I got an e-mail last night from my editor expressing serious concerns about the new intertwined version of the third book. I wasn't surprised, since I'd figured if she loved it I would have heard by now. E-mails, phone calls, telegrams, sky writing- there are lots of ways letting people know good news.
Sky writing is my favorite, although it's the least energy efficient.
I happen to like this intertwined third book version a lot, although, truth be told, I've liked just about all my different third books a lot, even the ones that I won't let anyone see because they're most likely disastrous. I really enjoy killing off all humanity, and my guess is I'd enjoy it even more this upcoming political season.
But I'd be surprised if I end up writing any third book this fall and at this point I'm not going to be shocked if I never write one at all.
I've had more fun with Life As We Knew It and the dead and the gone than I ever imagined possible. They were joys to write and I take real pride in both of them. I'm confident more good things are going to happen to them (and to me as a result) in the months and maybe years to come. In fact, I'm already working on Life As We Knew It! The Musical. Here's Miranda's big Act One number:
My eyes are blue.
My blood is red.
In spite of that
Soon I'll be dead.
It's harder to come up with words that rhyme with gone (so far all I've figured out is Ron and salon), so the dead and the gone! the musical may have to be satisfied with Miranda's big number, only with brown eyes.
Hold on. I feel inspiration striking:
My blood is red.
My eyes are brown.
New York is wet.
Maybe I'll drown.
I'm off to clean the apartment, run errands, and begin design work on the Life As We Knew It/ the dead and the gone coloring books.
See Mrs. Nesbitt.
Mrs. Nesbitt is dead.
Color Mrs. Nesbitt grey.
Life is full of possibilities!
9 comments:
Just write it. When it is done (and it will undoubtedly morph in interesting and unusual directions once you actually get going, then send it to the editor and let her accept or reject it then. You didn't wait for an editor's approval when you wrote LAWKI and you don't need it now. Heck, if Harcourt doesn't want it, bring it out in the UK first and let them beg for it. Just do it!
I forgot to close my parentheses. Damn! It should be after going. I am appalled and ashamed at my lack of proofreading.
Hi Susan,
I bet Scholastic over here would publish a third, even if Harcourt didn't. {Can you tell I know almost nothing about the publishing industry?}
If Book 3 is definately not being published, would you consider posting it, or excerpts from it, here? We'd love to read it. Please?
Aoife
Hi to Marci (who I'll be seeing in a few hours for birthday lunch with my mother) and to Wild-Force 71-
I haven't really explored what my options are yet and I won't for a while. I need to hear from my editor again and I need to think things out on my own and to consult with my agent.
I have enough complications in my personal life right now that I'm not feeling particularly creative. If and when that changes, I'll start thinking again about what to do and how to do it.
If I was you, I would write a totally different book.
Time to let your imagination run free again, in my opinion.
Glen
Hi Anonymous Glen-
Thanks for the suggestion.
I'm not sure where my imagination is right now. I think it used to be in the outside storage closet, in which case it's a good thing I couldn't bring myself to throw anything out!
I hope you are serious about the coloring books. They'll be the start of a great new line for Dover Publishing. No joke. And I still think you should honor your drawings more and have an exhibit.
W. Slezak
Hello Anonymous W. Slezak-
Thank you for your kind comments about my art work.
Alas, I fear you're the only person who feels that way. The rest of the world judges my drawings with the same horror they judge my singing.
Okay, they don't run out of the room holding their hands to their ears when they see one of my drawings. But they do cover their eyes, which makes running out the room a little tougher!
Then I suspect you are listening to the wrong critics!
Many fine artists have met with scorn because of their uniqueness and risen to greatness.
Fear no art.
W.S.
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