Plotting
A couple of years ago I was taken to lunch by an agent.The food was great, the conversation slightly awkward. He didn't think I was exercising my imagination to its full extent, he said. He didn't quite accuse me of coasting, but said I should think in terms of something really ambitious that involved more than a single book.
Ten weeks later I had written the first novel in a planned dystopian trilogy involving an enigmatic archaeologist, a medieval quest and a cast of central characters younger than I would usually create.
My logic was that the characters would age across the span of three books so needed to be quite young at the outset. They also needed the resilience and optimism that comes most naturally with youth. My problem was that the novel wasn't really typical of what readers have come to expect of me.
Does it matter? Two years on and I'm still prevaricating over it. Maybe I'll put it out as a download-only like I did with The Colony. I think it's a pretty good story with an intriguing premise and deserves to see the light of day. Or the bright, low-energy illumination of a Kindle, anyway ...
Ten weeks later I had written the first novel in a planned dystopian trilogy involving an enigmatic archaeologist, a medieval quest and a cast of central characters younger than I would usually create.
My logic was that the characters would age across the span of three books so needed to be quite young at the outset. They also needed the resilience and optimism that comes most naturally with youth. My problem was that the novel wasn't really typical of what readers have come to expect of me.
Does it matter? Two years on and I'm still prevaricating over it. Maybe I'll put it out as a download-only like I did with The Colony. I think it's a pretty good story with an intriguing premise and deserves to see the light of day. Or the bright, low-energy illumination of a Kindle, anyway ...
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For what it's worth, I disagree with your agent completely. A good stand alone novel can be every bit as ambitious as a trilogy (or more)and in some ways more difficult as you have to tie up every loose end within one single volume, without the luxury of sequels to fall back on. In my humble opinion, you should write the stories and the books that make you happy, and just stay true to yourself.By the same token though, if you have written something that you like and are worried about how it will be accepted by your readers, then I agree completely with Kathryn that you should just go for it and put it out there. You've got nothing to lose really by putting it out on Kindle, and if it's a different style/genre, you may find a whole new reading audience. And I am quite sure your current readership will give it a go, even if it's not horror, because we love your intelligent style of writing.
You've caught my attention already with three words: Dystopian - my teens were spent reading dystopian classics like Fahrenheit 451, Player Piano, 1984, Brave New World, Catch 22, all of which are still so relevant now. Medieval- my favourite historical period. Enigmatic - one of my favourite words. (I have a real weakness for enigmatic men in books. Oh yes, and flawed anti-heroes...)
The bottom line is I really believe you should trust your instincts. If you think it's a good story, then the chances are that it is. Take a leap and see what happens.
Hi F.G. it sounds intriguing, I would be more than happy to buy a copy.
Hello There,I have enjoyed all of your books so far and I think that if you have what you feel is a good story line then you should go ahead. In my opinion you have not been coasting, each new book has been great. As for agents, aren't they in it mainly for the money and therefore more inclined to keep things safe and secure so that they know that they will get a good fee? Different is not necessarily less good. I don't have a Kindle, I love my real books and I would want to read a book of the genre you are thinking of!!!!
Kind of you to say that, Jo. Whether these books ever make it into physical form really depends on how they sell as downloads. The thing is that I can produce them cheaply for Kindle and then price them competitively. No one has complained (yet) about what they've had to pay to read The Colony, which is selling pretty well in the UK considering it's self-published and has had zero publicity.
In an ideal world I'd just stick to my strength and come up with the stories, but we don't live in an ideal world and fiction writers have to work a bit harder these days.
Anyway thanks for your support, it's much appreciated.
Hello There F.G.I just had to let you know that my daughter has bought a Kindle and you know what that means! Yes mum can borrow it and the first book to be downloaded onto it just happens to be The Colony!
She has to go to work so I will get to grips with the book while she is out.
Everything comes to those who wait.
Hope it's worth the wait! Really hope it keeps you entertained, Jo, and scared (in a nice way) until you reach the concluding paragraph.
Don't worry about agents too much. All of your books have been good/fantastic or just darn right unputdownable.
Your imangination is great as it is. Just keep writing your fantastic books.
Kath
ps sorry about the iffy wording.