Or maybe not. Do I want it to thicken? Should it be thinner? Medea’s Curse was a bit busy for some, Dangerous to Know had it right (tempo wise at least) …now with This I Would Kill For am I going back to the original problem?

The trouble with writing is too much time is in your own head. I plot and plan with my husband and here we are, locked into a luxury hotel in Delhi (yes, India) with the only distractions being the choice of restaurant and where to read/write. Oh and how early can we go for cocktails. But I am determined to make this a working holiday so even over cocktails (well the first one) is how do I make this more compelling?

The basic idea – good.

The execution? Mmmm.

So what exactly is wrong…I add in jeopardy. I raise the stakes. Yet…

So I take a break. Graeme is reading a book for someone who wants a “puff” – ie an endorsement. The first three he discusses I wonder how they got published. This one though – he’s gripped. Really, really gripped. And I want to go … no, no, calm.

I get out the Kindle (I’m travelling). Download three books. Its a working holiday after all…and maybe they’ll inspire me.

First has 6000 reviews on Goodreads. By 25% I give up and look at the reviews; I won’t do this to the author (I know how painful it is) but I’m with the one who writes WHO THE HELL GAVE THIS FIVE STARS? It is unreadable – an impossible character. This isn’t about liking, its about believe-ability. I never get to the supposed great twist.

Next book – a solid author Barbara Vine. I sigh in relief to be in the hands of someone who can write. But…well it isn’t what I’m trying to do. This is more when you do something wrong, expect bad things to happen…even if she does manage to take the reader places you never imagined.

Next (I read quickly) …mmm…saw it coming. Not exactly gripped.

Next…ahhh…can’t read it. She’s put in MY TWIST.

I think we might just go get an early cocktail, and Graeme can tell me how great the book he’s reading is…

And my plot? Moulding, re-writing. This is a complete re-draft after all. Not thickened. Maybe spiced. We are in India after all.