Category: Author

The cinema of my dreams – Was it just another surveillance job – Episode 50

I’m back home and this story has been sitting on the back burner for a few months, waiting for some more to be written.

The trouble is, there are also other stories to write, and I’m not very good at prioritizing.

But, here we are, a few minutes opened up and it didn’t take long to get back into the groove.

Chasing leads, maybe

Just because you have a security card with your name on it doesn’t mean you are cleared.  Yesterday, maybe, but today?  Anything can happen in 24 hours, much like the political landscape.

When I walked in the front entrance and up to the scanning gate, I was just another employee coming into work.  I ran my card through the scanning device, and the light turned red.

It failed.

In the time it took for me to scan it a second time, a security guard had arrived from the front desk, and a soldier, armed and ready was standing behind me.

I didn’t doubt for one minute he would shoot me if I tried to run.

“What seems to be the problem?”  The security guard was polite but firm.

“My card that scanned the last time and worked, doesn’t seem to work now.”

I could read his expression, ‘you just got fired, and are trying to get back in.”

“Let me try.”

I gave him the card, he looked at it, no doubt to see if there was any damage, then tried it.”

“Have you any other means of identification?”

Now, here’s the thing.  This was the office full of spies and support staff all of whom could be using assumed names, different guises, or just plain secretive with their private information.  Luckily I had a driver’s license with the name on the card, but not much else.

I thought about telling him about the place he was guarding, but I doubted he would listen.

He looked at both, then handed back the license. 

“Come with me over to the counter and we’ll see if we can sort this out.”

It was not a request, nor was I unaccompanied.  I now had a soldier permanently attached to me.

When we all arrived at the desk, he joined another guard behind.

“Who is your immediate superior?”

It was a toss-up between Dobbin and Monica.  Since Dobbin spent a lot of time in his car or appeared to, I said it was Monica.

I watched him search slowly through the phone list until he found her number, then called her.

He had his back to me when they spoke, but it wasn’t for long; after a minute, perhaps two, he replaced the receiver and turned back.

“Ms. Shrive will be down in about five minutes.”  He pointed to a row of chairs against the wall, remnants from the last world war.  “If you would like to wait over there, sir.”

He didn’t hand back my card.

The wait was more like a half-hour, but I had become engrossed in an old copy of Country Life, and an article that made me consider retiring to the country in an old thatch cottage beside a babbling brook somewhere in the Cotswolds.

Until I read the price. 

The arrival of Monica came at a fortuitous moment.  Coming to the desk.

“Nnn, I was hoping you would drop by sooner rather than later.”

“My card doesn’t work.”

“Oh, that’s because we revoked it.”  She held out another in her hand.  “We’ve replaced it with one with better access, or as we say jokingly, you’ve moved up in the pay grade scale.”

I took the card and went to put it in my pocket.

“You need to register your presence, so I’m afraid you’ll have to go out and come back in again.”

I did as she asked, this time greeted by the friendly green light.  The soldier seemed disappointed that I was not free of his attention.  The security guard on the desk had alt=ready forgotten I existed.

“Come.”

I followed Monica to the antiquated elevator, we stepped in, closed the door and she pressed a button for the third and fourth floors.  It seemed creakier than usual this time.

“I’m assuming you have come in to use the computer resources?”

“Yes.”

“Good thing then we upgraded your access level.”

“And is there someone who manages access to CCTV footage?”

“Yes.  Same floor, four.  Her name is Amelia Enders.  Tell her what you need, and she’ll find it.  I assume it will have something to do with the surveillance exercise of yours.”

How could she guess, or had she been already investigating?”

“Come and see me when you’re finished.  I live on the third floor.  Literally.”

The elevator stopped on the third floor with a creak and a thump.

A smile and she headed off down the passage.

If I wasn’t mistaken, she had that cat who ate the canary look, and it worried me.

…

© Charles Heath 2020-2022

“Echoes From The Past”, the past doesn’t necessarily stay there


What happens when your past finally catches up with you?

