I’ve been kicking around an idea for a novel. For about three months now.
The concept is rather simple. It’s a mystery. An historical mystery, to be exact. And it’s a concept–and a character–that could sustain a whole series of novels and short stories and draw readers from multiple genres. (Years in sales will do this. I think in terms of what’s marketable and saleable.)
I started putting blocking the ideas out this weekend. There’s one crucial idea–do I veer a little more toward historical realism, or do I veer a little more toward the fantastical–that I’m still debating. And may debate, for a long time to come.
In the meantime…
The main character–well, for the longest time I didn’t know who that would be, and that was the thing that held me up. I had one idea, and it was an interesting idea, but it didn’t really work with what I wanted to do. (And I thought she was a little too close to Sister Fidelma. But I’m going to hold on to her, because maybe there’s something I can do with her in book six or seven.) Then one day at lunch, I realized who the main character had to be. I understood why it had to be him, and why he was perfect. There’s something I discovered today in a little bit of research I did on the historical setting that gives me a fascinating angle to play in the main character.
Right now I’m jazzed.
My goal for this is simple. Write up an outline for the first book by June 15th. Then I’ll figure out the timetable for the first draft.
I’m getting the characters together. I’m getting the setting together. I’m surprised no one has done this before. Good times, all around. 😀