So the next Explicit novel, have you heard? Yes, there’s a sequel.
At this stage in the process the story is there. The novel has a beginning, it has a middle, and it has an end… which I always find helps :p
The trouble comes now… writing is a solitary pursuit. Publishing is not.
I read and I edit, but I find myself wondering things: Is the novel too long? Is there too much musing? Is there enough sex? Should the character say this or that? Specifically, there are two things that I am having trouble deciding and this is where the solitary frustration comes in.
Rushe and Flick’s relationship was largely well-received, as much to my surprise as anyone’s, but the sequel… oh I wish I could tell you!
The pressure is greater and the stakes are higher. Writing for myself was easy, I could write whatever I wanted and if I decided that I didn’t like it I could change it to suit myself.
But I’m not just writing for me anymore. Publishing has opened up an audience for my characters and it’s becoming increasingly clear that it’s impossible to please everyone. I get so many opinions and so many of them conflict that when I come to make decisions I pause, I hesitate, and suddenly I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.
It’s tough, that’s all I’m saying. There is literally no one else on the face of the planet that knows the story of the next Explicit novel. As exciting as it is to write there’s immense pressure. I’m great at keeping secrets but this one wants to get out. I want to know if what I am doing is right, but how can I know that?
I never realised it was like this. I love my characters and my writing but I’m scared that when I bare my soul it won’t be enough!
I have to be more like Rushe. He has to be in me somewhere. I can imagine aloof, but I fail to achieve it.
The fear, the uncertainty, at least it shows I care. I want you to enjoy my characters. I don’t want to let them down. You are my audience and I stand here, alone and naked, on this is the stage, how do I build a bridge between us?
But through all of this I’ve learned two important things: A) it doesn’t get any easier, and B) the love for it doesn’t go away.
When all else fails I keep writing because funnily enough, it’s the only thing in the world that makes any sense to me.
Good luck on your adventures,
xSx
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