Three Years On…
Three years ago today I was sitting at my desk – this very desk – as a full-time writer for the first time. I was a little hungover. The night before I’d had a leaving do from work at The Hanbury Arms in Caerleon, drank too much Reverend James, and generally celebrated leaving work to live my dream. That last day in work was a lot of fun … wandering around to say goodbye, collecting leaving presents (bottles of whiskey and wine … they know me so well). And that first day of full-time writing I spent on the first chapter of my 30 Days of Night movie novelisation. I remember it well, because I had to scrap it three days later when the updated shooting script came through and I realised all the relationships had changed … but since that day to this, I’ve had the best time of my life.
It’s been three years. I worked at my old day job for six times that, yet I only have vague memories of the place: I remember the people, many of whom still remain friends. I remember cheese and bacon toasties on Friday morning. I remember being in a tea-group of one and having to steal other people’s milk from the fridge (yes, everyone … it was me!) But it’s rare that I sit and dwell on my time there, because that was another life.
Since starting to write full time I’ve written so many novels, shorts stories, and novellas that I’ve lost count – they include two 30 Days of Night novels, Hellboy: The Fire Wolves, Echo City Falls (coming soon), The Island, Fallen, two Hidden Cities books with Chris Golden, the first of the Secret Journeys of Jack London books (also with Chris), the novella The Reach of Children … and there I was, hoping I’d turn prolific.
I’ve also started branching out into some screen work, something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I’m collaborating on an exciting new screenplay, and I’m also currently developing two TV series.
And last week, as if to celebrate my impending 3-year anniversary, I had some Very Good News. Thrilling, exciting news. But more on that soon.
I’m very, very lucky. I commute to work past the dog, sit in my own office with all my books and other stuff around me, make stuff up, write it down, and sell it. I walk the dog in our lovely local woods at lunchtimes, and occasionally go out for lunch with friends. I always wanted to get here, but was never sure I would.
Thank you, to everyone who enjoys buying and reading my books. That means you. You keep buying them, and reading them and liking them, and I’ll keep writing them. There’s lots on the horizon.
So without further ado … I’m writing a novella about a thief of broken toys. I must away.
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