Notes From
The Cave
The blog of Thriller Author, A. D. Hay
featuring an exclusive look at her
behind-the-scenes misadventures.
Free Fiction: Chapter Two of The Lawn (A James Lalonde Crime Thriller Short Story)
So, here is an earlier revised draft of the second chapter of my crime thriller short story, The Lawn, that has a special tie-in to my thriller novella, Missing. Eventually, I want to arrange for a professional line-edit and proof-read then format the short story for ebook, so that you can read it on your favourite device.
Did I Start Revising My Fourth Draft? | BTS Writing Vlog #14
It feels as if I’ve been revising and editing a novella for an eternity. Well, maybe not, but it certainly feels like that. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been slowly adding editing notes to my fourth draft.
Free Fiction: Chapter One of The Lawn (A James Lalonde Crime Thriller Short Story)
I’ve been considering sharing the opening scene of a crime thriller short story for quite some time. And, I’ve finally overcome those nerves and decided to press the publish button. So, here is an earlier revised draft of the first chapter of my crime thriller short story, The Lawn, that has a special tie-in to my thriller novella, Missing.
Struggling to Write When Life is Hard, Procrastinating, and Getting Back to Editing | BTS Writing Vlog #13
In this behind the scenes writing vlog, I get honest about struggling to write when life is hard, and I attempt to get back into editing or revising my crime thriller novella, Missing.
How to Write a Short Story (Part 3) | Behind the Scenes Writing Vlog #12
After the last video blog, I had finally got around to adding more notes to my fourth draft checklist. I was all prepared and had all my spreadsheets plus scrivener opened. And, that’s when I realised I hadn’t finished writing the first draft of my crime thriller short story, The Lawn.
Working with an Editor, A Mini Book Haul, and Creating A Fourth Draft Checklist | BTS Writing Vlog #11
This writing vlog was supposed to be a pure editing and revision vlog. While, I did talk about working with an editor and editing a novel extensively though out this video, I didn’t get much editing done. All of this came down to a decision I made earlier on in the week about waiting for feedback before I continued to finish my fourth draft.
How to Write a Short Story (Part Two) | Behind the Scenes Vlog #10
After the last video blog, I reached a point where I had a fleshed-out story with a detailed outline. In short, I’m finally ready to start writing the first scene of The Lawn. Yay! And, it’s about time. Due to my excitement, I jumped straight into the writing process in the tenth episode of my Behind the Scenes video vlog.
How I Write A Short Story, Part 1 | Behind The Scenes Writing Vlog #9
In this writing vlog, I had initially planned on starting to write a short story, which is titled The Lawn. But, as it turned out, I needed more time to prepare before putting pen to paper or in my case, fingers to the keyboard.
Writing a Short Story Using Story Cubes and A Massive Tea Haul | Behind the Scenes Writing Vlog #8
After a month long trip in the USA and a week of attempting to play catch up, the weekly writing vlog is back. And, it’s back for real this time.
Revising a Thriller Novel and a Short Nonfiction Book | Behind the Scenes Writing Vlog #7
So, yesterday I filmed the video version of my Behind the Scene Podcast Diary for episode twenty, then I opened up iMovie. I found the Behind the Scenes Writing Vlog number eight from the second last week in March.
Starting an Author Newsletter and Rapid Release Book Marketing | Behind the Scenes Writing Vlog #6
On Wednesday, I decided to start up my weekly behind the scenes writing vlog. The week started off with me getting ready to press the publish button on my Patreon page.
Finding the Time to Write and Relaunching a Non-fiction Book | Behind the Scenes Writing Vlog #5
On Wednesday, I found a lost weekly writing vlog from five months ago. Yes, you read that correctly. I double checked my YouTube upload, and sure enough, it was never uploaded. The reason behind my decision to share this Behind the Scenes writing vlog is simple. I believe I will be of value to you.
What You Can Expect From Me in 2019
It’s going to be a busy year of writing for me, and a busy year of reading for you. I do realise that it’s the end of February and I’ve finally written up a blog post highlighting my writing plans for 2019. So, what can you expect from me in 2019?
TNN001, A Very Chatty Thriller Novel Book Haul
So, way back at the end of April, I decided I wanted to start filming a regular thriller novel book haul on my YouTube Channel every month. I aimed to share them here on this blog, because I’m a bit of a bibliophile and a game nerd, as you can see by the wall of bookshelves behind me in the video. In my defence, the books and games aren’t all mine. My husband, Roland also has a bit of a book problem – he’s a book nerd and a game nerd. Actually, he came with the games and some of them are super cool, but I digress.
Writing A Novella + A Writing Book Haul | Behind the Scenes Writing Vlog #4
I’m super excited to announce that the Weekly Writing Vlog is back, yay! In this Behind the Scenes Writing Vlog, I will discuss where I’m at with writing the first draft of my crime thriller novella, Missing, and share a writing book haul. This episode covers the first few weeks of September, where I discuss how I outline my scenes, breaking my own writing rules and editing as I go along, researching while writing the first draft, and I went a little crazy on Amazon and purchased a few writing books.
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A Body is on the Lawn, and a Killer is on the Loose
When Will Thatcher, doesn’t show up for work, James Lalonde is forced to attend an afternoon tea with Alistair Carmichael in his place. The lovely autumn afternoon tea comes to an abrupt end when a body turns up on the lawn of the Carmichael Estate with strange markings on his neck.
But, something is missing, a priceless painting is off the wall. However, it’s no ordinary painting, it’s a Van Gogh purchased in an auction a few months ago. After discovering fresh tracks, most likely left by the murderer James realises the murder is still in the estate.
Can James figure out who the thief and murderer are before he or Alistair is next?
A killer is on the loose, Excalibur is missing, and his career is on the line…
James, the chief editor of a small newspaper, returns home to discover that his girlfriend, Valentine has unexpectedly left. Later that morning, he fails to reallocate her story. To avoid blank space in the paper, James decides to write the story on the local museum’s latest acquisition, Excalibur. But, there’s one thing he didn’t count on… Excalibur is Missing, and his girlfriend has been kidnapped.
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What I’m Writing!
Revised Draft
58,069 of 60,000 Words
Right now, I’m preparing Book Two in the James Lalonde series (title coming soon), for a final round of revisions. The next step is to send the story off to my editor. I aim to have the ebook available in Kindle Unlimited by the end of December 2020. And, I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
Publishing Updates
First Draft
0 of 60,000 Words
I’ve decided to add an extra book between the second book and the start of the byline series, where James arrives in New York. Book Three will be set in a 24 hour period in London. This novel will be available in ebook in Kindle Unlimited by the end of April 2021. And, the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
Revised Draft
112,960 of 99,000 Words
Book Four in the James Lalonde series needs one final round of revisions before I can hand it off to my editor. This longer novel will be available in ebook in Kindle Unlimited by the end of September 2021. And, the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
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