The Next Big Thing
OK, I gave in and let myself be talked into doing another evil meme thing. This is part of The Next Big Thing series in which authors get to spruik their work in progress. Since I’m particularly excited about the current WIP, I jumped in with both feet. At the end, I’ll explain why I now regret it. Nevertheless, I must thank Marrianne de Pierres, one of Australia’s top sci-fi writers, for inviting me to take part. You can see her own Next Best thing on her blog.
What is the working title of your next book?
The book I’m writing right now is the long-awaited sequel to TimeSplash. For now, I’m just calling it TimeSplash 2. Not exactly creative but I could spend weeks getting the right title if I let myself and I’m writing to a deadline here.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
Ever since TimeSplash came out, readers have been asking me for a sequel (may the Flying Spaghetti Monster bless you all) but I had a big problem with it: how to get my protagonists into deadly peril again without it seeming like too much of a coincidence. ‘Cause I really hate that. For ages I let myself believe that TimeSplash would remain a one-off. Then inspiration struck – Jay and Sandra shouldn’t just stumble upon trouble, trouble should reach out and grab them by the neck.
What genre does your book fall under?
Science fiction. Anyone who knows me, won’t exactly be surprised by that.
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
I have four main characters. The stunningly beautiful, kick-ass Sandra could probably be played by a dark-haired Jessica Biel (if she can do the English accent). A 15-year-old girl who, to my mind, must be played by Lily Cole. Our reluctant hero, Jay, is something like a youthful but not quite so wet Hugh Grant. And for Zak Polanski, the would-be time terrorist, we need a rangy cowboy type – take your pick!
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Post-apocalyptic America is the last place Jay and Sandra want to be, especially with the biggest timesplash ever about to be unleashed and millions of lives in danger.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I’m represented by an agency.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
The MS is only about half-complete but I plan to have the first draft finished and revised to final draft status by the end of February. That means it will have taken about six months in total. Quite fast, for me.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Well, the first TimeSplash novel, obviously, but, if anything, this one is even more fast and furious. Reviewers have said that TimeSplash was more of a technothriller than a typical sci-fi novel – more like a Bond movie. If so, I’m hoping people will find it is more the Daniel Craig kind of Bond film than the Roger Moore sort!
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My readers, without a doubt. I really thought TimeSplash would be a one-off, but many, many people asked for a sequel. Some said I couldn’t leave Jay and Sandra the way I left them, some were quite upset that I’d left America the way I did!
What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
While the first book was set in Europe in the late 2040s, this one is set in the USA in 2066. However, it’s an America most people won’t recognise. Jay and Sandra are back, sixteen years after the action in TimeSplash and, although so much has changed for both of them, much has also stayed the same.
So there you are. I’m having great fun writing the book and I can’t wait to get it out there.
Meanwhile, this meme thing is taking up far too much time as I’m on a tight schedule to get this book finished. And why is it taking so much time? Well, consider this. The Next Big Thing posts occur once a week. Each week, each blogger, nominates five other writers to carry on. So, in week one, there was one post. In week two, there were five, in week three, twenty-five, and so on. It’s exponential and, by week 15, over six billion people will be posting and, given all the post from previous weeks, every man, woman and child will have posted by then.
I don’t know when this all started but I’m guessing several weeks ago because, of the twelve people I approached to be among the next five, 2 accepted and 8 had already done it (the other two begged off because of some kind of pagan festival that is happening at the end of December). At that hit rate, I’d need to approach around 30 people to get the five I need. And, frankly, life is too short. So I gladly pass the baton to my friends Saul Garnell and Joyce Chng and hope you will all go along next week to see what their Next Big Thing will be.
