For the last few months, I have made some progress, but have been held up by the need for further research. Consequently my written work (now at around 40,000 words) has had to be edited and altered as the plot unfolds and I find some details need to be added, for example a piano, in one place and an umbrella in another.
This being both an historical novel and a thriller at the same time involves a lot of attention to the small details that set the time and also to ensure that there are sufficient 'plants' to allow the reader to skip over the planted detail or whatever and then later to realise the significance. This is proving tricky. I am an admirer of C J Sansom's tudor mysteries because they come across as truly authentic on the small detail and at the same time have plenty of red herrings and other clues.
The research has to correlated as well in order not to waste time trying to find the bit of paper it was written down on. This requires a reasonable filing system and a number of text books. I have found 'Horrible Histories' brilliant for the small details and also Lucy Worsley's excellent 'If Walls could Talk'. My old favourite 'Domestic Life in England' by Nora Lofts is also invaluable.
On the writing side I am beginning to find a flow in the narrative. It seems to be becoming easier as I go along and get to know my characters better.
