2025 will be my year of (almost) full-time writing
For several years I’d been thinking about taking a year out of my day job and I finally took the plunge. This year, I’ve cut back my hours from thirty-five to less than ten. I’m excited, relieved and anxious. (I need to earn more money than ten hours will yield - hence the anxiety - but for now I’m ignoring it!)
With nine psychological thrillers out in the world, what next? Maybe another psych thriller? - I’ve started it, and already have a sense of my main character - but my focus this year will mostly be on a new idea I have for a gothic novel. This will be a distinct genre change. I may have to reinvent myself. Change my author name. These are decisions for the future and, in the meantime, there’s work to be done. Thus far my novels have been set in the present day with all the advantages and limitations of the modern western world. The gothic novel will be set in two time periods, one of them late Victorian of which I know very little. I’m looking forward to the learning. I have a stack of books to read (see one of them referenced below) and my British Library pass. I will be going up to the BL later this month to read newspapers and pamphlets from the archives.
I intend to publish a blog a couple of times a month, to keep myself accountable because I’d happily spend most of the day down rabbit holes. The Internet is a time stealer, and I need - want - to make progress with the research and the writing.
I hope to connect with other readers and writers. Please do post a comment if you feel the urge!
What I’m reading - Rites of Passage - Death and Mourning in Victorian Britain by Judith Flanders. It’s one of the most fascinating books I’ve ever read. Flanders creates a pacy, informative narrative, and I am utterly enthralled by the stories, customs and craziness.
What I’m watching - Well, there was the finale of Gavin and Stacey - I cried. The Split - I cried again. And now I’ve moved on to The Jackal which isn’t making me cry but has me hooked. The cat and mouse, the scenery and the two central performances. 10/10