I commenced my preparatory work on Book 8 of "The Demonata" today. I started, as I always do when plotting a book, by jotting down a rough outline of the book on a couple of sheets of A4 paper. I always write directly to a PC, except when I'm planning a book -- at this early stage, I prefer to write by hand. I'm not sure why -- it's just a habit.

I came up with some nice twists and ideas while working on the plot. Would-be writers often ask me about how to develop ideas, and I think the key is to actually write. Thinking's all well and good, but when I actually sit down with a pen in my hand and start to scribble, I find ideas pouring out -- the writing down of one idea usually leads to others. I had a vague idea of what I wanted the book to be like yesterday -- today I have a fairly full structure which, while it still needs a lot of work, should see me safely to the finish.

Once I finished the rough plot outline, I began work on the chapter breakdown. I don't always do this (with "Cirque Du Freak" and "Lord Loss" I worked from the rough plot only), but usually I do. I write a short description of what will be in each chapter. I find that this helps me flesh out the plot -- I usually have some more ideas at this stage -- and, when complete, it makes the writing process a lot easier. As I go along, I tick off each chapter on the pages, and that gives me a real sense of progress. Of course, I can veer away from the chapter descriptions along the way -- I often find that I'll split a longer chapter up into a couple of shorter chapters, or run a few together -- but I usually stick quite close to them.

I received the UK audio CD version of "Lord Loss" today, and all I can say is -- WOW!!!! The reader, Rupert Degas, has done a brilliant job! He reads at just the right pace, and handles the voices absolutely perfectly -- his Lord Loss is ace, exactly the way I imagined it should be, not overdone; Dervish's accent isn't quite the way I thought it would be, but it works very well; but my favourite is Bill-E -- he makes him sound like a wannabe rap star -- hilarious!!!!! The packaging is great too, and there's some spooky musical effects to round it all off.

I'd definitely recommend the CDs if you're into audio books. If you can't find it in your local shop, ask them to order it for you. Alternatively you can order it directly through my publishers, HarperCollins, by clicking on this link: http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/books/default.aspx?id=33332

You can also order it through Amazon by clicking here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0007213891/shanville -- but they're currently quoting a 4 to 6 week wait for it!!

Spent today working on the September issue of the Shanville Monthly. I didn't have a huge amount of news to report this month (August is generally a quiet month, since lots of people are on hols), so I added some reviews of "Lord Loss" and extracts from my Blog to pad it out a bit. I meant to have it finished by midday, so that I could work on some other stuff, but it stretched into the afternoon, as it nearly always does.

Started listening to a new batch of CDs yesterday: "Want Two" by Rufus Wainwright; "Shootenanny" by Eels; "Fisherman's Woman" by Emiliana Torrini; "The Magic Numbers"; "Staring at the Sea" by the Cure; and "Golden age of radio" by Josh Ritter.

One of my cousins, Ronan, was going to his Debs tonight. I went out to see him off in the afternoon. Have to admit I felt quite old watching him. He's the first of 5 kids that one of my aunts had, and they've been like younger brothers and a sister (4 boys and 1 girl) to me. I've babysat them all over the years, and it seems like just a couple of years ago that I was pushing Ronan around in a pram. Now he's several inches taller than me and heading out for a night of carousing and mischief (if he's lucky!!!), while I'm sitting home, probably to watch a movie and have a mug of hot chocolate. Time's a-passing and poor Shan's getting older. *sob*

:-)

In all seriousness -- have fun while you can, my young and crazy Shansters, because once time passes, it can never be bought back ...

Finished my first edit of Book 7 of "The Demonata"! It went quicker than I expected. Normally, at the first edit stage, I have quite a lot of rewriting to do, but this one seemed fairly solid -- hopefully that's a sign that it's going to be a very good book!!! Strange to think it won't see print for another 3 years -- May/June 2008!!!! But I'm glad I'm so far ahead of the publication schedule -- it gives me plenty of time to work on the editing process of the books in between, and also to write the last 3 books of the series. In fact, if all goes according to plan, and I finish the first drafts of books 8, 9 and 10 by the middle of next year, I'll have loads of time to focus on other books and projects, meaning, when the series ends in December 2009, I should have plenty of new material ready and waiting to hit you all with!!!!!!!

It was a dog of a day in Limerick. It rained almost non-stop, and we had thunderstorms around lunchtime -- lots of thunder and lightning. Had a power cut later, when I was eating my dinner. I thought I might be in for a night of no electricity, but luckily it snapped back on after 20 or 30 minutes. Living in the countryside is nice and peaceful, but you do sometimes find yourself at the mercy of the elements!!!!

