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scarrow
Forum Admin
587 Posts |
 Posted - 29 February 2008 : 4:18:46 PM
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I'm considering I might do a sequel to LL for my next book. As yet, I haven't done any real sit-down thinking about it. So...I wondered, for those of you who've read it, if you were down Waterstones, and you saw there was a sequel to it on the shelves, what sort of tale would you hope to see in there?
I'm thinking I'd advance the clock by about 10 years, enough time to allow the dust to settle, and see what shape the aftermath would take.
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 29 February 2008 : 4:25:05 PM
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it needs to be about the 2 kids (leona and jacob) grown up i think, id centre it around the boy as an adult, he has grown up during the changes. you could have society starting to recover, a much greener, community driven society, as an antagonist you could have the remenants of the origional conspiracy, old men and young converts (like nazis with new age neo nazis) who want to bring back commercialisation, and global economy, who want to control not help.
Their attemp to take control would spill over into the village where Jacob and leona now live....
maybe some re-introduction of petrol powered vehichles, centre it around the restartin of a refinery??
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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Edited by - Parmenion on 29 February 2008 4:29:19 PM |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 29 February 2008 : 5:54:46 PM
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just thought, that this time you could lean more into the conspiracy side of things, the wno the what the why, even some reflection back to the heads of the origional coup...one could even be alive still??
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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AndyCanty
Homosapien
United Kingdom
6782 Posts |
Posted - 29 February 2008 : 6:19:30 PM
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Sounds very MadMax2 Parm, is that the sort of world your after? I think it needs to avoid too many comparisons to the MadMax story.
I like the idea of a sequel, i know when Parm and I proofed it, we could see scope for a sequel.
To expand on your premise, Parm, we could introduce some of the platoon who Andy helped get out of the Iraq (especially that corporal who gave Andy the gun, on the plane). not sure on how the story would flow beyond that, but it has to have the same multi thread dynamic like Last Light.
_____________________________________
If all the worlds a stage?
Where's my script???
http://andycanty.blogspot.com/ |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 29 February 2008 : 6:37:04 PM
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I would have thought it would be too cheesy to introduce any of the platoon, and im not thinking mad max andy, im thinking, more along the lines of the postman, but without the miracle recovery.
It allows for a nice green message (which is popular right now) and also something alex knows about, it also allows alex to truly link the books and expand on the conspiracy from last light, whick possibly could have done with a little more depth in that book.
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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AndyCanty
Homosapien
United Kingdom
6782 Posts |
Posted - 29 February 2008 : 6:48:08 PM
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ahh yes i see where your going. yeah makes more sense now.
I dont know though i think you need some more links to the previous book, and i actually quite liked that corporal, would be nice to see him again. Although i would want him changed, as i reckon he remained in the forces, may have done some things that really changed him.
But all of this is in the periphery from the core story surrounding Leona and Jake. hmmm.....
_____________________________________
If all the worlds a stage?
Where's my script???
http://andycanty.blogspot.com/ |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 29 February 2008 : 9:44:48 PM
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But its a decade further on, the squad would have been in and around the areas where population was herded so food would have been very short, then mass riots as they starved....it would be a huge coincidence if they met up....you could maye bring one in in his own thread, running a group tracking the conspiracy, ready to stop them, could have it that while with andy , andy told of his concerns over his thesis ...etc... conspiracy etc...
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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AndyCanty
Homosapien
United Kingdom
6782 Posts |
Posted - 01 March 2008 : 10:17:17 AM
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Yeah that sounds a good story arc for a character Parm. I would be amazed if none of them survived, and as long as he doesn't end up like the Postman, that would be fine.
and we know alex is damn good at multithreaded stories so that could provide some. back storie to the atrocities.
We know that Jake and Leona went to a remote place in the country, so maybe the corporals story will be the mess those "survival areas" became the atrocities that too place and the decline of society even further.
_____________________________________
If all the worlds a stage?
