Newsletter #2 - Of Spinning Plates, Previews & Georgian Gaols
Hello, and welcome to newsletter 2! It’s warm and sunny here in the UK, with light mornings and light evenings. This means I’ve been able to get up early and stay up later, and fit more work into my day. Which is just as well, looking at my To Do list.
I also have a special sneak-peek to share with you later on in the newsletter. But first, what’s been happening and what curious things are waiting around the corner?
ADULTS
The Film
It’s been a serious case of plate-spinning lately, even by my standards. The feature film script I was working on is now finished. It’s probably the most dramatic and serious thing I have ever written. But despite that, as with most of my writing, it is all about hope and humanity. Emotional, intense, beautiful… and taking a long while to shake from my head. It’s like a creative hangover. I’ve spent a lot of time immersed in this 19th century world, researching the period, understanding the true historical events it’s based on, feeling my protagonist’s intense emotions during the high-stakes storyline, and writing the first draft quite quickly during a brief break in projects (in about five days, on and off). All of these factors have added up to me and the protagonist finding it a little difficult to step away from each other. I’m in their head. They’re in mine. This guy even crashed into my dream a few weeks ago, stood in front of me and snapped his fingers, which woke me up (thank you, dear) – so I would get the heck out of bed and finish his story! He was very desperate for his story to be told.
Well, hopefully he’s happy, because having done a couple of drafts, the script is now sitting with our first partner. We will need their backing to move this project forward, so there is still a chance it will all fall through. Period drama is a nightmare to get away at the best of times, and today’s financial climate is not the best of times. But, even if it doesn’t move forward, it’s been a fabulous experience. This is only my second feature film, and I can see my screenwriting getting stronger (and quicker) with every script I write. Fingers crossed...
The Players
But for now, stepping back a little further in time to the 18th century, and the fun and chaotic world of The Players. Being lighter and bouncier, although still very emotional in places, ‘The Players Act 1: All The World’s A Stage’ is certainly a bit of a tonal shift, and a lovely bit of light relief after the film. It’s less than two months until it’s published and I’m so looking forward to sharing it with you. It’s just gone off to my proof-reader for a final check-through, so it’s sooo close! And on that note, I’m very excited to share with you an exclusive sneak-peek of the opening chapter.
A quick reminder of what it’s about for some context before you read:
How far would you go to save what you truly love?
England, 1715.
When society doesn’t understand you, and your family is out of the picture, a strolling theatre company could be your perfect home…
Ambitious lead actor Thomas is determined to reach Drury Lane and prove to his father that he is not a failure.
Fierce Caroline has a traumatic past and is determined to protect the company which saved her.
Kind-hearted Annie just wants to look after her found family.
So, when their heartbroken manager Robert is injured and decides to fold the struggling company, the players are resolved to change his mind, whatever the cost. Unfortunately, the odds are stacked against them. They’ve lost their stage, they still haven’t got a skull for Hamlet, and flamboyant ex-member Piero is hunting them down, with a spot of revenge on his mind...
Is it time for the final bow?
Come with me back into 1715 and let’s find out...
If that’s whetted your appetite for the full story, then the book’s available for pre-order now at Kobo and Amazon in DRM-free format so you can use it on whatever reader best suits you. It’s release date is 29th July 2025, so it REALLY feels close now!
Currently Reading
What Every Body Is Saying by Joe Navarro (William Morrow)
I like reading all kind of books, including non-fiction. I’ve only just started this book but it’s great fun. It’s written by an ex-FBI agent and is all about speed-reading people’s body language. I studied psychology at degree level (but changed after the first year) and I have always been fascinated by behaviour and communication. Body language features quite a lot in my writing, so I’m enjoying diving into this book and exploring it a bit more.
Kids
The new trilogy
The copy-edits for the first book in my new middle grade trilogy are all done. We’re on to the proof reading stage, which is exciting. The cover is also completed and I can’t wait to share it with you! Now we’re at this stage, my attention is turning to book two, and I’m really looking forward to continuing the story.
I didn’t plot book one, and I won’t plot book two. I know my characters, know my world, know my tone, and know the pickle I have left them in at the end of the first book. I’ll probably jot down roughly where I need them to be at the end of the book, but I have no idea of how they will get there or what will happen along the way. This is going to make it a very fun journey with lots of genuine surprises along the way. If one of my characters says, “Well, I didn’t expect that to happen,” then I’ll be sitting here nodding and sympathising saying, “Nope, me neither. So…. now what do we do?!”
The adventures
Alongside all this writing, I’ve made sure there’s been time for many exciting adventures and experiences with my home-educated children. We all love exploring, and I’m a big believer that getting out and living life is a wonderful fuel for writing, as well as being fantastic in its own right. Recent adventures have included forests and waterfalls, an atmospheric Georgian gaol, castles with creepy crypts and massive caves on the north coast of Cornwall. Every time I go on adventures, I learn and experience something new, and all of this feeds into my writing – whether that’s applying knowledge, emotion or description, or reminding myself how it feels to be out of my comfort zone – which is precisely what most characters will be doing in a story. It all sounds a great reason for some more exciting adventures while the weather is lovely and most places are still relatively quiet.
Currently reading
All I Hope For You written by Kate Thompson and illustrated by Kitty Harris. Kate Thompson’s books have a special place in my heart as Kate was one of my writing students on the Writing Magazine Creative Writing Courses. It’s been such a pleasure watching her writing and books go from strength to strength. This book, published by Puffin in 2024 is one of my absolute favourites. With soft and stunning illustrations and written in warm, lyrical rhyme, this book is all about hope - a letter to a child venturing out in the world. BUT, it’s a book that speaks to us whatever stage of life we are at. So much of my writing is about hope, and I love reading hope-fuelled books, so it’s been wonderful to return to this one.
Thank you for reading and supporting my work. It’s hugely appreciated. If you ever have any questions for me, do feel free to contact me through my agent via my website or send me a DM via my social media platforms:
Wishing you many exciting adventures of your own this summer!
Amy