Mark Bridgeman's Blog: Busy Day!
June 7, 2020
An Update
✍️ Writing in Lockdown ✍️
The writer Anne Morrow Lindbergh (wife of aviator Charles Lindbergh) said “Travel Far, Pay No Fare... a book can take you anywhere.”
Well; I've certainly been doing a lot of (virtual) travelling during lockdown, both for research and in continuing to write. So it seems as good a time as any to update everyone on the stage I've reached and what you can expect from me once lockdown is over. And, be warned, I've been busy!
Firstly, I've completed a follow up to The River Runs Red. This book will feature 20 tales from Perthshire's dark past. This time I've expanded the book to cover different parts of the county and picked a particular - and very dark - theme for the stories! There are some amazing and interesting stories here that readers will really enjoy. It's my favourite so far :)
Also nearing completion is a rewrite and update of a book my dad wrote and published in 2001. 'The Old Lady On The Hill' told the story of Christ Church in Swindon, and was written to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the church. I've been busy writing and researching this update, which will, not only, include the story of the last 20 years but will also add some extra information, research and photographs from earlier years too. This will be an extremely comprehensive study and, I hope, a worthwhile addition for anyone interested in the church and the history of Swindon. Although the Covid-19 crisis has restricted my research severely I hope we can see this in print either later this year, or early next year.
Before lockdown I had begun to write my first novel, set in the community of Kinlochleven in Lochaber. I'd made great progress, spending lots of time researching the background to what will be an historical novel, based on true events. Unfortunately the restrictions have made it impossible for me to travel and continue with my research. I've completed about 15,000 words so far, but can't really continue until I can get back out there again and revisit places I need to describe in the telling of the story. The whole plot is sitting impatiently in my head though, bursting to jump out!
Finally, I'm busy writing a biography about a rather interesting character called Francis Metcalfe. For those of you who have read The River Runs Red, you may remember Francis Metcalfe featuring in one of the chapters within that book. His story is one of the most remarkable I have ever heard and it deserves a wider audience. I'm also simultaneously working on a TV/Film treatment too, in the hope it can be developed into a TV series. Although I can't visit many of places I'd like to, in researching this story, I've been working with his surviving family, corresponding with institutions all over the country and the world, piecing together his amazing life. So far I've been helped by Sinn Fein in Ireland, France's most notorious prison, the Imperial War Museum, the Canadian Army, the executors of the estate of Ernest Shackleton and Vera Brittain, and the owners of the original location for MacBeth! And there are many, many more. About 45,000 words written so far.
I have a few other ideas too, but that's enough to keep me going for now!
In the meantime I've attached a few photos as teasers for the upcoming books (sorry, no clues!), which might pique your interest. And, as a reminder, my books are all currently available on Amazon and, in bookshops again very soon I hope. Thank you.
CLICK HERE :- https://www.amazon.co.uk/s…
The writer Anne Morrow Lindbergh (wife of aviator Charles Lindbergh) said “Travel Far, Pay No Fare... a book can take you anywhere.”
Well; I've certainly been doing a lot of (virtual) travelling during lockdown, both for research and in continuing to write. So it seems as good a time as any to update everyone on the stage I've reached and what you can expect from me once lockdown is over. And, be warned, I've been busy!
Firstly, I've completed a follow up to The River Runs Red. This book will feature 20 tales from Perthshire's dark past. This time I've expanded the book to cover different parts of the county and picked a particular - and very dark - theme for the stories! There are some amazing and interesting stories here that readers will really enjoy. It's my favourite so far :)
Also nearing completion is a rewrite and update of a book my dad wrote and published in 2001. 'The Old Lady On The Hill' told the story of Christ Church in Swindon, and was written to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the church. I've been busy writing and researching this update, which will, not only, include the story of the last 20 years but will also add some extra information, research and photographs from earlier years too. This will be an extremely comprehensive study and, I hope, a worthwhile addition for anyone interested in the church and the history of Swindon. Although the Covid-19 crisis has restricted my research severely I hope we can see this in print either later this year, or early next year.
Before lockdown I had begun to write my first novel, set in the community of Kinlochleven in Lochaber. I'd made great progress, spending lots of time researching the background to what will be an historical novel, based on true events. Unfortunately the restrictions have made it impossible for me to travel and continue with my research. I've completed about 15,000 words so far, but can't really continue until I can get back out there again and revisit places I need to describe in the telling of the story. The whole plot is sitting impatiently in my head though, bursting to jump out!
Finally, I'm busy writing a biography about a rather interesting character called Francis Metcalfe. For those of you who have read The River Runs Red, you may remember Francis Metcalfe featuring in one of the chapters within that book. His story is one of the most remarkable I have ever heard and it deserves a wider audience. I'm also simultaneously working on a TV/Film treatment too, in the hope it can be developed into a TV series. Although I can't visit many of places I'd like to, in researching this story, I've been working with his surviving family, corresponding with institutions all over the country and the world, piecing together his amazing life. So far I've been helped by Sinn Fein in Ireland, France's most notorious prison, the Imperial War Museum, the Canadian Army, the executors of the estate of Ernest Shackleton and Vera Brittain, and the owners of the original location for MacBeth! And there are many, many more. About 45,000 words written so far.
I have a few other ideas too, but that's enough to keep me going for now!
In the meantime I've attached a few photos as teasers for the upcoming books (sorry, no clues!), which might pique your interest. And, as a reminder, my books are all currently available on Amazon and, in bookshops again very soon I hope. Thank you.
CLICK HERE :- https://www.amazon.co.uk/s…
April 22, 2020
Lockdown!
📚 I thought I'd give everyone an update on my writing and what I've been up to during Lockdown. ✍️
You might think a lockdown would be ideal for writing, but not necessarily! Anyway, I currently have four projects on the go, all at various stages and all affected one way or another by the current situation.
