Lets talk concept

Hello there everyone,

If you're reading this then I'm so glad that you came back after the last blog/post, I know it was a touch on the deep side and somewhat morose at times but hey, that's how I roll man. In fact this whole blog thing is something of a new thing for me so expect something of a feeling out period while I consider carefully what I have to say in this blog before actually writing it. I want to give the few of you who've found me the very best of what I have to give you so, please, I beg for your patience.

That being said, on with the fun stuff.

I want to talk today on the subject of concepts I have beyond the Stargazer Series namely - Tales from a Broken Earth.

Broken Earth was a concept I came up with purely by accident on the path while crafting the Stargazer story. The idea was that in the years between present day and the year 2717, when the Stargazer story begins, a calamatous event happens that turns the earth into an apocalyptic wasteland. As a result, three kingdoms emerge in what used to be Britain: Northumbria in the North, Mercia in the Midlands and Great Wessex in the south.

Northumbria is largely a three city state - Sheffield, Newcastle and York. York is the current ruling city due to the ruthless policy building enacted by the cities First Citizen (ruling political figure) Ventan Heck. It is here that the first of the planned four part story is set - Ben Foster & The Lovemore Detective Agency.

I love the city of York, for me the place has a special magic to it that always feel when I'm there. To me and my darling Sammy it has particular significance; we had our first holiday there and also had our honeymoon there. To me there's just something amazing about being able to walk the walls of York and touch stones that were touched by someone in that same spot three hundred years ago. As you walk the wall you're able to look down at certain points and see the lives of people buzzing around gives a you a strangely perching view.

The wall's not the only thing that caught my attention, its the river and in particular Lendal Bridge. It's here on the bridge that a particular sandwhich shop, called Circles Cafe, exists that captured my imagination. This is the location for Penny Lovemores detective agency, bought out and refurbished by the eccentric woman to lead her (largely) fearless band of detectives as they solve crimes and fight the evil forces trying to bring down the "Utopia" of the north. All of course under the watchful eye of the First Citizen.

There is a magic about the North of my country that just takes me away on a creative cloud that I love so much. There is so much history left in those cities, York in particular, that has not given way to modern day progress that leaves a mark on my soul and that is why, Ben Foster and the Lovemore Detective Agency wil be something of a love letter to my favourite parts of the north.

Thank-you for reading, whoever and wherever you are.

Steve Mulholland