The Platinum Ticket by David Beynon

The Platinum Ticket by David Beynon
Shortlisted for The Terry Pratchett Anywhere But Here, Anywhen But Now First Novel Prize

Saturday 1 September 2007

6:54 am Saturday

Grabbed a few hours sleep but was awakened by a four year old boy who decided to eat graham crackers in bed. The crumbs were very uncomfortable. oh well, it was about time to get back at it. I'll caffeine up and get a little to eat.

In preparation I bought a couple of cans of Red Bull. I haven't had Red Bull for almost twenty years. The last time was in Salzberg, Austria in a dark techno-punk bar drinking with the locals. There's a whole story there but time I write here is time I'm not spending on the novel.

3:00am Saturday

Well, here I am. I started on the stroke of twelve and have written pretty much constantly since.

I am doing the 3Day novel writing longhand as my typing is the good old hunt and peck style popular among men my age. When I was in highschool they offered typing but that was something girls took. Never did we imagine that one day it would be a vital skill for talking to your computer.

So far I have 12 solid handwritten pages. I like the story so far but it's damn early in the morning and I needs some rest.

To bed with me now....

Friday 31 August 2007

3 Day Novel Contest

So I read the final chapter of the 1st Harry Potter book to my 6 year old daughter and managed not to scare the living bejeesus out of her with Voldimort's pasty face looming out of the back of Quirrel's head. After a few songs she was sleeping like a baby.

Tonight at midnight I embark on the 3 Day Novel Contest. I entered last year and came up with the Platinum Ticket and by all accounts from those who have read it, the thing's pretty good. Aliens, time travel and Adolf Hitler all in one neat tight package.

This weekend's story will prove to be a little different. I will begin at midnight and by Monday at midnight I will need to be finished. I'll post throughout the weekend and let you know my progress.

Wish me luck...

Wednesday 29 August 2007

Back in the saddle again

One thing I've discovered this week is that the end of August is just about the crappiest time of all to reacquaint yourself with former customers after an 8 month absence. Everyone is, of course, busy with wrapping up summer vacations and getting ready for that great exodus - the back to school phenomena.

Here at the Beynon homestead we too are watching the summer wind down. The missus is on vacation and the kids are eager to start school. The girl, 6 years old, is looking forward to entering grade 2 and the wee lad, 4, can't wait for his first taste of junior Kindergarten. Yesterday we spent some time at African Lion Safari. I know that zoos of any kind are generally frowned upon by PETA and like-minded groups but I don't see how anyone could criticize the work they do at this place. The enclosures are mammoth(hundreds of acres) and they boast some of the most successful breeding programs in the world.

Over the past week I've been looking at building solid writing time into the schedule. Increasingly difficult. Three things on the go right now - Loremaster (kind of on the back burner) - reworking The Platinum Ticket (for Jim Baen's Universe - needs to be submitted before Sept 30) - and finally the short story, Small Town Secrets. I'd hoped to be finished this one by now, but no luck. I'll keep plugging away and have it done soon.