Deathless is here

At long last I have managed to make my first novel, Deathless, good enough to be available to the public. Get it through the publish-on-demand provider, lulu. Follow the link on the right and buy it!

Deathless has not yet been picked up by any established publishers. The time has come for a second round of sending the manuscript out I guess. An onerous task. I have had an encouraging email from Macmillan new writers scheme but have yet to hear anything concrete yiegh or niegh. And the London Publication 'One Eye Grey' look like they may include an extract in their next issue. Fingers crossed.

On my website I now have a trial recording of the opening of the book. It is my intention to read the entire novel and put on itunes as a podiobook. If I release one a week it will take about a year to complete. Now I have sussed out all my recording equipment I just need to record the first four episodes. If the response to those is good then I'll carry on. It may not make me any money, but it should raise my profile.

I have stalled somewhat with my new project 'Mr.Reed' as I have been pondering on it. The voice I originally used for the piece now seems overblown. I wanted to bring in a Gothic tone but now feel I have gone about it the wrong way. This means even more rewriting!

The other thing that has been delaying me is the need too write an account of events from Louise's perspective. This has been quite a challenge because obviously its female. hope I can pull it off. After reading 'Lucky' by Alice Sebold for inspiration I have begun to write. Though the content of Lucky bares little resemblance to Mr Reed, the tone and style have been helpful. It occured to me how my novel is almost the reverse of Seblod's memoir. Her life was completely altered by meeting a bad man, in mine Lousie's life is altered from meeting a good man. Though so different there are resonances. Watch this space...

Archetype of Human Existence

Be warned, I'm going to start pontificating now. I have started some background reading on Prometheus; thoughts and ideas are hitting me fast. I see no reason not confuse you too.

I am halfway through 'Prometheus - Archetype Image of Human Existence' by Carl Kerenyi. The Professor clearly knows his Greek and it has been very helpful. The initial points I have taken so far are.

1. "Prometheus, founder of the sacrifice, was a cheat and a thief; these traits are at the bottom of all the stories about him."

This statement came as a bit of a surprise. Prometheus now-a-days is considered a clever and brave hero. This attitude is certainly seen in the Romantics handling of him. Why the change? Does it resonate with having less respect for God?

2. The Titans, of which Prometheus was one, were a group of Gods that came before the Olympians. Zeus usurped them. This may explain why followers of him would suggest Prometheus was a thief. New religions tend to bash the old ones.

3. The Titans seem to represent darkness, "exuberant virility", boundless pride and violence. Prometheus in particular had associations with the moon. Where as the Olympians were light.

4. The liver, a large dark organ, represented darkness, Zeus's eagle represented the sun. The eating of the darkness by the sun and then the regeneration of the darkness throughout the day makes Prometheus's ordeal on the rock profound indeed.

5. Prometheus was not that clever. Zeus was well aware the suffering that would follow all his trickery and theft. Like the humans he created he believed his ingenuity and guile would enable him to fool the Gods. But his actions always had profound negative affects. He appears not have the 'forethought' attributed to him for he was unable to see the full results of his actions. Perhaps his name has a touch of irony about it.

Clearly he is a complicated character. I am thinking that in my incarnation of him he may have learnt some humility after his trials. Even remorse for what he has done to mankind. Unfortunately, in his desire to make amends, he resorts once more to his innate trickery. How human. Not content to serve.

Writing Prometheus

For sometime I have been pondering on how to portray Prometheus. He is a God after all. And who knows what they are? To make such a figure grounded and believable will be tricky.

Technically, I have decided to approach him as if he were me. Don't worry this is not delusions of grandeur. What I mean is, an author. In a way I am a god to the characters in the book. Like Prometheus I create them and decide there fate. Prometheus is therefore the embodiment of me in the book. He would be able to do all the things that I can in a book. Alter scenes, people, things, himself. This echos the ability gods have in myths to transform. He also knows the plot. (He's not called, forethought, for nothing)

Of course there must be limits to these powers. When a character in a book begins to get a life of its own, even the author is limited by what you can do with them, because they have there own momentum. They can even alter the expected outcome. Prometheus will also be limited by his his damaged liver and lack of energy.

Does this make sense?

As for Prometheus's character I need to do more reading I feel. However there are characteristics which are already evident to me. Arrogant, mischievous, loving, burdened, selfless. (How you can be arrogant and selfless I don't know yet he does display both traits. He wants to be the Alpha God; hence the antagonism with Zeus, But will endure incredible sacrifice for Man.)

