One Year On

I opened the first blank word document a little over one year ago (22nd April 2020). I had not authored a fictional story since school, but I was determined to have a creative outlet during lockdown. Normally I would be preparing for the next amateur dramatics production or assisting with the local ballet school as the sound technician but Covid had put the kibosh on any live performances for well over a year (little did I know that would be the case then and how important writing The Catalyst would become).

As I have mentioned in previous news articles, I started by plotting a short story. I was not going to commit to a novel in case I simply did not have the skill set as I was chartering waters unknown. Once I started, however, I couldn’t stop. With a 6-month-old, a terrier, two horses and being the sole wage earner, carving out time to write was tricky to say the least. 5am alarms and the peacefulness of the early morning gifted me the time to write and write I did. The first draft was done in six months and hit nearly 100,000 words. I also recorded an audio version for family members and friends to provide critique, my brother Harrison being exceptionally invaluable during this process. Then onto editing, although I class myself as a fairly literate person, my own editing was simply not going to cut it. As you would have read in previous articles no doubt, I enlisted a very old friend Doctor Robert Joy, with his newly acquired PhD in History he has given his time so freely and willingly to this project, I have no words (which for a writer is a tad oxymoronic) to express my gratitude.

So what now… Well, to get published, traditionally. I have submitted queries to a few select literary agents that I have targeted as being the perfect representation for myself and Armis. I am constantly tinkering with this website and have just launched a Facebook page. Whilst I wait to hear back from those agents, I will continue my research and approach others I perceive to be a good fit. But mostly I will be working on the first draft of the second book.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all my friends and family for the help they have provided so far and being so supportive.

Credits:

• Dr R Joy – editor and sounding board.

• Brother Harrison – my biggest fan (although he would never admit it).

• Wife Emma – Putting up with me doing very little housework over the past 12 months!

• Parents Jo & Malcolm – always supporting me in everything I do.

• Sister Jen – my second biggest fan and she would probably admit it.

• Friend Kirsty – mother of real-life Freya and incredibly supportive with such positive feedback.

• Mother-in-law Lesley – an avid reader, especially of fantasy and another great sounding board.

• Best Man Mark – edited the first short story for me, he would have gone on to help more but the birth of his twins quite rightly took priority.

• Uncles Dean & Steve – Steve having published a book; they have both been incredibly supportive.

• Basil, Billy, Dolly and Sparkie – our terrier, our New Forest Pony (RIP), our white mare and my soppy old gelding, pure inspiration!

• Maggie Scroggins Deceased – my godmother who passed all too soon, a writer herself and boy would I love her advice on this project right now.

• Finally, to anyone that I have missed and all that have given me a kind word.

Written by J. J. Westerman