…

Christmas is just around the corner, a time to be with family. For Will Mason, an orphan since he was fourteen, it is a time for reflection on what his life could have been, and what it could be.

Until a chance encounter brings back to life the reasons for his twenty years of self-imposed exile from a life only normal people could have. From that moment, Will’s life slowly starts to unravel, and it’s obvious to him that it’s time to move on.

This time, however, there is more at stake.

Will has broken his number one rule: don’t get involved.

With his nemesis, Eddie Jamieson, suddenly within reach, and a blossoming relationship with an office colleague, Maria, about to change everything, Will has to make a choice. Quietly leave, or finally, make a stand.

But as Will soon discovers, when other people are involved, there are going to be terrible consequences no matter what choice he makes.

…

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The cinema of my dreams – I always wanted to see the planets – Episode 15

Does the captain have a plan?

…

I saw the alien visitor tilt his head, as if someone had just whispered in his ear, if he had an ear that is, and then made a guttural sound.

Seconds later a beam appeared, and he or she, was gone.

“What just happened?” It was out before I could stop myself.

“I suspect he just beamed off our ship to his.”

The captain pushed a button on his desk communicator, and barked, “where is that foreign ship?”

The voice of the second officer came back, “just reappeared, then disappeared again, like it isn’t there, or we just can’t detect its presence.”

“This is like an old scifi show, sir. They have what I think was called cloaking.” It would be awesome if they did, but more awesome if we had it too.

Then another beam appeared, where the captain was sitting, and then he was gone too.

OK, now we were in trouble.

I ran to the desk and pushed that same button to get the attention of the bridge.

“That ship reappear?”

The second officer was quick to reply. “Yes.”

“And I take it, it has gone again?”

“Yes. What just happened?”

“Do a crew count, now. I’ll wait.”

In those next few moments a great many thoughts passed through my mind, not the least if which centred on one of our crew, there mostly to keep an eye on some of our systems.

The more obvious, that without the captain, I had just got a field promotion, one I was neither looking for, or had the experience or training to fulfil. I had been hoping over the next ten years to get both the trains and the experience.

After the seconds report my first action would be to call space command.

The second officers voice came back, “both the captain and Lieutenant Myers are both not aboard sir.”

I was expecting the obvious question but it didn’t come.

Lieutenant Myers was a nuclear scientist. The alien had been keeping us amused while his men captured the Lieutenant. And he was not chasing the pirates, he was the chief pirate.

Damn.

“Can we trace that ship?”

“I’ve got people working on it, but it seems so. It’s leaving a trail we can pick up on our sensors.”

“Good, get after it, and that’s an order.”

A minute later I could feel the gentle tug as we accelerated.

I pushed the button to get the second officer.

“Sir?”

“You have the bridge. Let me know our progress in about 15 minutes. I have a call to make.”

…

© Charles Heath 2021

The 2am Rant: Curious children find a curiosity

I am constantly reminded of how curious grandchildren can be when they are not asking you what it was like to live with dinosaurs!

The second eldest, who is a rather clever 17-year-old, considers it interesting that I’m a writer, and having just met a ‘real’ author who came to visit them at school, asked me a few questions, some of which sounded like those that had been asked of my ‘real’ counterpart.

Like, “how old were you when you first wrote a story, and what was that story about?”

I didn’t think it was when I was at school, but sometime after that, and after a lot of reading.  Perhaps it had been one of those moments when a light bulb goes on in your head, and I said to myself, I can write these stories too.

Of course, that wasn’t an answer, so she asked again, when did I start writing?

That required a little thought, and several triggers gave me a date, where I lived at the time, the fact I used my mother’s old portable typewriter, and the fact that I had not been long out of school.  I was, in fact, about 17.  It was 53 years ago; I’ll let you do the math!

What was it about that I couldn’t tell her, but I said I had rescued a lot of old scribbling of mine and put them in a box to look at later when I had the time.

I guess that time had arrived.

And, yes, there was the book, the individually typed pages, some with corrections, unfinished.

The pages were brown with age.

The story, well, I read the first few pages, and it seems I’d started down the thriller path then, the story so far, an agent comes ashore from a trawler to a bleak and isolated village, perhaps on the Scottish coast.

