Whispers of a New Story

The release date of my new book is only a couple of weeks away, and my long to-do list has finally been shortened enough that I’m finding myself with time to begin planning for my next book. It feels like forever since I’ve written because the last few months have been consumed with edits, illustrations, marketing and event preparations.

I’m not complaining by any means. I have LOVED every bit of the process of creating a book from start to finish this year. I’ve learned so much and had a wonderful time accomplishing one of my life-long dreams.

Now, the whispers of a new story have begun. I didn’t even notice them at first. Just a hint here and there of what may come next… until the thoughts came more often than I could remember, and I grabbed a new notebook and pen to begin collecting them. Bits and pieces of scribbled words, phrases, ideas and new characters coming on the scene- they all were added to the blank pages waiting to be filled and transformed into a new book.

A few months ago, I outlined another story- this one a middle grade fantasy full of magic. This story calls to me, but the call of a new Maggie & Darlene Adventure is stronger and more pressing right now. I can practically see Maggie in her new school, and her story needs to be written, as she tackles her first year of middle school and has new experiences.

So, the middle grade fantasy novel will rest in its outline for now, like a bear in hibernation, while Maggie and Darlene will live through an exciting autumn. Now all I need to do is grab that mostly blank notebook and scratch more words and ideas into its pages, until they spill over onto my computer keyboard and become the next story.

I can hardly wait to see what these girls get into next!