Hopefully everyone reading this had a blessed, memorable Easter and was able to take a moment to reflect on the incredible gift God gave us in His son. This holiday always amazes me, no matter how many times I celebrate it!
But now, with Spring Break behind us and the end of the school year almost in sight, I’m ready to panic. Change is definitely on the way. As great as summers are, I never seem to find consistent time to work. Perhaps that’s true of most writers, at least those who live in an area where the seasons change as dramatically as they do in the Northern part of the world. Outdoor activities beckon, vacations arrive, there are more celebrations and more socializing after a winter of hibernation.
Knowing time will be an issue, I’m already planning my next project. Let me bring you up to date on what I’ve been working on. I’m currently under contract for a three book series from my publisher, Tyndale House. Book One, LOOK TO THE EAST, is completely finished — well, except for a final peek at the galleys, which are due to me this week. I’ll read through them for any little inconsistencies (believe me, I’m not equipped to check for grammar problems after the experts have been through it!) and then off it’ll go to the printer.
Although the official release date for LTTE is September 1st, often times Tyndale starts shipping books a few weeks early if nothing goes wrong. Still, this is only April and it’s already close to the final stages of preparation, at least as far as the editorial phase goes. But there are many more projects in the works than only my own, and all of it needs to be scheduled. So it’s not just wiggle room we’re talking about by getting this finished in what seems like ample time — there’s a reason everything must be scheduled well in advance.
So Book One is finished on this end, and soon my Book Two will be due. As I’ve talked about on this blog before, Book Two is actually a massive rewrite of a manuscript I began several years ago. It’s been incredibly fun, because this was a book idea that seemed like a gift at the time. I hadn’t been writing for many years, and when I finally sat down to write again it was like the dam had burst (forgive the cliché!). Words just poured through me. 150,000 of them, to be exact!
But, after employing some of the things I’ve learned over the years, I’ve been able to cut considerably. My last word count tallied roughly 114,000 words – still too long, but that’s where my editors will be instrumental in helping identify what can go and what needs to stay. As much as I like to say I’m no longer possessively attached to each and every word I write, sometimes I still just feel too close to a project to be entirely objective.
Which still leaves Book Three. This one will be fun — although I say that about every new project! LOOK TO THE EAST had a fairly detailed synopsis going into this contract. Book Two was, as I said, was entirely plotted and even written (albeit it rough form). Poor Book Three had only a vague sort of reference: It’ll be set in Germany, after the Great War ends. I vaguely presented the characters I’d like to explore, particularly one who was introduced in Look To The East.
Not much to go on, is there?
And that’s what I’ll be talking about in the next few weeks. Plotting out a new story, and where I get some of my ideas. This is, arguably, one of the most exciting phases of book creation. I always say it’s like a puzzle. I don’t know what it’s supposed to look like, so it’s like putting the puzzle together without the box. I just have a general feeling — let’s say I know the colors and the theme (romantic, adventurous) but I don’t yet have specifics on what the picture will look like.
So come along with me on this journey of discovery!
I’ll also be doing something a little differently on this blog. From time to time I’ll be featuring a friend’s new release. Some of the books I’ll be familiar with, some of them will be completely new to me, too. Which means I won’t be reviewing them. It’ll be more like an introduction — for both of us!
I’ll continue to write about my own writing journey on Mondays, as I’ve done in the past. But on Wednesdays, when I have them, I’ll post the cover and blurb about a new book from someone I know.
So keep checking back. New content is on the way!
Join Me!