What Does An Author Do Between Books? Have you ever wondered? Do book ideas just appear like packages in the mail?
I don’t know what other authors do, but I’ll let you know what I do.
What Does An Author Do Between Books? Getting Ideas
I have no lack of ideas: books devoted to my favorite characters, sequels to current books, whole new series based on alternate history. These ideas appear daily and my wife and children give me more. But ideas aren’t books.
First, I create a list of ideas. Then I think, “What do I want to write?” Then I think, “What do I need to write?” By that, I mean I must write sequels to a series that isn’t finished, like my Secret Supers series.
But I just did that. I wrote Secret Supers sequel Villain’s Vaction, and it’s at my editor. I’m also working with my illustrator to create an awesome cover.
So now I can do whatever I want. I surveyed my newsletter group (You can join here and get 4 free audiobooks) about my next project and they said this:
The Tesla Trilogy came to me in a flash:
1: Tesla Time Travels
2: Tesla’s Travails
3: Tesla Triumphs
Of course, all titles are provisional and subject to change. That’s why they’re called “working titles”.
But this single idea in three volumes was completely new to me. I envisioned a steampunk, alternate history US where Tesla’s technology is used, for good and evil. It also dovetailed with an idea I had from a successful author (income in six figures!): write all three volumes of a trilogy every year and release them one month apart.
Between Books – Mapping the Territory
This might be a surprise to you. I research every one of my books and my research may be 33-50% of the size of the final book. The research makes me comfortable with the subjects and locations involved and generates plot and character ideas.
I’ve begun research on Tesla. I’ll also have to research Edison and General Electric, plus all the key locations in Tesla’s and Edison’s lives. I won’t use most of what I learn.
I’ve got the first image and the first link of my research for you.
Plotting the Path
I have my trilogy set–why can’t I just start writing? Some writers would begin now. But I’ve learned I write faster if I research first and then write. Having all my facts in my head gives me ideas and I don’t have to interrupt writing to look up how tall Tesla and Edison were. (Six feet two inches and five ten, respectively.)
Once I’ve read all I can find about Tesla and Edison, I’ll plot what will happen when Tesla travels in time and changes the past.
Does this blog post give you any ideas? Do you have any questions? Write a comment or contact me and I’ll give you an audiobook of your choice. Pick one of the following:
If you click the image, you can read reviews of Zombie Turkeys. Click the following book titles to get their reviews and free excerpts from the voice actors: My Undead Mother-in-law, Paranormal Privateers, and Oops! Tales of the Zombie Turkey Apocalypse. The last book will be released on audio real soon now.
You may also pick Secret Supers, my disabled 7th grade superhero series.
Meanwhile, Back At the Ranch
I estimate I’ll need at least a year to write three books, probably more. But my business model requires that I publish one book every nine months. Writers must write and publish to make money. So what can I do?
I’ll keep writing sequels to Secret Supers. There are no end of adventure four seventh grade superheroes can have. I’ll write a sequel to Villain’s Vacation around November 2020 during National November Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Then I’ll publish it around May 2021. My next book won’t be due until February 2022. That’s when I’ll start publishing my Tesla Trilogy.
Now you know what this writer does between books.