There are ideas running around in my mind for the next project. I have a few Welsh based novels either ready or at some level of completion. However, the story around Forest Brothers and the interest in Estonia has been such, it would be a shame not to keep the momentum going.
I’ve therefore embarked on a prequel, based on the journey of Märt. A lot of hints of his back-story appear in Forest Brothers and I think it’s an interesting tale in its own right and has the background of some key events in Estonian history.
Will there be romance? Well, there’s always a chance… The challenge will be to have a main protagonist who isn’t from my own country, but I think I know him well enough now to make a good go of it.
And this summer, I get the opportunity to do some groundwork at key places in Estonia. I find it is essential to visit places that you write about. Even if the prose is taking place in a different age of history, you still get a feel for the place, you still get to look for landmarks and test possibilities. Sometimes the land even gives you ideas to change your story.
I had this last year, when I visited Estonia and discovered about 50 minor things that needed changing in Forest Brothers – Lembitu did not have a deck gun, the sea shore at Naissaar was not shallow, the roads more winding then than now. Lots of things to think of.
Will there be any definite/indefinite articles in the dialogue? Not sure. It’s still a hung jury on that idea from the last novel, but maybe the fact that they will all be speaking the same language will help me choose. The best thing is to start with them in and then lose them if it feels right.
Will I need to go to another country as well in my research?
Tempting…
Watch this space.
