Tag: new book

Novel Planning Notebook T. J. Blake

Planning a Novel – I’m trying out something new!

T. J. BlakeLeave a comment

The development of my previous five books all followed a similar format – first came the initial idea, then the fabrication of the world and the characters within it, and then a basic outline of the story’s journey. This usually took the form of my thoughts combined with the plot outline on my iPhone notes; which seems ridiculous looking back!

With a new book currently in development, I wanted to try something a little different in preparing myself to write it.

Time and patience is the key to writing an effective novel. The initial planning and development of a story is more important than the writing itself.

My novel latest novel, DECEPTION: A Love of Lies, relied heavily on the characterisation and plot of the story. This is what drove the story. The initial idea was very different to how DECEPTION is now, but the time spent on researching and developing the plot is what made it the big hit it is today.

So, how am I changing my novel planning process?

I’m still embracing my mental plotting, but I’m taking the approach of jotting it down on paper, which is why I’ve got my own book planning notebook now!

Novel Planning Notebook T. J. Blake

As dull as the image is above, this little notebook of mine has book titles, plots, quotes, character profiles and backstories inside it. I’ve separated the various elements of the novel up. The notebook currently contains a book title page, character profile page, character background page, key events page, quotes page, writing inspo page and genre theme page.

With the divided pages, I’m able to jot down my ideas in basic note form. All the ideas I note down aren’t guaranteed to feature in the book when I come to write it, but it allows me to plaster my ideas and let me review it over time when the time arrives for me to start writing and put the plot together.

My character profile and background pages were looking very full to begin with, mostly because the protagonist in this novel was the key to the story; it all started with her (there’s an exclusive for you all!).

What’s your planning process?

I’d love to know what your novel planning process is. If you’ve tried many ways to plan your books and have both terrible and great experiences, I’d love to hear them!

‘Deception – A Love of Lies’ release date revealed! 

T. J. BlakeLeave a comment

After two years of research, naming & re-naming, plotting, stalking, dog walking, writing and editing, I can now finally say my fourth novel, ‘Deception – A Love of Lies‘ is now available on Amazon!


The release date for Deception is this Saturday, the 30th of July. You can order your paperback now (which will come before Friday if you’re lucky) and you can pre-order Deception eBook.


So, the question now is, what is Deception about? If you’ve been keeping up with my blog posts, you’ll know it’s based around an avid dog walker who takes a shining to a female dog walker. I don’t want to give anything at all away though, so I will leave you with the synopsis for Deception.

“Through the stark and leafless trees, I see her.

I remember the first day I saw her; an instant attraction. I think she’s beautiful. She has such pensive blue eyes; they remind me of a blue sky right before the sun descends. Every time I see her I want to talk to her, I want to get to know her, and I want to be her friend.

She usually completes the lower woodland walk in six minutes and forty-two seconds; she misses the deeper woodlands and goes home, I believe.

I walk down the road at the same speed as her. She reaches the crossroads at the bottom of the road, looks both ways, and then jogs across into the garden of a house. I stop walking and concentrate on which house is hers.

I can’t stare too long but I am intrigued already, I will come back.”

New psychological thriller, Deception – A Love of Lies, out this Friday!

‘DECEPTION – a love of lies’ synopsis

DECEPTION synopsis revealed – Please take a moment to read the DECEPTION synopsis, and feel free to let T. J. Blake know what you think by continuing to his blog ‘T. J. Blake # Author’.

T. J. Blake2 Comments

Happy Easter weekend everyone!

I had some aims for this Bank Holiday weekend, and it’s fair to say I have most definitely achieved a lot of them (thankfully!). Below is my ever so strict check-list.

Easter Bank Holiday weekend check-list

  • Complete first draft of DECEPTION – CHECK
  • Complete synopsis of DECEPTION – CHECK
  • Complete first edit of DECEPTION – I’m working on it!

As I said on my Twitter and Facebook pages earlier today, I will be revealing the synopsis for my next novel DECEPTION – a love of lies in a moment… actually, now!

DECEPTION has been in the works for well over a year now, and I’m very happy to allow you all the opportunity to read the official synopsis for my new thriller novel. Please take a moment to read the DECEPTION synopsis, and feel free to let me know what you think. I hope you like it!

DECEPTION – a love of lies (synopsis)

“Through the stark and leafless trees, I see her.

I remember the first day I saw her; an instant attraction. I think she’s beautiful. She has such pensive blue eyes that remind me of a blue sky, right before the sun descends. Every time I see her I want to talk to her, I want to get to know her, and I want to be her friend.
She usually completes the lower woodland walk in six minutes and forty-two seconds; she misses the deeper woodlands and goes home, I believe.

I walk down the road at the same speed as her. She reaches the crossroads at the bottom of the road, looks both ways, and then jogs across into the garden of a house. I stop walking and concentrate on which house is hers.

I can’t stare too long but I am intrigued already, I will come back.”

DECEPTION, coming in the summer of 2016!

img_0801-3

New Thriller New Title?

T. J. BlakeLeave a comment

I have been trying to think of a title for my new thriller for a while now, but I may have finally thought of a title worth considering. 

After originally submitting the first few chapters of ‘The Dog Walk’ for my dissertation, I then decided to continue writing it and adapt it into a full novel. I was initially going to stick with ‘The Dog Walk’ as the title for the book, but for me it just wasn’t right. I thought of titles such as ‘Woodland Walker’, ‘Collared’ and ‘Woodlands’, but none of which suited the book. Now though I have a title which is well suited and definitely my best title yet.