Where's my script???
http://andycanty.blogspot.com/ |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 01 March 2008 : 10:20:42 AM
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true and as jacob and leona have their dads work recued from the house before they fled, the corporal needs to get to them to tie all the conspiracy together, he then needs to leed them to the ruling council of britain, a new and fair parlaiment in its infancy, they must travel through cities riddled with bandits and gangs, those to lazy to actually work to improve society. they need to get to ???? where the new parlaiment is to show them the extent of the conspiray, to have ahope of stopping it.
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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AndyCanty
Homosapien
United Kingdom
6782 Posts |
Posted - 01 March 2008 : 10:31:30 AM
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hmm, nice premise there. I think i'll need to read LL again to see who else survived, to see if any of them have a place in the new book.
But i think Jake (whose now a late teenager), Leona (whose now what mid 20s?) did their mum survive? my minds slipping.... The corporal, whose now some other part of the new world.
Why not have the parliament on one of Britains islands? maybe Ankhsys Bunker Complex on Alderney...LOL will make the trip harder and will make the have to relie on others for boat transport. A few cliches in there, but all ideas to throw at the drawing board.
_____________________________________
If all the worlds a stage?
Where's my script???
http://andycanty.blogspot.com/ |
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John Prigent
Homosapien
United Kingdom
8794 Posts |
Posted - 01 March 2008 : 12:35:46 PM
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Just to be awkward, I've always wished Alex would write the story of their journey to a safe haven following straight on from the end of Last light, and the subsequent years while the kids grow up emotionally in the "new world". New loves for all as well as new lives? Defending the haven against would-be looters, till all of the latter die out except one successful "robber baron" types who has created his own feudal society and must be defeated? Then the _next_ sequel follows ten years later!
Cheers
John
Captain, Star Fleet
"to boldly split infinitives that no man (or woman) has split before" |
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Fast Paul
Ape
United Kingdom
1003 Posts |
Posted - 01 March 2008 : 12:39:20 PM
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called "A new Dawn" maybe?
Are more people against fur than leather because its a lot easier to attack rich women than Hells Angels?????? |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 01 March 2008 : 6:42:08 PM
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John, i think you could cover someof your ideas in this book even 10 years later as the 2 groups tell their tales of how they survived etc..
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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John Prigent
Homosapien
United Kingdom
8794 Posts |
Posted - 01 March 2008 : 6:49:50 PM
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I think you mean "Alex could", Parm!
Cheers
John
Captain, Star Fleet
"to boldly split infinitives that no man (or woman) has split before" |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 01 March 2008 : 6:58:59 PM
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it was a general you (one could...)...not you specifically
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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AndyCanty
Homosapien
United Kingdom
6782 Posts |
Posted - 01 March 2008 : 8:39:50 PM
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I think you need to place it in the future, and have the timeslip idea that Alex, used to great effect in A Thousand Suns
_____________________________________
If all the worlds a stage?
Where's my script???
http://andycanty.blogspot.com/ |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 02 March 2008 : 08:22:17 AM
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im not sure you can timeslip this, the book last light is set just around the corner time wise and he is adding 10 years to it to carry the story forward...there is no real way to timeslip it. So it needs to be all one time period. If you try to go further into the future looking back all your characters are changed and you may end up with a copy of the postman.
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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AndyCanty
Homosapien
United Kingdom
6782 Posts |
Posted - 02 March 2008 : 12:22:28 PM
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i hear where your coming from Parm, but timeslip is not always a long time span. although to be honest, it depends on how alex wants to write it i guess, either method could work, it's just finding the sweet spot between the two.
but the multi-threaded story converging on Jake and Leona dragging them back into the chaos that cost them their father seems to work rather well, but who does Jake grow up to be, A loner, a complete pansy or someone who is the pillar of the community, does he travel? or stay with his sister? and who does Leona grow up into? is she married? a mother? or some other path like her brother.
