In my first novel – Abide with Me – four years ago, not all
of the characters made it through. Not having planned the book in any way, some
of the characters that left its pages surprised me as much as it did them. It
was just the way it was.
But not all fell by the wayside. Some did make it
through.
I received a comment a few days ago from the brilliant
American writer, Josh Stallings, telling me how much he was looking forward to
reading the advance copy of April Skies
– the eventual sequel to Abide with Me -
I sent him. Josh said:
I can't wait. I'm
finishing up Lou Berney's second book, and then I get to check in on my
old friends. See where they have taken you.
So
attached, and so real, had the characters in Abide with Me become for so many readers, writing a sequel held
huge anxieties for me.
Old friends.
Blimey!
I
always knew these characters were an integral part of who I am. How could it be
any other way, for any writer? Characters can only ever come from one place –
the writer himself. So, as Josh said, where were they going to take me next?
The
answer: to a place I already knew and didn’t want to go.
The
characters were pushing me out of my writer’s world and out into the world
outside.
The
thing is, my life outside was fast falling apart. It was the last place I
wanted to be.
For
it was dark there.
And
it hurt.
Yet
go, I must.
And
out of it came April Skies.
looking forward to April Skies I trust you will have some copies for us to purchase next week or is that too soon ? so pleased your characters grew and encouraged you to write April Skies as the passion needs to travel on, best regards Mick
ReplyDeleteI was delighted to be able to post this. Abide With Me is a brilliant book and Ian tells stories in a very special way. Can't wait for those new skies to descend. Thanks for coming over Ian and very good luck with this one.
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