Work in Progress

I was asked to do this by Catherine Lumb. I think it’s an interesting excercise to make you think about your writing.

What is the title of the book/WIP?

The book is called Crucial Evidence. Apart from WIP it’s had about five titles including ‘Defending the Innocent.’ and ‘Missing Alibi’

Where did the idea come from?

I know that defending an innocent man is the hardest thing a barrister can do. I expanded on that theme so that my main character goes to unusal lengths to ensure her client gets a fair trial.

What Genre is your WIP.

It’s a crime novel, legal drama.

Which actors would you chose to play your characters in a movie rendition.

I am tempted to say Maxine Peake as she plays a very similar character in Silk, but prehaps she should play my police officer, Alexis Seymour, and Anne Marie Duff could play Cassie Hardman, my barrister, but perhaps she’s too attractive for Cassie.

What is your one sentence synopsis of your WIP

Female barrister Cassie Hardman, sure her client is innocent of murder, searches for a crucial witness, and with Police woman, Alexis Seymour, finds the witness and then identifies the real killer.

Is your WIP published or represented?

I have sent the book to a number of Literary Agents without any sucess, but this year the consulting editor of a major publishing house asked to read the whole book. She didn’t want to take it any further after reading the novel, but she made some suggestions about the book and I am now redrafting it with those in mind with the intention of resubmitting it again.

How long did it take to write it?

About three years so far. I keep on rewriting it when I see flaws or I’ve had comments about it from Literary Agents, which make sense to me.

What other books within your genre would you compare it with.

‘Presumed Innocent’ by Scott Turow, the outstanding example of  a legal thriller, and John Grisham’s ‘A Time to Kill.’

Which authors inspired you to write this WIP

Charles Dickens. ‘Bleak House’ is a great legal drama with strong identifiable characters.  You can find the same types in the legal profession today.

Tell us anything else that might pique our interest in this project?

If you have ever asked yourself how can a barrister represent a person they believe is guilty, you will find the answer.