new novel

Saying “Goodbye” is so Difficult

James Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , 0 Comment

Think about your favorite movie. How did it end? If you don’t know, then it’s probably not your favorite movie!

In the same way, there’s nothing more frustrating than spending hours reading a thriller that has a disappointing ending. Of course, the longer this genre has been popular, the harder it is to finish with a surprise twist. In my new heist-thriller, the goal with the ending was to achieve two outcomes – first, to tie up loose ends and, second, to paint a future (and potential sequel) for the characters. “Shock” was not my final intention, but “surprise” certainly was.

I had just posted this blog when I decided to head to our local bakery for something

webpic

nice for my wife for morning tea. The radio was playing an interview with Michael Morpurgo – one of Britain’s best-loved children’s authors (see pic). Michael was asked if he planned the ending for his books and he replied, “No,” and went on to explain that, for him, writing was an adventure. I can identify with this. My writing has the main plot in my head when I start to outline the place and people who are going to unfold the story, but the ending never comes to me at this early stage. Like Michael, I just want to discover where the writing adventure will lead. My hope is that this technique will be just as exciting for my readers.

It’s All About AI

James Uncategorized , , , , , , , , 0 Comment

AI, or Artificial intelligence, leverages computers and machines to mimic the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of the human mind. Every day, the news carries AI articles—stories of job losses and cloned personalities that threaten the very fabric of modern society. The reality is far more frightening. AI is developing at a super-fast pace and will impact us all dramatically within the new few years. ChatGPT is a chatbot developed by OpenAI and launched on November 30, 2022. Based on a large language model, it enables users to refine and steer a conversation towards a desired length, format, style, level of detail, and language. It’s a great tool for writing essays and scripts (e.g. for real estate advertising). But, ChatGPT is just the tip of an iceberg. My new novel is based on AI and how it may threaten the banking industry. In fact. my pitch has a focus on AI: Can Artificial Intelligence topple the global economy or restore financial equality? Depends whose side you’re on…

In the wrong hands, AI is difficult to overcome. What happens when a group of devious computer nerds steal your ID and, along with that, steal your voice? Think of the implications. How can you prove that your duplicate is not you? How can you convince your bank manager or boss that you are who you say you are, when another online “twin” makes the same claims?

Oh, it’s going to be a bumpy ride into the unknown with AI and a clever group of thieves have already planned the heist to outdo all heists. How will they do this? Well, you will have to wait for the release of my new book. 🙂

Write Drunk, Edit Sober

James Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , 0 Comment

This quote by Ernest Hemingway has an element of truth, although I certainly don’t ‘write drunk’. What rings true for me, though, is that you don’t have to be fully ‘with it’ when getting the rough story down. It might be a matter of grabbing a few minutes between meetings or, in my case, while waiting to teach a class. Some of my better writing seems to happen when I am mulling a plot or ‘what’s next’ while trying to sleep. In this case, I have to put the light on, get up and type the inspiration, just in case I forget when I wake up in the morning.Or, I might overhear a conversation while out and about and need to jot a thought down, ready to take back to my computer to bring into the story. For my second novel, I also set aside regular, early morning times to write. And, in the most part, I have kept to this schedule, even if the word output varies. On a good day I will type up about 800-1200 words and, on a bad day, 400-500. But, even the bad days can be good writing!

However, the editing needs time and concentration, plus a critical analysis of words, sentence structure/length, etc. Therefore, Hemingway is right—it is best done while ‘sober’. Incidentally, Hemingway also has a cameo part in my new novel, when two ladies meet an old man on the Croatian coast in a bar in Dubrovnik—the kind of place that Hemingway would, I am sure, have enjoyed!

New Novel now in Editing Phase

James Uncategorized , , , , , 0 Comment

My new novel is now ‘finished’ and what a relief after much travel and months of research. I say ‘finished’ metaphorically since this is only the draft manuscript—a rough version with completed plot. Now I am enjoying the task of reviewing the draft, making corrections and adding/deleting to improve the flow, etc. However, it is quite exciting to be so close to the final copy, and I hope to be finished in about a week. After that, I will have a few people read through and feedback comments. I very much value this part of the process before seeking a publisher, simply because fresh eyes can pick up small errors and suggest improvements that I may have missed. How happy am I with the new book? Hmm, time will tell. However, I can say that I am pleased with the plot. It was quite strange this time to figure out the final chapter when only about one third of the book had been written. Now that the plot has caught up, the last chapter only needed a few added details to make it work well. If you are interested in a peek of this new novel, or would like to add your name to an early release, please drop me a note.

Second Thriller by James Hayden!

James Uncategorized , , , 0 Comment

Thriller #2 is underway! Following visits to Seattle, Croatia and Gibraltar, and a few lesser-known locations, I am pleased to announce that I have started work on my second thriller. Some readers have asked if it is a sequel to Spy Chase. No.

All I can give away at this point is that it does involve international espionage, but the use of very modern technology to thwart global systems. Actually, the plot has been in gestation for some time and the site visits were critical to unwrapping the details. Oh, and the new thriller does have a name. More on this second novel soon!

3 WISE MEN – A New Thriller!

James Uncategorized , , , , , , , , 0 Comment

3 WISE MEN – A New Thriller!

Jak Colins flies to Milan to share his priceless discovery – a powerful formula with the potential to disrupt a multi-billion dollar industry that has attracted men and woman since ancient times. But, he soon becomes the object of unscrupulous rivals who take drastic measures to unlock his secret. Will the modern-day 3 Wise Men be able to ensure that Jak’s formula – based on a genuine 4,000 year old manuscript – remains in safe hands?

3 WISE MEN weaves an intellectual thread into the cloak of intrigue and danger that envelops Jak. 3 WISE MEN is a contemporary thriller at just over 82,000 words. It is set mainly in Milan, Tel Aviv, the French Riviera and on the Italian coast.

Author insights for 3 WISE MEN, plus novel extracts, will be posted here. Subscribe for updates on this blog or use LEAVE A COMMENT below to ask any question directly to author James Hayden about 3 WISE MEN!