Harry Who?

Harry​ Who?
Many of those who know me also know that I'm a Harry​ Nilsson obsessive - a huge fan of his music ever since I was 13, when my mum first played his LP Nilsson Schmilsson to me.

He's possibly best known for his two massive hits, Without You and Everybody's Talkin', although these songs are just a small tip of his extensive catalogue.

What's he got to do with Muddy Water​? Well, as it's MY book, I figured I had carte blanche to include several private Harry​ nods within the pages, including the illustrations drawn by Laura​ of the central character, Leslie Markland. Not a lot of people will know it but Mr. Markland bares an uncanny resemblance to the man himself. And in the story the dog's called Harry too. Oh it's such fun being an author - anything can happen, and it quite often does.

Countdown to MY Ecstasy on Top Gear

What is a blog?

It's a diary on the internet - I think.

So I may as well use my blog as a diary of my feelings as I move towards my book launch. My very own book launch. My very own personal feelings.

Most people won't give a flying f about what I feel, and I can quite appreciate that, but I thought it may be mildly interesting to a few, including me when I look back in years to come. So here goes...

It's Monday, and the book launch of Muddy Water is next Sunday.

It's far enough away that I don't yet have to unduly worry,

But it's close enough that I can't ignore it.

So I trepidatiously send a text to Jo, on the hope that she's still up for performing the song that she's written specially, on the day. She says she's looking forward to it too, so I feel I can relax a little - by listening to some Steely Dan and then sitting back to watch an old episode of Top Gear.

How To Make A Book Cover

It's easy!




Ask your beautiful daughter to pose for the camera.
Hold up a light to shine on her hair.
Add some words.
That's it!

My Baby

Oh crumbs! 
My baby's born. 
I got the first copy of Muddy Water today, and I touched it and discovered that it's really real. 
It's a real thing, and it has 47 real chapters, 384 real pages, and 127,705 real words sandwiched between 2 real covers. 
There's no turning back now. 
Oh crumbs. 
What have I done? 
Now I know what it feels like giving birth.

How To Write A Song

I asked the hugely talented Joanna Eden to come up with a song for Muddy Water, so that

a) it could be used to play on Facebook and on my blog here - as soon as it's recorded
b) she can perform it live at the book launch on November 1st
c) for the fun of it
d) for the ego of it

I previously sent Jo the plot line of the story, and she effortlessly came up with the tune, and then some initial words.

Yesterday I went over to her house to co-write with her and do some 'fine-tuning'. No, that's not strictly accurate. The ratio of co-writing, as predicted, was 99% Jo and 1% me.

There was she pouring out melodies and lyrics as easily as I pour out my Cheerios, and I struggled to even come up with a word that rhymes with 'tide'. (masterfully, Jo came up with 'denied').

How To Write A Book

Harry The Dog

It's easy to write a book...All you need are four essential ingredients, and one extra magic one

Part One:
Have an idea for a plot (fortunately I have no

Miss Baudet

shortage of 'em).
Have enthusiasm (also fortunately I have lots).
Have stamina (that's my shortfall, but I'm working at it).
Have a supporting missus (I am very lucky - 'Erindoors is a wonder).
Part Two:
Have a boat - preferably A Boat for My Potplants, upon which to have writing sessions. (although I no longer have Los Amigos, renamed Miss Baudet, the boat was indeed instrumental in the creative process.
Part Three:
Have a very talented daughter who illustrates the characters, including Harry The Dog. Oh, she's good!
Part Four:
Find someone who will mentor you, help you, work with you, edit you, publish you, eat with you, drink with you, laugh with you. Laughing is the most important element in this 'How To' section.
In my case, this is David Roberts, author of Rock Atlas, who shares with me a love of great music.
Part magic:

Be inspired. Who could fail at this, living in Wivenhoe?

Muddy Water Book Launch

The book's been writ.
The venue's been booked.
The wine's been bought.

Muddy Water, the novel, is coming out on November 1st.

Inspired by a true story, and set muchly in Wivenhoe

A New Beginning

Right! Too long has gone by since my last post on my blog. That was back when my Boat For My Potplants got sold to the lovely Lesley.

I'd concluded that it was time to move on. Time to embark on new adventures - like writing a novel.

Many of us have a story inside of us, just bursting to come out. Muddy Water is my story bursting to come out, and out it will be out on 1st November - and much of it was written aboard the boat.

So, I'm now picking up my blog from where I left off - and where better than with Miss Baudet - the new name for the old boat.

The new owner - Lesley - is featured in my book as Alberta Louise Baudet. And last weekend I met her on her boat in order to remind her how the motor works.

While I was there my breath was taken away by the incredible job she has done, along with her husband Graham, in improving the interior even better than I could ever do.

Just look! It's incredible. And to think that six years ago it was ready to be towed away for scrap.

I take my hat off to Miss Baudet.