Edited the middle third of Book 7 of "The Demonata" today. What I like most about the editing process is that it's so QUICK!!!!    :-)    I actually think speedy editing is quite crucial to the way that I write. When I do a first draft, I've no idea what the book will actually feel like when it is read -- because I'm doing it 10 pages per day, over a number of weeks, I can't see the overall picture; it's impossible to know if the book works as a whole. When I come to the editing process I try to place myself in the reader's position. By editing quickly, it's almost as if I'm reading the book, which gives me a good idea of what parts work and which don't. At certain stages of the editing process I have to take my time -- e.g. if I have to re-write certain scenes, or add new material. But I always like to fit in at least 2 or 3 really swift edits along the way, so that I can judge the pace of the book.

I'm pretty pleased with how the middle currently reads. I find the middle sections the trickiest part of most books -- it's where the action can bog down. There's one chapter which is probably a bit too slow as it stands, but I can work on that further down the road. Mostly it's nice and tight, with lots going on -- the way that I like it!!!!

Got back to my PC and editing duties after a couple of weeks away. Began editing Book 7 of "The Demonata". The start is stronger than I thought it might be. Although it's a bit slow to begin with, because of the need to recap certain events from earlier books, it picks up speed relatively quickly, and I like the action scenes. Book 7's got a high action quotient. It's structured in three acts, and in each act there's an attack and lots of fighting.

It struck me, while editing these chapters, how far the series has evolved since I first sat down to write "Lord Loss" a few years ago. It's taken me in directions I hadn't dreamt of back then, and never could have imagined. I thought I was writing a single book about demons, where everything was fairly straightforward and simple. Instead I've ended up doing 10 books about them, and found myself spiralling off into wild and blood-stained corners of my imagination.

Coolio!!!!!

I watched "Constantine" tonight. It was quite a good film, better than many comic-book adaptations, though not as striking as some of the comics which inspired it. (I loved the Garth Ennis run on "Hellblazer", though I never really got into any other writer's take on the character.) In some ways "The Demonata" is similar to the "Hellblazer" comics -- they both focus on humans who have been marked out by higher forces (or plain good/bad luck) to combat demonic evil. The similarities only run skin-deep -- the two story-lines are vastly different, and so are the characters and tone -- but I'd definitely have to cite "Hellblazer" as an influence on "The Demonata", albeit an unconscious one.

Another similarity is that the producer of "Constantine" is the same person who will be producing the movie of "Cirque Du Freak" (IF it gets made by Universal during the next few years). Coincidence, or demonic destiny?!?!?

Went to see Spurs at home to Chelsea on Saturday. Had an early start. Got up to Tottenham about 11.15, met with some friends, then went to our regular pub for the pre-match buildup. Left a bit earlier than usual, expecting there to be a big line at the turnstiles, but to our surprise it was the quietest we'd ever seen it -- I think everyone had gone in even earlier than us, to beat the crowds!!!! We started well, but then the ref decided to send off one of our forwards, Mido, and the tide turned. I didn't think it was a booking offence at the time, and when I saw it on the TV afterwards, I DEFINITELY didn't see anything worth a red card!!! It's crazy, in this age of advanced technology, that the safeguards aren't in place to stop a stupid, over-eager ref from ruining a game. There should be camera playback available, so that key decisions such as this can be called correctly. But then again, I guess the moaning and sense of an unjustice being done are part of what make football so interesting and involving!!! Anyway, we lost 2-0 in the end, and I stormed off in a huff. I was especially annoyed that our manager didn't play Robbie Keane -- I'm a huge Keane fan, and think he's one of our very best players, but sadly our manager doesn't see it that way.

Returned to our regular for a few drinks, then went up the West End with one of my friends. (Dave English -- he has a cameo appearance in "Demon Thief", so watch out for him!!) We went to a pub, then to a nightclub -- the Roadhouse, in Covent Garden. It's not often that I go clubbing -- it isn't really my scene -- but we had a bit of fun, dancing atrociously to some truly awful music!!! Got home about 03.00 and hit the sack.

Came back home to Limerick on Sunday. Felt quite rough, but not too bad -- I don't really get drunk when I drink, as I pace myself and try not to overindulge, so I don't suffer from bad hangovers. Opened my post back home, watched a film ("The Band Wagon", a classic old-style musical), had a bath (my first for a few months -- I prefer to shower in the summer, but was tired last night, so fancied a long, relaxing soak), then went to bed shortly after midnight.

Went to see a performance of "HMS Pinafore" yesterday, at the open air theatre in Regent's Park. This was the first time I'd watched a Gilbert & Sullivan show from start to finish, and though I was a bit dubious in advance, I thoroughly enjoyed it!!! The songs are great, and though the story is complete tosh, it's played for laughs, so it doesn't really matter. The cast were all strong, and the lovely setting added to the atmosphere. (We were lucky -- there were dark clouds overhead, but the rain held off!) This was my first time in Regent's Park -- it's a lovely spot. I definitely hope to get back there for some more theatre next summer ...

