A year ago today I was walking around the place where I used to work, shaking hands, collecting bottles of whiskey and wine, and wondering whether I'd made the right decision. I was quitting work to be a full-time writer.
I had no regrets about leaving that place ... I'd been there for a long time, and though I had - and still have - many friends there, sometimes it just feels like time to move on. But the prospect of not having a pay cheque at the end of the next month was quite daunting. I'd left school at 18 and never been out of work since, and now here I was, twenty years later, suddenly plunging into self-employment, and trying to make my way by ... well ... writing down stuff I make up.
Looking back, it was definitely the Best Thing I Ever Did.
It's been a very good year, and probably one of the best of my life. The most satisfying work-wise, certainly. My commute now consists of taking my kids to school and walking home again. I took over our dining room and made it into my office, and it's a place I love to be. And while there are definite pressures and worries, I have no regrets at all.
Last year I wrote several novels, novellas and a screenplay, and though some days the writing goes slow - and some days it just doesn't come at all - it's what I've always wanted to do.
There's a lot in store for these next twelve months. I've just started writing the hardest book I've ever had to write (more on that soon), and there are several other projects I'm really looking forward to being able to announce. So watch this space for news of forthcoming books, including a new fantasy novel, a new novella in the Assassin Series, a new series of YA novels, a collection of short stories and lots of other goodies.
Tonight, I'm out for a pint and a meal with three good friends, and then Monday it's back to the keyboard.
For everyone who reads this blog and buys my books, a big thanks for your support. Keep reading, and spread the word.
Lots more books to come.
Tim
It's BLACK HOLES AND REVELATIONS, by Muse. Many will disagree, and feel free. But the more I listen to this album, the better it seems to get ... and I loved it the very first time I heard it. Their three previous studio albums led to this, a masterpiece. Buy it. Hear it. Be stunned.
Just returned from what has become an annual writers' retreat in the wilds of Wales. This year we stayed in converted barns on a farm just north of Saundersfoot, not far from Tenby. The farm is now a donkey sanctuary, and also home to a one-eyed pony, feral cat that just would not believe me whan I told it I didn't like cats, and a pig monster. None of us ever saw the pig monster. But it was heard. It was watching us. It was waiting.
This year there were only five of us: Tim 'Fucking Oven' Lebbon, Paul 'Soup King' Meloy, Paul 'Big Room with Furniture' Lewis, Steve 'Can I Use Your Oven' Lockley, and Gary 'Condiment Bitch' Greenwood.
By God, but we're cheerfully and unashamedly middle aged. Each of us went with a laptop, a target for the amount of words we wanted to hit over the weekend, plenty of booze (more of which later), and a recipe with which to impress our fellow retreaters. Upon arrival Lewis unveiled the King of all Sponge Cakes, a truly remarkable affair that actually make Lockley's coffee taste good. That evening, I cooked sticky roast chicken with roast veg. It would have been lovely if the potatoes had browned (fucking oven). Next day it was Greenwood's turn in the kitchen, producing a beautiful hot banana pudding which would, had it not been for the aforementioned fucking oven, have been an equally tasty cold banana cake. But none of us complained. Meloy then made his soup, and what can I say about Meloy's soup? A work of genius. Later that evening (no, we weren't full yet), Lockley made jacket spuds, sausages and braised red cabbage. Sumptuous.
On Friday night we 'tied one on'. Actually that phrase has always bothered me, and I'd like to state here and now that nothing was tied on that whole weekend. It just wasn't like that. But we drank quite a bit ... started on London Pride, a nice bottle of Merlot, then I helped Gary - as did everyone else - with his litre bottle of Jim Beam. By 3:30 saturday morning, said litre bottle was very similar to how it had been four hours earlier, except completely empty.
And would you believe it, we even did some writing. Everyone seemed pleased with their output over the weekend, and I wrote almost 18,000 words of the YA novel I've been working on, which is now finished in first draft. I also wrote a comic proposal, just to pass a few spare minutes.
So, a truly inspirational weekend, fresh sea air, and the pig monster just waited, and waited ... maybe it'll pounce next time.
Check it out here.
October 4th came and went with nary a whimper, but it's only recently I remembered that it was the tenth anniversary of my first book, MESMER, being published. I've still got photo's of the launch at a local bookshop, and the rather mad party held at my house afterwards. What a day. So, ten years as a published writer. It's been a good ten years, and I can happily say that each year, things get better and better. That's a good place to be. I earned about £150 for MESMER, if memory serves me right, and now I'm making a living from writing ... or as I say to my wife, I sell stuff out of my head for a living. How completely bloody cool is that?
But no time for calm reflections ... I'm starting a new novel next week with Chris Golden, THE MAP OF MOMENTS, and there's plenty of other 'stuff' to keep me busy.
News incoming soon: pre-orders on two new novellas (one a collaboration with a popular children's writer ... and no, I can't tell who); a new short novel from one of the best indie presses around; and news of my first YA project. Watch this space!
PW have given a nice review for AFTER THE WAR, the volume of two novellas set in my fantasy world of Noreela due early next year from Subterranean Press.
Read the review here (you'll have to scroll down a bit).
More nice reviews coming soon ...
My novelisation of the movie is spending a third week on the New York Times Bestseller list this week ... a slight drop to #27, but still there. Hoorah!
And tomorrow, I get to see the movie at last!
It's been a fun couple of weeks. I haven't got much work done - see below for the reasons - but I've had news of a very exciting new book deal. I can't spill the beans just yet, but once the contract has been signed I'll be able to tell you what it's all about. Suffice to say, it's one of the most exciting deals I've signed in years.
Last weekend my good friend Richard got married to the very lovely Anne Marie. Another lifelong friend, Gareth, and I, were Best Men. The wedding was in Salisbury at the Red Lion Hotel, and from start to finish it was a day to remember. There were songs, poems, jokes, a Dalek, visual props at out Best Men's speech, kilts, Ringwood ale (lots of), fine wines (lots of), and some of the most stunning food I've ever had at a wedding. Then later, more beer, travels around Salisbury until we came across the Haunch of Venison, a splendid little pub serving good beer, where we spent several fun hours getting steadily more drunk. Back to the hotel then, for a packed supper bag and some more drinks until we found our way, somehow, back to where we were crashing. Wonderful.
Next day ... well, the wedding went on and one. We all drove to London for the big wedding bash. First, a bubbly bus tour around the London sights, then back to the Brewers Inn for the party to end all parties. Gareth's band - the GTFBI band (Get The Fuckin' Beers In) provided the Rock 'n' Roll, Rich serenaded Anne Marie with a Chas 'N' Dave number, the hog roast was to die for, as was the pie. Bombadeer ale here, which was splendid, then Tracey and I took the long walk home. And we didn't even get lost.
Back on Sunday, then on Monday my family and I went off to Center Parcs for five days. The little hooligans had a great time, and while not physically relaxing, we chilled and had a fine family time (interspersed, I admit, with a few phone calls back and forth to my agent). Swimming, cycling, drinking and eating ... lots and lots of fun.
Back home now. Many new books to write ... and though I've had a wonderful ten days, I'm itching to get back to work.
More soon!
Tim
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