I first travelled to Egypt in December 2022 with my wife. I was fascinated and awestruck by the age of Egyptian history. It is one thing to see photos of hieroglyphs and giant statues of Pharaohs in books and on the internet, but to see it up close is phenomenal. Painted on the walls of the tombs, were ancient and intricate hieroglyphs, describing their afterlife, the interaction of their gods and goddesses, all painted in bright colours, thousands of years old. I was mesmerised.

But Egypt is a country rich in history, but also modern capitalism. The turmoil of daily life is in your face, a mix of smiling locals cooking bread in the streets of country towns, or locals running across 4-lane highways in the city to catch the bus. There are the street sellers desperately trying to sell you souvenirs, or the guards at the pyramids wanting to take your photo, then asking for money. And then I read stories in the media about the black market and illegal smuggling. Here is a country so proud about its history, yet others who would sell an artefact to make a buck. Egypt is full of contradictions, of light and dark.

Who wouldn’t be inspired to write a story about all that?

From that first journey, I began to contemplate what that would look like. The ‘What if’s’ began to immerge. What if grandad got caught with a stolen artefact. What if my protagonist was a girl? How would she help grandad get out of prison?

And so, it began.

It was great to bounce ideas off my SCBWI writers group. I would write a chapter each month about my experiences, and ideas. I was encouraged to describe the sights, sounds and smells that make Cairo so fascinating.

One writer from the group put me onto Jessica Brody’s book ‘Save the Cat! Writes a Novel’, The book describes the hero’s journey, encompassing the highs and lows, the triumphs and defeats, transforming through the dark soul of the night, to the finale. What a powerful idea!

I found the hero’s journey to be the perfect structure to use as a foundation for my novel.

My protagonist then became the granddaughter caught in a fractured family, who is sent to live with her grandparents whilst her Dad sorts out the mess. The grandparents go on holiday to Egypt. She doubts her worthiness, her inclusion. She becomes engaged until all hell breaks loose. She needs to overcome her fears, her anxiety. With the help of her spirit guide, the goddess Isis, she learns to take control of her reactions, in order to help grandad get out of prison.

Of course, a second visit to Egypt in February in 2024, helped clarify some of the destinations, and a chance to discuss culture and descriptions with our local tour guide. Creativity and persistence did the rest.

Part of the writing process also involves editing. After the ongoing chapter critiquing through my writers group, I did a professional edit. It also included the examination of the character arc, a valuable process.

‘Scar town’ and ‘Cop and Robber’ by Tristran Bancks, are both thrilling stories that have real-life like events that throw the protagonist into some difficult circumstances. They can either sink or swim to get themselves out of trouble. I also love the car chases and the sinister villains. Great reads!

Maddie’s character arc has parallels to Morrigan Crow in Jessica Townsend’s ‘Nevermoor’ series. Morrigan is born into a loveless family but slowly realises that friendship can also bring a sense of belonging and love.

Maddie’s anxiety attacks are comparable to Harriet Manners in Holly Smale’s ‘Geek Girl’. Harriet’s anxiety is triggered by events, but it is her ability and techniques to conquer those fears is her strength.

RESEARCH; – Backgound reading about Egypt has been based on many fiction and non-fiction material.

Tales of Ancient Egypt

Ref – Green, R L, (revised edition – 2011). Penguin Random House.

Stealing History: tomb raiders, smugglers, and the looting of the ancient world

Ref – Atwood, R, (2004). St Martin’s Press.

Rameses: Volumes 1 to 5

Ref – Jacq, C. (1995-96). Warner Books.