Harry Douthwaite
Member
Back in the late-2000s I went through quite a lot. Already having undergone a traumatic inter-continental move at the end of primary school, I then lost a friend who meant more to me than anyone else ever had. To try and cope with all of this, I decided to start writing my own escape from reality. It wasn't very good, I'll admit. However, just recently I decided to revive the project I started with a new title, new plot and some great new ideas.
The story introduces us to Robin Brush, an eleven-year old boy who endures the same things that most train enthusiasts face at that age. Being bullied for his hobbies, for his emotional longing for his only friend who moved away some time ago, and even for stuff that he doesn't understand. He hates conflict, as every time it occurs it's a physically painful experience. A glimmer of hope appears in Robin's life when new neighbours move in, with a boy named Timothy who likes trains too! However this comes with its own set of problems. Timothy is several years younger than Robin, and not everyone approves of their friendship. Even worse, Robin's tormentors start to make fun of Timothy too. Robin just can't understand why he is so different from everyone else.
When Robin starts high school his struggles are finally noticed by his teachers, and a referral gives him hope that he just might find some solutions to his problems. Finally, Robin has to make a difficult choice about his friendship with Timothy.
The story is set in the summer of 2005, mostly taking place in the vicinity of the Hertford East branch line. Right now, the story is still a work-in-progress. I have it posted on Scribblehub under this work-in-progress title "Strife in Stanstead Abbotts" if anyone is curious enough to give it a read.
Eventually I'll be looking for a publisher to turn it into a paperback. For now though, I'm only about half-done. Things will be changed around as I make revisions. But I'm much happier with the direction this story is going, compared to my earlier attempts last year and over a decade ago.
Those familiar with trains in the Anglia region in the mid 2000s will probably appreciate the nostalgia trip. While the Hertford East branch services were almost entirely Class 315 or 317 EMUs, there was a huge variety of liveries running around. A visit to Norfolk in the latest chapter and a return journey in next chapter (currently being written) should be especially pleasing for most people here, too.
Has anyone else had a dabble in this sort of project?
The story introduces us to Robin Brush, an eleven-year old boy who endures the same things that most train enthusiasts face at that age. Being bullied for his hobbies, for his emotional longing for his only friend who moved away some time ago, and even for stuff that he doesn't understand. He hates conflict, as every time it occurs it's a physically painful experience. A glimmer of hope appears in Robin's life when new neighbours move in, with a boy named Timothy who likes trains too! However this comes with its own set of problems. Timothy is several years younger than Robin, and not everyone approves of their friendship. Even worse, Robin's tormentors start to make fun of Timothy too. Robin just can't understand why he is so different from everyone else.
When Robin starts high school his struggles are finally noticed by his teachers, and a referral gives him hope that he just might find some solutions to his problems. Finally, Robin has to make a difficult choice about his friendship with Timothy.
The story is set in the summer of 2005, mostly taking place in the vicinity of the Hertford East branch line. Right now, the story is still a work-in-progress. I have it posted on Scribblehub under this work-in-progress title "Strife in Stanstead Abbotts" if anyone is curious enough to give it a read.
Eventually I'll be looking for a publisher to turn it into a paperback. For now though, I'm only about half-done. Things will be changed around as I make revisions. But I'm much happier with the direction this story is going, compared to my earlier attempts last year and over a decade ago.
Those familiar with trains in the Anglia region in the mid 2000s will probably appreciate the nostalgia trip. While the Hertford East branch services were almost entirely Class 315 or 317 EMUs, there was a huge variety of liveries running around. A visit to Norfolk in the latest chapter and a return journey in next chapter (currently being written) should be especially pleasing for most people here, too.
Has anyone else had a dabble in this sort of project?
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