This is my first update in months, and I wanted to let you know what I'm up to in the writing world.
This writing community has a pay-it-forward mentality that is indispensable in what is inherently a solo writing existence. Whether through shares, likes, recommendations, reviews, or constructive feedback, it fuels the passion for writing.
Q: What have I been doing?
After Devil's Own Day, the third Spy Devils thriller, I throttled back my time on social media, which is ironic since I am a mass communication adjunct professor who teaches social media. I know it is essential. I know disappearing isn't good for marketing, sales, or keeping my name "out there." I decided to minimize the screen time and focus on other things.
So, I have been FOMOing. Everyday!
After polling my classes, I have opened a TikTok account. I resisted for quite a while but finally caved. I wanted to play with it more as a teaching aid and do a little book marketing. I plan to devote more time to social media since an author's social media activities are table stakes with agents and publishers.
Q: Have I been writing?
YES!!
I am moving away from espionage (for now). I am working on a suspense thriller with social media-related topics driving the underlying storyline—ideas taken straight from my lectures.
With this new thriller direction, I have been reading and listening to mountains of suspense, psychological, crime, mystery, and "genre" fiction—as I did for espionage. I have read and researched books along the suspense spectrum, from classics to contemporary. My protagonist is female, so I have focused slightly more on books with female main characters. I am writing in various POVs with my protagonist in 1st person. First person narration is new to me, so I have sought those books. I've reviewed most of the MasterClass lessons by authors of all types.
Regarding MasterClass (and BBC Maestro), some famous and accomplished authors are there. They provide similar advice, motivation, and techniques. Still, I have found some nuggets that have stuck within most of them. I will save that for another newsletter.
This new book is an exciting change of direction and learning experience. From the writing and reading perspectives, I am comfortable with the rhythm and pattern of espionage and action thrillers.
I am taking my time…quickly…meaning I want to have the first draft done soon. I'm about halfway through the barf draft.
Q: What about the Spy Devils? Are you abandoning them?
Sort of. Kind of. Not really. I don't think so. No? I could improve at multi-tasking when it comes to writing. I admire those who can overlap books, short stories, novellas, etc. Bravo! I have some SD novella ideas that I can bang out if/when I am done with my myopic focus on the next book. The SD characters are developed, and I don't want to abandon them.
I also have a draft TV treatment of the Spy Devils that I hope to push forward.
I also have a few short story ideas in science fiction I have been noodling.
Q: What else have I been doing?
I thoroughly enjoy being a guest host on Al Warren's HOUSE OF MYSTERY RADIO SHOW. It allows me to talk with thriller authors and others—famous, not-so-famous, big, and so-big sellers. It is quite an education. I take notes.