Notes From
The Cave
The blog of Thriller Author, A. D. Hay
featuring an exclusive look at her
behind-the-scenes misadventures.
How to Self Edit a Novel and The Business of Writing | BTS Writing Vlog #1
Have you ever wondered what does a writer does in a week? In this video and blog post, I give you a sneak peek at the Behind the Scenes, a week in the life of a writer. Yes, I share with you my working week, minus all of the boring bits.
A Writer Writes: Writing a Cross Genre Novella
I’m super excited to announce that I’m writing a conspiracy thriller novella. I love reading. It’s through reading books that I’ve developed interests that have filtered through into the writing of my fiction novels. At the end of 2016, I decided to make a commitment to start reading more books within my genre. In previous years, I adopted the philosophy of reading anything that peaks my interest, and to a certain extent, I still do. But, as I finished reading The Brass Hall by Kevin Tumlinson I became interested in the archaeological elements in this book. This new found interest lead me to search Amazon for the next book in the series, The Coelho Medallion. After finishing reading the second book, I started to develop an idea of writing a conspiracy thriller novel trilogy around a female archaeologist which I’ve later named Elizabeth James.
The Coelho Medallion | A Spoiler Free Review
As I look back on my GoodReads account, it has been almost two months since I finished reading the Coelho Medallion and, I can still remember the story of this debut thriller novel by Sci-Fi Author Kevin Tumlinson. I have to admit sometimes it is a bit of a struggle to remember a story eight weeks later. So, it’s either a sign of old age or a sign of a great story. In this case, it’s a great story.
A Writer Travels: Life Lessons Learned While Travelling
Hello, Thriller Novel Lovers! It's been way too long since my last update. Why have I been so quiet? I've been busy working on exciting projects as well as travelling to Australia and France, but I'll get to my travel adventures later. Exciting...
The Key | A Spoiler Free Book Review
I’ve been thinking about posting book reviews on the Behind the Scenes blog for quite some time now. I thought I’d get the ball rolling after I just finished, The Key by Simon Toyne. After finishing Sanctus, I found myself desperately searching the internet for books two and three. And, that’s how I feel after finishing The key.
Travel Vlog | Follow Me Around Paris
This year I wanted to do something different with my blog. I wanted to give you a quick and honest look at the behind the scenes of the life of an author. As an author who lives in London, I have Europe practically on my doorstep. I do spend quite a few days every year travelling around Europe and the USA. And, this is what inspired me to start this Follow me around series on my new YouTube channel, Indie Authorpreneur TV. The first Travel Vlog in the series is, Follow me around Futuroscope. In this second episode, I’d love to invite you to follow me around Paris.
2016, A Year in Review
I’m going to keep this blog post short and to the point. I know 2016 was a great year for a lot of people especially politically, but personally, I’ve had the best year ever. This is the beauty of looking back and seeing all of the amazing things that happened over the course of a year. So, let’s take a brief look at my 2016, a year in review.
Novel Location Scouting and Christmas in Poitiers, France
Joyeux Noël, Merry Christmas! I’m currently in the beautiful city of Poitiers, France spending time with my fiancé Roland and his Family. And, I’m excited to announce it’s novel location scouting time! The city of Poitiers is a beautiful city located in the west of France in the region bearing the same name. It has beautiful narrow cobbled streets and beautiful houses all crushed up next to each other. The city centre looks positively medieval. If it weren’t for the small European cars, you would struggle to believe you were in the 21st century.
NaNoWriMo Adventures and Writing a Prequel Novel
As I write this, I’m supposed to having a couple of days off to recover from National Novel Writing Month. It was a great idea in theory. As an entrepreneur, I’ve found that I can’t do anything or take time off without thinking about my business, or my next book. A not so great habit I should kick to the kerb.
A Blog Launch: What is Notes From the Cave?
I can’t believe I’ve decided to do this. Nevertheless, I’m excited to announce; I’m adding a third blog on top of all the other things I’m committed to doing as an authorpreneur. For quite some time, I’ve been wrestling with the idea of creating an author website for my fiction books. This would mean having three websites, including a website that I’m no longer using. As I pondered this idea, I couldn’t help thinking, there must be a better way. After much deliberation, I realised that I need to have a separate blog for you, as a reader of my thrillers because a lot of the content on my Authorpreneur Blog and Behind the Scenes blog isn’t relevant for you. The results of this pondering lead me to create this Notes From The Cave Blog. So, what is the ‘Notes From The Cave blog’? And, what can you expect from this blog?
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.
Currently on sale for 99¢
Find it on Amazon:
Find it on Other Stores:
Apple | Kobo | Google Play | B&N
What I’m Writing!
Revised Draft
70,483 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 mid to late 2021. 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 late 2021 or early 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 2021 or early 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.
The Authorpreneur, my blog for writers
Follow me on goodreads
