Sometimes writers start a new project with passion and overwhelming enthusiasm. However, once the passion starts to fade, the end result might not turn out as expected.

When a writer enters the "Zone" period, nothing that can be allowed to interrupt the writer's thoughts and that includes sleep. The pen and writing pad sits beside the bedside table and you may even find the author at their keyboard in the early hours of the morning, as they resign to the fact there not going to get any sleep unless they write a certain scene down. This period in a writer's life has its draw back such as distancing themselves from family, friends and responsibilities and may even cause medical conditions, in my case, R.S.I, repetitive strain injury.

The zoning period can last for a day, weeks, or months. Whatever the length, a writer knows they have to make the most of the episode and get as much written down as possible.

Every summer I'm luckily enough to find myself in the "Zone." And nearly always by the end of the season, I have a completed novel to work on in the winter months.

My objective this summer was to work on the screen play for In Times of Violence. This didn't pan out as I was suddenly inspired and started writing a new novel. Broken Chain is a crime thriller about MI5 agents and a plotted assassination on the Greek president while on a state visit to the UK. Unfortunately, after a couple of weeks writing, the enthusiasm and passion started to fade. I got stuck! And so there the novel sits. 27,000 words in, and no where to go.

I know I'll pick it up again sometime and finish it, but it would be wrong to force myself to write.

Actually, I completed another forgotten story, last week. I wrote the supernatural thriller, Stone Cold, a few years ago, but couldn't finish it. I was hoping it would end up novel length, but unfortunately it's only a novella at 25,000 words. It's finally completed which I'm very happy about. 

I then started working with an illustrator on a graphic novel, called Bloodlust. The plot and dialogue agreed on, the illustrator is now doing his job and I'm very eager to see the finished project.

Last night, I started writing notes for another novel story line. I'm feeling the excitement for this project building. Although I'm not in the zone yet, I'm forcing myself to read over my notes and to add and delete parts of the plot. This project may or may not pan out. Whatever, I know I have to get the ideas written down before they leave me.

For a writer there's no better feeling than being inspired and for the hand to be itching for the pen again.