Sorting out the plot

In the shower at the gym today I realised I'd have to do quite a large re-write of the opening scene. Gurdjieff and Rasputin have to go. I wasn't too sure what I was going to do with them and to sort out my present plot problems I have to drain the swamp a bit. Anyway I had too many characters as it was. So I breathed a sigh of relief - phew!

I needed a better first scene anyway if I was ever going to impress a publisher or agent. Things are now slowly beginning to sort themselves out in my head. I still need to figure out one or two plot elements though before I can start the next scene. And I can't delay bringing the gentlemen rankers back into the story any longer. For a story that named after them they've been off stage for far too long!

So say farewell to this pair. Not that you ever really had much of a chance to say hello.

Chapter 3 Scene 3

Link to Google Drive Chapter 3 Scene 3

Mr Oneshovel solves a murder

here is a tourism video of Dover castle

Chapter 3 Scene 2

The gentlemen rankers go to Dover Castle

Link to Google Drive Chapter 3 Scene 2

I can never find a picture of Dover castle that shows it in a more modern light with the rooms and so on that I know to be there.








Dr Lanyon is clearly the son of a a much more famous fictional father. I have made his character very different to that of his father though. Here are some of the actors who I picture when I think of my Dr Lanyon. First though here are two actors who have played him (Lanyon pere)  in movies whose names I never knew or have forgotten.

They sort of fit the bill for a British post war film.- authoritive and conventional.

I'd have, playing my Doctor Lanyon,  perhaps Denholm Elliutt or Stephen Fry (above). But when it came down to it I thought actually that John Hannah was the best fit.

Once more unto Dorothea brande

Actually it's going quite well. More says then not over the last two weeks or so I've woken at 7.00 with my vacuum of coffee, done a brief meditation and started writing. I usually manage about 45 minutes before the urge to check emails and such becomes too great. I'm not sure I'm getting more in tune with my subconscious but I do write. I'm going to try and keep it going for a while longer and see what else Dorothea has to say.

Chapter 3 Scene 1.3

The Gentlemen Rankers depart Ain Seffra and meet the French Foreign Legion

link to Google Drive Gentlemen Rankers Chapter 3 Scene 1.3

The French Foreign Legion pretty much began its illustrious history in Algeria. I think these pics are fairly accurate.

Richard Rassendyll turns up again. Here a re three more takes on what he might look like.

 Errol Flynn (left) and David Niven (right) shared a flat in the early days of Hollywood. They appeared in several films together. I think the Flynn might be a bit closer to my Rassendyll.

Douglas Fairbanks jnr is another contended. He is seen here as Rupert of Henzau from the Prisoner of Zenda - a suitably devil may care role.