When I finished the second book in my Human Hibenrnation series ‘The Embers of Hope’ I did so with a very happy heart. I had successfully completed my second novel. I was no longer just a bloke who wrote a book, I was a novelist (albeit a fledging, wet behind the ears one, but you get the idea).
Also, if I’m honest, I felt pretty exhausted. The book is dark in places and had taken a lot out of me creatively and emotionally. I felt I needed to try something different and also challenging (in a different way to a thriller).
So, I floated the idea of writing a more upbeat ‘serial’ with Ian Hughes. For those who don’t know, Ian is not only a good friend but also my collaborator on all things fiction. He works with me tirelessly on the details of plot and the direction of my writing. In short, he gets to do the fun stuff and – in his own words – I do the hard part! I’m being flippant of course. What Ian brings is a sense of logic and storytelling that I would be lost without. (thanks mate).
Episodic content? Time-Travel? Release it every 6 to 8 weeks?
Ian said, “I’m In” and DOWNSTREAM was born.
Well, that was back in October 2014 and here we are; 120,000 words later. DOWNSTREAM is nearly done! Episode 7 is sitting, half-finihsed on my laptop (calling to me at all hours of the day and night) and by Mid-August the tale of Amy Bridgeman’s disappearance and her brother’s time-traveling attempts to save her will be told. Episode 1 is here if you fancy making a start. (Here is you’re in the U.K. like me).
I can’t wait to hear what you think.
All of this to tell you that this weekend Ian and I start work on our next projects. (Yes, there is supposed to be an ’s’ on the end). The focus will be an initial plot outline for Hibernation Book 3 (title TBC) We will be going back through the last two books and reminding ourselves (yep, Downstream has successfully erased large portions of my memory of writing them) and seeing where we might want to go. Also, perhaps more importantly it will be about unpacking the characters again and seeing where THEY want to go!
All very exciting. There will be beers, tears and high fives. Oh, and plenty of vinyl.
It’s always fun hurtling into a new project with no idea where it will take you. And, it’s funny to think that in 12 months time (I hope) that these early thoughts will be buried inside a new novel.
Yep, you read it here first. Hibernation Book 3 will be out next summer. Better get some stronger coffee…
Oh, and we’re also going to be working on a script for a short film! (More on this later) but it’s something I’ve wanted to do for some time and a real challenge to get a story told in a constricted timeframe. I’m hoping that Downstream will have helped hone that particular part of the craft.
Right. Time to wipe the board clean and write NEW BOOK at the top!
Until next time. Happy reading.
Nick
Ps. For those who prefer printed books DOWNSTREAM will be available in printed form in September. I will keep you posted.
