Sign up to get author updates and behind the scenes content from The Monkey State trilogy...
2 Books or one Book 2?
|
It feels like the dust has barely settled on the book launch for me. It was a 20 Jan release so still under a calendar month. And yet, I’m casting my Eyes back Forward… To Book 2 in the Monkey State series. In Search of Maya. There was a little monkey wrench in the works this week however. I can’t remember if it was my idea or Kathy’s but we’ve floated turning Book 2 into two books. Obviously no spoilers for those still working their way through the jungle of Book 1. But basically the middle part of the story was always written with two distinct sections. This would create a quadrology (not sure that’s even a word) rather than a neat trilogy. Or is is tetralogy? There are arguments for and against. For - I said it would be a trilogy. It would need an extra cover and a whole extra launch process. 3 works. Especially when you think fantasy series. Part 3 or Part 2 of Book 2 (whichever way you look at it) is meant to have a certain dreamlike quality and is not to be rushed. Tetralogy sounds horrendous. Against - I like smaller books to encourage more read through. It’ll be pushing 90,000 words. A more conventional novel size and I may lose a few intrepid readers along the way. Tia’s character arc also comes into question… Again I won’t say much here as don’t want to give the game away. Rough word count: Long story short, we’re going to stick with the trilogy. But it reminds me that in life there is often no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ decision. As much as I hunt for one. You simply have to take the fork in the road. And climb with it. That doesn’t stop me trying to wrestle to find that right answer. Play the okie kokie with a decision. Drive others around me mad with my bouts of indecision. It is almost cliché but sometimes a decision is better than no decision. I’m really excited to put Book 2 together for publishing. The roadmap is there for a mid-April launch. There are a few potential headwinds on the way… But it makes me think of the quote: "A ship is safe in harbour, but that is not what ships are for." Liverpool v Wolves now so I must adieu. — J. R. Roberts P.S. I’m now up to double figures on ratings/reviews. Amazing! Big thanks to those who’ve left a few (kind) words. If you want to join them you can do so on The Monkey State Amazon page. Any feedback is... good feedback 🙉 |
J. R. Roberts
Sign up to get author updates and behind the scenes content from The Monkey State trilogy...
I don't know about you but there are just some days, weekends or weeks that don't quite go to plan. It can be disheartening when the grand to do list you've written out barely gets a dent in it. That ONE thing you'd picked out on your must do list, doesn't get finished (or started!) Even your want to do list gets neglected in lieu of detours and distractions. An inability to appropriately manage your supposed priorities. Leaving a sense of 'I should have done more'...The book process has been...
If they were boxers they'd certainly be in different weight categories. And yet I’ve watched them both in the past few weeks. So let’s let them fight it out. Analysis below. Now I’m definitely biased. My dad sneaked me into the cinema for the first Gladiator back in the year 2000. I was absolutely mesmerised and have rewatched on many occasions. It’s in my Top 5 for sure. Which is why I'm surprised to say I much preferred Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. I guess I did spend my teenage years...
Life still feels like it’s a little on 2.0x speed, so I thought I’d have a bit of fun with today's email. Apologies to the non-footy fans here, but you probably still know of 6ft 7in Mr. Crouch. Run with me on this one if you can… Liv & I are suckers for sports documentaries. Some of our favourites: • 6 Nations• Drive to Survive• Full Swing• The Last Dance (Michael Jordan)• Welcome to Wrexham This week, we watched That Peter Crouch Film—over two sittings—in our prime pre-bed TV slot. It was...