If you’ve arrived here from my home page , you already know a little about my passion for both hiking and writing.
I don’t know why it’s taken me all these decades to start writing about… well, writing – or maybe I do? The truth is that, until now, I never really committed to fiction because there was always that nagging feeling that my time could be better spent earning money or doing something ‘productive’ (like decorating or helping friends with their own writing tasks). Serious writing – and by that I mean committing to finishing a novel or screenplay – always felt like an act of extreme self-indulgence (worse than escaping to the bathroom for a long soak).
Thankfully, the summer of 2024 finally marked the end of years of prevarication – I hope for good.
Novels
In June, I finally finished my first novel, Run Free – the working title was Halter Necks and Cocky Elbows , which I still like but felt was too long and maybe not the easiest title to remember.
I’m now halfway through a sequel called Run Far . The plot sees Run Free ‘s sixteen-year-old characters – Karen and Maria – coming together again on the enchanting Isles of Scilly in Cornwall. Five years have passed and the former friends have very little in common anymore. As a result, there is plenty of friction between the young women which is fun to write.
I’ve really enjoyed doing the research for this second novel, especially looking through my old photographs from the early eighties, taken when I worked (and holidayed) at St Mary’s. A return visit (for research purposes) would have been wonderful, however it would have been difficult – and costly – now we’re living in Portugal. And besides, as I said in a recent blog , perhaps it’s better to rely on memories, old photographs and online research when you’re writing about a time and place that will have changed beyond recognition in the intervening years.
Screenwriting
In addition to the novel writing, I’m also developing a few ideas for screenplays, which I hope will come to fruition sometime in 2025. One of them was inspired by Sir Oliver Lodge’s book On Life After Death, while a second is set in Cornwall during the Second World War.
A third idea – plotted but not yet written – is set in South Wales, with scenes in the mountains I love. Then again, this one might end up as a novel.
So many ideas for writing and stories, so little time… hiking and writing are not great bedfellows as both are time-consuming hobbies.
Looking ahead
My plans for this new Writing and Stories section are still taking shape. I hope to be blogging more about my writing process and sharing updates on my latest projects. When the opportunity arises, I hope to interview fellow authors – hopefully some of whom have achieved considerably more success than me.
I look forward to connecting with you via my writing and stories, and perhaps inspiring other new writers out there along the way. Hopefully, you’ll find some value and enjoyment in what I share.
Tracy
