| A FORMER
            software retailer from Essex is hoping to kick-start his writing
            career after moving to a north Essex village. Ray Crowther moved to
            Tolleshunt Major in a bid to finish his first professional novel,
            Schoolfrenz, more than three years after starting it. He said: "I got fed up
            trying to fit everything in, so I moved somewhere I could
            concentrate completely on the book. "I finished it within
            months." Ray, formerly of Hatfield
            Peverel, has already written two books during his time running his
            Witham-based shop. But now he has retired to
            concentrate on his writing. The 57-year-old said: "I
            have always loved writing but was finding it increasingly difficult
            to do that and run the shop. | "Moving to the Tiptree
            area will hopefully give me the peace and quiet I need and I have
            already started on my fourth novel, which is based in New
            York." Ray, of Tudwick Road, set his
            latest book in Tyneside. It is a thriller based on the
            strange encounters old school friends have when they meet up at a
            seafront restaurant. Ray said: "I decided to
            set it in the area because my wife grew up there and has strong
            connections. "I have visited there a
            few times and thought it would be a good place to seta novel,
            especially given the topical nature of the website Friends Reunited. "I really enjoyed
            finishing off the novel and hope anybody who reads it will enjoy
            reading just as much." Schoolfrenz is available in
            book shops now.   | .jpg)
 Novel approach - Ray Crowther has started on his
            fourth novel after moving to the Tiptree area in the hope of finding
            peace and quiet to help him write. |