Notes From
The Cave
The blog of Thriller Author, A. D. Hay
featuring an exclusive look at her
behind-the-scenes misadventures.
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 Mystery Novel and a Short Nonfiction Book | Behind the Scenes Writing Vlog #7
In this Behind the Scenes writing vlog I discuss revising a mystery novel and writing the second edition of a short non-fiction book and two tools that I use.
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?
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.
A Writer Travels: A Weekend in Strasbourg France
For some reason, this Strasbourg Vlog is another follow me around style video blog that I’ve forgotten to share with you on the behind the scenes blog. Oops, sorry. The month of December was packed with travelling adventures for Roland and me.
Setting the Scene in a Novel and Book Shopping at Foyles in London | BTS Vlog #3
In this episode of a Day in the Life of a Writer Vlog, I discuss my struggles with a scene setting in my novel Immunity, then Roland and I did a bit of book shopping at Foyles in London.
The Babylon Idol by Scott Mariani | A Spoiler Free Book Review
I’m back, and I’m doing another retrospective book review. Yes, classic me. At some point, I need to start taking notes as I read books. Because that’s the sensible thing to do. This new level of organisation would also mean that I don’t have to go back a re-read a book so I can write a review. However, my inner bibliophile doesn’t see an actual problem with this. In this blog post, I discuss why I loved The Babylon Idol by Scott Mariani and my biggest pet peeve in thriller novels.
Missing, Chapter One (A James Lalonde Mystery Novella)
I’ve been considering sharing the opening scenes of my thriller novels and novella for quite some time. And, I’ve finally overcome those nerves and pressed publish. So, here is an earlier draft of the opening scene of my mystery novella, Missing.
25 Writing Facts About Me
I’ve wanted to do a ‘facts about me’ video for quite sometime but I couldn’t find one that suited my channel. I realise there are book related and general facts tags out there but I wanted something writing related. So, I created 25 writing facts about me.
Hello!
My Books
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.
$2.99
Find it on Amazon:
Find it on Other Stores:
Apple | Kobo | Google Play | B&N
A Murdered Judge. A Dark Secret Silenced.
Rookie reporter James Lalonde is bored. And, he isn’t a journalist. He’s an all-round dogs-body, to editor-in-chief, Rhys Kelly. But, his luck has finally changed. After eavesdropping in on the morning editorial meeting, James learns he has his first-ever story. There’s one catch. If the story gets too complicated, it will be taken away from him and given to another journalist with more experience. Sure it’s a boring interview with the soon to be sworn-in magistrate, Albert Harrington, but it finally gets him out of his six-month slump as an editorial research assistant.
The following day, James turns up to his interview with Albert to discover a trail of blood smeared through Albert’s house, an empty safe, the murder weapon on the floor, but no body. Detective Anwar Khan turns up to the crime scene, puts two and two together, and believes James murdered the controversial magistrate. Can James clear his name and write his first-ever story before his editor takes it away from him?
$2.99
What I’m Writing!
Revised Draft
73,509 of 80,000 Words
Right now, I’m preparing Book Two in the James Lalonde series, for a final round of revisions. The next step is to send the story off to my editor. I aim to have this eBook published on all major ebook retailers by the end of March 2022. 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 on all major ebook retailers by the end of mid 2022. 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 the James Lalonde series needs one final round of revisions before I can hand it off to my editor. This longer novel will be published on all major ebook retailers in late 2022. 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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