Then there was the inevitable next question: “What was the first story you read that put you on the path to wanting to become a writer”.

That was easy, Alistair Maclean’s HMS Ulysses.  I showed her a copy of the book.

That led to, “but this is about the British Royal Navy in World War 2…”

Perhaps I didn’t answer that correctly. It was after reading about a dozen of his novels, most of which were precursors to the modern-day thriller, perhaps more along the lines of action-adventure.

The next question, understandably, is “What was the first book you ever finished?”

That was The Starburst Conspiracy, the manuscript of which was in the box along with another completed novel and quite a few short stories.

Back in those days, I remembered that I had sent some of my stories off to various publishers and had entered several short story competitions, all to no avail.  And for several years, until I because to old, I used to write and enter a novel in the Vogel novel competition but never made it to the shortlist.

It’s probably why I gave up writing for several years, until I worked for an interesting company that had a rich history of phosphate mining in the Pacific and was given permission to look into the archives, began writing what could only be described as a saga, and by the time I’d left, it was over 1200 closely typed pages long.

I showed the bulky manuscript to her, but by this time her interest had moved to something else.

For me, however, it seemed there was a lot of unfinished business.

What I learned about writing – When computers and memory fails

It’s late at night, and twenty other story ideas are currently running around in my head, instead of the story I should be working on.

These ideas are impinging on the current story and somehow are finding their way onto the page.

Writing, cursing, deleting, re-writing, deleting, cursing.

I’m working on the latest book, and it is not going well.  I don’t have writer’s block; I think it is more a case of self-doubt.  It’s why I can’t concentrate.

It’s why I’m thinking about the next story and not staying on track.  And that pesky outline, or synopsis, or whatever it wants to be called, has gone missing under a pile of paper.

Next resolution, clean up this goddam mess!

This leads me to be overly critical of what I have written and to press the delete key more often.  Only to realise that an action taken in haste can be regrettable and makes me feel even more depressed when I realise the deletions are irrecoverable.

Damn.  Whatever happened to ‘undo’?

I think I’d be happier in a garret somewhere channelling van Gogh’s rage.

Lesson learned – don’t delete, save it to a text file so it can be retrieved when sanity returns.

If it returns…

I was not happy with the previous start.  Funny about that, because until a few weeks ago I thought the start was perfect.

What a difference a week makes, or is that politics?

Perhaps I should consider adding some political satire.

But I digress…

It seems it’s been like that for a few weeks now, not being able to stick to the job in hand, doing anything but what I’m supposed to be doing.  I recognise the restlessness. I’m not happy with the story as it stands, so rather than moving forward, I find myself writing words just for the sake of writing words.

Any words are better than none, right?

So, I rewrote the start, added about a hundred pages, and now I have to do a mass of rewriting of what was basically the whole book.

But here’s the thing.

This morning, I woke up and looked at the new start, and it has inspired me.

Perhaps all I needed was several weeks of teeth gnashing and self-doubt to get myself back on track.

365 Days of Writing, 2026 – 261

Day 261 – Writing about what you know well

…

Why Writing About What You Know Can Be Harder Than Writing About What Surprises You (And How to Overcome It)

Introduction

You’ve spent years mastering your craft, building a deep knowledge base, and now you’re asked to write about it. Yet, the blank screen stares back, and the words refuse to flow. Surprisingly, many writers find it easier to write about a subject that fascinates or even intimidates them than about something they already know inside and out.

In this post we’ll explore the paradox of familiarity, unpack the emotional and technical obstacles that make “writing about what you know” feel like a slog, and deliver a step‑by‑step framework to turn that expertise into high‑quality, SEO‑friendly content that readers (and Google) love.

