Sequel to "The Witch of Napoli"?
Decision time. Do I go for it?
A few weeks back, an enthusiastic reader named Denny posted a question for me:
"I really enjoyed The Witch of Napoli. Is there any chance you're going to develop a series around Tommaso Labella? He's a great character with a lot of potential. I'd love to see him investigate Nigel Huxley's misdeeds and bring him to justice. I felt kind of cheated after Elsa's disappearance from the story shortly after her disclosure to Tommaso of Huxley's abuses. Take care, be well, and happy reading!"
I wrote him back:
"Aloha Denny: Thanks for the question. A sequel is tempting. I had a lot of fun creating the novel’s narrator, Tomaso. He’s me when I was just starting my own journalism career. He’s cocky, curious; handy with a camera and pen; determined to see the world. And of course, it would be great to pursure Huxley for his misdeeds -- and the hundred pounds he owes Alessandra after her Naples sitting.
That said, I'm not a natural fiction writer; I primarily write non-fiction, and it's equally tempting to say I've had my fling with fiction.The time commitment to writing a second novel is scary. .A novel is a nightmare for the amateur, and a challenge even for a pro. It requires playing with a Rubik’s cube of characters, plot, subplots, pacing, dialogue, style, emotional arc – pieces which the writer must move in a certain sequence, and at the proper moment, to propel the tale forward, hold the fickle reader’s attention, and arrive at a successful denouement. Historical fiction raises the complexity another level. Where do you find information in the cost of a plate of pasta in 19th century Napoli? How much history should be included? When and where do you drop it in? How do you share it without slowing the story and boring readers? It took me 18 months to write THe Witch of Napoli; I can write a non-fiction book in half the time, and I've got a long list of possible book ideas in my head.
And yet... it's so tempting to resurrect Tommaso. He would be in his early 40s, in Rome, editor of the Messaggero, with Doffo still working for him. Mussolini has taken power in Italy; the Fascists and Nazi movements are sweeping Europe; the British aristocracy (including Huxley) and the Catholic Church are sympathetically cheering their rise to power. Everyone is nervous about the future of their family, their business, their country, and a shadowy, Italian woman psychic everyone calls "the witch of Roma" claims to have the answers.
Tempting...
Thanks for your kind comments about the Witch of Napoli, and I'll let you know if I do decide to take a crack at it!"
Last week I started seriously playing with ideas for a sequel. I'm getting hooked.
Let's see where this leads...
A few weeks back, an enthusiastic reader named Denny posted a question for me:
"I really enjoyed The Witch of Napoli. Is there any chance you're going to develop a series around Tommaso Labella? He's a great character with a lot of potential. I'd love to see him investigate Nigel Huxley's misdeeds and bring him to justice. I felt kind of cheated after Elsa's disappearance from the story shortly after her disclosure to Tommaso of Huxley's abuses. Take care, be well, and happy reading!"
I wrote him back:
"Aloha Denny: Thanks for the question. A sequel is tempting. I had a lot of fun creating the novel’s narrator, Tomaso. He’s me when I was just starting my own journalism career. He’s cocky, curious; handy with a camera and pen; determined to see the world. And of course, it would be great to pursure Huxley for his misdeeds -- and the hundred pounds he owes Alessandra after her Naples sitting.
That said, I'm not a natural fiction writer; I primarily write non-fiction, and it's equally tempting to say I've had my fling with fiction.The time commitment to writing a second novel is scary. .A novel is a nightmare for the amateur, and a challenge even for a pro. It requires playing with a Rubik’s cube of characters, plot, subplots, pacing, dialogue, style, emotional arc – pieces which the writer must move in a certain sequence, and at the proper moment, to propel the tale forward, hold the fickle reader’s attention, and arrive at a successful denouement. Historical fiction raises the complexity another level. Where do you find information in the cost of a plate of pasta in 19th century Napoli? How much history should be included? When and where do you drop it in? How do you share it without slowing the story and boring readers? It took me 18 months to write THe Witch of Napoli; I can write a non-fiction book in half the time, and I've got a long list of possible book ideas in my head.
And yet... it's so tempting to resurrect Tommaso. He would be in his early 40s, in Rome, editor of the Messaggero, with Doffo still working for him. Mussolini has taken power in Italy; the Fascists and Nazi movements are sweeping Europe; the British aristocracy (including Huxley) and the Catholic Church are sympathetically cheering their rise to power. Everyone is nervous about the future of their family, their business, their country, and a shadowy, Italian woman psychic everyone calls "the witch of Roma" claims to have the answers.
Tempting...
Thanks for your kind comments about the Witch of Napoli, and I'll let you know if I do decide to take a crack at it!"
Last week I started seriously playing with ideas for a sequel. I'm getting hooked.
Let's see where this leads...
