Newsletter sixty seven

[charlie_cochrane]

The shops are full of Christmas stuff so thoughts are wending towards December. Am taking ideas for the seasonal short story I usually do for the Speak Its Name Advent Calendar, so let me know if there’s something you’d like me to write, either about existing or new characters. I’ll choose the idea which most inspires me.

News:

There’s an interesting article by Kate Rothwell over at Heroes and Heartbreakers about why authors of gay romance enjoy reading the genre. Of course, I had to get my twopenn’orth in.

I thought I’d do something slightly different for the writing news bit, based on a meme I got tagged with by my pal Stevie Carroll.

What is the title of the book you’re currently working on?
Story 10. It will eventually be called Lessons for Somethingorother, as it’s the next book in the Cambridge series.

Where did the idea come from for the book?
A visit to Monkey Island followed by a short stay at Cliveden. Plot ideas galore.

What genre does your book fall under?
Edwardian mystery with gay romance elements.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Jamie Bamber (when he was about thirty) to play Jonty, Benedict Cumberbatch for Orlando.

What is a one-sentence synopsis of the book?
Two mysterious deaths for the boys to investigate, while the shadows of Orlando’s father and grandfather loom large in their thoughts.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I’ll be pitching it to Cheyenne.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Still in progress.

What other books would you compare this story to in your genre?
The rest of the Cambridge series. And, if it’s not being presumptuous, Gyles Brandreth’s Oscar Wilde series.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
That visit to Monkey Island. The boys had to go there!

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
It’s set in 1909 so Mr and Mrs Stewart will be appearing!

Inspiration:

Comments

[gehayi.livejournal.com]

I always thought that Orlando would be played by Ioan Gruffudd.

It's a good thing that you added that link to Monkey Island, because I was confused. To me, Monkey Island is a series of video games.

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

Jonty and Orlando as pixilated pirates-- they could do that!

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I like the meme! Is it possible to snaffle it?

[sandra-lindsey.livejournal.com]

Like others have said, Monkey Island is, to me, the computer game, and always makes me think "You fight like a dairy farmer!"

[elin-gregory.livejournal.com]

I've been tagged in two different places for this meme. Not sure which story to do where.

I think BC is brilliant for Orlando. He has that nervy, slightly disconnected/slightly bemused look about him that I've seen a time or two in the spectacularly intelligent. The cleverest man I know, a QC, has tied up the traffic in Sloane Square during rush hour TWICE, each time due to topping up the BMWs oil and water by putting it in the petrol tank!

[aglarien1.livejournal.com]

Oh yay! More of the boys! Love that video, btw.

[stevie-carroll.livejournal.com]

Ooh, another earlier adventure for the boys. I can't wait.

Cliveden looks fab.

[julian-griffith.livejournal.com]

YAY MR. & MRS. STEWART! I love them. I always picture Mrs. Stewart as looking rather like what's-her-name from the Marx Brothers movies.

[darthanne.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, Benedict Cumberpatch for Orlando. I like that idea!

Pleased to hear there's another story coming for your boys. Still to read Lessons for Survivors but eyeing up a hardcopy to treat myself for Christmas.

(sorry for spamming a few posts, playing a bit of catchup)