The Tease of Something New

Interview with Garry Craig Powell Focus.Right=Focus.Write

The Tease of Something New

Cara Brookins – Bouchercon 2012

I’ve got that feeling again. I should have seen it coming. Doesn’t it always come when I’m in the middle of several long-term projects and don’t have a spare minute to let the brain cells cool? Of course it does. It lies in wait and then launches at me like Hobbes the tiger tackling little Calvin no matter how carefully he sneaks in the back door.

I want to start a new project. A brand new sparkling clean novel. Maybe a full series. Oh, the ideas are endless, beautiful, sparkly things. I want them. The idea of opening a new word document and spilling words across the page makes my fingers itch and my heart race.

A new project always sounds tantalizing, but never so much as when I simply can’t have it. My muse is a genuine tease. And while the idea of abandoning everything for the love of the new work of art is quite romantic, it is neither possible nor wise. In addition to the day job taking up an unfair amount of time and the kids demanding food and shelter, I’m in the middle of a contract for a young adult trilogy and I have two adult manuscripts to market. I’m trying to convince myself that if I can bottle up this creative energy it will make that new project even better when the calendar clears. I’m confident that my Calvin-ish muse will be waiting to launch into a rolling tackle, and since I’ll be relaxed and limber minded, I’ll be less prone to injury.

To be honest, the restless mood had some fuel. I just returned from Bouchercon. If you’ve attended, then you know. If you haven’t, then attend next year. While every conference sends me home feeling inspired, validated, and more connected, Bouchercon took it all to a higher level. Top notch writers from around the world and the best fans in the world gather to talk about books. Can you imagine anything better? Probably not, but it was. You have to factor in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The House of Blues, the Map Room, the Renaissance Hotel bar, and a dozen Cleveland restaurants, museums, and shopping spots. Next year we’ll be in Albany. Book early before registration closes down or the hotels fill. Just be prepared for your eyes to glaze over with plots and the restless desire to chase shiny new projects. Bouchercon 2013. Still not convinced? View a partial list of the authors and fans who attended Bouchercon 2012.