🛼 Home from the Alps, and a Brand-New Writing Direction!
Home at last! As I mentioned in last week’s blog, I’ve just spent the last few days over in Switzerland with my son for an international Roller Hockey tournament.
The tournament itself was beautifully organised, but unfortunately, our team just didn’t quite show up on the rink this time around. It wasn't our best performance. That might sound a bit harsh on the lads, but at the end of the day, the name of the game is to put the ball in the net, and on this occasion, that's the one thing we just couldn’t manage to do.
My son, Tyler, is the team's goalkeeper, and we knew going into an intense tournament with only one goalie was going to be a tough ask. Tyler truly had his work cut out for him, and it turned out to be a massive, exhausting slog.
Despite the tough results, what a welcoming and breathtakingly beautiful country Switzerland is. The days were incredibly long. We woke up at our hotel near Gatwick at 4:00 AM, jumped on our flight to Zurich, and then endured a ninety-minute minibus ride deep into the Swiss outback to our base in Wimmis.
The scenery was exactly what you picture when you think of Switzerland: dramatic, snow-capped mountains, fast-running rivers, and stunning, crystal-clear lakes. The weather was also incredibly hot—sehr heiß, as the locals would say! Frankly, it was far too hot to be playing hockey, especially for a goalkeeper trapped inside all that heavy protective gear. To top it off, after that massive travel day, our first game didn't even start until 7:30 PM.
The following day, we were taken down to a nearby lake between matches. It was just what the lads needed—some vital downtime to go swimming, relax, and cool off. It also gave me the perfect opportunity to find a bit of shade and finally crack open a book I’ve been meaning to start.
After a couple more grueling games against Germany and Switzerland—including a moment where Tyler made the absolute save of the tournament against the Germans (even they couldn't believe he’d kept it out!)—we were treated to a mountain excursion on Saturday morning. The trip was hosted by one of the tournament sponsors, and it was a mandatory part of the team's schedule. A few of the players who are terrified of heights didn't particularly enjoy the experience, but I’m luckily not one of them. The views from the top were absolutely insane.
🖋️ A Blank Screen on the Train... and a Whole New Book!
While the hockey didn’t quite go to plan, my creative brain went into overdrive. On the train journey down to London; which is about an hour from my home. I started something completely fresh.
For a long time now, I’ve harboured a deep desire to write a historical fiction novel set during my absolute favourite historical era: World War II and the years leading up to it. In the brief time it took us to leave Peterborough, travel down to King’s Cross, and transfer from St Pancras to Gatwick, I had written the entire first chapter. I had high hopes of making massive progress during our downtime in Switzerland, but in reality, I only managed to squeak out a single paragraph for chapter two!
The story is set in Germany—or as it was known back then, the Weimar Republic. It opens in 1923 during the absolute peak of historical hyperinflation, a dark era where the German mark was completely worthless, a loaf of bread could cost an astronomical 200 million marks, and the government printing presses were running 24 hours a day just to keep up.
I want this book to be significantly darker and grittier, mirroring the bleak reality of the time period. Because it will be packed with real historical events, it’s going to require a massive amount of research. I honestly have no idea where the plot is going just yet, but that’s half the excitement for me. I am a textbook "Pantser", an author who flies by the seat of their pants with no rigid outline, just writing and making it up as I go along!
My goal is to create something in the same vein as Marion Kummerow’s brilliant The Berlin Wife series, but with a much darker edge. Is that a genre you would be interested in reading from me?
Please don't worry; this doesn’t mean I am abandoning Cedric, Hans, and the Newman Adventure series! I am still fully on track to get Book 3 out later this year, and I hope to officially announce the title very soon. At the moment, I have four distinct books planned out for that series and eventually want to stretch it to a fifth. I anticipate releasing those adventures well before this new historical fiction project ever sees the light of day.
📚 What I’m Reading...
Celtic Empire by Clive Cussler (with Dirk Cussler)
I have finally started a paperback that has been sitting on my bookshelf for an absolute age: Celtic Empire, from the legendary Dirk Pitt series.
I am only up to chapter eight, but it has already reminded me exactly why I fell in love with Clive Cussler’s writing in the first place. It is pure, unadulterated action and a gripping storyline right from page one. Interestingly, the book opens up deep in El Salvador, so I can’t quite see how the "Celtic" title ties into the plot just yet, but I’m certain the mystery will reveal itself as the chapters fly by. I’ll keep you updated on my progress over the coming weeks!
Enjoyed the ride? 📖
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📚 The Newman Adventures
An Irish Mystery A fast-paced historical adventure about stolen treasures, hidden histories, and the cost of obsession. The story that started it all.
An American Treasure The journey continues! Cedric Newman returns in a high-stakes hunt for the lost riches of Mosby's Rangers. Action, mystery, and a new enemy await.
Available in Ebook, Kindle Unlimited, Paperback & Hardcover
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