Table of Contents

  1. The Paradox of Familiarity
  2. Psychological Barriers When Writing About What You Know
  3. The Unexpected Freedom of Writing About the Unknown
  4. Practical Strategies to Make Familiar Topics Shine
    • Reframe Your Perspective
    • Use Storytelling & Personal Anecdotes
    • Drill Deeper: Find the “Angle”
    • Leverage Fresh Research & Data
    • Structure for Readability & SEO
  5. When to Choose Surprise Over Familiarity
  6. SEO Checklist for Expert Content
  7. Conclusion & Call‑to‑Action
  8. FAQs

1. The Paradox of Familiarity

Writing About the UnknownWriting About What You Know
Pros: Fresh curiosity, high emotional stakes, “novelty” factor.Cons: Fear of sounding boring, assumptions of shared knowledge, perfectionism.
Cons: Limited background research needed, risk of inaccuracy.Pros: Authority, depth, credibility.

Even though familiar topics give you authority, they also bring invisible friction:

  1. Assumed knowledge: You skip explanations you think are “obvious,” leaving readers confused.
  2. Perfectionism: You feel pressured to be exactly right, which can freeze the writing process.
  3. Self‑censorship: You worry about sounding “pretentious” or “dry.”

The result? Writer’s block, a flat tone, and content that under‑delivers on both reader value and SEO potential.

2. Psychological Barriers When Writing About What You Know

2.1 The “Expert’s Curse”

When you’ve internalized a topic, it’s easy to forget what beginners struggle with. This “curse of knowledge” creates a mental gap between your expertise and the reader’s understanding, making it hard to translate that knowledge into accessible language.

2.2 Fear of Redundancy

You might think, “Everyone already knows this.” That fear pushes you to over‑edit or abandon the piece altogether, believing the content won’t add value.

2.3 Perfection Paralysis

Because you can prove every point, you feel obligated to double‑check every fact, turning a 500‑word draft into an endless research marathon.

2.4 Emotional Distance

Writing about a subject that’s personal (e.g., a hobby you love) can trigger emotional over‑investment. You become overly protective of the content, stalling revision and publication.

3. The Unexpected Freedom of Writing About the Unknown

When you write about something that surprises you, a few psychological boosters kick in:

BoostWhy It Helps
CuriosityTriggers dopamine, energizing the writing flow.
Low stakesYou’re less likely to worry about “getting it perfect.”
Novelty biasReaders (and search engines) love fresh angles, encouraging you to dig deeper.

The flip side? You may need to research more to avoid inaccuracies, but the process often feels more adventurous and less intimidating than confronting your own expertise.

4. Practical Strategies to Make Familiar Topics Shine

Below is a step‑by‑step framework you can apply to any piece where you’re writing about what you already know. Each step integrates SEO best practices without sacrificing readability.

4.1 Reframe Your Perspective

  1. Adopt a “Beginner’s Mindset.” Imagine you’re explaining the topic to a 12‑year‑old or a new hire.
  2. Ask “Why does this matter to them?” Focus on benefits, not just facts.
  3. Write a one‑sentence “value proposition.” Example: “Learn three quick hacks to cut your email inbox in half, even if you’ve been managing it for years.”

4.2 Use Storytelling & Personal Anecdotes

  • Hook: Start with a vivid anecdote that illustrates the problem.
  • Conflict: Show the struggle you faced despite your expertise.
  • Resolution: Deliver actionable tips that solved the issue.

Example: “When I first automated my reporting workflow, I thought the biggest hurdle would be the tech. Instead, it was convincing my team that the new dashboard was trustworthy.”

Stories humanize expertise, making dense information more relatable and SEO‑friendly (Google favors dwell time).

4.3 Drill Deeper: Find the “Angle”

Your expert knowledge likely includes niche sub‑topics that few others have covered. Use these to differentiate your post:

Typical AngleHow to Find It
Common myth bustingList the top 3 misconceptions you’ve heard.
Process walkthroughBreak a complex workflow into a step‑by‑step guide.
Case studyShare real data from your own project.
Tool comparisonProvide a side‑by‑side matrix of pros/cons for tools you use daily.

4.4 Leverage Fresh Research & Data

Even when you’re the authority, up‑to‑date statistics amp up credibility and SEO:

  • Pull the latest industry reports (e.g., HubSpot, Statista).
  • Quote expert interviews (including your own).
  • Add visual assets: charts, infographics, or screenshots.

