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A lot has happened since May, and what follows is a resume of those two months.

The latest CSI Eddie Collins novel, provisionally entitled The Death of Jessica Ripley continues to gather dust on the shelf here in the Writing Pad. I began it in March and blitzed through the first 25k words feeling excited and looking forward to seeing how Eddie handles his latest crisis. I can’t wait to get back on with it because it has the potential to be the best Eddie book I’ve written to date.

So why have I stopped writing it?

On the 19th May, I wrote this:

Bex stood on the back step looking at the door. It was open.

She never left it open. Billy never left it open either. The only time this door was unlocked was when they were going through it.

I wrote that and the subsequent fifty thousand words (to date) because I had begun negotiations with a publishing company called Bloodhound Books. They’d seen and liked the Eddie Collins books and wondered if I could create something entirely new, a standalone, just for them. Because I love a challenge, Dancing at the Devil’s Door (provisional title) was born.

It is far removed from my usual work. I had lost my lead man and his cast of supporting characters – I felt alone for the first time since Eddie came into my life around 2004. Thirteen years is a long time, and Eddie and I have grown to know each other pretty well, so being without him now is like setting off on an adventure without your best friend accompanying you.

Instead I’m travelling with a woman, Becky Rose (note the name change). I thought writing her would feel forced, but I needn’t have worried because writing a female a lead, this female lead, feels comfortable. Becky took some getting used to though, like meeting and working with a new person does in real life – for me anyway.

As I mentioned, there’s no sign of Eddie Collins anywhere inDevil’s Door (he’s furious!), in fact there’s no CSI involvement at all in this book; they don’t even warrant a mention. The police are featured in the book, of course – it’s a crime thriller, but not in any great depth, more on a personal level than a professional one. No, this book focuses entirely on its protagonist, Becky. And despite the early sample above, it’s now in first person.

For those of you who’ve read the Eddie Collins short stories, you’ll know I like to play with first person writing, but had always been afraid I couldn’t sustain it for an entire novel. Think about it; the writer cannot stray from inside that person’s head. He can only describe what she sees, hears, feels, and experiences; there’s no hopping over to a secondary story line to see what’s going on there either. It’s intense, it’s almost claustrophobic, and it’s extremely personal.

Bloodhound offered a contract based on the first two chapters (still in first draft!) and a hastily prepared synopsis of the rest of the book. Even the synopsis has a story: I didn’t have one – a synopsis, I mean. I usually write my books on the fly with no idea where they’re heading. I’ll stop half way through and try to make sense of what’s happening and where the story should logically go, but I didn’t have that luxury with Devil’s Door. So I had to think a long way ahead and consider how it might pan out. And having a scene list to follow has been a good thing for me; it’s allowed me to crack on with the writing rather than pause and consider too much.

I’m still buzzing about the chance of working with the people at Bloodhound – they have a splendid reputation. I don’t know what the future holds, but I’ll keep you posted (hopefully a little more promptly next time). Whatever happens, I’ll be back on Jessica Ripley very soon.

19 Comments

  1. Carolyn T Tardy

    Andrew,
    I will read anything you publish. Just let your fans know when your next work is available. Looking forward to another good read.

    Reply
    • Andy

      Hi Carolyn, great to see you on here. I’m honoured that you read my books! I never take it for granted, so I’ll be looking out for your reaction to Devil’s Door.

      Reply
  2. Caroline Woodhall

    Congratulations on your new book deal, I Carnt wait to read it. I’m sure it will be great as I love your csi Eddie books. I hope you will get back to finishing off the csi book you started as well as I miss him.
    Good luck with your new venture.

    Reply
    • Andy

      Hi Caroline, good to hear from you. Thank you, I feel very privileged indeed. I hope Eddie readers enjoy this new foray too, though I think it’ll just be a single stand alone book. Back on the Eddie series soon.

      Reply
  3. Tina Mari

    Glad to hear the structured writing process is working for you. Knowing how you normally write I was curious about that. I’m looking forward to reading Devil’s Door. I’m sure it’ll be your best yet! Best of luck!

    Reply
    • Andy

      Hi Tina, I’m glad you dropped by, good to hear from you. I’d shy away from calling it structured, unless you included the word ‘haphazard’ too. I’m really looking forward to getting Devil’s Door out there, and seeing what people think of it. I hope to God I’ve got it right!

      Reply
  4. Gail Ferguson

    I have been thinking of you and how furiously you must be working! This is all very exciting! I am anxiously looking forward to this new style and work. And it is also wonderful to know Eddie is still sitting in the wings to continue on.

    Reply
    • Andy

      Hi Gail, it’s great to hear from you. It really is very exciting, and that’s my motivation for now – I hope you enjoy the new book, and of course I’ll be jumping back on Eddie’s new one as soon as I can.

      Reply
  5. Eve

    I’ll miss Eddie?. But, Good Luck with the new mark in your life ?

    Reply
    • Andy

      Hi Eve. I promise I’ll motor through he new Eddie book once Devil’s Door is finished. But, there might be more news to follow about Eddie soon – I’ll keep you posted 🙂

      Reply
  6. Alison Ingram

    Looking forward to reading it.

    Reply
    • Andy

      Thanks, Alison. I hope you find it your cup of tea. You must let me know what you think, I’ll be dying to know!

      Reply
  7. Rudi

    I’m waiting with bated breath!

    Reply
    • Andy

      Thanks, Rudi. I can’t begin to tell you how much I hope you and our friends at the Advance Reader’s Group enjoy the new one too. I have my pinkies crossed 😉

      Reply
      • Rudi

        You won’t have to worry about me not liking it, Andy. In fact, I already like it. It’s gonna be that good! 🙂

        As for the Advanced Reader’s Group, they’re gonna love it no matter what.

        Reply
  8. Maureen Dickinson

    So pleased life is opening new doors for you and looking forward to sharing your new stories and adventures
    Maureen x

    Reply
    • Andy

      Thanks, Maureen! I feel very lucky indeed, and can’t wait until the story is released – I really hope you enjoy it 🙂

      Reply
  9. Annette Thomas

    Brilliant news Andy, can’t wait for the finished book. Also congratulations on signing with Bloodhound ,most of my favourite authors under the same umbrella .
    Annette x

    Reply
    • Andy

      Thanks, Annette. I’m really looking forward to working with them – in fact, I can’t wait to get the ball rolling! As they say, Stay Tuned!

      Reply

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