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Take it away, Steve!
I’ve finished my second book. While this hardly makes me Patterson prolific, I’m sort of impressed. I mean, it took ELEVEN YEARS for my debut, The Namesake, to go from initial scribblings in a college notebook to finished hardcover. By comparison, Book Two, The Precious Dreadful, was crafted with lightning speed: roughly two years start to finish—Start being a literal whisper in my head, sharing details of story at 5:00 AM on July 8, 2013. Finish = a solid revision submitted to my agent at last August’s end.
I won’t pretend obscurity was idyllic. There were major disappointments en route to The Namesake’s release: false starts, agent misfires, rejections. And The Precious Dreadful has yet to hit bookshelves—plus I’m suddenly agentless—but with this novel, I’m a known quantity. While that caused sophomore trepidation, it also inspires me.
Be among the first to read an excerpt from Steve’s new book. Click HERE!
Quote of the Week: “Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it.” Muhammad Ali
Yvonne Ventresca says
Great post, Steve! TPD sounds like it will be fabulous!
stevep says
Thanks, Yvonne! Let's hope! ~ SP
stevep says
And, Yvonne, congrats on your latest!!
Medeia Sharif says
My earlier writing seemed to take forever and now I write fast. Congrats to the author and happy agent hunting. I'm getting back in the query trenches and I know it isn't easy.
stevep says
Thanks, Medeia. Best wishes in the trenches! ~ SP
Robert Bennett says
Congratulations on finishing the second book! 8D
stevep says
Many thanks, Robert! Take good care ~ SP
Heather R. Holden says
Congrats on completing your second book, Steve! That's great how your writing process for this one was speedier than the first. (The opposite has been true for me. I've become much slower over the years, unfortunately. LOL.) Best of luck with TPD! I'm intrigued by the plot already…
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm not sure where I am in all of this. Slower? Faster? Skidding to a halt? Thanks for commenting, Heather.
stevep says
Thanks, Heather! It's all relative, I suppose. It probably means I've slowed down considerably in other aspects of life. Lee, you crack me up! Take care ~ SP
Tyrean Martinson says
Congratulations, Steven! Thanks for sharing some of your writing story. I love that you've included sly references to your first novel in your second one.
stevep says
Thank you, Tyrean (what a lovely name!)! Yes, adding those little bits was fun for me, anyway. Take good care, SP
C. Lee McKenzie says
He has been sly, but in a great way! Looking forward to his second book, for sure. 🙂
Sherry Ellis says
Congratulations, Steven! So happy your book got published. Sounds like a good one.
stevep says
Thank you, Sherry! Here's hoping the next one follows suit. All best ~ SP
C. Lee McKenzie says
To all of my super followers, a great thank you for your wonderful support. Steven got a wonderful welcome, and I'm ever so grateful. I'm excited about this whole month of him as Featured Follower! Stay tuned for the winner of his signed hardcopy of The Namesake.
stevep says
They ARE super, Lee! And so are you! I've felt so at home here, and sort of fancy, but don't worry. I'm not getting too big for my britches. Looking forward to signing a copy for one of your fine folk! ~ SP
Kathleen Valentine says
Best wishes for the new book. That is a great quote by Ali!!!
stevep says
Thank you, Kathleen! ~ SP
sage says
congratulations, Steve! It sounds as if you have an interesting story.
stevep says
Thank you, Sage!
DMS says
That is a lot of progress with your speed, Steve! Wishing you all the best with your books. The Namesake sounds fascinating!
~Jess
stevep says
Thank you, DMS! All the best to you, as well. Take care ~ SP
Beverly Stowe McClure says
Congratulations on your new novel. One thing is for sure, the writing world is not an easy one. But it is worth the struggles, disappointments and successes. Your book sounds fascinating. Best wishes to you.
stevep says
Yes, Beverly, all those things–sometimes concurrently. I hope readers will find it fascinating, or at least truthful. All best ~ SP
Crystal Collier says
That's totally how it works, right? My debut novel took 11 years too–not that it was my first novel by any means. The sequel also took about two years. And the third book, 2 years–though to be fair, there was a pregnancy and a baby between the two. That makes a huge difference.