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Michael
(new)
May 16, 2015 04:02PM
Aloha Maureen and Hilda: Thanks for the feedback!
reply
|
flag
Kathy wrote: "I say go for it!!"Aloha Kathy: Thanks. I may just do that! Michael
That sounds like a great idea for a sequel :)
Thanks Sarah. I do think there's something there. Have to play with the plot a lot more. Starting to do some research on Mussolini's early career.
I really liked the Tommaso character and think he could have many adventures in his life. A sequel could turn into a series!
Aloha Cheryl:Thanks for the comment! I also like the Tommaso character. I also enjoy writing about Italy, and the 1920s were an interesting period politically. When we last left Tommaso, he was editor of a newspaper in Rome, which would put him in the center of the action.Let's see what I can come up with. It would also give me a chance to improve on the first book, which starts out too slow. I need to keep improving my novel writing skills if I want to stay with fiction...
I have just read the book and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I think you have a real talent for novel writing, even though you seem to think it is not your forte. I love reading about Italy and also about Spiritism, Spiritualism and the like, so the book went down well for me in those respects too. Well written and also about some of my favorite subjects - a winning recipe! I hope you have now decided to write a sequel or at least another novel with a similar theme. When I look back on the history of Spiritualism and mediumship and see the 1500 downloadable books dated from 1850 to 1940 available on spiritarchive.com for instance, I am saddened to think that all that effort and investigation by such fine minds of the day now seems to have been almost totally forgotten by the world at large, never mind the 'new age' readership of the present. I think novels resurrecting some of these extraordinary characters and their achievements would be a very effective way to re-aquaint the public about them.
Aloha Michael:Many thanks for the email. Glad you enjoyed the Witch. You're absolutely right -- the literature on Spiritualism and mediumship is extensive, impressive, and too little known by the public, including New Age aficionados. Real shame, though understandable. Each of us have our own passions and interests, and there are so many books out there. If you get a chance, check out some of Mike Tymn's many books dealing with the golden age of Spiritualism. He's an ex-Marine, great researcher, prolific writer,and passionate about resurrecting lost scientific investigations of mediums. He blogs here: http://whitecrowbooks.com/michaeltymn/. You'll find his books here:http://www.amazon.com/Michael-E.-Tymn.... He lives here in Hawaii, and we usually meet for a beer and burger once a month to talk books and writing. I think you'll enjoy his writing. Thanks again for the email and kind comments about the Witch!
Dear Michael, Yes, I thought you would know Michael Tymn as you both live in Hawaii. I have recently discovered White Crow books and have read a few of Michael Tymn's works already.
Back in the 1970s at age 16 I became interested in Spiritualism and had the good fortune to meet an old woman ~(old to me,that is) who was a direct voice and trance medium, as well as a healer and clairvoyant. I met with her every week for about 2 years and talked to her guide while she was in trance, although I was never invited ot her weekly direct voice circle..
In later years I lost contact with the Spiritualists and became more interested in Rudolf Steiner and Anthroposophy. A truly remarkable clirvoyant investigator, although his stance on mediumship, like that of Blavatsky and the Theosophists also, was very cautionary and discouraging, to say the least. so such practices and interests became taboo for Steiner followers. Lately I have read several really interesting books on Spiritualism, apart from those of Michael Tymn, which have been biographies of physical mediums. These include: 1.The Scole Experiment by Grant Solomon 2. Alec Harris: His Remarkable Physical Mediumship by Louie Harris 3. Voices in the Dark by Leslie Flint and 4. 50 Years a medium by Estelle Roberts. The last two I couldn't find in print but managed to find pdfs freely available online. These have all renewed my interest in physical mediumship.
This renewed interest is partly because I have not been well for several years with severe insomnia and M.E./CFS type symptoms which had made me turn to anything that might comfort me in my pain and isolation. I have also had sessions with several mediums by phone or Skype to see if I could find any answers but on the whole have been sadly disappoointed. I see there are a few medical intuitives or medical mediums advertised in the US. I am in England and from an English standpoint they charge vast sums. One wants $500 for an hour on the phone, another wants $300. I don't like how people seem to cash in on other people's ill health, but I suppose you are used to it in America with your private healthcare system.
Aloha Michael:Sorry to hear about your medical problems. $500 a hour doesn't sound right to me. Have you had a chance to explore mind-body treatments like visualization, biofeedback, hypnosis and meditation? I wrote about them in my first book, Best Evidence, and footnoted the literature. I had a heart arrhythmia for several years which was eventually successfully treated by a combination of those treatments. They can work on a range of medical problems, and they're no invasive and no cost. Might be worth a try? If you haven't already looked into these, and want to explore it a bit, send me your street address and I will send you the book, my complements. Keep the faith, and keep working on the problem. You're in my prayers.
Michael, No, I have not tried biofeedback or hypnosis. I have done a little visualisation and a little mindfulness meditation a la Eckhart Tolle.Thank you for your kind offer to send me the book 'Best Evidence'. Are you aware that I am in England?
