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.
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.
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:
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.
If you don’t like to click links, I’ve got my review here:
The most surprising thing about Uncompromising Honor (Honor Harrington, #14) by David Weber is that he finally closes the series after 14 novel. The book has its usual elements: great space battles, other military aspects and politics, plus continuing character development of Honor and her friends and enemies.
I felt well satisfied at the end of the novel. Perhaps the best aspect is that not every plot thread was tied up. I was surprised at one or two elements that were left hanging. Those who want more in the Honorverse have hope for other series after the events in the book.
“The Paper Magician” exposed me to Charlie Holmberg’s writing for the first time, and I’m enchanted. The magical system is unique: each magician must bond to one manmade material and forever afterward, use that material for their magic.
Paper magicians are looked down upon. Their magic is based upon the weakest and most common material, not iron or steel or bronze. Ceony, a bright, promising magical student is forced into paper magic because the country only has twelve of them. She agrees reluctantly because her non-magical prospects are bleak.
She begins her apprenticeship with the peculiar and unconventional Emery Thane and quickly learns techniques that show paper magic has far more than meets the eye.
Then disaster strikes and the last half of the book turns into a desparate race against time and battles against magicians dealing with forbidden magic: Excisors who work magic with human flesh.
Ms. Holmberg deftly weaves humor and horror into her plot, along with vivid characterizations of good and bad people.
Set in an alternate world of steampunk 1900 England, this fantasy has everything to recommend it
I re-read this book for the third time, the first time since I became an author, and I love it even more!
This is the first book in Terry Pratchett’s Disk World series, so he sets up his magical system (magic is a color of light), his fantasy world (a flat world on the back of four elephants, standing on the back of a space turtle) and his characters (Rincewind, a magician with only one spell he can’t use. Cowardly and good at running away) (Twoflower, a classic tourist, with limitless chest of gold, no fear, and endless curiosity), (The Luggage, a suitcase with legs, mage of sapient pearwood, invulnerable and clever). And those three are merely the protagonists.
I won’t spoil any of the insane plot, but suffice it to say, Pratchett satirizes nearly every fantasy trope and many conventions of our current culture.
As an author, I love getting reviews–except bad reviews. Enjoy my favorite reviews of 2019. If you want to review one of my books, just let me know and I’ll give you a free ebook or audiobook.
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2019 Format: Kindle Edition
Loved the title and the text lived above expectations. In-law problems usually plague couples but adjustment was easier than expected when they have red eyes and are zombies. Now mind you, that’s a big step but these are some interesting choices to be faced by a new zombie. Should I be treated and cured or accept the regenerative benefits and use the problem to solve world problems?
Well, we soon learn the results and they couldn’t be more humorous or worldly than problems we face in the world today. Loved the author’s twist of life askew and quirky “what if” theories. Great for a consuming nonstop read than can’t help but offer uplifted spirits in the reader themselves.
Andy Zach has out done himself. Paranormal Privateers has it all! Follow all your favorite Andy characters as they save the world. Full of action that just zings from one scene to the next, leaving you on the edge of your seat. Yet tender.
Andy incorporates romance in a way that makes you a believer. And of course the Queen of England is here in all her glory. Yet Andy’s writing is not all fun and games, he has a way with words that reach your heart. Follow him and the zombie bulls as they rip through Harrod’s china department and feel as though you have been there yourself.
I am certain you will love this book.
Who should read it: Anyone who has a sense of adventure, all zombie lovers, romance readers who want a new slant, and travel readers who want to take an armchair trip.
Would it make a good gift? Yes, the Life After Life Chronicles would all be great gifts! Something that will make the recipient laugh out loud while clinging to the edge of their seat!
Jacqueline Gillam Fairchild–owner, Her Majesty’s English Tea Room. Author: Greater Expectations.
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2020 Format: Kindle Edition
I loved this book, not only the storyline but the very special kids in it. It was wonderful to read how the kids worked together to support each other, but also solve social problems in the neighborhood. Their fundraising for the school district to keep the disabled kids in their own schools was a huge task, but important enough to try. It was wonderful to read about their successes!!
