England would know there wasn't any place like those here. That in turn leads to credibility dropping on the plot and story.
So, while you lot have been enjoying lockdown I've been to Ontario, Canada. Sounds good? It would have been if I'd was able to travel there, but due to Covid I've had to make do with my best friend, Google. Now my story, originally set in the imaginary town of Hewell in South East England is set in Sudbury. Still sounds like its an English town right? But this one isn't.
Interesting to view Canada on the map, didn't really appreicate the layout of the land, nor the amount of English towns like London, Chatham, Kent etc there are. Spent one afternoon exploring the sewer system of Greater Sudbury and getting to know the road layout around the town and surrounding areas. I feel like I've been on a field trip, especially using the walking icon to stroll down streets and check out names. It was weird like I'd written it for Sudbury.  I found the apartment block in my story, situated right across the road from the church too, also in this story. The garage and other places exist, making it feel slightly spooky. Maybe I flew there in one of my larger-than-life dreams rather than on a Boeing 747?

So, I'm adapting the geography as I re-write and taking in the comments and suggestions from my editor too. I was hoping to publish this year, but realistically its likely to be 2021. Maybe 1st April like previously, or May Day (1st May). So far I've used Halloween, (31st Oct) World Aids Day (1st December) and April Fools Day (1st April) Ideas welcome.

My next booked event selling my work is the Craft Fair on 31st August at the Leas Folkestone. I'm waiting to hear if that goes ahead. Then there's the possibility of Wyntercon 2020 in Eastbourne in September. Another craft Fair in Dover at the Town Hall on 10th October, Reading Comicon in November which I have paid for and booked my hotel. Then a final Xmas Fair in Sandwich in December. Fingers crossed on all of these. A lot less sadly than originally booked, thanks Covid. Actually It might be a good idea to list my events on a separate page so folk can see where and when I am. I'd love folk to drop by even if its just to say hello. Next job.

Stay safe and well everyone.

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