Last year, I wrote about the 15 projects I had in development at the time. I’m always looking for ways to expand the range of books I write and share my passion. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with authors, publishers, and other industry professionals to bring captivating stories to life.
Well, I thought it was time to update on expanding my own book projects.
As a writer, I want to embrace diverse storytelling and explore different genres. When I wrote last year, I had ideas for 15 books at varying stages of development: 10 detective novels, three science fiction novels, a legal thriller, and one historical war novel.
As I mentioned last year, I’ve been working on some projects longer than others. As of today’s count, I now have ideas for 26 books. In addition to the existing projects, I’ve added another to the legal thriller genre, another three in the science fiction genre (bringing to a total of six), three mysteries, three romances and one adventure.
The two books in the legal thriller genre follow on from my debut novel, Discovering Wounded Justice: Cruel Menace (available from several retailers!). They follow the story of Alyssa Giordano, a first-generation American lawyer from New York. It’s a tale of resilience, betrayal, and the quest for justice.
I’d always planned at least one sequel, and now I have the idea for a third book. I have a very rough draft of the second book in the series, which I’ve been working on for quite a while, as well as an extensive outline and chapter notes for the third book.
The 10 books in the detective genre actually form a series based on the same inscrutable character.
Set in the heart of picturesque Wilmington, Delaware, a twisted game of deception unfolds in the shadowy underbelly of Delaware’s political elite. A sinister web of conspiracy lies in wait, craving exposure. Enter the detective, a suave investigator with an insatiable thirst for unravelling enigmas. His first case presents a perplexing challenge: a string of seemingly unconnected homicides.
I have very rough drafts of the first two books in the series, as well as extensive outlines and chapter notes for the remaining novels.
Of the six books I’ve classified in the science fiction genre, four are stand-alone, while two follow the same main character, potentially the beginning of a series.
The series is set in Chicago and London; these two books follow a detective who is no stranger to chasing down criminals. But when he discovers a mysterious object during an investigation, he’s thrust into a love story that defies the bounds of time.
They become entangled in a dance through history filled with passion and peril. But as they navigate the treacherous waters of time, a shadow looms over their romance – a malevolent force that seeks to rewrite history itself.
I have a very rough draft of the first book and an extensive outline and chapter notes for the second.
The remaining 14 books do not (well, not yet) form a part of a series, and I’ve classified them across mysteries, romance, adventure, science fiction and historical war stories.
The settings range from cities across the United States (San Francisco, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh), England (London and the Cotswolds) and provinces in Canada (British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Alberta) to Australia.
These books are at varying stages of development, ranging from the concept stage to an extensive outline and chapter notes stage.
When I wrote about the projects I was working on last year, I mentioned that I had to decide whether to finish the more advanced drafts or start something new. I also had to review my master list of projects and prioritise them (whether on viability or passion).
As I was working on books I’d already started, I was thinking about how important it is to branch out and forward plan new books in different genres. I also needed perspective on what I’d already written. I felt too close and attached to what I’d written to see it objectively.
Taking time away from the drafts I’d written inspired new insights. I found that it worked well for me to explore different genres and target audiences. By venturing into uncharted territory, I hope I’ll be able to engage with new readers and challenge myself creatively. It’s helped me expand my writing skills; setting aside the first drafts I already have will allow me to return to them with fresh eyes, making it easier to identify areas that need improvement.
It’s also helped me stimulate new ideas, avoid burnout on a specific project and keep pushing boundaries to grow as a writer. Writing is a long game, and I think I’ve set myself on track for the long game. It’s renewed my passion for storytelling and has inspired me to continue.
But it has been challenging! Keeping track of all those projects is like herding cats on a rollercoaster. Anyone who is or has been a cat servant knows precisely what I mean! I learned some valuable lessons along the way.
Lesson number one: I had to organise my projects. I had to master spreadsheets and write checklists for each book to keep track of everything. It was like running a well-oiled machine, and believe me, it took time to get there.
Lesson number two: I REALLY have to make a project priority list. Even though I know I must do it, I’m still working on it! There are times when life gets in the way when you’re writing! I have to figure out what is urgent, what is important, and what can wait. That means I also have to remember to fit in the boring, like getting groceries, doing the housework, and eating!
As I said earlier, writing is a long game! There isn’t a quick fix, or a one-hit wonder deal. It’s going to take time, passion, and a whole lot of dedication.
I have to remember it’s about putting in the hard work and staying in it for the long haul. It’s about finding my voice, honing my craft, and constantly pushing myself to improve. Sure, there might be some overnight success stories, but they’re about as rare as finding a unicorn riding a rainbow.
There’s no secret formula or magic potion. It’s all about writing, rewriting, and then rewriting some more. It’s about dealing with rejection, negative feedback, and self-doubt. But guess what? Every great author out there has been through the same struggles.
I have to remember not to get discouraged when I get writer’s block or feel stuck in a writing rut. The key is to keep going. Keep writing, keep learning, and keep challenging myself.
Being a fiction writer is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about the long game.
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