Writer T. James' Exploration of Words, on the Internet.

Mind the Mundane: A Guest Post by Steve McHugh

This week I am handing my blog over to the talented and debonair Steve McHugh: writer of paranormal fantasy and breaker of hearts across the internet. Below are his very own words. (You may stroke your screen if that helps you feel closer to him, but salivating over your electronic web device may result in an electric shock that has nothing to do with Steve’s charged personality.)

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I settled on writing a piece about the day after I’d published my first book, Crimes Against Magic, back in April 2012 and started writing. But something happened one morning while I was brushing my teeth. I happened to glance up at the clock and an idea about my new book popped into my head.

You see I’m currently in the process of writing my third novel, With Silent Screams. I’d had the location and story all set out, I just had to sit down and actually write it. But I was content with where it was going. And I was content with what was happening with it.

Then I looked at the clock.

I had no idea why my looking at that clock, at that time, had any impact on the story. But for some reason the story in my head changed location. No longer was it going to be set in Wisconsin, now it was moving to Maine. A place I had done zero research on. The sum total of my knowledge of Maine is this: Stephen King lives there. It’s not exactly something you can base a book around.

So, I spent several hours researching the facts about Maine that I would need. Yes, I can take artistic license, and create a new town to set the story in, or have some parts of the local area be slightly different, but you still have to make sure that the bits you need to get right, are right.

The other thing it did, was make me realise that something was missing from the original story. Something I didn’t even realise was missing. But by changing the locale, it all clicked together in a way it hadn’t before.

So, in turn my blog about the day after I published turned into one about never ignore the little thoughts that pop into your head about how to make the book better. Never assume that it’s just your brain being a pain in the ass. Even though it may take a bit of extra work; getting to that place with your story when everything just fits, is one of the best feelings that I, as a writer, can ever have.

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Steve McHugh is the author of the popular Urban Fantasy series, Hellequin Chronicles. The first book of which, Crimes Against Magic, was published in April 2012 and followed by the sequel, Born of Hatred, in December 2012.

To learn more about Steve and his work, you can find him:

on his blog: stevejmchugh.wordpress.com;
on Twitter @StevejMchugh;
and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Hiddenrealmspublishing,

and find details of his most recent book, Born of Hatred, below:

Available for Kindle apps and reading devices from:

Amazon.co.uk,

Amazon.com,

and in paperback from:

Amazon.co.uk,

Amazon.com.

Blurb

There was a time when Nathan Garrett was feared. When the mention of his name was enough to stop his enemies in their tracks. That time has long since passed.

When Nathan’s friend asks for help investigating a pattern of horrific crimes, he reluctantly agrees. But his investigation leads to a serial killer who is something more, or less, than human, a creature of pure malevolence and hatred.

There are some things that even a 1600-year-old sorcerer hesitates to challenge. But when evil targets those Nathan cares about, his enemies will discover exactly who Nathan used to be. And why they will learn to fear him once more.

Born of Hatred is an action-packed, Urban Fantasy set in modern-day England with historical flashbacks to late nineteenth century Montana. It’s the second book of the Hellequin Chronicles, following the widely praised Crimes Against Magic, which introduced sorcerer Nathan Garrett.

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I know reading Steve has left you breathing slightly faster, your palms moist with barely controlled sexual tension, your heart pounding a tattoo of wanton cravings against the inside of your ribcage, but I’m afraid that’s all you’re getting. If you want more of the legend that is Steve McHugh, you’ll just have to buy his books or visit him online via the links above. Go on, you know you want to, and you’ll be walking slightly strangely until you do. (It’s not his fault, Steve just has that affect on people.)

4 Comments

  1. Steve McHugh

    Thanks for hosting me, TJ. And for the very kind introduction. You always know how to make someone feel welcome. Slightly creeped out, but welcome. ;-)

    • T. James

      *Innocently* I’m sure it was nothing I said or implied – it’s just the new black and red blog theme working subliminally on your psyche, honest. B-)

      Seriously though, it was a pleasure hosting a writer of your physical power and mental prowess. ;-)

  2. Gareth

    Great guest blog Steve, I really don’t know much about Maine either other than its famed for its Lobster Restaurants on the coastline (Man Vs Food) and that it has the largest population of writers than any other state in the US.

    Love the way that sometimes that niggling brain really does find you something spectacular to play with. I’ve got two stories warring at the moment so trying to figure out how to seperate them and make sure that when I’m working on one the other doesn’t creep in.

    As usual TJ, your blog is a joy to visit.

    • T. James

      Thanks, Gareth. I hope you can untangle the many threads your subconscious is trying to tie you up with. All the best with the writing.

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