A few months ago, I decided to re-write an existing novel and move away from police procedural. It was an interesting exercise and one that I approached with some trepidation. It had always been my intention to write a series of detective novels; was this really going to work?
Yes.
It worked because I had already been writing from my main character’s point of view but I could now focus on her entirely and, although you do hear from another character, neither of them are involved in the police force. I found it liberating and I know I have produced a much stronger novel as a result. I guess what I’ve learnt from this exercise is:
Be prepared to change if it’s not working.
As as writer, I never stop learning.
I need to have the courage to understand my strengths and comfort zone and embrace them fully.
A Closer Evil is a book I’m very proud of and, the long journey it’s been on, only makes me prouder.
Lottie Phillips & Louise Stone 