Inside the Mind - Peter Baggott

My sister said I'd make a good storyteller. Bringing up my daughter on my own I created stories around unusual records I had inspired by Peer Gynt. With retiring I decided the time was right to test the waters.

My latest two novels was a move to the crime genre. Being an ex-Policeman I decided to research the early days of Policing starting in the 17th century Covent Garden. I spent over 12 months researching the period from every angle. As with all my books I want them to be authentic with the period. The stories are based in Covent Garden and revolve around Malachi's origins. His father James Bentley is a multi talented and respected businessman and conman, but he harbours an evil side abusing women despite his own origins in the back streets of Covent Garden. In trying to seduce the daughter of a business sponsor he is thwarted by a maid resulting in her dismissal. The maid is abducted, raped, and abandoned to James Bentley's brothel grin by an ex partner in Covent Garden. The maid dies giving birth to Malachi and one of the nymph's is given the task of disposing of him. Unable to do so she leaves him in St Pauls Church. A home is found by the pastor. As Malachi grows he crosses paths unknowingly with his father who is undergoing a major change in character due to finding and falling in love with the domestically abused wife of a potential marker in his deceptions. Coming of age at 16 Malachi is told the truth of his origins. Working as a clerk to De Ville the first Bow Street Magistrate he sets out to bring his father to justice.

Some are easy and made to fit in with where I visualise them in the storyline. Some have a purpose for the storyline and some to link the whole story together .

I don't have a set routine to each day. I do however try to spend a few hours writing or researching subjects I want In the story - like divorce in the 17th century with a comical outcome. Even when I'm in the gym I get inspiration or thoughts on variations of what I've already written. I the have to come home and get the ideas down on my computer.

The research. My first four novels are part of a Roman revenge saga. I was brought up around the Roman ruins of my home city of Lincoln and thought I knew a fair bit about the Roman's. In my spare time in my teens I offered myself as a guide to visitors staying at a large hotel where I worked part time. When I started my research I realised I knew very little. The same applied to my research into 17th Century Covent Garden which hasn't changed much in 300 years.

Besides the research finding someone to believe in your writing. If you haven't or don't have an agent many book companies either reject you out of hand or offer publication but at a very high price.

Grammerly has been very useful for self editing before offering it for professional editing.

Do your research diligently as there are always those out there that try to disprove your storylines on authenticity. Pick the right genre some are very popular with some very strong writers leading to a lesser chance of being discovered. Try the writing competitions. Anything is worth a try to raise your profile.

Even though I have a small publisher - their promotion work is limited so I mostly do my own. I've tried linking with internet groups associated with the genre looking to hopefully pick up sales.

I'm currently working on the fifth book of my Roman saga, possibly the last part, I'm torn between two shorter novels or one slightly longer to finish. I'm already doing research for a third Covent Garden story bringing back a character from the first novel who was deported.