With Jesus Killed My Church finally getting to hard copy, I am allowing myself to think about the next book.
Books are not like adoptions or tattoos, where most of the thought goes into the first one, and after that you jump on board more easily. Maybe because with adoptions or tattoos you’re not tempted to make the next one better – you appreciate it’s uniqueness rather than compare.
I actually started something about halfway through the production of JKMC but have shelved it, not convinced it was fully a book. There’s nothing more painful – for writer or reader – than a 50 page idea extrapolated to 200 pages.
The scariest idea (tough to admit, because I have a weird tendency to run toward scary instead of away) is a fiction project, either a full on novel or a series of short stories.
It’s hard to think about… I haven’t written fiction since High School, and back that, it was probably something that wasn’t supposed to be fiction when I wrote it. Additionally, I don’t know if people read fiction. I know I rarely do.
So that’s what is on my brain. I’m not sure if the next project will be fiction, a series of essays, or what not, but I do know I want to start soon. Finishing is so much fun I don’t want to wait this long again.
Beth Archer
Apr 19, 2012 -
I read fiction….far more than non-fiction actually. Just sayin’.
Ginger
Apr 20, 2012 -
I read fiction too. There is nothing like a good novel to take you somewhere else, or to present historical or currents facts and events in a way that comes alive in your mind. I love it!
Courtney Barnes
Apr 20, 2012 -
I would be willing to give anything you write a shot!
You are an amazing writer! GO FOR IT!
Kristin Chadwick
Apr 20, 2012 -
I read mostly fiction!! When I decide to read non fiction it really has to draw me in and engage me from the get go, or I am snoozing. And the good thing here…you’re a great story teller and I am loving JKMC!! Been listening to it in about 1 hour sessions about 3 times a week, so it is taking a while….but everything is taking longer now that we have a special needs foster kiddo!
Vern Borts
Apr 20, 2012 -
I don’t read much fiction either, but I would suggest that you let your heart run, directing your thoughts only as much as you need to. It would be okay to have more than one kind of work in the hopper. Like Beethoven, you may find it energizing. Further more, I would rather read a 50-page thought from you, than not have it available some day. The rules and ways of publishing are changing quickly. In the cycles of resting and working, I’m sure the Lord will show you what to lean into. I personally have so many partial pieces laying around, I don’t know how they could be formed into a single message, but I keep getting “nudged” that writing is in my future. (Btw, thank you for writing JKMC.) So, by all means, enjoy His presence…
…you never know what is going to come out of the next moment!
Julie
Apr 20, 2012 -
I prefer fiction and I think you would write great fiction! It is difficult for me to stay really engaged with non-fiction, BUT I did with Jesus Killed My Church because it was a story… More than the genre of fiction or non-fiction, I like stories. And, you are a great story-teller. Yup. I would try it if I had your skill!
Cynthia
Apr 24, 2012 -
I love fiction, but don’t find much fiction these days that I want to read. I would love to read the fiction that you write. I always look forward to hearing what you have to say and I agree with the rest that you are a gifted storyteller. What will what you have to share look like in fiction? I can’t wait to read!!!