Lockdown result

‘As we enter a new year we all doubtless look back on a very different kind of year from what we expected and wanted,’ writes Patrick Forsyth.

‘As one of Writing Magazine’s regular contributors, I’ve certainly used some of my lockdown time constructively.

‘With more time on my hands in March I set regular hours aside and got down to some writing. Having previously had two novels published (as well as travel books and other non-fiction), I created a new writing regime. The book, A Rather Curious Crime, is set in a small town and concerns a crime and a criminal with a young reporter getting involved and finding that nothing proves to be quite as it seems.

‘As lockdown took over, I quickly realised how much time I spent out and about at meetings and writing events that the new circumstances now ruled out. Something constructive was called for to fill the additional time available. I’d had ideas for a third novel gathering dust for a while. I got these ideas sorted out and settled down to what many writers call the BOSHOK stage (Bum on seat, hands on keyboard), which is in any case a solitary occupation. It kept me both busy and motivated. Now, I am delighted to say that a publisher welcomed this and A Rather Curious Crime has just been published by Stanhope Books.

‘Any reader wanting to give it a go and get a copy should contact me at patrick@touchstone28.com (copies are, inevitably, also available from Amazon.’