Tip: Embed a Google Data Studio chart on your page. It’s interactive, improves dwell time, and signals freshness to Google.

4.5 Structure for Readability & SEO

  1. Title – Include primary keyword early: “How to Write About What You Know (Even When It Feels Hard)”
  2. Meta Description – 150‑160 characters, incorporating the same keyword.
  3. H1, H2, H3 – Use a logical hierarchy with keyword variations.
  4. Short Paragraphs – 2‑4 sentences each.
  5. Bullet Points & Numbered Lists – Boost skimmability.
  6. Internal Links – Connect to 2‑3 related posts on your site (e.g., “5 Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block”).
  7. External Links – Cite authoritative sources.
  8. Call‑to‑Action (CTA) – End with a prompt (download a checklist, sign up for a newsletter).

SEO Boost: Add a FAQ schema (structured data) using the questions in the final FAQ section. This often earns featured snippets.

5. When to Choose Surprise Over Familiarity

Sometimes the best approach is to pivot and write about a topic that genuinely excites you, even if it’s outside your core expertise. Consider this path when:

  • You’re experiencing burnout on a particular niche.
  • Your analytics show a decline in engagement for evergreen content.
  • You spot a trending keyword that aligns loosely with your brand but offers a fresh angle.

Hybrid Strategy: Write a “Beginner’s Guide” to the surprising topic, then sprinkle in expert insights from your main field to create a unique cross‑disciplinary piece. This can attract new audiences while retaining authority.

6. SEO Checklist for Expert Content

✅ ItemWhy It Matters
Target keyword in title (within first 60 characters)Boosts click‑through rate (CTR).
Primary keyword in first 100 wordsSignals relevance to search engines.
LSI keywords (e.g., “writing challenges,” “expert content creation”)Improves semantic coverage.
Optimized images (alt‑text with keyword)Increases image search traffic.
Internal linking (2‑3 links)Enhances site architecture & page authority.
Outbound links to authoritative sitesReinforces credibility.
Readability score (Flesch‑Kincaid > 60)Improves user experience.
Mobile‑friendly layoutGoogle’s mobile‑first indexing.
Schema markup (FAQ)Increases chance of rich results.
Social share buttonsDrives referral traffic.

7. Conclusion & Call‑to‑Action

Writing about what you already know can feel like navigating a maze of perfectionism, assumed knowledge, and fear of redundancy. Yet, by reframing your mindset, injecting storytelling, digging for fresh angles, and structuring for SEO, you can transform your expertise into magnetic, high‑ranking content.

Ready to turn your expertise into traffic‑generating copy?
Download our free “Expert to Engager” checklist and start publishing your next powerhouse article today!

8. Frequently Asked Questions

QuestionAnswer
Why does writing about familiar topics feel harder?The “expert’s curse,” fear of redundancy, and perfectionism create mental blocks that stall the writing flow.
How can I avoid sounding pretentious when writing about my field?Adopt a beginner’s mindset, use plain language, and pepper your piece with relatable anecdotes.
Is it better for SEO to write about trending topics or evergreen expertise?A mix works best: evergreen content builds long‑term authority, while trending pieces capture short‑term traffic spikes.
How many times should I edit an expert article?Aim for 3 passes: (1) Content & structure, (2) Clarity & readability, (3) SEO & final polish.
What’s the quickest way to add credibility to a familiar‑topic post?Insert recent data, cite authoritative sources, and embed a visual (chart/infographic).

TL;DR

  • Familiar topics trigger psychological blocks that make writing feel tougher.
  • Reframe, story‑tell, find a unique angle, and back it with fresh data.
  • Follow the SEO checklist to turn expertise into searchable, shareable content.

Take the first step now: [Download the free “Expert to Engager” checklist] and watch your knowledge convert into clicks, leads, and lasting authority.

Happy writing! 🎉

…

If I only had one day to stop over in – Dublin – what would I do?

One Day in Dublin? There’s Only One Place to Start.

