The End?

Wrapping up Harry McFry is proving to be a bit of a struggle. Mostly this is because I think, in my head, I've already begun re-writing the novel. It's taking on a different shape in my mind, and the ending that fits the text so far is not the ending I really want to write.

Still, I owe it to those who have stuck by Harry so far to come up with a coherent ending for the story as it currently is, so I'll have to suspend all thoughts of a re-write until I complete the tale.

My apologies are due for those who have been waiting - I can blame the usual pressures of life, prevarication and the rest for the delay in bringing the case to its close. Hopefully the weekend will create some space!

It's been a while...

It's been around 10 days since I was able to post to Harry McFry Investigates. Partly this has been due to pressures at work (the old excuses are the best!) and, most recently, through the distraction of birthday celebrations. You're only 21 once, after all!

Anyway, I was finally able to post a chapter today, and a fair wind might even blow another one along tomorrow.

Thanks for your patience, readers!

Georgy Porgy

With the inevitablility born of the kind of Freudian slip that could be expensive, George made another unscheduled appearance in Chapter 110. I'm grateful to an eagle-eyed reader for spotting that Cyril Galloway had assumed the wrong name, and for letting me know! The list of acknowledgements is growing exponentially...

Ooops!

I suppose it was inevitable that, with Bill Blunt becoming Elliot, and Laurel becoming Ana, I might make a mistake somewhere along the line in the last few chapters of Harry McFry.

Well, Chapter 146 saw 'Ana' gripping the chair she was sitting on. Now corrected to read 'Laurel'.

Not the first, and probably not the last - although with just two or three chapters to go (oh, yeah?) the chances of further error should reduce a little - at least in theory!

Saying Goodbye To An Old Friend

As I inch my way towards completing Harry McFry Investigates, I'm starting to wonder how he came about, and the part he's played in my life over the last 8 months or so. Maybe he was always hiding inside me, waiting to jump out when the chance came?

One thing's for certain: he's played an important role in seeing me through some of the darkest days of my life, and the comments and interest in the story from readers has helped rebuild my confidence in a way I could never have imagined.

Still, it will soon be time to say goodbye to Harry - he'll have done his job of investigating the missing family of Laurel McFry. I wonder what he'll get up to next?

A dim memory

Ten years ago, I remember spending a few evenings with a notepad in a pub in Preston, Lancashire. I was 'between wives' at the time, and it seemed like a good idea to hide myself away in the corner of a bar somewhere and try my hand at creative writing. Nothing much came of it - a few poems, I think, and maybe the beginnings of a short story that never got finished.

The memory was brought to mind because, due to internet difficulties, I'm currently using the free wi-fi service offered by Wetherspoons to post up Harry McFry. The bar I'm in is packed, and I'm hiding in the corner with my laptop. You may be surprised to learn that I'm the only one tapping away on a computer!

I wonder how it will be in 10 years time?

Ah well (2) ...

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the kitchen...

Apologies to any readers who have been awaiting further instalments in the Case of The Missing Family. It's not for want of trying. My excuses are legion: a recent lifestyle change or two, plus a return to 'work' and some new stresses and strains from that (from which I will spare you the gory detail!). Intermittent internet access is also a problem, but a certain chain of hostelries much lauded by Bill Blunt occasionally comes to the rescue!

Anyway - maybe hope will triumph over adversity, and more chapters will be forthcoming shortly.

Thanks for your forbearance.

THJnr