Sunday 26 October 2014

I recently visited the Coronation Street tour in Manchester. Not that I watch the programme, you understand. Well, at any rate not since Albert Tatlock got the shock of his life when Ena Sharples told him she was pregnant. (What a story line that would have made).
What was enlightening about the experience was the way some of the visitors were so serious about it. They spoke of the characters and story lines as though they were real. I couldn't help it, it just made me smile whenever I overheard a character talked about like that. I reckon the guide must have thought I was demented as every time he looked at me I was grinning from ear to ear.

I suppose that it is a mark of the writers and production staff's professionalism that they can make it so real to certain people and I certainly wouldn't decry that. All in all it was a most enjoyable experience and I would recommend it if you are ever at a loss for something to do when in Manchester. Just please don't ask for directions to Weatherfield.

Daddy's Girl, the first in my new series of novels is currently doing the rounds in the endless search for an agent. It would be so nice if agents explained why a book
"...is well written but not quite right for my lists..."
The second in the series, Come Softly To Me, is well on the way to completion and the plot for the third book is already starting to form in my head. The stories are set in 1960's Croydon, Just when Coronation Street was going out each week in black and white and starting to find its feet.
The 'Daddy's Girl' in the stories is Jill Bennett, the best detective that the Metropolitan Police never had. It wasn't until 1973 that a woman police officer could prefix her rank with the title 'Detective'.

The trip to Australia was the highlight, so far, of the year. If only the flying time wasn't so long. Thirteen hours to Singapore is a long slog. Mind you, it only seems like yesterday that the same trip, in a Beverly Transport aircraft of the RAF, took more than two days to cover the same ground. I can still hear and feel the droning of the Centaurus engines driving their reverse pitch propellers. Happy days.
We stayed on the Gold Coast in Queensland visiting friends and spent one week in New Zealand. The rebuilding of Christchurch after the devastation of the earthquake was nothing short of inspiring. Wherever  ominous gaps appear where buildings used to be the townsfolk have erected boards covered in colourful graffiti. It certainly works. The optimism you sense seems to be everywhere.

Oh well, back to the job in hand. Now, what was the address of the new agent...




Tuesday 25 February 2014

Out with the old - in with the new.

Well, I must say that these last few months have been hectic. I seem to have been rushing from one thing to the next.
Firstly, I've finished the first of my new series, Daddy's Girl, and it's currently with two agents for consideration. It follows Jill Bennett's career as she strives to become a detective in a man's world. Initial feedback has been very positive and I'm very excited about the whole project. The setting of the books is Croydon in 1960 and the Met's Z Division. I've had some terrific responses from their archives department when I was researching. They will certainly be credited when the book comes out.
Next, I've redesigned the website to be more about Richard Cudlow and not just one book. I hope you like it. It's under constant review so I expect changes to be frequent. I'm writing the code from scratch and that is some learning curve so please be patient. Any positive suggestions would be most warmly received. By the way, the new address is www.rcudlow.co.uk
You may not know but my wife is Australian. I think it was the dangly corks on her hat that swept me off my feet. Well, a trip down under is almost upon us and I can't wait. Every morning I'm humming Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport as I prepare for the day.
I'll update on here about any progress towards publication. I've started the next in the series with a working title of Come Softly To Me. It's going to involve a trip back to Croydon to look up some old haunts. Take care and don't forget, there are seven deadly sins, so have a great week!