Among the many things that friends, and I mean good friends, do for you ocassionally is to give you that long overdue ‘kick up the backside.’ They do it because they are friends who are kind and true – and beacuse of this you listen.
This week I spent a rainy Friday afternoonon in a local hostelry – with first tea and then a glass of chilled white – with my lovely friends Wendy and Gillian who proceeded to give me just such a ‘kick’ – in the nicest possible way – by talking me round to getting my crime novel Blood Tide onto Kindle and out into the world.
They were right when they told me I’d been procrastinating. I had. I’m not entirely sure why but I think it had something to do with Blood Tide’s history and the disappointment I felt about it not being snapped up by a mainstream publisher – especially as at one point it looked as if that was exactly what was going to happen. It’s a long protracted story, which I’ll elaborate on in my next post. But for now let’s just say it was a tough one for both me and my agent who had also been very hopeful.
My reluctance to publish Blood Tide was also caused by my feeling that it was very different from my previous novel; being in the crime genre. Having spent a weekend with it I know that while it is a genre novel it also very much my novel, exploring the themes that I am drawn to as a writer, among which are: the lives of abused and disenfranchised women, prison and the dark side, loss and the healing power of friendship and love, our deep connection with the past and with the landscape in which we live….
When it comes down to it why can’t a writer write in more than genre? And why can’t I write poetry and crime and romantic fiction and whatever else I choose? The answer is of course that there is no reason at all – it is really only the traditional world of publishing that demands writers get into a certain groove and remain there – better for the market they say. Well in my new Indie world there are no such restrictions and I expect to have published Blood Tide within the next few days! Wish me luck…
She can!! You have! Blood Tide is a seriously good novel. Now you can write the next thing you want to – be it more poetry, more short stories, another novel of any kind, including at some point another Danny Beck novel. I rather like him and like the way you tackled that novel. Very good luck
w
Thanks Wendy – yes I like him too – and really enjoye dbeing in his company!
You are a fantastic writer, Avril. I will watch this space. Your characters are well-drawn and your use of language is so beautiful. I admire your work tremendously. Good luck with kindling it.
Geri
I have spent a very pleasant half hour or so catching up here on your website. I love the new header and am inspired by all of your exciting activities. Your journals are so lovely. It is wonderful that you have decided to publish Blood Tide. Best wishes for lots of readers.
I am saddened by news of your eye condition. I hope for the best for you.
It’s raining heavily here so I am using my time indoors to catch up a bit; I’m off to read Gillian’s garden blog.
Thanks Geri for all the good things you say! Looking forward to our novel group…
Dear Ann – so lovely to hear from you. I’m sorry it’s raining as I know how much you must want to get on with your new garden project. (If it’s any consolation, its much the same here in the UK) I’m sure you’ll love Gillian’s garden blog.