It's been two weeks since I last blogged. I keep promising to do better, then life gets in the way. Someone once said life is what happens while we're on our way to somewhere else. That seems to be the way my life has been for the past couple of years. I'll be dealing with diabetes and the unexpected ups and downs that go with it for the rest of my life, but overall I think I'm getting back to some kind of normal--at least I'm thinking about another book.
The question is, since I write in several genres, should I start a romantic suspense or begin a historical? Maybe a western? One of my sons-in-law wants me to do another historical and has practically plotted it out for me. A couple of friends are anxious for a book similar to If I should Die or Shudder. I've even had differing suggestions for using my recent experiences with hospitals, cancer, diabetes, celiac, etc. to write a medical thriller or a women's fiction novel. Clearly I have more thinking to do and I'm open to suggestions.
Even through my four surgeries and the medical problems of several people close to me, I haven't moved away from the publishing field, I just haven't been working on a new novel. I've kept up my review column on Meridian, I've blogged, had a couple of short stories published, and my most recent novel Where the River Once Flowed is a Whitney finalist. And though I had no part in writing them, I'm proud to say two of my daughters have books coming out this year. Janice Sperry has a middle grade chapter book, Rebel Princess, coming out in June and Lezlie Anderson has a Christmas booklet, Snow Angels, due for release in October.
I catch myself thinking about perspective, looking at people, scenery, viewpoints from different angles. I meet someone and notice a trait or personality quirk that might be fun to give a character. I'm a literary critic so I always question motives and twists in the books I read, but lately I've become more critical. I find myself shredding apart plots, rewriting in my head, questioning realism. I'm a writer. It's what I do. It's a part of me. Yes, I think it's time to start another book.
The question is, since I write in several genres, should I start a romantic suspense or begin a historical? Maybe a western? One of my sons-in-law wants me to do another historical and has practically plotted it out for me. A couple of friends are anxious for a book similar to If I should Die or Shudder. I've even had differing suggestions for using my recent experiences with hospitals, cancer, diabetes, celiac, etc. to write a medical thriller or a women's fiction novel. Clearly I have more thinking to do and I'm open to suggestions.
Even through my four surgeries and the medical problems of several people close to me, I haven't moved away from the publishing field, I just haven't been working on a new novel. I've kept up my review column on Meridian, I've blogged, had a couple of short stories published, and my most recent novel Where the River Once Flowed is a Whitney finalist. And though I had no part in writing them, I'm proud to say two of my daughters have books coming out this year. Janice Sperry has a middle grade chapter book, Rebel Princess, coming out in June and Lezlie Anderson has a Christmas booklet, Snow Angels, due for release in October.
I catch myself thinking about perspective, looking at people, scenery, viewpoints from different angles. I meet someone and notice a trait or personality quirk that might be fun to give a character. I'm a literary critic so I always question motives and twists in the books I read, but lately I've become more critical. I find myself shredding apart plots, rewriting in my head, questioning realism. I'm a writer. It's what I do. It's a part of me. Yes, I think it's time to start another book.
1 comment:
A new book from you is ALWAYS something to look forward to! I, too, keep thinking along those lines. I need to finish that sequel to Too Many ghosts. It was going to be even more fun than too Many Ghosts - but do I have the energy and determination required to sit myself down to write and give up all the other fun things I've been doing...family history, my Mom's life story,(my goal this year!) and time with family?? Go for it, Jennie! Who knows, you may inspire me to finish the book. Oh - and I discovered I sent the wrong version. I sent the edited one, not the original that I liked better. Good luck on the new book!
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