Daynote - Wed 1 Jul

Writing a slightly early daynote today, since it needs to go out before a very exciting piece of news, namely that my second novel, SOLITARY AGENTS, has been longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize! More in the linked post.

The photo this morning is actually from yesterday evening - I went for a really wonderful forty minute run (I regret to report the exercise people were right, eventually it becomes... fun) and Inch Colm island on the other side of the Forth was looking absolutely stunning, dark against silvery haar. I paused for a second to take a photo because it looked so utterly gorgeous.

ON DECK: After finishing this daynote and the post about the McIlvanney, I'll be settling down to write more of DRIFT. Probably not going to get many words, but hey ho. Update - 180 words - better than nothing. Sigh.

LISTENING: I greatly enjoyed this interview on the Scriptnotes podcast with the director and screenwriter Curry Barker, who's recent OBSESSION has been an enormous breakout success. I wish I'd had my head on my shoulders as squarely as he appears to, age twenty six.

WATCHING: Absolute belter of an episode of WIDOW'S BAY last night - a fantastic horror movie homage but with genre-aware characters. Laughed out loud at the last few minutes several times. Fantastic stuff.

READING: More of THE FIFTEENTH MAN by William Cook (Bookshop, Waterstones, Amazon) last night. The grimy atmosphere of immediate 'Mauerfall' Berlin is so good.

LINK: This post from Kate McKean feels like a personal callout (probably to everyone reading it) - The Less You Want To Do Something (the more you have to do it).

UP NEXT: Basking briefly in the feeling of this wonderful award nod, then drafting, drafting, drafting.

And, of course, counting down to my event this Friday at Waterstones Kirkcaldy!

Get your FREE ticket booked sharpish and I'll see you there.

Onward!