Second Time Around

When I started STILL MISSING I had a premise, a few key scenes in mind, then the rest just happened organically. This time around things are a lot different. I have a contract for one thing, which means I had to hand in an outline and I now have a deadline. Although the process of writing an outline had its share of challenges--can we say, hair pulling, teeth gnashing, pure terror, and night sweats--I was glad to know my editor loves the idea of my next book BEFORE I spent a year of my life writing it.

Now I'm charting, creating a time line, and sticking index cards all over my wall. In short, doing all the things I didn't do with the first one until I was many drafts in and trying to write my way out of a corner. And this time I’m going to research upfront if it kills me! Trust me, there’s nothing like discovering all your scenes involving police are based on American shows. “But they did it on Law and Order,” isn’t a good defense!

On a side note, because I tend to get sidetracked easily, how many of them are there now? Feels like every time I turn on the TV there’s a new Law and Order. I’m waiting for the Canadian one. Law and Order: Special Beer Unit. No? How about Law and Order: Criminal, eh? Okay, okay, sorry. It’s early.

Anyway, what I was trying to say is that writing STILL MISSING was one hell of a learning experience, but I don't regret any of it. Every one of my mistakes taught me something. Even if it was what not to do the next time!