The Next Big Thing
The lovely Jan Greenough (http://literaryteapot.blogspot.co.uk/) kindly tagged me to take part in the Next Big Thing, which is an online publicity drive for authors where we get to talk about our favourite topic: our latest writing project or Work In Progress (WIP). Then we tag other authors who repeat the process – a bit like a chain letter but without a catch – in one big world-wide literary snowstorm. Or that’s the plan. So, without further ado, here are my answers to the ten Next Big Thing questions:
1. What is the working title of your book?
Death Be Not Proud. It is the second book in the Secret of the Journal serial, following on from Mortal Fire, which was published by Monarch Books last summer.
2. Where did the idea come from for the book?
The series was inspired by my own love of history, mystery, and suspense – with a smattering of romance. History provides so many good stories and human nature hasn’t changed, so combining history and romance is a perfect excuse to indulge.
3. What genre does your book fall under?
Contemporary romantic mystery thriller with a historical twist.
4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I recently saw Rebecca Hall in Parade’s End and, although the character she played was completely different, she would make a wonderful bright-eyed Emma. Santiago Cabrera would make a great Sam – all smoky seduction and no sense. Milla Jovovich could be vivacious Elena, and the bear would get to play himself. But Matthew is another matter; who on Earth do you get to play an enigma? I have one or two ideas, but yours might be better. Answers on a postcard, please…
5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
In pursuit of a mysterious journal, independent and self-contained historian, Emma D’Eresby, finds herself in a head-on collision with the past.
6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I am very fortunate to be in cahoots with a great publisher, and the contract for Death Be Not Proud is being discussed as I write! Can’t wait to see the artwork – I really like Mortal Fire’s cover, which encapsulates the sense of mystery.
7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
The first draft of Death Be Not Proud took about nine months and the editing a few more months after that; but tweaking is very tempting – like a bar of chocolate you’ve left sitting in a cupboard which niggles away at the back of your mind when you should be thinking about something else.
8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
That’s a tricky one – perhaps Kate Mosse or Mary Stewart come to mind, although P D James has been mentioned a number of times. Oh, and Donna Fletcher Crow’s Monastery Murders series.
9. Who or What inspired you to write this book?
A broken tomb in a forgotten church in a corner of rural England, centuries of history, and the driving need for people to find love, acceptance, and forgiveness wherever they are, whenever they lived.
10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Mortal Fire left many questions unanswered and Emma on an emotional precipice as she recovers from the terrible injuries inflicted by Kort Staahl’s psychotic attack. In Death Be Not Proud the mystery surrounding Matthew deepens as Emma hunts down his past and, in answering many of her questions, she faces unforeseen and potentially catastrophic obstructions to her happiness.
I am tagging the wonderful Fay Sampson (http://www.faysampson.co.uk/) whose latest book: The Overlooker is the fifth in the Suzie Fewings mystery series. Fay is battling the floods in the South West to take part in the Next Big Thing, so she deserves a round of applause to help her along.
SL Russell ( http://www.slrussell.co.uk/ OR suerussellsblog.blogspot.com) has just finished the first draft of an intriguing new work – the first since completing her Leviathan trilogy. Now on her way back from France she will be dropping by to post the answers to the ten questions on the Next Big Thing, so take this opportunity to catch up with her latest news.
Fresh from a successful book launch, Martin Willoughby (http://mwilloughby.blogspot.co.uk/) will reveal his WIP in a completely different dimension. It’s life – but not as you know it…
