This weekend, I finished editing my copy edits for SHATTERED, the 4th Maxine Revere cold case mystery (on sale 8.22.17.) I received them on Monday the 9th, but didn’t sit down to work on them until Thursday … and finished them in three days. Trust me when I say I never get through copy edits so quickly. I was worried, so I spent Sunday and Monday morning going through them a second time because for certain I had missed something. I made a few more tweaks, but in the end, I’m very, very happy with this book and will be sending it back to NYC tomorrow … early. (Well, my editor won’t get them that early because I’m going to send them 2-day rather than overnight and save me about $40!)
The first thing I thought when I finished reading this book was how much I loved the story … and then I panicked. What if I love it but no one else does? How can I judge my own work? I already have a hard enough time judging my own stories.
Case in point: I wrote a book and sent it to my agent. I don’t want to say too much about it yet, but I loved the story and the characters. My agent read it and while he liked it (sort of) there were several problems. One big problem and several little problems. I spent ten weeks on and off working on revisions … and the story is SO much better than the original. I changed one seemingly small plot point, but it had a ripple effect through the story and the ending rocked.
But I thought the original was really good, too — and now I’m biting my fingernails waiting for notes on the revised book.
What if my concept of good and bad is flawed?
So, that’s what I was thinking about when I finished the copy edits for SHATTERED. I love this book … but what if it’s not as good as I think?
And thus is the life of a writer.
I love writing, and I don’t think my books suck. They might not be for everyone, but they’re good stories and I’ve been blessed with great editors who’ve really helped me become a stronger writer. I’d like to think that after more than 30 books, I know what I’m doing … but every book I write I still have doubts. Is it good? Is it really good? Is it well-written? Will my readers like it? Will I find new readers?
SHATTERED is the 4th Maxine Revere book … but it’s also (sort of) the 13th Lucy Kincaid book. While it’s a Max story (cold case mystery), she’s solving the nearly 20-year-old murder of Justin Stanton, Lucy Kincaid’s nephew. The book starts and ends with Max, but everything in the middle Max and Lucy have equal time. In fact, there are only 4 POVs in the entire book (I’ve never written a full-length book with so few points-of-view): Max, Lucy, David Kane (Max’s assistant), and Danielle Sharpe, a legal secretary. Sean’s in the book briefly, and most of the Kincaids come in at some point, but 90% of the story is Max and Lucy.
It was SO much fun to write. When I came up with the idea, I didn’t know how it would work. Max and Lucy are very different people. They look at the world in a slightly different way. And when Max is forced to work with Lucy, she nearly has a fit–she doesn’t partner with cops. It never ends well. But Max needs Lucy because Lucy has access–and Lucy needs Max because she’s working the investigation off-book. Putting them together was a total blast, and I really hope my long-time readers like it.
I don’t think I’ve met a writer who hasn’t had doubts about their writing … even when they think something is good. In fact, thinking a story is good is a sure-fire way to bring on a bigger panic attack that the story really sucks but the writer is too dumb to see it. Yep, look it up in the dictionary: one of the adjectives defining WRITER is “neurotic.”
Doubts are the name of the game in this business. And while the doubt demons are stressful and create huge problems for most writers, including yours truly, the doubt demons also keep writers focused on the end result. Which is what?
Writing a better book than the last.
I’ve often talked about the advice Mariah Stewart gave me when I was struggling with my 7th book. She’d just published her 20th book and I lamented to her via email that I couldn’t wait until I was in her place where it was “so much easier.” Because obviously, I was thinking, 20 books she must totally know what she’s doing!
Marti called me and said, “Honey, it never gets any easier.” She went on to say that some books might be easier than others, but the 21st book could be a harder book to write than #6. Why? “Because you will always be trying to writing a better book than the last.”
This is why when I’m asked, “What advice to you have for aspiring writers?” or “What do you wish you’d have known before you published?” I quote Marti: “It doesn’t get any easier.”
The difference between a professional writer and a novice is that professional writers KNOW this, they KNOW that writing is work, and even when a book might come easier once in a while, they never take that “easy” book for granted. Because the next one may be the most difficult story they’ve ever penned.
In the end, however, writers write for first themselves, and then their readers. If I don’t like it, I know my readers won’t. And if I do? Well, I’m crossing fingers.
The cover for SHATTERED has been on my web page for awhile, I haven’t “officially” announced it … I had a Lucy book out in November and the next Lucy book comes out in March. But I thought now would be a good time to share it if you haven ‘t seen it. The hardcover is available for pre-order and the ebook should be available for pre-order within the next couple of weeks. I really love this cover.
Oh … and something fun. There’s a special excerpt for SHATTERED at the end of MAKE THEM PAY. Generally, the publisher puts in the first chapter of the upcoming book, but this time, we picked the chapter six, when Lucy first comes on page and hears about Maxine Revere’s investigation into the murder of her nephew. My editor and I talked about it a lot and thought that Lucy Kincaid fans would really like to see how she joins the investigation, and it reads smooth enough so readers shouldn’t be too lost.
