A popular meme is circulating, promising some interesting discussion and reflection if you're a writer - or just enjoy reading about someday writing (*looks in mirror*). I'm not too good with these types of things, but I've been tagged to share a bit about what's in my cooker.
Before we start, though, here are a few 'next big things' from the following writers: Robert Swartwood and Kevin Lucia and Mike Duran. I'm tagging fellow writers Jeff Chapman and Fred Warren and Stoney M. Setzer who will post their contributions by Dec 12. Enjoy!
Here are the questions and my answers:
1) What is the title of your next book/work?
Simply Criminal, a first person PoV crime thriller featuring Ned Nbonivoy, a Detroit private eye who hates guns, violence, and the mob. Unfortunately, he gets mixed up with all three.
2) Where did the idea come from for the book/work?
I enjoy hardboiled detective stories, and the snappy voice of a first person protagonist has always been fun to read. So with Ned I get to try my hand at both the genre and voice.
3) What genre does your book/work fall under?
Thriller/mystery/detective/crime/suspense. They all sort of fuse together at times, don't they?
4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
Ned's a big boy, about 6'2" and weight-room built. So I'd have to go with Gerard Butler. His love interest, Natalia, is Italian (of course! that's why Ned's mixed up in the mob!) and so I think Alyssa Milano would do quite well.
5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Private Eye Ned Nbonivoy hates guns, violence, and the mob; unfortunately, when he falls for the local Don's mistress on a job tracking down a priceless French painting, he gets mixed up with all three.
6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Good question. I'll definitely run it through my critique group and listen to what they have to say. I currently self-publish my short stories and collections, but it might be fun to see if a legacy publisher is interested.
7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Still working on it. I teach middle school full time and am now coaching high school swimming. So I have to find my groove again and finish the manuscript. It'll probably be done early next year.
8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Dresden files, but without the wizardry. Grisham's works but without the courtroom. Harry Bosch but without the police work. Maybe a male version of Stephanie Plum and Kinsey Millhone?
9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?
Took a novel writing workshop with cozy mystery writer Nancy Mehl over the summer. One of her exercise prompts turned into my opening scene. She also turned me on to J. Mark Bertrand, whose three police procedural thrillers really stoked my fire.
10) What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
My chapters are short. This is a plot-driven, punchy short novel. Probably perfect for ebook reading. I think you'll like it. Let me know if you want to read the opening chapter.
Well, thanks for reading about my "next big thing." Please visit the other participants and tell them I sent you.
Good luck with finishing! I think it'll be a great one!
ReplyDeleteThanks! We should make a pact to write x pages each week!
ReplyDeleteSounds good, Lyn -- I like me the hardboiled genre too. Just had a future-noir novella accepted by Musa Publishing, so maybe try them when you're ready to make the rounds.
ReplyDeleteDagnabbit! Tagged you, but you've already been tagged. Talk about being slow on the uptake.
ReplyDeleteAnyhoo. I'm liking this project. Sounds like my kind of reading.