The Tension is Building

I am really excited by my Novel at the moment. I have been working on it for approximately 3 years so the fact it is having this effect on me now is a surprise.

I was really excited when I first started writing the first draft. What was in my head blew me away but it didn’t look so good by the time it had travelled through my fingers and onto the page. This was due to my lack of skill in the use of words back then. The first draft looked childish to me.

Since then I have joined a writing group, which has proved invaluable with critique and support. I have also met other writers around the world via Facebook groups and Twitter. Then there are the books I have read and the TV that I have watched that have inspired me.

I am on the third draft and it is starting to really take shape. I was struggling with a really important scene in Chapter Three, the moment that the Serial Killer/ Stalker seduces the female lead who he has been watching for months. He has planned it down to the last detail and I wanted it to be intense, but my previous effort was a bit flat and boring.

I decided to put a call for help on a few Facebook groups. I asked for opinions about how she would smell, feel etc. It came up with some mixed responses. You could tell the people who enjoyed reading Thrillers; they embraced it and used vivid description. The others seemed to be scared by the question. It was a fun experience and gave me loads to work on.

I have written that scene this morning and I love it! It has also made me realise things about my characters that I didn’t know before. I now have loads of new ideas for the rest of the book. My characters are much more alive now and if that is how I feel hopefully future readers will feel the same.

Review of 'THE FALL'

For the past five weeks I have been glued to the TV every Monday night by ‘The Fall.’ The first two episodes in particular were so intense that they left me buzzing for days, unable to think about anything else.

I am writing my first novel, a Thriller including a serial killer, at the moment. My character is very different to Paul Spector, but I found it inspirational and helpful with my own book. For one thing it taught me that I had to give my Antagonist a really great job! The Bereavement Councillor Job given to Spector is pure genius.

I was so hooked on the storyline surrounding Spector that the other subplot went over my head; I will have to watch it all again so I can take that in too.

I have read some of the articles surrounding the programme and know that it has evoked criticism about the level of violence against women. As a female viewer there are things I would have done differently if I had written it.

I think if you are going to have a serial killer targeting women you have to make the viewer sympathetic towards the victims. The Sarah Kay murder I found intensely brilliant. I found his bizarre ritual with her dead body insane but I loved it. She came across as a strong character in life, caring and intelligent. So why did Annie’s character have to have a seedy side? It reduces the sympathy the viewer feels for her and I think that if you are going to have violent scenes against women you have to feel sympathy for them.

I would also have changed the character of Katie. I would not have made her such a Lolita. She could still have the crush on Paul but she could be less forceful.

Stella Gibson’s character is a bit over the top too. Was it really necessary for her to have her buttons undone while being interviewed, or rubbing marks off her boobs while talking to men?

I really loved Sally Spector’s character. She had an amazing Job, was caring and innocent. Why did they have to have her initiating rough sex with her husband after he had admitted to an affair? She was the perfect character, why ruin it? It makes it look as if the writers are trying to say that all women want it rough.

One thing I found strange in the final part was Spector lying about having an affair with Katie, a fifteen year old, when he could have made up anyone else instead. You have more chance of your wife forgiving an affair with a grown woman than a child. Why would he decide portraying himself as a paedophile would be the best option?

I am not sure how they are going to manage another series involving Spector. I will be looking forward to it and I hope that they learn from the mistakes in series one. It has the potential to be amazing if it could only be more considerate to the female viewer.

 Flashing Jamie’s topless body isn’t enough, not that I’m complaining you understand!