A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sequel ...

Writing the sequel to my spy novel has been a lot like trying to refuel a plane in mid-air: There are so many things at work simultaneously; one wrong move can lead to a fiery explosion. Or re-write. Whatever.

The characters might be mine, but they think for themselves more than I think for them. I picked out this totally cute outfit for Zellie the other day – a flouncy black skirt, teal tights and shiny red ballet flats – and she dissed me in favor of a black running suit. What a bitch, right? Nah, she’s just being the kick-ass girl I wrote. And still love, no matter how many times she makes me crazy.

Case in point: Chapter One of ‘Nero.’ It’s been nearly two months since I put aside my partial, 60,000-word, almost-done alien love story in favor of the sequel to ‘Manas’ – and I promise you that two months has been spent deciding how to start. I have my adventure, I have my new characters/love interest, I have my clues and subplot and more than 36 pages of random scenes from future chapters. But, that darn beginning had me stumped for 8 solid weeks.

Everything’s OK now; I capped the chapter with a killer one-liner over the long weekend, and I’ve plowed forward at a dizzying pace into Chapter Two. But, I feel the need to examine why in the name of JK Rowling it took me that damn long to write 14 pages, double-spaced.

You see, sequels are funny things – much more so than a regular novel. With a regular novel, you are the master of the world. You make up the rules, dress your characters in clothes and personalities, and make them say anything. (Even if it’s corny and dumb; I’m looking at you, SK). But now … well, those things are already done for me. I’ve been confined to a mold I lovingly created, edited and honed to this ferocious, fast-paced novel, and now I have to navigate my way out of it without writing myself into a stereotyped corner. (I’m looking at you, Friends.)

But, if Zellie has taught me anything it’s this: When one door closes, you have to break out your lock-pick set and brute-force crank that sucker open.

In the two years since creating ‘Manas,’ I’ve changed as a writer. The original ‘finished’ document is similar only in its bones to the beauty now being submitted to publishers. What used to take me 5 or 6 drafts (spaced months apart) has translated into 3 drafts written under a much shorter time frame. I’m honing my craft and impressing my husband along the way.

So, what’s the hard part? The recap. If you’ve ever picked up a sequel, you know what I’m talking about. There are plot points introduced (and lived) in the first novel that the reader needs to be reminded of before the sequel can really begin. And, what about those poor people who picked up No. 2 first? They need to know what’s going on if they’re keeping pace – and, with my Zellie novels, that’s dizzying even when you know what’s going on.

It’s all about distilling relevant information – much like a real spy would, actually. You have to think ahead and realize that this chapter will most likely evolve the deeper you get into the story. Be OK that your first draft (no matter how many goosebumps it gives you) is a *first draft* and will only get better.

Keep moving forward, and I’ll see you back here soon! ; - )

Cleverly disguised as an editor, waiting to throw off the cloak

I've got a hot cup of Hawaiian Hazelnut with a few shots of espresso to give it some perk; I've got a not-busy day at work filling in a spotlight of International Business Tips (which I wrote); and I've got plenty of new inspiration to type a few hundred words, at least, so let's get to it!

Last night I was settling into my memory foam mattress, on my memory foam pillow, while my noisemaker made it sound like I was living under a tin roof in a rainstorm -- and that's when the muse decided to take a walk into Chapter 9 of GLOW. I only let him/her get a few steps in -- I was honestly too tired and too comfortable to scrawl in the minimal light a few ideas. So, I rolled onto my belly and let the ideas fill my dreams.

I've had a lot of wonderful dreams lately -- and I mean real dreams, not the scenarios I concoct in my waking hours about being interviewed about my latest best-seller. These dreams have filled pages in my writing notebook with a homage to William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' that I'm currently calling 'A Midsummer's Nightmare' -- at least until something cooler strikes my fancy. It stars a few ghosts, a few ghosthunters, some jilted dead lovers with an eye for vengeance and, of course, Nym, a mischievous overseers just trying to do the right thing.

I've got a mysterious scene tumbling around where I wake up at a police station in London with no idea how I got there -- but it's not really a police station, but a cover for an underground organization that takes me in to help me find out why I came to be there in the first place. It's kind-of awesome, actually ... I have the whole story and an ending that will leave you out of breath and smiling, but I'm not telling yet :)

But, best of all, I had a dream the other night that I've since translated into the opening chapter of MANAS II, the sequel to my first novel that is out with an agent right now under exclusivity for possible representation. Bodyparts crossed, please. I'm calling the book NERO (as MANAS means 'knowledge,' NERO means 'power'), and I've met a few new characters, including a brother-and-sister-in-crime Faolan and Lynly Vale, who would like to join in for a little fun.

So, creatively, things are really moving forward. I'm in a great place, with a ton of great ideas ... and I'm enjoying myself, which is hard to do once you start viewing your writing as a business venture rather than an awesome hobby that you're good at.

My coffee is getting cold, and my fingers are itching to transcribe the muse from last night's untimely interruption. Have a wonderful day, and buy a Kindle, will you? hehehee

PS -- The new AmberPlante.com website design is *stellar*! The timeline was set back a little, as my web designer was buying a house and the deal fell through (due to the moronic sellers who need a punch in the face), but the design is really lovely, sleek, professional and still manages to have my personality :)

PPS -- Hair appointment today to refresh and brighten up all my pink! So excited, and it's really bringing me more in tune with Zellie, who in the sequel will again have some pretty awesome hair! I'm thinking ... bright bubblegum at the roots, fading through fuchsia (her/my signature color) and into a candy-apple at the tips. Fierce! I'm gunna try it out today on me first! :)