The Next Book...

It's crazy to think that it is already time to engross myself in all things "An Eagles Revenge," the second book in the Across the Infinite Void series. I will admit, a wanted more of it done by now, but with AP testing just around the corner I've been working hard to end the year strong and prepare my students for success. Once the summer hits, it will be on though! I will wake up, write for eight hours, and do it again the next day. So far, I've written the first  two chapters and I'm already collaborating with Mike Phillips, my front cover designer, about the art for the second book's cover. I'm so excited! The part that's going to be new for me is that while my deadlines are the same (book written by August 15th, editing done by December 15th, book published on January 1st), I have to continue to market and campaign my first book. Ugh, marketing. That will be a blog in itself! 

Although I am excited for the challenging and fulfilling journey of writing a book again, I have to admit I find myself a little nervous too. My first book flowed out of me so organically, and it has been received very well by readers. Success! You start to ask yourself, can I do that again? Will it come out of me as easily? Will the story be as epic? No doubt my readers will analyze and compare - will they like it as much? I don't want to let them down! I am told these are perfectly natural feelings for a novice writer. 

In the end, I know the bare bones of my next story and I believe in it. Although the question still remains  whether or not I can get the story out successfully. That is one reason why I loved the Harry Potter series so much. J.K Rowling just has this awesome way of story-telling - the books were so easy to read that you never have to stop and think about the prose or grammar; you never had to put the book down and try to create your own imagery. They were effortless and beautiful books.

So to myself, I say just relax and do what you did last summer. Sometimes I forget how much editing I did on the first book! It's a process - a marathon. The best advice I gave my school's Creative Writing class is to not over-think the plot or rules of English writing (until editing). Let the character's surprise you and take you on the journey instead of the other way around. If they are developed enough, you will know what happens next :) And man, am I excited to get into Talon's brain and be taken on a spy-trekking adventure across The Void.

Until next time...