“LIKE DROWNING in treacle” complained Peter Morrison, our speaker at the January meeting of the Airedale Writers’ Circle.

He was referring to the sticky task of wading through weighty historical novels that have been over-stuffed with the author’s lecturing.

“Crack on with the story” he had been advised by an established writer, and that is just what Peter has done in A Lonely Road, his recently published paperback of just 30,000 words.

It is set in 1214 in the North of England: King John is annoying the barons (and will be forced to sign the Magna Carta a year later) and Robin of Loxley – aka Robin Hood – has just died.

Lawyer Thomas Sturdy is sent to find out the truth about the “good” outlaws. As such he is a member of the “bad” Establishment, but nothing is ever that black and white – he is only doing his job after all.

In pursuing the truth with youthful diligence Sturdy becomes wiser, but not necessarily happier. His is a tale of self-discovery, along a lonely road indeed.

Peter deliberately set the prevailing mood as one of melancholy, a great (and historically accurate) contrast to the romanticised legends of Robin Hood and his “merry men” as portrayed in films or on television.

He chose to self-publish this first book of his, partly to get it into print without delay, but also because he was aware that “novellas” (ie short novels) such as his are not currently much in favour with publishers.

Advice was sought not only from fellow members of the Airedale Writers’ Circle but also professional literary agencies, for which Peter was unstinting in his praise, emphasizing that the costs involved had been well worth it.

He also engaged the services of York Publishing, who printed the book, in a limited – but again worthwhile – marketing package, although it was Peter himself who provided this thought-provoking “strapline” on the cover of his creation: “A man’s past is his lasting burden”.

From start to finish took three years, although this did include six months of what Peter dubbed “marinading” – putting the final draft away in a drawer – before final “polishing”.

He strongly supported the strategy of going over the whole text repeatedly, to correct or improve it, for example considering removing commas in order to speed up the action. In his view it was difficult, if not impossible, to overdo such painstaking editing.

This had been a most stimulating and informative presentation, even for those not contemplating writing a book. Unfortunately only a third of the membership of the Airedale Writers Circle came to hear it.

Indeed over the last year or so attendances at our meetings have dwindled, prompting Peter Morrison – in his capacity as chairman of the Circle – to circulate a discussion paper about the future of our group to all its members.

All are urged to come to the next meeting on February 10, at Sight Airedale, Scott Street, Keighley, at 7.30pm as usual to discuss the issue fully.

• Visit ypdbooks.com to order copies of A Lonely Road.