The first draft of the thriller has now been completed. I'm taking a break from it before returning to do the editing sometime after Easter.

Also, I've bought myself a digital camera and so have been thinking about possible covers. Any ideas gladly welcome ...

Ahh yes, with the clocks springing forward tonight, we know that Summer is finally here. This fact was reinforced as I drove to Edinburgh Airport last night and was pebble dashed with stones as I overtook a gritter on the M9. Here in Scotland, last week in snowed and last night, the gritters were out.
Is it any wonder the Romans gave up. Managing to conquer the rest of Europe (in bright sunshine) they got up here and eventually thought, sod that for a game of Roman legions. Fighting against tribes who spent 6 months of the year in almost complete darkness, freezing temperatures, cutting winds ... and kilts. Bopping a few Italians over the head would have been a doddle compared with day to day survival. Having survived 2 Scottish winters myself (albeit they've apparently been fairly mild), the changing of the clocks is almost a celebration. It's as if the summer months and light evenings are a reward for having put up with all that the previous 6 months has thrown at you. In a nutshell, I'm looking forward to my pupils adjusting to the new levels of light in the morning.
PS On the book front, I'm hoping to have the first draft complete my Sunday night (fingers crossed)

Not so good news on the word count. Slacked off this last week but belted out a few yesterday. Now up around the mid 52's and hoping to churn out a few more this afternoon.

PS Went to see Alan Carr last night as part of Glasgow's Comedy Festival. Very funny! Alan (from my book) would have loved it.

We have the technology ... sort of! The podcast of my radio interview is now available by clicking the jellycast icon on my website.

The problem - I found out more by luck than judgement - was that the file needed to be an MP3 as opposed to a WAV (I see you all nodding knowingly). It's a little crackly but seeing as how my only copy was on good old audio tape, it made the transfer a bit tricky.

I've just typed a load of updates only for the chuffing thing to crash on me, so I'm afraid you're going to have to have the shortened version.

1) My first official ad campaign has commenced. Having become addicted to urbandead.com over the last few months, I found out today you can advertise with them ... so I have.

2) The cashpoints, bus shelters and telephone boxes of Falkirk are awash with free books after a flurry of releases by yours truly this morning through BOOKCROSSING.COM

3) I'm pleased, following my entry earlier this week, that Liverpool managed to scrape through in the Champions League meaning I didn't need to delete my hard work. Even better, Celtic went out which meant I recouped the £100 bet I lost in the summer on a double or quits. PSV in the next round ... I mean Liverpool of course, not Celtic

4) After 6 months off the smokes, the craving have hit back with avengance. I've not caved though, yet.

5) Ewan McGregor becomes the first A lister to decline, very graciously, to review my book. Something to do with agents dictating what he can and can't endorse. I can't blame these celebs to be honest. They must get asked to get stupid things all the time, open crappy fairs and fetes, read crappy books etc etc

That'll be it for now. Trying and failing to put out my radio interview (yes the one I did two years ago) as a Podcast. Bit too technical for me. Hope to get back the the writing tomorrow.

Word count update, just over 50,000!

So i'm chuffed to meatballs with that as I really wasn't expecting, what with other commitments, to churn out 4000 words in a week. Talking of other commitments, I should have done extra tonight on the basis I shall be camped in front of the telly tommorrow night to watch the footy. If Liverpool fail to get through to the next round I'll delete this weeks work. On second thoughts.

In other news, my God son has taken his first few steps and under no pressure from his Dad, has already been given a Thomas the Tank Engine Ball. At least with such practise so early in his development he'll hopefully be good enough to play for the mighty 'pool' instead of wearing the white and blue of his Dad's beloved Spurs.