Working on something new.
I finally started work on something new after a long, dry spell. Last year, I wrote two complete manuscripts, one of which is now under submission. I wanted to write three, but the novel I planned turned out to be a bust, and I wasted the back half of 2023 on drafts that went nowhere.
Disheartened, I came into 2024 not knowing what was next on the agenda. Ideas are never challenging, but matching a particular idea to a moment (and motivation) is a more significant issue. So, it took a few months of false starts and half-finished outlines before I got to where I am now: writing a new manuscript.
In an ideal world, I’d have been cranking out Camaro books for the rest of my career, but that didn’t happen. Instead, I have to use my head to create worthwhile and original stories—you know… work for a living.
The new book has what I think is a killer hook, and I’ve been working closely with a technical adviser on some of the more nuanced elements to ensure they are as accurate to life as possible. I’m challenging myself in the plotting and characterization, tackling a thriller sub-genre I’ve never tried before. It’s all fascinating if you’re a nerd for the writing process.
When will it be done? I’m giving myself three months to write the first draft. After that, who knows? I can take six months to a year to do revisions, so… we’ll see.