What does this artistic composition suggest to you, dear reader?
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After a couple of months’ hard slog the renovation project is almost there. Carpets are coming Monday. (I will post a couple of photos for posterity when the carpet fitters have finished.) And it’s good timing because we all know what time-target I’ve been desperately working towards and I’ve just about made it. Yes, Euro 2016 has kicked off this weekend. So now upstairs is just about done, I’m free to watch the three games tomorrow, three games on Sunday and three games Monday. Hence, the photo montage, in case you didn’t get it. (I’ve just been reminded that the family are also arriving next week for the summer. That’s exciting too, of course. I hope they don’t want picking up if there’s a game on.)
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I haven’t been completely ignoring my writing. A recent bout of insomnia has seen me wide awake in the small hours. I decided to use the time to do some writing. I’ve knocked off a couple of short stories. Just keeping my hand in. (Stephen King has not written anything like them. I checked.) What am I going to do with them? Write a few more, I suppose, and work towards creating a small collection. And I’ve also had a couple of new ideas for longer writing projects that I’ve liked enough to make some notes on. The well has not run dry yet.
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I receive feedback fairly regularly here on the blog from readers who have enjoyed one or more of the reads. The feelings of great satisfaction and intense pleasure that these messages give me has not diminished one iota over the few years that I’ve been bashing away at the keyboard. I truly value the time and trouble readers take to get in touch as well as their, often, very kind words. So, special thanks to anyone who reads this and who has posted somewhere on this site some encouragment. I received the following two yesterday. They are great examples of what I’m referring to.
Dear Oliver
What can I say, I downloaded the first couple of Romney and Marsh books for my kindle a few weeks ago, but I am now through all 7 of them, the 2 Booker & Cash novels and have just started the Acer Samson #1. I have thoroughly enjoyed all but if I continue at is pace you will need to be writing much more profusely.
Once again thanks for rekindling my love of crime thrillers.
John
Hi Oliver, I have just read Joint Enterprise. Really enjoyed it, as I have the first two Booker/ Cash novels, and now the first three R/Ms.
I have read hundreds of books, all purchased through Kindle. I have to say that I have derived more pleasure from your books than just about all others.
I have been inspired to write to you, as an hour ago my wife and I were rolling on the floor laughing as I read to her directly from Joint Enterprise, where poor Romney is being anally inspected by the female doctor, when ‘a pocket of foul smelling air’ escapes. It was the most hilarious encounter I have ever read.
Thank you so much for your wonderful writing. I wish you every success. You truly deserve it. Why you’re not signed to a major publisher is simply bewildering.
Thanks again
Geoff.
Have a good weekend, everyone.
Oliver Tidy 
Hi. I have read all Romney and Marsh series i only got the first one as thats whe i live but so enjoyed it went on to read the other 6 loved every one..then Booker and Cash also really enjoyed…three short Blasts..only Acer ones to do now sure i will enjoy them just as much
Hi Veronica,
As you will have seen from this blog post, I thoroughly enjoy hearing from readers who have enjoyed one or more of the reads. Thanks so much for getting in touch to let me know that you have. And thank you for your support of my writing. It’s great to know that readers will give one of my other series a try when they’ve enjoyed their first encounter with my writing. I hope you enjoy Acer, too.
Best wishes.
Hi Oliver,
Know how you feel. My German Trilogy – as I call them – have been metaphorically flying off the shelves since last autumn and the comments are still coming in. What is also pleasing is that readers are reading others novels of mine that are in different genres.
Enjoy the football, and the beer, and the wine, and especially your family when they arrive.
Best Wishes.
Pat.
Hi Pat,
I’m really pleased to learn that you’re doing so well with sales, Pat. Congratulations. It can be a slow road, sometimes, but when things pick up it’s so rewarding.
I intend to enjoy it all, thanks. Life is short and all that.
Best wishes
Oliver – that first image – the white box with the red band. Yes that one! That is not a white box with a red band, it is a great big red flag! You have said many times that television is a distraction from writing and not watching TV in Turkey was the basis of your prodigious output. You have set a foot on a dangerous slope – should we start mourning now? 😃
We are in withdrawal, having read all that you have published, and nothing new on the horizon. 😥
*grins*
Dawn
Dawn,
Hahahah… As one of my longest, most repected and valued readers, I might have known that if anyone was going to take me to task over that TV it would be you. I mean that in a good way, of course. And you are so right. But… it’s the Euros. Everything stops for the big tournaments. As Bill Shankley is reputed to have once famously remarked: football isn’t about life and death; it’s more important than that. 🙂
I am still writing. I’ve got things in the pipeline. Don’t ‘write’ me off yet. 🙂 (Unlike the England team.)
Have a great Sunday.
Flipping football! *&*%£$*£*”&^
I’m in complete agreement with Dawn (above) about mourning and withdrawal. What do I read now that I’ve completed everything you’ve written. More please!
Thanks for your touching message. Your ongoing support of my writing is sincerely appreciated.
I do have a couple of projects in the pipeline. Things simmering away on a low heat. 🙂
Best wishes