The calm, before the storm.

Sometimes victory can be turned to ashes in your mouth. Some people are just the worst.

Today’s writing turned the first half of the chapter I planned into a full chapter. Which is handy – give me a chapter to write tomorrow. My hero learned a new skill, I will have to use that later.

Another day on holiday, another chapter. Trying to put some romance in – probably messing it up. Ah well.

Chess tournament! Fun, excitement, people explaining things! This is where the foreshadowing will go, because if you write foreshadowing in advance you are an idiot.

YES! First chapter done. Really enjoying this – like a blast of fresh air after the morass that the last one sank into. Great to be back in 1930s Dublin.

Okay – setting and plan for opening begun. Writing soon.

Another day, another character. Nearly time to start into it.

Four compelling motives for murder. Show three, hide the real one. That’s how we do crime.

Yesterday I defined the victim, today I defined his death. Tomorrow I think I’ll plan out the why of the affair.