One of those twist-ties has been the confusion that occasionally erupts when I tell people about writing 12 in 12. Some people assumed I meant that I started every one of the books from scratch during the year I released a book a month. This did not happen.
I want to burst into hysterical laughter at the thought. Perhaps there are authors out there that sit down at their computer without a firm idea percolating in their head and produce a book a month for a year.
I am not that author.
For instance, Pic Jump, my 12th book, had three lines for an outline/plot and Pic sprang out of leftover ideas I had for 5 Blanks, my post-apocalyptic thriller. Klaus was written because I love Christmas. Honestly, it isn't hard to write about characters who only need to be tracked through one book.
Chest of Souls, my Epic Fantasy, was originally an idea when my oldest daughter was in grade school (she is now in her 30's). Because I was telling the story especially for her entertainment, the concept revolved around a girl her age, a cat my daughter wanted for a pet, an elevator, a skeleton (the better to scare her with), a necklace with unidentified power, and, for my daughter who was struggling with self-esteem, the feeling of not belonging. The idea, which never took root, was to take it to the next level and introduce a time-travel scenario. It never happened.
That's when Chest of Souls started. It became a NINE book series - the bulk of what formed my 12. It became a literary hydra. Whenever I thought I had a plot covered, two sub-plots presented themselves.
It took a miracle to finish the books in the time I had allowed myself.
BUT I consider the true miracles the things that have happened since November of 2012. After returning from another state where I spent most of last year, I had new goals.
Chest of Souls Book One was given a new cover, re-formatted to html, and re-released. We had the promotion mentioned in this blog last November - along with a peek at the new book. The artist is currently at work on another cover. Hopefully, we will receive it soon and give the stories a much-needed push.
Ummm....except, well, now there will be a four-book prequel and a possibly six book sequel. I did not plan to do this, but the juiciness of the plots and the tantalizing glimpses of the distant past and fatal future of the characters you met in the first nine books were too much. When I get that kind of call, I have to answer it and so, the first of the prequels should be released as soon as the cover is ready. I'll keep you posted.