The piece of work originated from my Creative Writing Dissertation (Which I gladly received a First for). I did a lot of research into the field of psychogy before creating the characters and story. With my readings, I was able to create the intricate and intriguingly strange and lonely main character Billy. 

I’m happy with how the story is currently unfolding, and I can’t wait to get it finished and published for all of you to read. 

An insight into The Author

T. J. Blake4 Comments

The Author will be available for you all to read real soon!

I’m so excited for it to be released and for you all to read and hopefully enjoy it.
In this post, I’m going to speak a little about The Author – to give you an insight into what kind of book it is and whether you would like to read it. The Author is completely different to my first book Endurance. 
Endurance was the kind of book where the ideas came to me quickly. I had many ideas for it and I wanted to make it different, which is why I wrote it in the style of horror with segments of sci-fi and dystopia, and a fast paced narrative. 

The Author however is intricate. Creating the plot was like piecing together a puzzle. It has many twists and turns like Endurance but the story is told in such a different way. The Author is told in the 1st person narrative, from the view of the main character (who happens to be ‘The Author’, Ryan Milligan). The Author also takes more time to introduce the characters in more detail and the setting.
I also thought it would be interesting to tell a story which had another story to tell throughout, called ‘Killing For Your Love’ meaning that it gave me the opportunity to try adding the concept of a book within a book idea.

The Author builds up slowly but once it gets right into the story, that’s when the book becomes dark, twisted and creepy. 

I don’t want to reveal any spoilers of the book so I won’t say too much more. But I will leave you with a little teaser (below).

To Keep updated with the release of The Author, please visit it’s official Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/TheAuthor2013 

” As I turn to enter, I hear a noise inside. I pause to listen again. Silence. I take the key to the front door from my pocket and slowly insert it and unlock the door. I gently push the door, which creaks the more it opens. 
Then I listen; no more sounds are heard. I step inside. The house is so cold… the door under the stairs catches my attention. It’s standing ajar. the door under the stairs catches my attention. It’s standing ajar. It creaks and I stare as I walk slowly towards it. The handle is cool to the touch. I yank open the door… “

The Author blurb and The Author Facebook page updated

T. J. BlakeLeave a comment

As you all know, I completed writing The Author and now it is undergoing the editing and proof reading stage.

I thought it was about time to let you all know what it is about. So now I can FINALLY tell you! So here you are, here is The Author blurb below,

 

Four years after his wife and children disappeared, Ryan Milligan decided it’s time to let go of the past and move to a new home on Mulberry Lane . Ryan hoped his new house and peaceful neighbourhood would help him to cope better with the pain of losing his family and to continue his search. Whilst settling in and writing his new novel, Killing for your love, he realises things aren’t what they seem…

My new house is only a mile away from the home I used to live in with Tan and the kids, but now I feel like I’m in a different world. I can’t help but feel like I’ve been here before and done this before. There’s a presence here, I can feel it.  There are things happening in this house that aren’t normal. I’m threatened by the lack of control I have over them.
There’s one room where I feel it most, and as I stare at the door leading down into the basement, it begins to creak open.

 

What do you think? Do you like it?
The Author will be available really soon. Definitely by the end of this year but hopefully November 2013.

To keep updated about The Author or to see what I’m up to or to read about my other book Endurance, you can follow me on Twitter @TJBlake93. You can go on Facebook and visit http://www.facebook.com/TheAuthor2013 or http://www.facebook.com/Endurance2013 .

Horror, Suspense and Mystery novel. Coming soon!
Horror, Suspense and Mystery novel. Coming soon!

News about The Author…

T. J. BlakeLeave a comment

Yesterday I sat at home most of the day staring into the light. It blinded me, it began to seep into my brain overtaking my body, forcing me to do things that I didn’t want to do… Well actually I was just staring at the monitor writing The Author but which version of events do you prefer?

My point is here, I was writing most the day and I completed writing The Author! I have written it which was a great feeling, I did it much quicker than I thought I would. Writing around University and my part time job is pretty hard most of the time I had a choice of which of the three to sacrifice but I have finally done. I am now in the editing process and I can say that I aim for it to be completed in November!

Horror, Suspense and Mystery novel. Coming soon!
Horror, Suspense and Mystery novel. Coming soon!

Read Endurance yet?

T. J. BlakeLeave a comment

Hello people, haven’t heard from me recently have you? Maybe you’ve enjoyed the time alone and away from me and Endurance.

Anyway, I’m back for today, been a little busy lately had work all weekend, it was boring…. As usual.
So, I have begun writing my next book, which is a horror novel about an author called Ryan Milligan so hopefully I will have that written in no time!

But first, buy Endurance. I am 1000% writing a sequel for it so if you don’t read the first you won’t be able to read the second will you? and who knows, you might really like Endurance. So far I think that most people who have read Endurance have really liked it.

So go to Amazon.com or .co.uk get it on paperback or eBook through Amazon, or Barnes and Noble or Super Book Deals or The Book Depository for paperback and get your copy today.

Related articles

Details of my next book

T. J. Blake4 Comments

I will be writing my next book really soon. I have written lots of ideas for this next book and I think that if I write it well, it will be a really good book and well worth a read, so keep an eye out this summer.
I can tell you It’s main genres are Mystery, Suspense and Horror.

It’s about an author called Ryan Milligan, he’s moved into a new home. He makes friends with the neighbours and begins to settle in. His wife and two children disappeared 5 years ago and he doesn’t know where they are. As the story goes on, truths begin to unveil and his new home isn’t as it seems.

That’s all I’m going to tell you, I will keep you updated. Will be out before you know it!

Don’t forget to buy my current Sci-Fi, mystery and action book Endurance! It’s available now at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository and Super Book Deals.

Related articles