For links visit my web page … below is the “official” cover copy for SHATTERED. Enjoy!
Investigative reporter Maxine Revere and rookie FBI Agent Lucy Kincaid come together in an explosive story about love, murder, betrayal, and family ties …
Over a span of twenty years, four boys have been kidnapped from their bedrooms, suffocated, and buried nearby in a shallow grave. Serial killer or coincidence?
That’s the question investigative reporter Maxine Revere sets out to answer when an old friend begs her to help exonerate his wife, who has been charged with their son’s recent murder. But Max can do little to help because the police and D.A. won’t talk to her―they think they have the right woman. Instead, Max turns her attention to three similar cold cases. If she can solve them, she might be able to help her friend.
Justin Stanton was killed twenty years ago, and his father wants closure―so he is willing to help Max with her investigation on one condition: that she work with his former sister-in-law― Justin’s aunt, FBI Agent Lucy Kincaid. Trouble is, Max works alone, and she’s livid that her only access to the case files, lead detective and witnesses depends on her partnering with a federal agent on vacation. She wants the career-making story almost as much as the truth―but if she gets this wrong, she could lose everything.
Haunted by Justin’s death for years, Lucy yearns to give her family―and herself―the closure they need. More important, she wants to catch a killer. Lucy finds Max’s theory on all three cases compelling―with Max’s research added to Lucy’s training and experience, Lucy believes they can find the killer so justice can finally be served. But the very private Lucy doesn’t trust the reporter any more than Max trusts her.
Max and Lucy must find a way to work together to untangle lies, misinformation, and evidence to develop a profile of the killer. But the biggest question is: why were these boys targeted? As they team up to find out what really happened the night Justin was killed, they make a shocking discovery: Justin’s killer is still out there … stalking another victim … and they already may be too late.
Ooo, can’t wait for this one!
LOL, hearing it doesn’t get any easier certainly isn’t inspiring. But it is a fact of life. I guess if I wanted easy, I’d have found a different line of work. ;o)
Yeah, not what you want to hear, but truth.
I can’t wait for this book! 🙂 Love the cover.
Thank you! Me, too. 🙂
Having doubt means you are not resting on your laurels. I love reading a series, I become attached to the characters and want to see where life takes them. When I discover a series I enjoy I binge read them in order, hate waiting for the next one… Keep up the good work, I really enjoy it!
Thanks David! I think doubt is a good thing, as long as it doesn’t lead to fear. Fear can stop the best of us from writing a word. I binge series, too 🙂
Oh love the cover and the title. I’m looking forward to this one coming out. It sounds fascinating. How perfect to find the solution to Lucy’s nephew’s death.
It’s something I’ve been thinking about for awhile … but it wasn’t until I realized Max would be the natural to solve the case did I get that excitement in my gut to write it!
Wow! I love this idea! To see Max and Lucy working together will be quite interesting. Brilliant idea!
It was fun. 🙂
I love it when characters in one series crossover with another set of characters by the same author. It’s like having all my favorite people in one spot!! You do amazing work and make me (and I’m sure other readers) feel like these characters are real life people. I stayed up way to late last night finishing Lost Girls and it had me in tears. I’m hoping March gets here quickly for the next Lucy book. Keep doing what you’re doing…your readers love you!!!!
Thank you so much Jennifer! THE LOST GIRLS was a very emotional book for me to write as well, and I wasn’t certain how they were going to get through it. not just the danger, but everything. I hope you like MAKE THEM PAY just as much!
I’m so incredibly freaking excited about this book!! Lucy and Max together is going to be very interesting I think. Lucy has that special something that just makes you want to be her friend, and Max is slightly reckless and bold and smart and the woman you want on your side. And being slightly neurotic about my books I just realized I’m going to have to buy Shattered twice. I have the Max series on my Kindle and Lucy in paperback, and I have to have it in both forms!
Thank you! 🙂 I hope you love it.
I can’t wait for this book!!! Two strong women with such different personalities and way of working….let the fireworks begin! and a perfect way to bring closure to a tragic episode from Lucy’s past. I love your books Allison..and being a part of Lucy’s journey. I have to admit there were times I haven’t been her biggest fan….but she’s always growing and learning. And each book IS better than the last! Max has been a favorite since day one. This book is going to be fun to read!!
Thank you so much Trude! They are very different, but they have some similarities as well. Lucy has grown up so much, particularly since moving to San Antonio and she’s really learned to trust her instincts and training and not second guess herself. Some reviewers have complained about that in her earlier books, but how many 25 year olds have complete and total confidence in everything they do? To me, Lucy was very real and going from doubt-filled trainee to confident agent was part of her journey. Hope you enjoy it!