Tag Archives: writing a novel

July 10, 2026 · 10:59 am

Half Way Through 2026 ~ Where am I now in my plans, hopes and dreams?

We have just passed the longest day and now is a time when we experience light for about 19 hours in Scotland, dependent on the weather. Here’s a general catch up in what I’m doing:

WIP

My current work in progress is complete (HOORAY!), has undergone proof-reading, editing for content, authenticity and copy. It has one more hoop to go through before publication, a cover designed and a date to set, probably in late autumn. I will not reveal the title as yet, only to share that it is the final book in my ‘Mystery Inspired by History series’ and, although stand-alone, the sequel to MISSING Past and Present.

MEANWHILE ADVENTURES…

Roger and I decided that 2026 would be a year of mini adventures, with old friends and new. Having moved to Fife ten years ago (11 year with a break of a year in between) we left special people down in Bedfordshire, but they were not forgotten. So far this year we have visited the Lake District, Gairloch, The Chelsea Flower Show, Arran and the Wirrel. With other adventures still to come, we are overwhelmed by the love and affection we feel with those we have shared these precious moments. It is heart-warming, albeit exhausting. I aim to share some of these trips with you on this blog in the coming weeks, as I await news of the publication of new novel.

FUTURE WRITING PLANS

I have one final book I would dearly like to write before I review the future, and that is the third book in my ‘Riduna Series’. I have begun the serious research for this novel, difficult to do so far away in Fife from the South Coast and the Channel Islands. Nevertheless I’ve made a start. Thus I will write more about these trips in due course. Apart from rough notes of events in history I would like to include, a reread of book two and a draft of the first chapter, this is very early days.

A BIG THANK YOU

A big thank you to those of you who have followed my writing journey from the outset and those new readers and casual visitors along the way. I would not have continued in good faith without you!

Why is Writing is Akin to Gardening?

Writing and gardening are my two main activities and I would argue that they they need a similar mindset.

Being Creative

Of course! When I am writing it is very much a visual experience, where pictures or a film reel transposes into words. A creative mind is one with imagination, having an idea of what the finished article is going to be like, whether it be picturing a flower bed or imagining a novel.

Cutting out the dead wood

It has taken me years to be more ruthless in my garden (there does appear to be a rogue cerise foxglove in the bed above) but it has to be done, trimming, cutting back, pruning and even rooting out plants that have become too big or are in the wrong place. Similarly, the various layers of editing a novel are just like that.

The heather in February looks a picture but it will need a good trip when the flowers are over

Aiming for a harmony and consistency with the characters

Plants from a spectrum of colours look beautiful together, but so do those chosen carefully for height and contrast. Each plant then needs to be part of the whole picture. It may have beauty in itself, but if it is not consistent with the plot it will look out of place.

The Structure in the design completes the picture

In a garden, the walls, fencing, gravel, decking, grass, all play their part in creating a complete picture. It is the description of setting, which draws the picture for the reader, but it mustn’t be too overpowering taking away the wholeness, so that the reader is distracted or bored.

Sometimes the Result can take your breath away

My last novel, released days before lock down, has not reached the dizzy heights (for me that is) of Murder Now and Then, but Missing Past and Present is very special to me, and as one loyal reader said, ‘You really have discovered your true voice!’

Finally you’ll just have to let it go

If you are forever tweaking a garden and noticing every weed as it pops its head up, you will never stand back (or better still sit and relax) and enjoy the whole garden. It is a tough moment for an author to ‘let go’ of a completed novel. There will always be a word to change or a scene you are sad you left out because it didn’t quite fit. You need to know the moment to Let it go and enjoy the ride!

Interesting to look back! ~ Planning and Writing a Novel way back around 2010

In order to carry out the research for the third book in my Riduna Series, I needed to search out my old research notes carried out over 15 years ago. Research for my second novel, set in WW1 mainly in the Southampton area and The Channel Islands, was substantial, and continued way past the end of the book.

When I found the correct box, what astounded me was to discover that I did everything by hand first in those days. I thought you might like to go down memory lane with me too.

Examples of research pages:

It is imperative with historical fiction to carry out a substantial amount of research, and this takes me longer than writing the novel. I always scribble down copious notes but always include the source and author, if there is one. I researched from books, magazines, museum displays, newspaper articles, and of course talking to people …..

My trusty notebooks:

A Brief Chapter Outline:

For my murder mystery, MURDER Now and Then, I used post its for a time line too, to keep track of all the threads and to make sure they all came together at the end.

Chapters and Introduction of Characters:

Family Tree of Characters:

Here is an example page of my very rough first draft:

After that, I remember typing each chapter up before proof reading it a second time;

one of many.

Phew!

I was looking into using Scrivener the other day, which is supposed to organise all this for you on your PC. I have tried it once before, but this time I spent a day trying to get my head around it and decided I am a bit set in my ways. I’ll stick to using MS Word I think.

What do you think?

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Filed under Author Diana Jackson, Planning a novel, Writing, Writing a novel

Tagged as carrying out historical research, organising notes, writing a novel