Would they still be together? or have they gone their separate ways? is part of th story, the search for leona and Jake, only to find that Jakes not there, and gone "walkabout"
So then Alex? any ideas stemmed from our ramblings
_____________________________________
If all the worlds a stage?
Where's my script???
http://andycanty.blogspot.com/ |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 02 March 2008 : 12:34:51 PM
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Yes Mr Alex Sir...you have gone rather quiet....dont worry...we dont charge for our ramblings, they are yours to use as you wish....honest!!!
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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scarrow
Forum Admin
587 Posts |
Posted - 02 March 2008 : 1:29:21 PM
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I thought I'd step back and see where this headed.
Atm, I'm playing around with a loose idea that involves Jake and Leona on some 'quest' that takes them across this new post-oil landscape. With regards to the conspiracy backstory, I feel that ran its course in LL, and I'm unlikely to return to it.
I do feel, at a gut level, that the very 'soul' of this sequel lies in Leona somewhere.
Something I don't really want to do is romanticise the survival lifestyle. It's not an idyl for anyone other than the most hardcore greenies...I'd rather - through her eyes - lament the comfortable world we all lost because of our greed and complacency.
Anyway...keep it going guys, (and anyone else who wants to join in). It's a chance for me to see what themes/characters readers would like to see more of.
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AndyCanty
Homosapien
United Kingdom
6782 Posts |
Posted - 02 March 2008 : 1:59:14 PM
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hey Parm, we do charge, just not in money...LOL
Hi Alex,
I see where your going, but I think you need to include Jake, as a teenager, maybe the quest is 2fold, Jake has gone wandering, and it's up to Leona and go after him. experiencing the world as it is now. you can get the "Green" message across through her travels, but what will she find on the quest and how will it change her even more.
It will be interetsing to see Leona change from book 1 to book 2 but also how will she change over the course of the book2.
But i also think even though you are leaning to leona story you need to also factor in Jake and one or 2 others to provide a more widespread link to the previous book.
I sort of agree that the conspiracy theory has run it's course as Leona is not a danger, but what about the shady coucil that instigated the events of LL, mayeb they still exist and some of the mare the goverment, but maybe jake is. his search for more clues to over throw the new goverment for the hand in the events of LL from reading all his fathers work, and taking up the torch as they say. could be a key to Leona quest.
Prob doesnt make a huge amount of sense, I'm rambling I know...LOL
_____________________________________
If all the worlds a stage?
Where's my script???
http://andycanty.blogspot.com/ |
Edited by - AndyCanty on 02 March 2008 2:02:10 PM |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 02 March 2008 : 6:48:18 PM
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As Jakes father died when he was very young, by the time this sotry takes place he will be a young man, and he will be wanting to know who his dad was and why he died, his mum has died?? and his sister does not have all the answers.
this could allow you multiple streams of story and multiple perspectives, leona grew up as a teen during this time, jake grew up from a young child.
Jake could track down some of his dads friends ...ie: the corporal??...but leona loses track of him and must go looking!!..and track him down.
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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Fast Paul
Ape
United Kingdom
1003 Posts |
Posted - 02 March 2008 : 10:11:17 PM
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How about looking at a quest through the speeding up of an ice age. By this I mean that without the carbon emissions released from the oil floating up into the atmosphere, we lose their protection from the sun (they collect moisture particals and as there are so many create a shield as they stay up there longer. Can`t think of the name of this effect at the mo, but will look it up.) which is currently causing the droughts in Africa and shielding us from approx 11c of heat. Losing this effect will bring about a new ice age through melting ice caps causing the loss of the Gulf stream etc.
Jake and Leona might be in Alderney or some island hooked up with some prof who understands these things and living the quiet life and realises that the rising water will reach a certain level in a certain time and set off a chain reaction with untold consequences for the planet. They need to get to ? and save the day/planet. Someone should be out to stop them for their own warped reasons.
