Nothing is Ever Wasted
Reality as research for writing
I sometimes have the impression that the daily reality is simply there to provide material for my next film.
—Pedro Almodóvar
Hello there,
I hope you’re keeping well. I am doing fine, and after last week’s message, I’d better let you know that Mrs C and I were pleased with our efforts in the running races at Cheltenham.
Funnily enough, the races, a half marathon for me and a 10K for Mrs C, started and finished at the race course, famous for the annual horse race, The Cheltenham Gold Cup. The horses were not in attendance, so thankfully we did not have to compete against our four-footed friends. And no, there were no fences to leap over!
Anyway, here’s a photo of me, complete with commemorative shirt and medal, to show I don't make these things up:
I was 6 minutes faster than last year, so I was pleased with that, and I am fully determined to fight against the advancing years as hard as I can.
Jogging swiftly along, thank you to all who sent quotes or posted them in the chat on substack. I will be referring to them as I go along, but the one I’ve used above came from a postcard that I used to have on my pinboard. I chose it because I often find real-life experiences creeping into my writing.
Today, I needed a location for some characters to visit in order to give them an alibi, and as I searched my memory, I remembered a recent visit to Torquay. The place was fresh in my mind, so the writing came easily. I didn't need to describe the place, as it’s only referred to by a character, but I was able to pepper it with little details that, I hope, make it seem real to the reader.
I’ve included a few photos from the trip below.
Before we get to that, here are some notes of thanks.
Thanks!
Thank you to these folks for recent emails:
Anne, Tami, Michele, Vaunda, Victoria, Diane, Susan, Kim, Oscar, Pauline.
I must record another Mikey’s Mailbox podcast - I enjoyed doing that.
Thanks also to everyone who took part in our community chat.
A special thank you to Victor. Victor is the VIP Readers Club’s first premium member, and I really appreciate that support. Every penny helps to keep this show on the road i.e. hot tea in the mug beside my keyboard.
I’m moving away from the ko-fi website, because it’s one more thing to keep track of, and I wasn’t delivering anything in return. In contrast, paid members to the VIP Readers Club will be getting extra perks, including a free copy of upcoming books in advance and audio versions of various stories read by me. I’ve posted the readings of The Blank page, and recorded the audio for In Front of the Mirror Alone, so I’ll be posting that after sending this email.
Audio versions take a while to record and even longer to edit, so I feel they offer extra value. There will also be some exclusive chats and behind the scenes posts.
If that sounds appealing, you can upgrade your subscription for the cost of a flat white (and cancel it whenever you wish):
An Alternative Way to Offer Support
Please feel free to share the VIP Readers Club with any keen readers who might like it. The more the merrier:
The Blank Page
Here’s a brief reminder of my writing experiment, The Blank Page. It’s part of the VIP Readers Club, and there are already two pieces online. Initially, I hadn’t quite figured out how to combine it with the regular newsletter and post, so you may have missed the first couple of parts. If so, you can find them via the new table of contents I’ve published:
I haven't had time to write a Blank Page entry this week, but I did send out an extra story mid-week called In Front of The Mirror Alone, so that should be in your inbox (if it’s in the spam folder, please move it into the right place). It’s one of my darker stories so not for everybody, but I’ve always written across genres, so I like to offer something for those who may want it. If you didn't get it, here’s a button:
Finally, here are the photos:
Featured Photos
They show as a collage on the email, as separate images in the substack app and as an interactive gallery on the online version:
A snippet
I almost forgot! I promised you a snippet.
Here’s an unedited, uncorrected first draft from the new Devonshire Mystery:
Alan looked as though he was about to go on, but Sam appeared behind the bar, favouring them with a warm smile. With a twinkle in her eye, she looked at Dan and said, “Hello stranger. I was beginning to wonder if you’d turn up.”
“I was catching up with some admin, but it’s all done. I’m taking the rest of the evening off.”
“We’ll see,” Sam said. “I give it ten minutes before you two start talking about some case or other.”
Dan raised a hand, his fingers spread wide. “Not tonight. Strictly no talking shop.”
“I second that,” Alan said. “I’ll keep him on the straight and narrow, Sam. Everyone needs a night off.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Sam replied. “What can I get you?”
They ordered their drinks and Sam dispensed their pints with her usual efficiency before bustling off to serve another customer: a middle-aged man who’d just come in alone. Dan couldn’t help notice the man’s heavy woollen overcoat, and the way the collar was turned up as if to shield the man’s face from harsh weather. It was fresh outside, but the spring evening was by no means chilly.
There was something vaguely familiar about the man, but before Dan could place him, Alan interrupted his thoughts, leaning close and lowering his voice to a stage whisper.
“So, tell me about the mysterious Mr McGuire. What was he like? Was he a recluse?”
“Not exactly,” Dan replied. “But he lived quietly, and he’d taken pains to make sure he couldn’t be found online.” Dan took a sip of his beer. “It was a bit sad, really. His house was rather dilapidated, and his shirt was frayed at the cuffs, but when I told him he was about to become quite a wealthy man—”
“Don’t tell me,” Alan interrupted. “He didn’t want the money.”
Dan was taken aback. “How did you guess?”
“It wasn’t entirely guesswork. I spend a lot of time thinking about characters and their motivations. It’s all part of the writer’s toolbox. It occurred to me that Mr McGuire was estranged from his family, and there had to be a reason for that. Am I on the right track?”
“You are. He said he’d rather die than touch a penny of that money.”
“I knew it.” Alan raised his glass and took a celebratory drink. “Did you find out the reason why?”
Dan shook his head. “That wasn’t part of my brief. I found him, and that was all I was asked to do. I left him in peace. I’d intruded enough.”
“Quite right. But all that money… I wonder what’ll happen to it. You said it was half a million, didn’t you?”
“That’s right, plus a sizeable house in Plymouth and some investments. I don’t know the full value. It’s up to the solicitors now. They’ll have to figure out what to do with it.”
“No chance of a distant relative coming out of the woodwork?”
“None. I’ve already checked, and Mr McGuire was the last of his line.”
“He may well change his mind,” Alan suggested. “The next time he gets a gas bill or his car needs repairs, he might have second thoughts.”
“I doubt it. He was adamant. I even suggested that he could give the money to charity, but he didn’t even want to talk about it. He seemed to be man of principle.”
“Fair enough,” Alan said. “It’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle and all that.”
Someone let out a loud chuckle, and Dan turned to see the lone customer regarding him with a wry smile.
—
I hope that sounds intriguing. Remember, on the online version of this post and in the substack app, you can leave comments directly, and then I can reply.
What’s Next?
Phew! I’m setting myself up to create a lot of content for you all, so it will take me a while to settle into a routine. I hope to have a piece for The Blank Page next week.
My main focus is on finishing the current novel, but I am enjoying using substack. Instead of wasting time scrolling past ads on social media, I’m finding interesting pieces to read, following other writers and creators and finding it adds a welcome bit of light reading to my day.
I recommend the app, if you don’t have it already - it’s refreshingly ad-free:
I’d better sign off and get that audio posted up. Who knows what will happen this weekend and whether any small part of it will appear in a book one day. Time will tell.
Until next time, happy reading and take care,
Mikey