Expectations

Yes, to all who have been wondering, the third book (Witness) is in the works.  I always heard the second book is the hardest and it was.  Which I find odd, considering I knew the characters, knew the destination and major events along the way.  Still, it took me a lot longer to write than I thought it would.  So has the third one.

Looking back, I realize that expectations had a lot to do with it.  My family and friends had been waiting years for me to do something—anything.  So when I published Vendetta, I had so many congratulations and ‘I really like its’ (which I still appreciate immensely) there was a lot of pressure on me to have a repeat performance with Ghostman.  Since Ghostman turned out okay, one would suppose book three would flow smoothly from my fingertips.  Bwaa-haa-haa. 

I had a hard time settling on who would be book three.  I know that sounds odd but I am a character driven writer.  I get to know and like the hero and heroine, then build the story around them. 

The publication date for Ghostman was fast approaching and I still hadn’t decided who would be book three (I have 3 others started).  I was leaning towards Jason.  After all he is ex-navy seal, works in private security, honorable, trustworthy…in other words, easy to write about.  Jessica (spoiler alert), the woman I am pairing him with, is just the opposite.  Also, easy to write about.

But I kept getting pulled back to Wade and Penny.  Wade started at the FBI in research, then moved to Homeland Security.  Not an action packed job.  Penny just graduated law school and is unsure what she wants to do with the rest of her life.  So, I wrote the blurb for Witness and committed myself.

I need a message in the story.  I didn’t know Wade and Penny’s, so I was unsure what path to take.  It took me awhile to realize that was the problem.  When I did, I asked God about it.  He said the message was in the blurb (picture puzzled face).  It was.  Both Wade's and Penny’s lives have been upended.  They need direction.  Universal theme.  Problem solved.

Still, I’m a dot your ‘i’; cross your ‘t’ kind of person.  I know the characters, know the destination and major events along the way.  I even have the beginning of the end written.  But…the how was eluding me.  Wade is not a field agent.  Yes, he has the training but will it kick in?  Will someone else have to ‘save the day’?  I am unwilling to use a ninth inning save.  It has to be plausible.

Wade will know what to do when the time arises.  Again, the expectations I placed on myself have been the problem.

Now, Wade and Penny can get their story out.  Book three is on its way.

Vendetta (E-book: Smashwords)
Ghostman (E-book: Smashwords)