Whats the chain reaction? I would focus on tutonic plate movement through steam? an explosion? or maybe the weight release of the melting ice-pack on antartica would have an impact.
Maybe they can`t save the world, no one can, but need to get somewhere/meet-up before the end. A case of this really is the Last Light any human will see.
Just my rambling mind working overtime. Any of that waffle any use to you? By the way LL is next on the pile to read (half way through 1000 suns which is very good by the way!) so if it doesn`t work as a sequel then my apologies!
It`s true that opposite`s attract!
Thats why your surrounded by beautiful, intelligent, happy people! |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 03 March 2008 : 08:29:52 AM
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in jakes or leonas wandering you would be able to show how easily population centers without a central goverment would revert to provinces controlled either by local dicatators/ warlords or benevolent councils... (watch the later episodes of Jericho to see what i mean)
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 04 March 2008 : 9:43:56 PM
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so what sort of level should the communities be at??
I think the majority would be away from the old cities, in rural communities, proper housing, quite a few scientists saw the writing on the wall, unfortunatly, the habit of city brokers "building a new life in the country" also meant also meant alot of previously spoilt rich people were there, and this caused quite a few issues.
Skills should still be high, libraries were cleared out to bring as much knowledge as possible to the villages, but this was dangerous as gangs still roamed the cities, those who didnt want to take on the back breaking work of farming / village life...
a nice mix of pre and post industrial age.
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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John Prigent
Homosapien
United Kingdom
8794 Posts |
Posted - 04 March 2008 : 9:49:05 PM
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You're going to _really_ need some soldiers, even if not Andy's mates. Those city gangs will be out in the country raiding anywhere they can find food, petrol and women. Not just city gangs, quite small towns have nasty characters in them.
Cheers
John
Captain, Star Fleet
"to boldly split infinitives that no man (or woman) has split before" |
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AndyCanty
Homosapien
United Kingdom
6782 Posts |
Posted - 04 March 2008 : 10:26:49 PM
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yeah, just a real pity that a certain soldier by the name of Robin Carter is dead....shame eh...LOL
_____________________________________
If all the worlds a stage?
Where's my script???
http://andycanty.blogspot.com/ |
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Alex Scarrow
Ape
993 Posts |
Posted - 05 March 2008 : 07:45:47 AM
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| I squirm with guilt when I remember how the poor man died. |
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AndyCanty
Homosapien
United Kingdom
6782 Posts |
Posted - 05 March 2008 : 09:04:02 AM
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nah.....was a glorious moment in literary history!
_____________________________________
If all the worlds a stage?
Where's my script???
http://andycanty.blogspot.com/ |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 05 March 2008 : 10:05:14 AM
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it was...well ...realistic really, no going for the heroic last man defence. The guy was young inexperienced and lets face it about to get brutally hacked to pieces...at least you changed it from shot in the back...
Im sure you could pick someone for a brutal slaying in the next one....any brotherly grudges to get out of the way?? friends you always wanted to pick on??...apart from me again!! LOL!!
John i would have thought your right, the small disorganised gangs would be pretty much wiped out 10 years later, now you would only have roaving small villages with minimal resources raiding rather than trading. and also onld style outlaws travellin and making trouble. I would have thought the villages would now be reusing old castles? maybe creating pallisades around the village?? in the early years attacks would have been common, now they are almost a thing of the past.
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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AndyCanty
Homosapien
United Kingdom
6782 Posts |
Posted - 05 March 2008 : 10:12:38 AM
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Good point, least you went out shot by me...LOL
I'm sure there is loads of candidates for brutal slaying...
I agree, the world would have turned into a feudal society where no one is friends anymore and if you want something it it taken from them. castles would have been reused and defences built up. and i reckon they would remain, people would be scared, it's just a matter of how much they are willing they are to accept outsiders.
_____________________________________
If all the worlds a stage?
Where's my script???
http://andycanty.blogspot.com/ |
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Last Light Sequel
