Holbrook

My gut told me the idea at the heart of the story was a good one, but the outline sucked, as did what had been written so far. I was waffling. Bad sign when I start to waffle.

So I started winging it, with the basic idea at the back of my mind. 2500 words written last weekend. A record for my current out put. Characters are talking to me. Even my villain, which I hope won't be too clichéd. One problem I will be touching on a tricky subject in part of the story. Child abuse and how people are reluctance of to see it. Especially in the time frame I am using, where the cane, back of the hand across the face etc was considered the norm. Then there is the sexual element, but I hope to do that more in the mind of the villain, unfulfilled, so to speak. The villain is in a position of trust. Though I am toying with having a big red herring, the reader thinking it is one character, but it being another. But that might be a bit deus ex machina.

Anyway all my research into Lancaster bombers is being used, as is that into the winter of 1947, and the UK of the time. Additional research into the plight of British POW in Europe 1939-1945 is required as is a bit into the “Green Man” legend, and winter and spring solstice.

I have help with the German language from a dear old friend, when I get to that part. The only things I need to know is do German Medieval Churches have gargoyles on? And were they painted in the same way ours were with scenes of hell. Also did any survive their reformation? A lot of ours were chipped off and whitewashed over. Some survived, so hoping some did there too. As the POW scenes are done in flash back I hope to be able to be vague about where the camp is, as its geological position is not important to the story, save it needs to be in the East of Germany, most likely somewhere on the Polish border. As I need the hero to endure a match, similar to that taken by many British POWs, when the Germans forced them to walk west to avoid the approaching Russian army. This was in the winter of 1944, and many died, and were scarred for life with the memories of it.

In real life, my left toe is healed completely. The right has opened up a bit again (mutter) still clinic are please with me.

My job totally stinks, too much work (we have lost a member of our team who is not being replaced), and there is a lot of bad feeling and uncertainty due to a lot of coming changes. More to the point we are not getting a cost of living rise this year. Yet the council can pay its new Chief Ex £195,000!!! Which is more than the PM of the country, I kid you not!!!

Most days I am so tried when I get in I am not writing and the housework is going to hell. Doing that at weekends cuts into my writing time.

Weather still cold and scatterings of snow most days this week. Thankfully nothing heavy.


Waffle finished.