Anyway these are my thoughts so far. More to come

Introducing Heather Clay

It has occurred to me that Prometheus, possibly more than any mythic figure, represents Life. Specifically Human Life. Having considered this whilst pondering on what the theme of my book should be, I have concluded it too should be about Life. Quite a challenge.

At last I have chosen a name for the female character. I decided my initial ideas were too prosaic, too mannered. She represents all of us. Human beings that is. So I felt she needed a more ordinary name. Hence my decision to call her, Heather.

As for the surname Clay - that's what we are meant to have been moulded from before being given the breath of life.

Heather is a medic in her troop. Though slight in build she is wiry, resilient, bright and bold.


I have also been toying with titles for the book. Such as:
The Spark. A Life of Its Own. and Prometheus Found.

Not Dead Yet!

Apologise for the last entry seeming so dark. In fact I was not feeling down or anything morbid, I was genuinely interested in whether this experience of ebbing away had a parallel during death. Thanks for kind words.

As I have been unable to write with any focus, I have been concentrating on thinking and imagining my stories. Two days ago I, at last, cracked the ending of, Mr. Reed. It had been vexing me for sometime. Suddenly a simple solution totally in character, and plot, came to me. Now all I need is to write it!

Regarding Prometheus. I am itching to write something. I have scenes in my head I would love to put onto paper. In particular the moment when the soldier's find Prometheus. I keep thinking what a strange thing it would be for a female soldier to discover this massive god lying there naked. When I consider how I would feel if I came across goddess lying naked before me my imagination naturally goes into overdrive. Despite the oddness of the situation there would have to be some kind of sexual tension there for the woman. This perfect specimen of manliness is also in distress, he needs her help. So, she would also feel compassion for him and be protective.

Then I need to consider how would the male troop members react? Rude jokes, black humour. Taking the Mick out of the woman. Despite any japes they would have to be practical. They are on a mission after all and have to work out a way of releasing Prometheus. Will they believe him when he tells them a giant eagle will be coming soon?

As you can see it is all ripe with possibilities.

I have decided to do it in third person. I do not have the confidence to write from either Prometheus or the woman's voice. How to begin the book is proving more elusive. I want to set up the rocky terrain, the weather, the atmosphere. Give a little background to the characters in the troop etc. But I don't want it to feel like all I'm trying to do is get to the discovery of Prometheus. The initial journey has got to have merit within itself. Despite having done little research on Prometheus and female soldiers. I think I may try a few sketches and see where it takes me.

Now wasn't that a cheery blog to set before the king? :)

Celtic Betrayal

Okay I have to admit to considering myself a Celt. I know many cry its a spurious definition, but it's dear to me. I am particularly attracted to Celtic myths and legends. It irks to live in a Celtic country where children are taught more about Greek and Norse and Indian and African myths, before the wonders of Finn MacCall, the Lugh, Mannann etc.
Now I come to my point. I feel a small sense of betrayal for embarking on a tale about a Greek God. I wish there was a Celtic equivalent; there so often is, but I do not recall one. So Greek it must be.

As a sop to my conscience I have decided to give the female soldier a Celtic name. My short list is as follows. Betha=life(Scottish) Mab=Happy (Irish queen of the Faerie) Nia=champion (welsh) Oona=One (Irish) If you have any preference let me know.

The State of Humanity

I have realised that if Prometheus were to suddenly appear today, after centuries of being bound, I am sure he would think we are in a pretty sorry mess. After all, he was the person who tried to prevent any ills besetting us. He failed in this and now he will see the end results. This will surely be a bitter/sweet experience. This aspect of the myth will give me an opportunity to examine the state of humanity. I don't want the book to be a polemic, but I do feel it is a significant aspect that I cannot ignore. It will be tricky to get the balance right, I can see that.

The other thing that has come to me, is that, in psychological terms, Prometheus clearly represents all that makes us essentially human. His name of "forethought" is so evocative. Forethought requires: memory, intelligence and imagination. Without these we would be little more than apes. Also, the fact he bought man "fire" is so profound. Fire is light, heat and comfort in the dark. Spiritually it represents enlightenment, the word of god, etc. All this comes from Prometheus. But why, in order to bring such solace, should he have to suffer so? What in us must likewise suffer in order to bring light to our inner darkness? The myth is telling me something here that I do not understand.

I have also been considering the female soldier that Prometheus becomes involved with in the novel. As P represent the heavenly, more fiery, aspects of ourselves, so she represents the more earthly, animal, instinctive aspects. She also has to represent ordinary mankind in general in comparison to his singular, god like, nature. It will be interesting to see how they get on.