You have a single day. A fleeting stopover in a city with a thousand stories. You want it to be memorable, not a whirlwind of checklist tourism. You want to feel Dublin, not just see it.

Forget the rush. Forget trying to cram in ten sights. There is one anchor point that will give you the essence of the city—its history, its soul, its stunning beauty—and set the perfect tone for everything else you might discover.

That place is Trinity College Dublin. And more specifically, the Old Library and the Book of Kells.

Why This? It’s Not Just a Library.

Standing in the heart of the 16th-century college, you’re stepping into the very womb of Dublin’s intellectual and cultural identity. This is where Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, and Samuel Beckett walked. But the true magic is the Long Room.

You walk through a hushed, majestic corridor. Two levels of dark oak bookshelves stretch 65 meters before you, holding over 200,000 of the library’s oldest volumes. The vaulted ceiling, the marble busts of philosophers, the scent of aged paper—it’s a scene of profound, cinematic beauty that feels both ancient and alive. It’s one of the most breathtaking rooms in the world, and it’s right here in the middle of a bustling city.

And at the very heart of it, the centrepiece: the Book of Kells. This isn’t just an old book. It’s a 9th-century masterpiece of insular art, a luminous gospel where every page is an explosion of intricate symbols, mythic beasts, and dazzling swirls of colour. Seeing it in person—the sheer artistry and devotion it represents—connects you to an Ireland of monks and scholars, a profound creative spirit that has endured through centuries.

How to Make That Day Unforgettable:

  1. Go First Thing (Book Online!): Get your timed ticket for the Book of Kells exhibition and the Old Library for as soon as it opens (usually 9:30/10 AM). This is non-negotiable for a one-day visit. Do not wait in line. Book in advance on the Trinity College website.
  2. Take Your Time (90 Minutes): Don’t rush. Read the panels explaining the Book of Kells’ history. Stand in the middle of the Long Room and just breathe. Find the oldest book in Ireland (the Book of Durrow). Let the awe sink in.
  3. Wander the Grounds: After your library visit, stroll through the beautiful, tranquil Trinity College grounds. See the beautiful Campanile bell tower, the quieter Parliament Square, and the serene Fellows’ Square. It’s a peaceful, green oasis that feels worlds away from the city outside.
  4. Let It Anchor Your Day: From here, you are perfectly positioned. The college borders Grafton Street (for shopping and buskers) and the Temple Bar area (for cobblestones, galleries, and a true taste of the city’s vibrant energy). Have your classic Irish coffee or a pint in a pub nearby, but you’ll do it with the weight and wonder of Irish history fresh in your mind.

The Real Secret:

This experience gives you context. Yes, you’ll see the Guinness Storehouse or the Guinness Storehouse, but you’ll understand the why. Dublin’s famously literary pub culture, its love of debate and storytelling, its resilience—it all grows from roots like those found in the Old Library. You’ll step out onto the street not just having seen a famous attraction, but having connected with the founding story of the city itself.

So, for your one precious day: Do not miss the Old Library. See the Book of Kells. Stand in the Long Room.

It’s the one place that turns a stopover into a story you’ll carry home. It’s the key that unlocks the rest of your day, and the real meaning of Dublin.

P.S. – Afterward, find a traditional pub with a roaring fire (like The Palace Bar on Fleet Street, a Trinity favourite). Order a simple half-pint of Guinness, sit quietly, and listen to the murmur of conversation. You’ll hear echoes of every writer, scholar, and ordinary Dubliner who ever walked out of those library doors. That’s your memorable day, complete.

In a word: Order

I gave the order to my assistant to order the supplies we needed in order to maintain stock levels.

Oh, yes, the word order is one of my favourites, because it can confuse the hell out of many people in its simplicity and yet complexity.

I gave the order, it’s what happens in the armed forces, and a lot of other places, but mostly we would associate it with organisations that have hierarchical authority.

The military, for one, cut orders, the means of sending one of its minions to another place, or to do a specific job.

Order supplies, well, just about anyone can order something from somewhere, usually on the internet, and sometimes require or are given an order number so it can be tracked.

