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scarrow
Forum Admin
587 Posts |
 Posted - 17 May 2009 : 11:00:54 AM
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Blimey...the forum's been quiet of late. So I thought I'd provide a little update on things my end, for those interested.
So, I typed 'THE END' for Twilight a couple of weeks ago and have just been reading through this last fornight, turning my pidgin english into legible english. It's a chunky old story, as it stands, about 25% longer than Last Light. We'll see what my editor makes of that. It might need slimming down.
At this stage...I'd describe it as 'The Road' meets 'Waterworld'.
I know...I know, everyone's going to say 'Waterworld? But that was a really crappy film!' But I've always thought it was a very under-rated movie. What I think it created, quite brilliantly, was a well thought-through post-apoc' culture. And some really poetic moments in the first half. And then buggered it all up with a cheesy action-oriented second half to please the popcorn crowd. Actually, I've always harbored a suspicion that people diss the movie because Costner was getting a bit above himself and they wanted it to flop. In actual fact, despite tabloid stories of it being a mega-turkey, it earned back on DVD sales and made a healthy profit. So I guess there are other Waterworld 'lurkers' out there who rate it as highly as I do. Anyway, 'Twilight' (if it keeps that title) will be released in Spring 2010.
Other news?
Yes. Streamers...now known as TimeRiders, is going to be published in the US as well as the UK. I can't name the publisher just yet, because, well, there's some bartering still going on. But the important thing at this stage is actually getting my foot in the door over there. It's a very tough market place for a non-US author to get into, a whole bunch of cultural reasons really, and add to that belts being tightened right now within the book biz...it really is news I wasn't expecting. I'd like to think it raises the percentage chance of eventually blagging a film rights sale. Who knows?
So that's where I'm at. June to September, I'm setting aside some time to work on some tv/film scripts. Then come October I'll start working on the next thriller. Now...there's something to ponder over. I have a number of ideas competing to be the next book, but there's 'strategic placement' to consider. Should I try something different, or stick to something tried and tested and consolidate my position as...hmm...well 'guy who writes time-slip thrillers'?
I've got another possible WWII thriller, I've got another October Skies-esque historical pseudo-supernatural idea, I've got a Bourne-esque chase thriller. Which to do?
Also...I wonder, do you think reviving protagonists from eithe SUNS (Chris Roland - photographer) or OS (Julian Cooke - film-maker) is a worthwhile thing to do? As a reader/customer would it make you want to pick up the book more? Or would you feel it might limit the tale somehow?
Your thoughts and feedback, as always, are, well...not to put too fine a point on it, bloody useful.
-Alex
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2009 : 11:28:59 AM
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Firstly...well done on finishing the writing...always here if you want any critincing..LOL!
Secondly Great news about the US about bloody time, LL should have been a big hit there and maybe in time it will
Lastly...what to do next...if i had a say i'd say either something totally new or Chris Roland. While i liked OS i didnt warm to Julian Cooke as a character, bourne has been done to death, but roland is new different, and no one has filled the WW2 gap that Higgins seems to have vacated....and there was plenty of scope for him to dig and uncover more from the end of Suns.
Sorry for being quiet, i have been sucked into youwrite a little, actually wrote 2500 words myself during the arsenal game yesterday and have been really busy since returning from hols. and am now planning the next holidy....and am booking trips round the country to see everyone over the next few months as well...
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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John Prigent
Homosapien
United Kingdom
8794 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2009 : 11:36:52 AM
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Why restrict yourself Alex - do all of them! Jot down ideas for each "possible" as they come to you and settle down to actually writing the first one that gets a usable start, middle and ending with good plot at each point. And don't worry if a thought about one of the others pops into your head while you're fleshing out the firt one, just add that notion to your notes for future use.
I'd quite like to see Julian and his not-really-a-girlfriend come back in another story, perhaps a successful on the back of their October Skies documentary and now chasing down another story in the backwoods of a different area. I wouldn't worry about being typecast as a writer of timeslip thrillers, you've got a niche!
Cheers
John
Sum, ergo cogito |
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Ankhsy
Homosapien
United Kingdom
7849 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2009 : 5:43:14 PM
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I personally think you should consolidate your position as a thriller writer. People might get confused if you go off down another genre-path; although by all means do so if you feel compelled...but would consider writing in another genre under a pseudonym?
I'd love to see a Part II of Thousand Suns, and bringing back Chris Roland. I really enjoyed that story and felt it had much potential for a sequel. Thousand Suns and October Skies are my favourites. You got the tension right in a spooky sort of way (exploring the submerged plane was spooky!), which really grabbed me. Bring Chris Roland to Alderney and investigate a mystery based on the Nazi concentration camps here.
Legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus. |
Edited by - Ankhsy on 26 May 2009 5:44:26 PM |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2009 : 5:49:34 PM
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thats not a bad idea, you could use all of the channel islands, i went to gurnsey a fair few times and they get spooky as hell at night in the fog...are there any unusual stories though ankhsy??
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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John Prigent
Homosapien
United Kingdom
8794 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2009 : 7:37:09 PM
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Why wonder - just make some up!
Cheers
John
Sum, ergo cogito |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2009 : 8:26:54 PM
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ah but fact is always stranger than fiction!
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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Ankhsy
Homosapien
United Kingdom
7849 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2009 : 12:05:34 PM
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There are these stories that the Germans threw concentration camp prisoners off the end of the breakwater. There is also the Strangers Cemetery at Longis Bay, which contain the bodies of work camp workers and German suicides, and many stories of ghosts associated with that area. Just last week I heard from the wife of one of our policement about two visitors who reported they saw a man walk across the beach and straight into the sea; they were on the beach at low tide in the late afternoon and saw this man dressed in fatigues. They shouted across to him, and then he just disappeared. That's not the first time I've heard that story.
Legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus. |
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John Prigent
Homosapien
United Kingdom
8794 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2009 : 4:46:26 PM
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If there isn't a local legend about a smuggler's cave there jolly well ought to be. I can just see the mystery kicking off with a coastal landslide exposing a hidden cave full of - what?
Cheers
John
Sum, ergo cogito |
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scarrow
Forum Admin
587 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2009 : 10:25:34 PM
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I'm sort of in two minds about a SUNS/Chris Roland sequel. I think if SUNS had done better sales, Chris Roland would have been an obvious choice as a series protagonist. I really liked him too. I also liked his diving partner. Together they could have uncovered some more mysteries. Of course, if a few years down the line, SUNS film rights get sold and a movie looked like it was to go ahead, you can be damned sure I'll be scribbling away at a Chris Roland sequel.
Hmm...more thought required. |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2009 : 09:15:35 AM
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but Al the first in a series is not always the biggest seller, eg: Steve Berry with hi Cotton Malone, each book sells more than the last, but as he becomes more popular people go back and buy the back catalogue, thats the advantge of a series with the same character. Im sure clive cussler with dirk pitt didnt blow the roof off with book one, and there must be many more examples, as long as each book is prograssivley better and sells more, what i think you need to avoid is type casting the mystery / thriller period, so probably avoid WW2 for the nex book, or have it start there but lead forward in time a bit? or go further back in time, ancient mysteries are always a big hit! im sure with a photographer and a diver there must be many things to uncover in and around the UK? or further afield?
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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LeeGregz
Invertebrate
United Kingdom
139 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2009 : 12:54:53 AM
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Id like to see another Chris Roland book. As an 'investigator' type character, hes completely different to everything else out there. I had a thought on a possible storyline. I dont know if anyones heard of the Sandringham regiment, who fought in the Gallipoli campaign in WW1. Theyre known as the Vanished Battalion, due to the fact they went missing on 12 Aug 1915. Their bodies were never found. Theres been loads of conspiraces on what happened to them. I think the BBc made a docu-drama style thing on it a few years back, would make a brilliant story.
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother" |
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Ankhsy
Homosapien
United Kingdom
7849 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2009 : 09:56:21 AM
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Parm has it exactly. I've been following Steve Berry (and Cotton Malone) since book 1 and its amazing to see how his character and writing style has developed. he didn't start his Cotton Malone character until book four, but that's made people I know go back to read books 1-3. I think Chris Roland is an interesting character to develop.
there's a brilliant book just out called "Voodoo Histories" (by David Aaronvitch)which explores all these conspiracy theories and imaginary plots, which is a riot to read. but you could have Chris Roland involved in finding the truth behind one such crackpot plot.
Legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus. |
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KilboFraggins
Invertebrate
United Kingdom
156 Posts |
Posted - 27 June 2009 : 10:02:51 AM
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When does your Vampire-for-teens book come out then? (sorry, couldn't help it :-P)
Seriously though, isn't the name 'Twilight' sort of, well, taken? |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14672 Posts |
Posted - 27 June 2009 : 10:58:41 AM
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(Hardcover - 15 April 2010)
is the cuurent date on amazon...do some research man...LOL!!
i very much doubt the title will stay! for the very reasons you have so piff takingly pointed out (grin)
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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TWILIGHT - and stuff
