It's Friday - What Can Possibly Go Wrong?
A weekly newsletter from Jodi Taylor
This week we have:
The third book in the next three-book contract is…
A David Sands Writing Competition entry: Ella and the Rabbit by Rachel Bridle
Is author Jodi Taylor a Time Traveller? Interview with Caimh McDonnell
Jodi Taylor Book Recommendation: Slow Horses by Mick Herron💙📚
A short video about Lady Jane Grey
The Book of the Month is Hard Time by Jodi Taylor
There’s plenty to read this week and you can see everything new on the blog too. CLICK HERE for the blog.
The Great Wall of Plots
I think this one might turn out to be just a teeny tiny bit of a challenge. Although half of me is quite looking forward to tackling it – especially after the way Out of Time ends – the other half is thinking, ‘For God’s sake, you never learn, do you? Plan ahead, Taylor.’
I’m going to need to sit down and have quite a big think about the storyline for TP7. A lot happens to nearly every character in Out of Time. There will be major ramifications for everyone so most of the main plot points for the next book are scribbled across my sitting room wall – graffiti, as my mother calls it. I think The Great Wall of Plots is a much nicer name but since I want her to come and reorganise my wardrobe again, I’m being polite and not arguing with her. It was her 96th birthday party on Saturday. She had a great time – the rest of us had to spend an hour in a darkened room afterwards.
Where was I? Yes – Time Police 7. ‘Just a few lines, darling,’ were the instructions relayed once again from somewhere in the English Channel. ‘Tell them it’s the third book in the contract and give them an idea of the story.’
Well – chance would be a fine thing. At the moment The Great Wall of Plots is just a tangle of disjointed names and phrases. Some are ringed. Some are linked. Some have question marks. And I’ve drawn a little picture of a gravestone with RIP written on it.
I wish I could remember what that’s all about …
all the best,
Jodi x
Ella and the Rabbit by Rachel Bridle
Ella was tired. She sat on the bench in the changing rooms and slowly pulled off her uniform, peeling off each layer and feeling her muscles creak and groan. Oh for a shower, she thought longingly. It had been a really long shift. Three weeks of time nudging was at least a week too long, with so little sleep. And when was the last time she had sat down for a proper meal?
The door to the changing rooms opened and Charis walked in.
‘Hi Ella,’ she said brightly, moving to the row of lockers. ‘Long shift huh?’ she asked, sympathy written on her face. ‘Heard you sorted Joanie out though, congratulations!’ She grinned and started pulling clothes out of her locker.
Ella smiled to herself. It was true, she had managed to encourage Joan to make her way to the garden to receive her first ‘divine guidance’. The girl just didn’t want to go outside that day at all, and had been sulking as only a 13 year old could. But Ella saw her to the garden safely after much cajoling about fresh air and personal space – something that all teenagers throughout time seemed to crave - and time had successfully reset itself. Joan of Arc would do all she needed to do now.
A big success for the Time Nudgers, Ella thought to herself, and a great end to a shift that had seen Ella nudge many minor characters throughout the period – prompting a page to waken a key English knight which eventually led to a key battle being fought near Orleans; a stable man who had been encouraged to eventually spot a thorn in the saddle of the army commander and prevented him from being thrown from his horse. Many small nudges all centred around the Hundred Years War, successfully ensuring that time was now going on the right track again.
Please note that the David Sands Writing Competion ends on 31st August so please get your entried in soon!
Is author Jodi Taylor a Time Traveller? Recorded at Jodiworld 2025
Discover more videos on Jodi’s YouTube channel - CLICK HERE
Jodi Taylor Book Recommendation: Slow Horses by Mick Herron💙📚
There’s a new series out in September, so it’s a good time catch up on the previous ones if you haven’t watched them yet.
Slow Horses is clever, intricate, brilliantly crafted, and unexpectedly funny. The characters steal the show – seemingly clumsy, tragic, or downright crass at first, until the plot drags these unlikely spooks off the sidelines and throws them into the thick of it. Herron’s portrayal of the murky world of government schemes is absolutely masterful and feels entirely believable.
Have you enjoyed this book too?
The Book of the Month is Hard Time
We need to see the plot wall 😀. Looking forward, as ever, to each and every book. I'm a bit worried about the RIP note though - I'm off to find some alcohol. Much love. Happy writing.
I don’t believe any of this faux confusion and chaos nonsense.How could such a well- plotted and entertaining book emerge every single time?