Michael wrote: "Michael, No, I have not tried biofeedback or hypnosis. I have done a little visualisation and a little mindfulness meditation a la Eckhart Tolle.Thank you for your kind offer to send me the book '..."
Aloha Michael:
Do youread read ebooks? That would be easiest and quickest, but if you don't, no problem, I'll send you the paperback. Let me know your preference.
Cheers, Mike
Hello MichaelYes, I have a Kindle Fire. What a good idea and it wouldn't cost you any postage! If you can send me a mobi or pdf file that would be great.
I have also sent off for healing from John of God in Brazil. I've been taking the herbs for over two months but so far can't see any effect. Have you read about him? I like what I have read about Brasilian Spiritists. They believe in reincarnation, are not allowed to charge for mediumship or healing, considering it a gift of the spirit, and are very actively engaged in a variety of social projects, or so I read in Emma Bragdon's book 'Spiritual Alliances'. She says that they even have mediums in mental hospitals, together with the usual treatments e.g. all the Western drugs.
By the way, do you or Mike Tymns know of any really relaible mediums that don't cost the earth?
Thank you again for helping me. I wish I was well enough to visit Hawaii and join you and Mike Tymns for the burger and beer, but it is a pipe dream at present.
Best Wishes,
Michael Allen
Aloha Michael:I send you the ebook via Amazon -- What email address should I send the Kindle ebook to?
I'm afraid I don't know any good mediums personally, but I'll ask Mike Tymn to email you if he knows any. Thee's a woman named Julie Beisel who runs the Windbridge Institute. Here's the link: http://www.windbridge.org/, She has certified a dozen or so mediums as being effective in blind readings, so there's some validation,though not guarantee that they will be accurate every time. A friend of mine tried one and it cost $200 an hour. But I'm not sure a medium would be of specific help in a medical problem(?)Hang in there and keep the faith.
Cheers,
Mike
Thank You. I have sent you my email address.
Aloha Michael:I just ordered it. It should be in your email box shortly. Good luck!
Mike
A late bloomer as in most things, I just finished The Witch of Napoli. I was searching for the sequel and found this email trail. I am not certain it is still active. I am rarely on Facebook and only then because I was encouraged to at least get an account by family.Hope the insomnia is better. I have struggled since I was a child and it is no easy demon to expel! is there still hope for a sequel? I like to do immersion reading on a subject.
Aloha Bonnie:Thanks for the email. I've actually blocked out in detail a sequel to the Witch of Napoli, but other projects just keep getting in the way. I'm not a natural fiction writer (my forte is non-fiction), so it's a big time commitment. If and when I get back to it, I'll let you know. Meanwhile, glad you enjoyed the Witch!
Cheers,
Mike
Aloha Michael,If I may be so bold as to disagree, I believe you are a natural fiction writer. The best fiction always has deep roots in nonfiction. I will be looking forward to a sequel when you find the time is right !
Bonnie
Aloha Bonnie:Kind words. Much appreciated.
Have a great upcoming holiday season.
Cheers,
Mike
I would definitely read a sequel to the Witch of Napoli! I say go for it if you're feeling inspired.
Katie wrote: "I would definitely read a sequel to the Witch of Napoli! I say go for it if you're feeling inspired."Aloha Katie:
Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. II haven't forgotten Witch II. But I've been busy the researching a new, non-fiction book exploring the effects of rising ocean waters on Hawaii.
As my heroine Alessandra Poverelli would say, "Maronna!" World famous Waikiki will be severely impacted -- I just saw a 305-page State of Hawaii report showing what a 3-foot rise in sea level will do to my home, Honolulu, and to the Neighbor Islands (Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai, and the Big Island), I'm hoping to have the book out by the end of this year. It's my small contribution to making people aware of the consequences of global warming.
Cheers,
Michael
I'd love to read a squeal. I recommend your novel to anyone who asks me for a good historical fiction. It was one of my favorites of all time and you originally messaged me when I reviewed it, thanking me . . . well THANK YOU! I'm a social studies teacher and was unaware that you write non fictions as well, I'd like to get my hands on some of those. Let me know if you decide to add to the Witch's story.
Aloha Danielle:Happy to let you know if and when I finish the sequel. As I say, I've blocked out the whole book already; it's just a question of writing priorities. Hope to eventually get back to it!
Cheers,
Mike
Joanne wrote: "YES!!!!!!!"Thanks Joanne.
All:I've been waiting to see if I can get the book made into a film or TV series. I'm working with Hollywood actress Sofia Milos (female Mafia boss Annalisa Zucca in the Sopranos HBO TV series) and screenwriter James Dalessandro on the effort. We haven't succeeded yet, but we've come close. It's always a long shot to pull off something like this. If I can do so, I will automatically start writing the book sequel. At that point, chances are a big publisher would be interested in publishing the sequel. That's my plan at present. We'll see where this all goes. I'l keep you informed. Thank you all for the messages of encouragement. You all are the best!
Very exciting news Michael! Hope you get the green light soon on your film project :)
