Thriller writer, archaeologist and traveller
Long time, no blog, as the year has ended in a flurry of travelling. Just like most of 2025, in fact. I spent around 120 nights away from home, splitting the year more or less into equal thirds of writing, archaeology and travel. January was mostly spent recovering from the flu, but following the successful... Continue Reading →
#14 in an Occasional Series on writing non-fiction If you are an aspiring novelist, this is where your dreams can die. A minority of people who start writing a novel succeed in completing a readable book, and only a fraction of those will find a traditional publisher. Sadly, unless well written and edited to high... Continue Reading →
2024 has whizzed past and I finished it at home with a particularly nasty flu that dodged around the jab, so those Old Langs had to Sine themselves. The year was packed with writing, travel, archaeology and new experiences, so no wonder it felt hectic. Tucked under a Game of Thrones fleece (known as 'Game... Continue Reading →
No.8 in an occasional series on writing non fiction You are going to carry out the sharpest, most comprehensive research you can. You are going to write to the best of your ability and follow all the stylistic rules to make the book entertaining as well as informative. So, here’s a question; have you done... Continue Reading →
It's quiet...too quiet. Yes this blog has been silent for the last month because I've been away from home and didn't want any of the cat burglars or nervous insurance underwriters who follow it to know. On the first of May, Dig Alderney's team of volunteers started to excavate a large Roman building. We'd explored... Continue Reading →
You may think the Channel Islands are a bit out of the way, a backwater maybe, but in cultural terms they punch above their weight. My whole 'writer/archaeologist/traveller' persona kicked in over the past few weeks, but I take care in blogging when away from home because it makes insurance companies nervous. The featured image... Continue Reading →
The time has come to launch a newsletter. It will be roughly monthly depending where I am in the world, what I'm writing and whether I'm digging. The title is inspired by Edgar Allen Poe, reflecting that I'll be posting pieces on my whole range of books from historical thrillers to archaeology mysteries plus the... Continue Reading →
Even when there is not a coronation, I hang out the flags this time each year. During the pandemic, home-made bunting had to suffice, strung across the windows to the mystification of neighbours. Possibly they were too polite to ask whether I’d just joined the Brexit Party. Last year, a dog walker finally posed the... Continue Reading →
Writing is not very photogenic. Between the cover reveals and the book signings there are mornings tapping at the computer and afternoons quietly reading research books, all punctuated by country walks to work out this scene or that and simply stretch my back. Before this year's conference season and travel season begins, here are a... Continue Reading →
Winter keeps up its stubborn rear-guard action, but at least dismal February is done with. All three of my personas have been distracted during the cold months. Normal life stopped for Christmas, then stopped again for my second helping of covid. Essential family commitments ate up much of January and February, squeezing my writing time.... Continue Reading →