In order to maintain, in order to get what I want, in order to get elected, this is just another way of using the word, with the aim of achieving something, though I’m sure there’s probably a better way of expressing these sentiments.

Law and order, well, doesn’t everyone want this, and doesn’t it always turn up in an election campaign, and seems to be the first thing sacrificed after the election.  The thing is, no one can guarantee law and order.

There is the law and there is administering it.  There is no order that comes with it, we just hope that order is maintained, and deplore the situation when it isn’t.

Perhaps in order to maintain law and order, we might need more police.

Then, of course, there is alphabetical order, and numerical order, where things can be designated from A to Z, like this challenge, or from 1 to 10, or more.  We can sort words alphabetically, numbers numerically and data items by keys or an index.

This is naturally called a sort order.

Then there is my car, or bike, or washing machine, or mixmaster.  They are currently in good working order, though that might not last.

And lastly, in deference to all those out there who are thinking of becoming dictators, it’s always possible, one day, there will be a new world order.  They might actually be in their own particular order, whose intellect might be (?) of the highest order.

Surely that is one order too many.

‘What Sets Us Apart’ – A beta reader’s view

There’s something to be said for a story that starts like a James Bond movie, throwing you straight in the deep end, a perfect way of getting to know the main character, David, or is that Alistair?

A retired spy, well, not so much a spy as a retired errand boy, David’s rather wry description of his talents, and a woman that most men would give their left arm for, not exactly the ideal couple, but there is a spark in a meeting that may or may not have been a setup.

But as the story progressed, the question I kept asking myself was why he’d bother.

And, page after unrelenting page, you find out.

Susan is exactly the sort of woman to pique his interest.  Then, inexplicably, she disappears.  That might have been the end of it, but Prendergast, that shadowy enigma, David’s ex-boss who loves playing games with real people, gives him an ultimatum: find her or come back to work.

Nothing like an offer that’s a double-edged sword!

A dragon for a mother, a sister he didn’t know about, Susan’s BFF who is not what she seems or a friend indeed, and Susan’s father, who, up till David meets her, couldn’t be less interested, his nemesis proves to be the impossible dream, and he’s always just that one step behind.

When the rollercoaster finally came to a halt, and I could start breathing again, it was an ending that was completely unexpected.

I’ve been told there’s a sequel in the works.

Bring it on!

…

The book can be purchased here:  http://amzn.to/2Eryfth

…

If I only had one day to stop over in – Prague – what would I do?

One‑Day Stopover in Prague? Spend It All at Prague Castle

If you’ve only got a single day to soak up the magic of the Czech capital, there’s one place that will give you a crash‑course in history, architecture, and breathtaking views—all in one unforgettable stop.

Why Prague Castle is the Ultimate One‑Day Highlight

What you getHow it fits a tight schedule
A panoramic cityscape – From the castle’s highest towers you can see the Vltava River snaking through the red‑tiled roofs, the spires of St. Vitus, and the iconic Charles Bridge.Compact “must‑see” circuit – The main attractions (St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane) are within a 15‑minute walk of each other.
Layers of history – From a 9th‑century wooden fort to Habsburg‑era palaces, you’ll walk through more than a thousand years of Czech story in a couple of hours.Flexible timing – Even a 2‑hour “quick tour” feels complete; a deeper dive can stretch to 4‑5 hours if you have the time.
Iconic photo‑ops – Sunset over the city, the gilded Saint George statue, the winding golden lane – Instagram‑ready moments at every turn.Easy access – A short tram ride (or a 20‑minute walk from the Old Town) drops you right at the main gate; the castle is free to explore the courtyards, and ticketed sections are clearly marked.
Café culture – The castle grounds host charming cafés where you can sip a Czech “kafe” while the city bustles below.No language barrier – Audio guides in English (and many other languages) are available at the ticket windows, so you won’t miss a thing.

How to Make the Most of Your Castle Visit

1. Start Early – Get the Tram (Line 22) to “Pražský hrad”

The first tram out of Old Town Square (stop “Staroměstská”) arrives at the castle gates by 9 am. Beat the tourist crowds and the midday heat, and you’ll have the terrace of St. Vitus Cathedral all to yourself for that perfect sunrise shot.

