The writing process and Frank Muir

What’s all this about the writing process? Why is Frank Muir, the creator of the DCI Andy Gilchrist crime novels, called Fruity Frankie? I wouldn’t even mention it if I hadn’t seen it in Caro Ramsay’s blog on the writing process. I’ve got to know Frank since I joined the Crime Writers Association. He’s great company, especially in a pleasant hostelry, sipping pints and chewing the fat.

Why the writing process? Frank’s information is here. Read on and I’ll tell you my version.

It’s a writing process blog chain

This started a wee while back when I missed Frank’s invitation to write a contribution. He gave me an extension, and I rather fear I might be bumped-off if I don’t get on with it. So here goes, four questions to answer:

1) What am I working on?

Where do I start? My third Sam Duncan novel, Devil’s Due is begun. If you know me, you’ll know how my publisher and I had wee run in last year; and our creative relationship ended as a result. That led to the redesign of my website, books, covers, ISBN’s, you name it. All just about done now. Guess who did the work.

Then, there is talk of a pitch for a TV series working with my great friend, Bob Ness, of Seattle. I’m having to do a bit of video work … And as anyone who has ever pitched knows, a pitch, is a pitch, is a pitch …  until the ink is dry on the contract and the cash is safely in the bank.

My first short business book, Thieves of Time, is due out at the end of June. More anon.

So there you go, blogging, writing, pitching, publishing, and when I’m not doing that, running round with my hair on fire.

2) How does my work differ from others in its genre?

The Angels’ Share series has kidnapping, murder, fraud, gang violence and so on. There is also love, warm human relationships and danger to family.  Imagine being away in a quiet island of the Galway coast when four gangsters show up, complete with a body bag from one of you, and plans to scare the wits out of the rest. All grist to the crime novelists mill. Whilst there are elements of police procedural, the stories involve conspiracy in the British Establishment and government level collusion and cover-up. You’ll get the gist from the headlines on the right.

3) Why do I write what I do?

My heart is on my sleeve. I came at my first thriller, Angels’ Cut, from personal experience. The crime aspect arises from concerns about the corruption and waste overseen by our governments (of all flavours) and how their greed and mendacity impacts on us al, especially the disadvantaged.

4) How does my writing process work?

Long days. Head down. Living the story. Around 20,000 words, I pass the copy to my editor, Gale Winskill. She provides insightful, sometimes brutal, feedback. When I wrote Angels Cut, Gale recommended the removal of about 42,000 words. Shocking. Essential. Deadlines help me.

Like my study, my process isn’t entirely tidy. The second book was much easier to write than the first. All I need now is about three months of clear space (which I will find). And I plan to have my editor working along with me.

And …

In the course of my travels I met two excellent authors. The first, Helen Welsh, is a literary author who writes human interest stories. The second was John J McCabe, former lawyer, convicted fraudster, great fun, if a tad quirky. Don’t ask me how, but I’ve become their publisher. Insane or what? watch this space …

By Mac Logan
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