Vale Henning

Henning Mankell dead: Swedish crime writer known for Wallander series dies aged 67.

I saw an interview with Henning some time ago and one amazing aspect was that his first five novels were not initially successful.  He did not break into the global readership market until his sixth novel was published and one reviewer wrote a positive commentary.  His 'overnight success' came after many years of writing because it took readers and reviewers a long time to realize what his work offered.  Then, once known, and like everything else the crowd following factor made him internationally famous.  His works were translated into other languages as his popularity soared.

He is not the only writer (artist etc) where success came after publication of numerous works, such is the way people consider new pieces of creativity.  Until somebody says, writes or reports that a new work is terrific people do not regard it highly; a sad indictment of the judgement of individuals and society.  Most of the works published and considered by some literary critics as outstanding are rubbish, poorly written and unreadable.  Well, that's my view of some of the recent award winning novels.  If I am still not reading after ten pages then the author has failed to hold my attention.   Other novels, some self published are far better to read, but these don't catch the marketing focus and so are not considered commercial by mainstream outlets.  These are the pearls in an ocean of mediocrity.  Finding them is a challenge, but dedicated readers will not simply buy the latest so-called best seller just because it bears that title, but will search for a new oyster bed. 

Henning inspired me as did Per Wahlöö and Stieg Larsson.  

Independent Geologist's Report

If you are interested in mineral exploration and I dare say many people are not, especially for uranium, and you want to read my appraisal of tenements held by UXA Resources, then you can find and download my report at the following address:

https://flinders.academia.edu/AlanWatchman

The company is awaiting approval of its Prospectus so it can relist on the ASX and raise capital to fund exploration on two highly prospective tenements in the N.T.


My other academic papers are also listed at the academia website.

New novel

I've begun writing my next novel.  The idea has been developing for many months and I've completed research into the plot, locations and characters.  Formulated on truth I am fictionalizing the characters while maintaining the threads of locations and plot so as to reduce the likelihood of legal action.

A clue to the story line comes from thinking about recent geopolitical events involving the Middle East and negotiations aimed at minimizing the development of nuclear weapons in Iran.  I don't want to say any more at the moment because I am aware the theme will be attractive to other writers.  Advertising the facts now will likely turn my story into ownership by somebody else and I would prefer releasing the sensational facts myself.

I remember watching the movie Argo and thinking how incredible it was keeping the actions and personnel secret for so long.  Wasn't it a sensational film?  The story I am telling is in a similar vein and I am excited by the facts I discovered by accident while undertaking research into another related topic.  I am aiming to complete the first draft by the end of this year unless I am distracted by other interesting things.

Chert, silcrete, silicified sandstone and other hard siliceous rocks

Archaeologists have identified chert artefacts at sites along the Murray River in the Loxton-Renmark area of South Australia.  The question of using the correct rock name arises because geological formations in that area are not described with chert as a rock type.  Recently I visited sites of commercial quarries where silicified and ferruginised sandstone is quarried.  Those sites are in Loxton Sands, a formation containing sands and not chert.  For Aboriginal people to have obtained 'chert' for use as stone tools the hard siliceous rocks must have been exposed at the surface, in eroding creeks or along cliff faces.  This is now a new research project; finding sources of hard siliceous rocks and correctly naming the rock types.

Brisbane Library

Multiple copies of Love in War have been purchased by the Brisbane Library so now Queensland readers can learn about a Rockhampton nurse during WWI.

In November I will be launching Love in War at the Rockhampton library during their Meet the Author program.  So, if you are in the Rockhampton area please reserve the 25th November and come and see me, I'd like to meet you.

In “Love in War” (published by Xlibris)  author Alan Watchman creates an immersive and touching love story  that  shows the heroism of  nurses during the chaotic battles of World War I.

The diaries and letters of Sister Catherine "Cissy" Black, a Rockhampton nurse during World War I, provide the basis for this romantic novel. Her personal story reveals insights into the hardships and suffering endured by nurses in hospitals and soldiers wounded in the trenches of Gallipoli. Cissy is one of thousands of nurses who volunteered and served their country but whose personal experiences have rarely been told.

It shows how she attends to the horrific wounds of Private Michael Fitzhubert in Egypt after he is stretchered from Quinn's Post and keeps him alive. Typical of many nurses, she falls in love, but their relationship does not run smoothly after he recovers in England.

“Love in War” captures  the sheer brutality of trench warfare and gives readers a whole new appreciation of the circumstances in which nurses were employed, of their working conditions and of the lack of recognition by the military and general population at the war's end.

“Love in War”

By Alan Watchman

Hardcover | 6x9 in | 166 pages | ISBN 9781499033328

Softcover | 6x9 in | 166 pages | ISBN 9781499033342

E-Book | 166 pages | ISBN 9781499033373

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Solstice

Yesterday I submitted Solstice at Flinders Cove to Pan Macmillan for consideration for publication. 

The synopsis.

The discovery of a man's body at an ocean lookout in the exclusive housing resort of Flinders Cove, near Port Lincoln perplexes his partner and residents; however the police initially consider his death as a suicide.  Geologist Mark Altree, holidaying with his partner Sonja Nielsen and staying with the caretaker of the resort, is not convinced. He probes for evidence into a death he increasingly regards as suspicious.   The mystery deepens when Drew Addison, an old friend of Altree's is found at the base of the same cliff. Altree and the collaborating caretaker employ devious methods to untangle the threads of these complex murders involving jealousy, betrayal, homosexuality, and corruption. Altree’s amateur detective adventure follows on from his previous success in solving an earlier murder mystery within an exploration company in Queensland in Yarraman Gold. 

Solstice at Flinders Cove

Flinders Cove is an imaginary location near Port Lincoln in South Australia.  The coastline is rugged, pristine and Lincoln National Park protects the southern part of the peninsula.  It's a truly amazing place to visit for the wildlife, fishing, swimming, surfing, kayaking and beautiful scenery.  Imagine a luxury resort development abutting the park boundary.

The first chapter of Solstice at Flinders Cove begins...

New Year's Day

Under moonlight and high tide waves washed the white body ashore.  Stranded, the torso lay face down partly swathed in a cloak of green sea weed.  Gulls and crows squawked noisily squabbling to peck at the torn flesh.  Malcolm Thomas, a reclusive beachcomber saw the unusual scene at daybreak while making his regular survey of the deserted beach.  Running at them he waved his arms and shouted to scare them off.

Crabs and other sea creatures had disfigured the naked body.  Instinctively he knew what to do.  Hurrying he left the body exposed and returned to his shack.  The birds greedily returned as soon as he hurried off.  Minutes later he strode back along the beach carrying a green canvas sheet and calico bags stuffed in his pockets.  The sun peaked over the cliffs while opposite the Southern Ocean lapped the shore.

Their feeding space invaded, the birds reluctantly took flight after hastily pecking at the soft corpse.  Thomas flung the canvas across the smelly remains and then filled the small calico bags with sand which he used to fasten down the covering sheet.  Standing back to inspect his work he wondered who it was and where they were from.  At first he rushed eagerly away wanting to notify the police, but then he settled into an easy stride knowing the remains were protected.  He knew that the farm house located above a steep cliff was the nearest place with a telephone.  His steps took him towards a set of stairs hewn into the soft sandstone cliff.