I got broadband for the laptop I use while in London -- it makes a HUGE difference!! Unfortunately, at my main PC in Ireland, I can't get a broadband connection, because Eircom are a bunch of Dark Age buffoons!!!! Oh well, one day it will come ... probably in 20 years or so, when there's something even newer and faster that the rest of the world are enjoying!!!!

Went up to Manchester today to see some art pieces by Willard Wigan. He's an amazing sculptor, who creates incredibly small works -- and I mean TINY!!!! You have to use a microscope to see them in detail! I'm hoping to buy a few pieces by him -- I'm impressed as much by the process involved in creating them as I am by the sculptures themselves -- he has to slow his heartbeat down in order to keep his hand steady!!!!! You can learn more about him, and see a few of his pieces (though they're nowhere near as impressive as they are in the diminutive flesh) at

Saw 4 shows on Monday. The best was Owen O'Neill, an Irish comedian and playwright who's written a series of brilliant one-man show over the years. I've seen him at the past 4 festivals -- he's the first act I look for every time I hit town. This year he took extracts from several of his plays and wove them together to make for a great hour of story-telling. I also saw "Puppetry of the Penis" -- not one for the faint-hearted!! Some of the stuff they did made me squirm in my seat at the thought of ever having such contortionistic twistings imposed on me!!!!!!

Saw 6 different acts on Monday!!! I was also booked to see a seventh, but cut one out in the evening, when I was feeling the pace! None of them blew me away, though I liked Chris Addison's "Atomicity" show a lot. Went to see Daniel Kitson do a stand-up routine at 23.30. Was supposed to go with Anthony Horowitz (we've met at various events over the years, and are quite friendly -- in response to a comment to an earlier entry, I know lots of children's authors, but usually don't see much of them unless our paths cross at events; Anthony, Eoin Colfer and Robin Jarvis would probably be the 3 I'd know best, though I've spent enjoyable meals and drinks with lots of others), but ... Actually, let's start that again! I was supposed to go with Anthony Horowitz, but he was at another show, and arrived late. The event was in a small venue, but it was dark and packed, and we missed each other inside, although we did bump into each other near the end!!!

Met Anthony the next day for a quick spot of lunch. He said he's put me in as a character in his next horror novel (the sequel to "Raven's Gate"), so that's one to look forward to!!! Apparently I'm going to be a villainous character, which suits me perfectly!!!!

I saw a couple of shows on Tuesday, squeezing in as much as I could before my flight back. The first, "Laurel and Laurel", was an interesting but uneven look at Stan Laurel's life (he of Laurel & Hardy fame). The other, "MacHomer", was the story of "MacBeth", but with all of the parts played by characters from "The Simpsons"!!! It was a one-man show -- the guy did all the voices. It was an amazing performance, but the material was only so-so, and I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I might. Also, I don't think he could do Bart's voice properly, because he only gave the young brat a tiny role!!!!!!!!!

After that, I caught my plane down to London. I always feel sorry when I leave Edinburgh, but I know I'll be back there sooner rather than later, so it's not too bad ...

Saw an Irish play, "Trad", on Sunday. Very peculiar -- all about a 100 years old bachelor and his father who set out to find the 70 years old son (and grandson) that they've never seen. Quite entertaining, but the room where it was playing was VERY hot and clammy. That's the only downside to the Festival -- a lot of the venues don't have air conditioning, and can get quite claustrophobic when there's a big crowd!! I spotted a number of people dozing off, purely from the heat!

The best thing I saw this year was "Dirty Fan Male". The guy who put this together - Jonny Trunk - used to run fan clubs for soft-porn models (his sister was one of them!!), and he collected letters which over-zealous fans sent in. A few years ago he got a friend of his (Wisbey -- he can do funny voices and songs) to read out the letters in amusing ways; they recorded it and released a limited edition CD. They then turned it into a play, and a book has just been released too!!! The show was hilarious, but VERY filthy -- definitely NOT for children!!!! I literally cried with laughter at some of the pieces. A case where life is stranger AND funnier than fiction!!!

Also saw Brendon Burns, a good, solid stand-up. I was sitting in the front row. At one stage he stuck his hand out and nodded for me to stick out mine -- he wanted to slap it ("Right on, brother!!"). But I thought he wanted me to high-five him, so I stuck my hand up instead of just sticking it out. Luckily he saw me for the geekish fool that I am and chose to chuckle pityingly instead of making me the butt of his jokes for the next 10 minutes!!!!!

Tied the night off by going to see "La Clique", a brilliant mix of cabaret and acrobatics that I also saw last year. The show I saw wasn't as memorable as the one I saw previously -- one of the main acts (twin brothers, who could play Sive and Seersa if they were female!) didn't perform, perhaps because it was a Sunday. But it was still very enjoyable, and amazing in places. My favourite act was the stripping lady magician ...

*AHEM!!!!!!*