I usually have a destination in mind when I start on a journey. I may have misled some readers with my last post, Writing and Walking. I said that I’d been struggling with the ending of The Favourite Murder, the fifth book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures, and that it had come to me on a long walk. That is all true. However struggling with the ending does not mean that I’m anywhere near the end. The book won’t be published anytime soon. I’d estimate that I’m somewhere between ten and twenty percent of the way through the first draft. So why was I struggling with the ending? Because I wanted to know my destination in order to plot my route.
Of course sometimes we go on a journey and take an unexpected turn, which leads us to a new destination, even better than the one intended. That happens in writing too. I can’t guarantee that the ending I have in mind will be the ending of the final draft. But having my destination in mind will get me to my Mac on writing days. It will drive my ambition.
When I go on a journey I usually reach my intended destination, but sometimes take some unexpected turnings on the way. I think that’s the more likely outcome. I’m quite happy with the ending that came to me on my last walk. Since I only have a rough idea how to get there, albeit guided by the historical record, I’m looking forward to some adventures on the way.
One unexpected turning so far, is that Sir Anthony has found a new vigour. Maria and Antonio seemed to have been taking the limelight from their illustrious father, but he’s back in the saddle now. Although as a child I was a great fan of the Biggles books by Captain W.E. Johns, I did find it a little implausible that he should have flown both Sopwith Camels and Hawker Hunters, whilst in his prime. But in The Favourite Murder Sir Anthony is actually around the age I am now. I’m rather hoping he has decades of adventures left in him.