A Bucket of Cold Water

I want the structure of the book to reflect the course of the fire. Could this be why then, because I doused the flames with powerful jets from the great floating engine in chapters 12 and 13, I am now having problems getting any energy into my final chapters 14 and 15?

Stuck in the Tunnel

Spent this weekend working on chapter 12.  Got stuck, so fiddled about with the bibliography, note on sources and acknowledgements.  Important to keep writing something, I think.  Seems harder now light is visible at the end of the tunnel, though.

Vulgar Clatter and Clamour

Sent off chapters 7 to 10 today to my prospective agent, at the end of a day of leave.  Feel very pleased.  Also sailed over the 99,000 word mark with some last minute splicing in of new sources.  One of my favourite bits added today:

Contemporaries described the fire as (amongst other things), “fearfully imposing” and “the acme of sublime terror”.  Sometimes the effect was eerie, even chilling.  In the darkness, viewed from the white-stuccoed palazzi overlooking the trees across St James’ Park, “the many and monster-tongued flames…seemed to be moving and twisting, seeking fresh objects to involve in the ravening jaws of destruction.”  The moon turned blood-red as fire-charged smoke ran across its face.  The inhuman sounds of the wind and the flames were, “deeply awful, and seemed as distinct from the vulgar clatter and clamour of the mob, as do the solemn notes of the cathedral organ from the squeaking of the itinerant hurdy-gurdy”.

A Room of My Own

I write in the cellar, which also doubles as a dining room.  I also share it with the washing and the hoover.  Here is the view this afternoon as I finish off chapter 11.  Of particular note is the ubiquitous diet coke can, and my cat in a warm spot by the radiator.  The cat also likes to walk on the keyboard at crucial moments and to stick its nose into buttered toast.

Treasures of the Victoria Tower

Delighted to see a really great review of the book I recently finished with colleagues at work.  Hits the nail right on the head about what we were trying to do.  Here's hoping my solo effort will get the same reaction...

Happy New Year to All My Readers!

During the first week of 2011 I completed work on chapters 7, 8, 9 and 10.  I now have two-thirds of the book finalised, and am just doing final checks before sending this latest chunk off to my prospective agent.

I also have three kind people reading and commenting on chapters 0 to 6, which is really helpful of them.

Finally, I discovered with delight today that my former boss reads this blog, so for all you lurkers out there, please do get in touch - post comments, or even better, add yourself as a follower.  Then I don't feel like I'm posting into a big black hole...anyone out there?