Trying Not to Expose Myself

Now there's a heading that should get noticed!

Obviously I'm talking about plots.

I'm writing a follow-on novel which can also be read as a stand alone book. Of course that still means it starts after certain events in a previous story. Reading LONG SHADOWS first will mean certain information will already be known to the reader if they then decide to read DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION next. (They may decide to never sully their eyes with my written words again).

This was something that did concern me when I initially came up with the idea for book 3 but really, I don't think it's going to be too much of a problem. How many of us have reread favourite novels? The second time we know how it's going to end but we still get pleasure from reading the story. I've read murder mysteries after seeing a TV adaptation and so already know who the murderer is, but I've still enjoyed reading the novel. Hopefully that will work for those who read LONG SHADOWS first.

It's still difficult for me to talk about the novel in a blog as I really don't want to give away plot lines for any of my novels. If I mention how DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION ends it could spoil it for someone currently reading it. That's the worst part isn't it; when you're in the middle of the novel and someone says something like,

"It's a great story. Have you got to the part where Millie's been killed?"

And you're like,

"Millie? Not Millie, she's my favourite character."

"Oops sorry about that. I won't say anymore. Still, Millie's death doesn't give away the ending does it...not like Michael's murder."

"Michael dies!"

I think I can get away with saying that it's Derek, Angela, Margaret and Dora featuring in LONG SHADOWS and they're all now living in Tenhamshire. Mind you, their past lives do like to pay them a visit.