Book Series Archives - Page 8 of 9

On Writing ‘The End’

September 29, 2014 By JPMcLean 21 Comments

I finished writing the first draft of the fourth book in my Gift Legacy series last week. The process didn’t end with a thunder clap and popped cork, like I’d hoped. More like a wet splat with cold tea.

Why? I have no idea, but it did make me think about how I’d felt when I finished writing the other three books.

The first one was a shock. I actually Googled whether or not to type “the end” or let it be assumed. I remember sitting there with a grin on my face for ten minutes before I told the cave master. The second one snuck up on me, coming sooner than I anticipated, and pulled me along in its wake. The third…ah, the third. I loved the third one. Saw it coming a mile away and enjoyed every last second of writing it, and then I celebrated full out with a lovely bottle of Amarone. It was the end of the trilogy, after all, no small feat.

But this fourth book of the trilogy (yes, I know…arithmetic isn’t my strong suit) has been a marathon right from the start. I’m not sure why. I had a rough outline, so I knew where it began and I had a handful of the in between scenes. I also knew where it ended, but still, it was a tough slog getting it out.

That could be why typing “the end” on this one left me out of sorts. For a day or two afterward, I felt bluesy and out of sinc, and ever since, I’ve been bumping around the house in a daze I’m only now coming out of.

I celebrated the accomplishment a few nights later with my better half and a dirty martini, straight up, three olives, half vodka, half gin. I’m happy to report, though it may have been late and low-key, it was a pretty good ending!

Want to know how Book I ends? You can buy Secret Sky right now, with one simple click here. And if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, click on the Bookstore Tab for more purchase options.

On the Topic of Poor Planning…

April 16, 2014 By JPMcLean 24 Comments

On the topic of poor planning . . . when is a trilogy not a trilogy? When I started writing about Emelynn Taylor and her Gift, I had no idea so many people would love her as much as I do. It’s such a thrill for me to learn that readers want to know if there will be another book.

The answer is YES! I’m happy to confirm that I’m currently working on a fourth book featuring Emelynn…but it’s got me in a bit of a conundrum.

What do you call the fourth book in a trilogy?

The Gift started off as a stand-alone before it grew into a trilogy and now a fourth book is emerging. Clearly my foresight in this area isn’t stellar.

And the ideas just keep coming (some of them fueled by readers!) I can see Emelynn and her covey heading for a heap of trouble, and with the upheaval in the Tribunal, and their secret exposed, there’s no end of potential fodder. That is NOT a complaint; I love writing about Emelynn and I’m quite happy that The Gift Trilogy laid the groundwork for what may follow. The conundrum is what to call it?

Talk about poor planning! Book four cannot, obviously, be part of the trilogy. I could rename it a quadrilogy, but that doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, does it? And what do I do if yet another book comes calling?

I could really use your help. So far, I’ve come up with the Covey Chronicles (yuck), and The Gift Series (yawn).

Your input would be greatly appreciated. In fact, if I use your suggestion, I’ll give you credit in the book as well as my unending gratitude! Give it a thought.

And if you’re curious about what started it all, you can download a copy of Secret Sky with one simple click here. Buckle up…your adventure awaits! (and if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, click on the Bookstore tab for more options. Or click on the covers below:

Book Launched with Limoncello Bubbles

August 1, 2013 By JPMcLean Leave a Comment

Revelation Book Launch

Last Saturday promised and delivered a warm sunny afternoon—perfect for summer dresses, shade trees, long cool drinks, and a book launch. Our neighbour’s beautiful back garden came alive as enthusiastic friends dropped in, lured by whispers of refreshing Limoncello cocktails and tasty treats.

In the midst of engaging conversations and summer holiday reminiscing, Revelation was launched. The book took flight, flitting from hand to hand, blushing at the oohs and awes directed at its beautiful cover. Just wait until you read what’s inside, I thought, as copies got tucked under arms and stowed in purses.

All too soon, the afternoon soiree was over and the crowd melted away. The host/hostesses and a few sturdy souls remained as the sun set. We sipped a final Limoncello cocktail and unwound in the glow of a successful launch.

How did I ever get so lucky?

Thanks, from the bottom of my heart, to Elizabeth, Stephen, Colleen, Mark, Galen, Kabir, Griffin, and, as always, John. XO

Revelation Book Launch Limoncello Fizz:

Into the bottom of a frosty champagne flute

Pour half an ounce of thick-from-the-freezer Limoncello

Top with thoroughly chilled Cupcake Prosecco.

Enjoy.

Start the series with Secret Sky. It’s just a click away. Get your copy from Kindle with one click right here. And if kindle or ebooks aren’t your preference, click on the bookstore tab for other purchase options (or just click on the covers below).

What to Write Next?

May 29, 2013 By JPMcLean 4 Comments

I’m in an interesting phase of the writing process. It’s the world-is-my-oyster phase; the time between writing projects. What to write next?

I’ve finished writing Book III of the gift trilogy, Book II is about to be published, but as I learned after I finished writing Book I, the ideas don’t just stop because the book’s done. They flood in, rudely interrupting thought and sleep and other moments they choose.

But this time around, with the trilogy complete, the possibilities are even bigger. Do I start a brand spanking-new project or continue with Emelynn’s story in the trajectory in The Gift? Do I continue writing in the fantasy thriller genre or do I change genres? What about the narrative? Do I continue with first person POV, or switch it up with multiple POVs?

There are so many possibilities for how and what to write next and so few hours in each day. What to do? It’s a time of asking questions, researching and brainstorming.

What would you do next?

2020 update: I did, in fact, continue Emelynn’s story. The Gift Legacy stands complete at 7 books. You can read about the books here.

What readers are saying about Secret Sky: