I've started writing the first scene for novel number three. The majority of the story is in place and the characters are all fully-formed so it was time to put pen to paper (or fingertips on laptop in my case...I hope that doesn't sound mucky).

I do like to bring something new to each book. The first was written entirely in the first person while number 2 was four separate stories all weaved together. This one is a crime novel and I'm hoping it will be the first in a series.

It's still a humorous novel and the first scene reflects that with the main character closing her hair salon for the evening after a busy day and having a glass of wine with her friend/colleague. (There is a small alopecia joke which I think I can get away with seeing as I'm bald).

I seem to rely on wine and alcohol in my novels quite a lot. Driven to Distraction was set on a holiday so the group were drinking each night (and they visited a vineyard). Nothing Ventured opened with Lou's hangover after a night out and she and Diana do seem to have a lot of scenes together where they're drinking wine. Plus one of the four stories is about pub landlord Jamie trying to keep his bar open.

I like to feel that the large amount of drink references in my stories is a reflection of today's alcohol-fuelled society...rather than being an insight into my own life. (Not the weekdays, anyway).

I guess alcohol and comedy go together quite well; walking hand in hand down the humorous fiction path. Okay, perhaps they're stumbling rather than walking; probably leaning against each other to stay upright whilst saying, "Listen, listen; this is important. I love you man; you know that, don't you."

Anyway, back to that first scene. What sort of wine should two ladies be drinking after work? Perhaps I should stop writing and do some research...