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2020Format: Kindle Edition
Oops! Tales of the Zombie Turkey Apocalypse by Andy Zach is a collection of short stories and as the clue is in the title, the theme is zombies. And boy do they come in a variety of different shapes and sizes.
The book starts with three stories that are a starter and not in the zombie genre. Firstly, you are introduced to a world where nothing is heard. Then we move on to finding an elusive phoenix and trying to use its DNA for breeding. Lastly, we have a story about a time-traveling wheelchair.
Then we jump straight into zombies. From zombie pickles to zombie service dog corgis, to zombie models and even zombies in a nursing home. There is a timeline thread running through the stories where characters that create something or meet someone bring them into a later story. And all of this in a world where becoming a zombie is as easy as ordering blood online!
After each story, the author explains where he got his ideas from, and since in his bio he claims both his parents were zombies, he must be an expert on all things undead. The author has a very quick mind and some of the quips and plays on words were very clever. In some of the stories, however, I would have preferred a definite ending—one where the story doesn’t just finish and you think there is more coming. It was almost as though they were ideas taken from diary extracts with sporadic glimpses into a world of zombies.
I love when science catches up with science fiction. Here I just wrote Paranormal Privateers in 2018 including mind control through skull implants. Then I read an article heading in the same direction with current technology!
Can anything top this in October 2019? Find out in the next section.
In one blog post, I discussed where I got my ideas for Paranormal Privateers, my third novel. I had to surpass my previous books. I added a surprise twist and I gave two hints. Here’s your first hint:
Your first hint about Paranormal Privateers
Then you got this second hint:
Excerpt from Forbidden Planet
I love these two movies, so, naturally, I included elements of them in my book.
If you haven’t read Paranormal Privateers, let me know your guesses about the plot twist. The best response gets a free ebook of your choice!
Oops! I almost forgot! I got a review for Oops! Here it is:
The First Review of Oops!
Oops! Tales of the Zombie Turkey Apocalypse by Andy Zach is a collection of short stories and as the clue is in the title, the theme is zombies. And boy do they come in a variety of different shapes and sizes.
The book starts with three stories that are a starter and not in the zombie genre. Firstly, you are introduced to a world where nothing is heard. Then we move on to finding an elusive phoenix and trying to use its DNA for breeding. Lastly, we have a story about a time-travelling wheelchair.
Then we jump straight into zombies. From zombie pickles, to zombie service dog corgis, to zombie models and even zombies in a nursing home. There is a timeline thread running through the stories where characters that create something or meet someone bring them into a later story. And all of this in a world where becoming a zombie is as easy as ordering blood online!
After each story, the author explains where he got his ideas from, and since in his bio he claims both his parents were zombies, he must be an expert on all things undead. The author has a very quick mind and some of the quips and plays on words were very clever. In some of the stories, however, I would have preferred a definite ending—one where the story doesn’t just finish and you think there is more coming. It was almost as though they were ideas taken from diary extracts with sporadic glimpses into a world of zombies.
After the zombie stories came tales from some of his other books about teenage superheroes. I think the one I enjoyed the most was of the hamster that one of the kids had experimented on and had developed some superpowers. He taught himself to read and was eventually able to communicate with others by typing on a computer. The author very cleverly integrated himself into that story by being the author in the story and the one that the hamster contacted. And of course, we had to have a story about aliens to end it off.
The editing of the book was very good, and I only caught a couple of minor errors. I enjoyed the writing style of the main author and very often you had to reread something because the clever nuances were so subtle you only got them a few lines later. The different styles of writing by the different authors was a bit offputting as you get into a tempo with one and then get thrown off your rhythm by another.
While I enjoyed the book overall, I would still put it in my average category as I wouldn’t go back and reread it. I would, however, recommend it to anyone looking for a quick read where you can turn your brain off from reality and just jump into a world of crazy.
