Beginning with this introductory post, we are going to take a trip together.  I thought it might prove interesting for you to go along, as I write one of my novels.

Each day that I work at writing, I will share what was accomplished, how I went about incorporating the research with the prose, as well as the thought process.  It will give you a glimpse into Derek Hart’s writing, as well as the actual building blocks.

I am currently working on 4 novels, switching between them depending on both mood and motivation.  However, the primary focus is on Secret of the Dragon’s Teeth – Book 5 in the series.

This storyline is beginning to reach the climax of WWII,  as the reader will find themselves in the Spring and Summer of 1944.  Of course, the Normandy invasion is the focal point, the high-water mark.  I am faced with both the challenge of writing about the invasion from a military and historical viewpoint, but more importantly from the human experience.  Likewise, Thaddeus Osbert, the dragon who meddles throughout the series, wants to take a more active role in the outcome.  Add to this the three teenagers (Gavin, Emily and Bunty) who are also now firmly involved.  This quandary of plots and characters will be my greatest challenge, because it not only must make sense, but the decisions and action here leads to Book 6, where most of it comes together.

First, however, I have to solve two huge events that closed out Book 4.

1) Major Vickers was captured by the Germans.

2) Emily Scott was kidnapped by the German agent Vera Ericksen and delivered to Himmler.  Remember, the American bombers are on their way to obliterate Wewelsburg Castle.  Oh my.

I’ve had plenty of practice with this potential peril style and decided that the Book 5 sample chapter at the end of Book 4 would answer  only half of item #2, because it would both intrigue and  infuriate the reader.  (Always a good tool.)

So here is how Book 5 will begin: Bold print, so you’ll be able to discern when the writing stops and starts.

There was an old stone house with apple trees in the yard, surrounded by a thick stone fence, which went clear around the house, separating the apple orchard from the road. Standing near a grassy bank in the hedgerow country, not far from the village of Bayeux, Major Traber Vickers awaited his execution in the cool dawn mist.

The members of the SS Exekutionskommando firing squad had heard the guttural orders to open fire.

“Schiessen!”

Darkness fell across them as their rifles fired simultaneously.

However, not one bullet hit the target.

In fact, every round simply disappeared in mid-flight.

Dumbfounded by this strange turn of events, the soldiers all looked at their rifles first, then at their commanding officer.  The SS officer could only manage a half-hearted shrug.

Major Vickers peered through half-open slits, just as surprised to be alive.

It was then that the mysterious shadow grew in proportion, blotting out the morning sunrise.  The SS soldiers felt an incredible chill sweep over them and they huddled together in uncertainty and fear.

In a blink of an eye, there appeared before them a gigantic monstrosity, a magnificently terrible creature with flaming-red scales.  The dragon was poised, claws extended, tail raised to strike, mouth open to display razor-sharp teeth.

Perhaps courageous, perhaps foolhardy, the SS officer shook of his initial shock and screamed for his men to open fire.  They hesitated for just a moment, before discipline took over.

Weapons lifted, it was the last thing those German soldiers ever did.

Thaddeus Osbert roared in defiance and with terrible fury unleashed, the dragon i