fireside chat

A Fireside Chat

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I cast my mind back to my first meeting with Sir Donald – the warm fireside chat, followed by a handshake to confirm my appointment. No contract and no fuss. “That’s how we do things here, old chap,” he said at the time and I honored our agreement.

The Fireside Chat

The short episode above was based on a job interview I had for a position in a prestigious high school – one that I accepted and enjoyed for many years. It would be fair to say it was the most fulfilling time of my teaching career. For our protagonist, however, the fireside chat with Sir Donald would prove less so. The warm fireplace soon cooled, along with any further career prospects for Sir Christopher. Still, the fireside chat is very English – a traditional way to relax and engage. It seemed perfect for a scene in MUTINY and was easy to write.

Authenticity

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In a follow up from my previous post, my photography has given me the luxury of being able to add authenticity to my novels. As one reviewer said (in the Taupo Times), “Your writing is like a travelog with the fine details making me want to visit the places your writing is set in.” I get that, but also have to be careful not to go overboard with descriptive text. There needs to be a balance but not distract from the action. I do admit that the mood of a location is important to me and it can help propel the action, such as the gloomy London weather in Chapter 82 – where Jenson meet his old handler Sir Donald:

“Sir Donald holds a new match to his pipe, and looks out to Hans Place Garden. I follow his gaze. Misty rain drifts in sheets over the street lamps. Dickens would love this weather but I detest it. The trees have shed their coats, spreading a soggy carpet of brown and yellow along the lane, and limp leaves are stuck fast to parked cars.”

The scene is a nice contrast to the ‘fireside chat’ when Jenson debriefs his mission and the dismal weather wraps colder as Jenson begins to question everything he once stood and worked for. He even recalls some appropriate words from Shakespeare. And the result? Aha, you will have to read for yourself.