➡️ I'm writing an expanded and updated version of a book my Dad published in 2001, shortly before he died. The Old Lady On The Hill told the history of Christ Church in Swindon. I'm added the story of the past 20 years and adding some extra information and history I've discovered, that wasn't available at the time of original publication. My research has been hampered by the Coronavirus outbreak somewhat. We'd originally hoped for a release in late 2020, but that might be pushed back a bit.
➡️ I'm writing a full biography about one of the characters featured in my collection of short stories The River Runs Red. This is turning out to be a really interesting and exciting project. It has - literally - taken me all around the world in the last couple of weeks (virtually, obviously!). Can't wait to see this in print. I'm also going to develop it as a treatment for a TV series.
➡️ I had started writing and research for a historical novel based in Lochaber. Unfortunately I can't visit the intended location for the story at the moment and complete my investigations, due to the lockdown. I don't want to give too much away, but it will be an imagined story based around true historical events, Hopefully I can complete it later this year.
➡️ Finally, I'm writing a third installment in the true crime series of short stories, to follow The River Runs Red and Blood Beneath Ben Nevis. I'm 95% finished and I actually think this will be the best of the three. So many amazing stories! :) Hopefully we can get this out for Easter 2021, all things being well.
In the meantime, my three current books are still available on Amazon, until such time as we can enjoy a visit to a bookshop once more. Click here for more details:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=mark+bri...
You might think a lockdown would be ideal for writing, but not necessarily! Anyway, I currently have four projects on the go, all at various stages and all affected one way or another by the current situation.
➡️ I'm writing an expanded and updated version of a book my Dad published in 2001, shortly before he died. The Old Lady On The Hill told the history of Christ Church in Swindon. I'm added the story of the past 20 years and adding some extra information and history I've discovered, that wasn't available at the time of original publication. My research has been hampered by the Coronavirus outbreak somewhat. We'd originally hoped for a release in late 2020, but that might be pushed back a bit.
➡️ I'm writing a full biography about one of the characters featured in my collection of short stories The River Runs Red. This is turning out to be a really interesting and exciting project. It has - literally - taken me all around the world in the last couple of weeks (virtually, obviously!). Can't wait to see this in print. I'm also going to develop it as a treatment for a TV series.
➡️ I had started writing and research for a historical novel based in Lochaber. Unfortunately I can't visit the intended location for the story at the moment and complete my investigations, due to the lockdown. I don't want to give too much away, but it will be an imagined story based around true historical events, Hopefully I can complete it later this year.
➡️ Finally, I'm writing a third installment in the true crime series of short stories, to follow The River Runs Red and Blood Beneath Ben Nevis. I'm 95% finished and I actually think this will be the best of the three. So many amazing stories! :) Hopefully we can get this out for Easter 2021, all things being well.
In the meantime, my three current books are still available on Amazon, until such time as we can enjoy a visit to a bookshop once more. Click here for more details:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=mark+bri...
December 1, 2019
update
📕 So, the draft of my second book is complete. Meeting with the publisher next week, if everything goes to plan it should be in the shops for Easter 2020. I have decided on a title, but I'm keeping it under wraps for now, so the working title is #projectlochaber.
I'm not resting though. Plenty of research and reading required as I begin the process of planning my next book. This is going to be really exciting and interesting. So today, I travelled from Fort William, down the length of Loch Linnhe, a big loop around Loch Leven, then back home across Glen Coe and Rannoch Moor as the sun was setting.
Thank you to the lovely people I met in Kinlochleven today and for their help. I will be back soon. Looking forward to it, and to revealing more about the book over the next few months
I'm not resting though. Plenty of research and reading required as I begin the process of planning my next book. This is going to be really exciting and interesting. So today, I travelled from Fort William, down the length of Loch Linnhe, a big loop around Loch Leven, then back home across Glen Coe and Rannoch Moor as the sun was setting.
Thank you to the lovely people I met in Kinlochleven today and for their help. I will be back soon. Looking forward to it, and to revealing more about the book over the next few months
November 24, 2019
Busy Weekend
Just completed a busy weekend writing and editing.
Nearly there now . . . 📚✍️
Nearly there now . . . 📚✍️
November 20, 2019
Wow!
😯☠️ Wow! I must have upped my game!
I've just been reading through my manuscripts for my next book - there will between 500 and 1,000 murders and tragic deaths in it!!
Fasten your seatbelts Lochaber - it's going to be a bumpy ride! ☠️☠️
I've just been reading through my manuscripts for my next book - there will between 500 and 1,000 murders and tragic deaths in it!!
Fasten your seatbelts Lochaber - it's going to be a bumpy ride! ☠️☠️
November 18, 2019
November 15, 2019
Authoring
After a busy night last night, time to do some more writing today.
I'm adding a bit of extra information to a story I've already written. The new book, all about Lochaber, is really coming together now. It will to off to the publishers before Christmas and hopefully in the shops by Easter!
I'm adding a bit of extra information to a story I've already written. The new book, all about Lochaber, is really coming together now. It will to off to the publishers before Christmas and hopefully in the shops by Easter!
November 14, 2019
An Evening Of Crime!
Had a great joint event tonight with Barry Hutchinson. Plenty of crime discussed - fiction and non fiction! I premiered a new story on the audience and it seemed to go down well. :) I'll keep everyone posted on my next event and all the news about my next book. Thanks
Busy Day!
I'm getting near to completion of my next book (LOCHABER UNTITLED). I will reveal the title and the cover at some point in the new year.
It's on a similar theme to The RIver Runs Red, just a bit darke ...more
It's on a similar theme to The RIver Runs Red, just a bit darke ...more
- Mark Bridgeman's profile
- 11 followers
