
I'm probably half way through my latest and the world of that novel is real to me now. Actually, it's two worlds because it's a time slip novel, so I'm back in Renaissance Naples quite a lot. It's very hot and rather smelly.
I'm always on the lookout for authentic detail and this morning I came across something really pertinent. But only because I'd decided to pursue something that on initial glance didn't look that interesting. A novel is a massive investment and I don't 'write into the dark' anymore because it feels too time wasteful. Sometimes, however, doors appear along the way and I can't resist opening them to see what's behind. Having the novel outline written is a bit like making sure the door is left open so that you can get out again. Otherwise there's a good chance of ending up in Narnia.