It is enjoyable and instructive to delve into all this. However, I am aware that it will all have to be left behind when I begin to write what will be in essence a love story. The results of this pondering will have to appear by osmosis, not force.

Forethought Planning - Note 04

I've been pondering, off and on, about the nature of 'Forethought'. The brief ideas I put down before seem overblown somehow. Though I sense the basic story elements are correct I want to make the novel much more intimate than that outline conveyed. The action elements mentioned are all well and good, but at its heart it needs to be a human story (even if we are talking about a god!) I think a story that follows the ups and downs of his relationship with the woman who finds him and cares for him; especially when Pandora becomes involved, will be interesting. Set alongside that, the tensions caused by living with the effects of heavy duty drugs and his own mission of conscience to rid humanity of its ills, and I think you have something more than interesting.

The smaller I can make it the more universal it will be. We could forgive Prometheus; of all figures, to opt for a quiet life with his new found love free of endless suffering. How does he raise himself above this temptation to attempt, once more, to become humanities' saviour?

I will continue to ponder and wonder out loud on this while I finish writing the first draft of, Mr Reed; which went down very well the writers' group on saturday I am heartened to say.

Forethought Planning - Note 03

Over the last few days I have had a number of ideas about, Forethought, circulating my addled brain and I thought it was high time I put them down.

I am still sticking with the idea of Prometheus being found. For some reason I see a small troop of soldiers finding him. The other thing I see is that Prometheus is huge. Not King Kong huge. More Mighty Joe Young. (Hey, I just realised KK is another great source of inspiration for this ting.) Whether he stays huge or does one of those godlike transformations into something more managible I have not made up my mind. When they find him, they have to fight off an attack from the eagle. Which would make a great start. When he and the soldiers return to 'civilisation' The authorities do not believe their reports about eagle attacks. Because there have been none since P was on the move. It is only when he is stationary in a hospital that the bird finally locates him and attacks once more. Chaos ensues. Of course everyone believes them now. 'What menace is this you've bought into the city,' they say. Or more probably, 'Get him the **** outta here?' They try to protect him from attack, but it does not work. The eagle always find a way - perhaps with the help of some other nasty creatures. And so the doctors decide on another method and give him a course of caustic drugs. They believe these will make him unpalatable to the eagle. Or possibly the drugs make the bird unable to scent and therefore locate him. Like interferon they of course will have a 50/50 chance of working. Because they a poisonous they make him feel wretched etc.

Eventually P recovers his original powers. Now there is the question of Pandora. I have a feeling she turns up at his bedside. Why? I do not know yet. What will their relationship be? There also needs to be a second, contemporary, woman who Prometheus can have a relationship with. Not a nurse - that's too obvious. Probably one of the soldiers who found him.

As to the bigger picture. Prometheus having forethought, knew he would be cured, and that Pandora would come to him. This was all his plan to get her aid to gather the ills of the world once more and return them to her "box". He also know in doing this Zeus would return him to the rock and its eagle. This he is willing to endure - for the sake of humanity.

These are my rough thoughts so far.

Forethought Planning - Note 02

When I had the notion of using the tale of Prometheus as an interesting way of telling the process of Interferon treatment, I did not realise quite what I was taking on. After only a little research it is clear to me the myth around Prometheus is very profound indeed. Neil MacGregor, director of the British Museum, in a Guardian booklet about Greek Myths describes him thus.

"Prometheus's name is associated with the daily effort involved in being human. He is clearly a martyr in mankind's cause, and his bravely borne suffering wrings the heart."

It makes the challenge of writing, Forethought, all the more difficult, yet rewarding, perhaps. I would be interested in other people's opinions about Prometheus and what he represents.

Forethought Planning - Note 01

Pandora, The Spites and Desperate Hope are clearly something that would be great to examine in the novel. How, I am not sure at this stage. At present all I have is a working title - Forethought - and a basic concept; which blithely ignores the fact Herakles is said to have finally rescued Prometheus. My idea is to examine what would happen if Prometheus were discovered, bound to his rock, by contemporary man. What would he experience as they worked to release him from the scourge that is damaging his liver and causing him so much suffering.

I think the idea has real potential. We have, the human (well demi-god) story of suffering, hope, success/failure, which we can all identify with. Then we have the thrill and spills of trying to combat liver pecking vultures which has got to be exciting. In film terms its, The Birds meets Jason & the Argonauts meets The Singing Detective meets A Matter of Life and Death. Perhaps you can think of others.

Anyway, the first thing to do is ponder on a general trajectory for the story arc, work out who are the core characters and flesh out personalities. I enjoy this part of writing.