2. Grab a Fast‑Pass Ticket (or Skip‑the‑Line App)

If you’re travelling in peak season (May‑September), buy a “Castle Pass” online before you land. It gives you priority entry to the St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane—the three “must‑see” interiors. The pass costs about €12 and saves you 30‑45 minutes of waiting.

3. Follow the “Three‑Spot Circuit”

SpotTime NeededWhat to Spot
St. Vitus Cathedral30–45 minGothic spires, the stunning Astronomical Clock (different from the one in the Old Town), the royal tombs.
Old Royal Palace & Vladislav Hall30 minThe grand hall where coronations once took place; a glimpse of medieval frescoes.
Golden Lane20 minColorful tiny houses that once housed castle guards and later Alphonse Mucha’s studio.

Tip: Walk the circuit clockwise. It follows the natural flow of the historic layout and keeps you moving forward without backtracking.

4. Take a Break at Café Mlejnice (or the Castle’s “Cafe Kavárna”)

Around noon, let the castle’s own café treat you to a warm bowl of goulash with dumplings or a simple Czech pastry. Pair it with a mug of locally roasted coffee while you watch the city spread out below.

5. **Don’t Miss the Sunset from Rudolfinum Tower

If your schedule allows, stay until the late afternoon. The Rudolfinum Tower (a short 10‑minute walk from the main gate) offers a 360° view that transforms the city into a golden‑glow canvas—ideal for that final, memory‑making photo.

Quick Logistics Cheat Sheet

ItemDetail
Opening HoursCastle grounds 24 h; ticketed sites 9 am–5 pm (last entry 4:30 pm).
Entry FeeFree for the courtyards; €10–€12 for the “combined ticket.”
Getting ThereTram 22 (or 20) from Old Town → “Pražský hrad.” Walking distance from the Charles Bridge (≈20 min).
What to WearComfortable shoes (cobblestones), light rain jacket (prague weather is unpredictable), a small day‑pack (no large bags allowed in some interiors).
Nearby ToiletsPublic WC at the “Růžový palác” (Rose Palace) near the main entrance – free with ticket.
Kid‑FriendlyThe Golden Lane feels like a storybook; there’s a small kids’ treasure hunt map at the ticket office (free).

The One‑Day Itinerary (All Clock‑Times Approximate)

TimeActivity
08:30Arrive in Prague (airport or train). Grab a coffee and a quick bite at a bakery near the main station.
09:15Tram 22 to “Pražský hrad.”
09:45Enter castle gates, start the Three‑Spot Circuit (St. Vitus → Old Royal Palace → Golden Lane).
12:15Lunch break at the castle café (or a nearby traditional Czech restaurant in Malá Strana).
13:30Walk down the historic Lobkowicz Palace gardens (optional, free) toward the Charles Bridge.
14:30Stroll across the Charles Bridge, snap photos of the statues, and explore the Old Town Square if time permits.
16:00Return to the castle’s Rudolfinum Tower for sunset views.
17:30Head back to the airport/train station via tram 22 (or a taxi if you’re in a hurry).

Pro tip: If your flight departs late in the evening, you can swap the sunset view for a twilight walk along the Vltava’s embankment, enjoying the city lights reflecting on the water.

Wrap‑Up: Why One Spot Beats Ten

A bustling city like Prague tempts you to “see it all,” but a single, well‑chosen landmark can give you the essence of the place without the stress of a rushed checklist. Prague Castle packs history, culture, panoramic scenery, and that palpable sense of being at the heart of Europe—all in one compact, walkable area.

So, when your itinerary shrinks to a single day, set your compass for the castle walls, and let the city’s story unfold beneath your feet.

Ready to make your stopover unforgettable?
Book your tram ticket, snag a fast‑pass, and let Prague Castle be the unforgettable centrepiece of your Czech adventure.

Happy travels—and don’t forget to tag your sunrise castle photos with #PragueInADay!