stevep says
Crystal, Wow, you have been productive! My debut was my first novel, and we had two very young kids as I toiled away at it. By the time it was published, my son was old even to read it (and to not be interested in doing so). It's funny how writing and life can be both symbiotic and mutually exclusive. Thanks for stopping by! ~ SP
Kelly Steel says
Great advice. And the book sounds interesting.
stevep says
Thank you, Kelly. I appreciate you taking the time to say so. All best ~ SP
dolorah says
That sounds intriguing 🙂
stevep says
Thanks, Dolorah! Appreciate you stopping by! SP
emaginette says
I'm sure you second will find a home just as your first has. Good luck. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
stevep says
I appreciate the vote of confidence, emaginette! Hope you're right! ~ SP
Cindy says
So happy to read this update! I've been looking forward to meeting Teddi…it sounds like soon I will! Congrats!
stevep says
Hey Cindy! Thanks for stopping by, and for constant support. Happy trails, friend! SP
nashvillecats2 says
Congrats on your second book Steve, I'm sure it will be a success. Good luck.
Yvonne.
stevep says
Thank you, Yvonne! Let's hope so! All best ~ SP
Natalie Aguirre says
Good luck with the second book. Steve is right that the expectations are way different after an author's first book is released and there is definitely pressure to produce a new manuscript quicker.
stevep says
Different expectations, but I think the most pressure comes from ourselves as writers. Don't you think, Natalie? Thanks for stopping by! SP
Roland D. Yeomans says
Best of luck with your second book and your hunt for a new agent — but with a well-praised book, it may be easier this time around. Crossing my fingers for you. 🙂
stevep says
Let's hope you're right, Roland. Thanks for keeping those fingers crossed! All best ~ SP
Lexa Cain says
I enjoyed reading Steve's guest post. The publishing biz sure is filled with ups and downs, huh? Congrats on writing two books and getting them out there! I hope there are soon more fans with "expectations." 🙂
stevep says
Many thanks, Lexa! I hope so, too. All best ~ SP
Karen Lange says
It's nice to meet Steve! Wishing him much success! Have a great week! 🙂
stevep says
Thank you, Karen! Nice meeting you as well. Take good care! SP
Elephant's Child says
Congratulations, on not one but two books. It sounds as if you have met and exceeded expectations – which has to be a warm and lovely feeling.
stevep says
Aww, what a wonderful comment, EC! It reminds me of a glowing grade school progress report. I gratefully accept this gold star! Take care ~ SP
Liz A. says
I think it takes that long to learn how to write. That's why first books take so long. Congrats on the new one.
stevep says
Good point, Liz. And life takes up so much writing time, doesn't it? All best ~ SP
Chrys Fey says
The Namesake sounds like a YA book I'd like. I especially like the part about the library writing group and what comes out of that. Congrats, Steve!
stevep says
Thank you, Chrys! Maybe you'll win a copy of The Namesake. Teddi's library group (in my 2nd, as-yet-unpublished) was really fun to write. Lots of quirky characters. And there's nothing like a writing prompt to allow a character to explore her dark recesses! Take care! SP
Jacqui Murray says
Congratulations, Steve! Lots of authors don't ever publish and fewer still, a second. You're in a rarefied group! Great names. I'm going to check both of these out.
stevep says
Aww, thank you, Jacqui. What a giving way to think of it. I appreciate that. I hardly ever feel rarefied! Hope you like The Namesake (and the excerpt)! All best ~ SP
Jemi Fraser says
Great quote by Ali! 🙂
Love those 'easter egg' moments of finding references to an author's other works. The books sound great!
stevep says
Thank you, Jemi! I like those references, too. It helps build a whole world, don't you think? Like Stephen King's Derry, Maine. Fortunately, nothing quite so dark happens in Teddi's world – no killer clown. 😉 All best ~ SP
Pat Hatt says
Congrats indeed. Always great when they want to be told and come out quicker.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm all for marinating them.
stevep says
Agreed on both counts, Pat and Lee. The whole process is fascinating, isn't it? Those early whispers are real treasures, and really, so is the in-the-trenches toil! Happy work! SP
Kelly Hashway/Ashelyn Drake says
Congrats, Steve!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks!
stevep says
Thank you, Kelly/Ashelyn! Have a great rest of the week! SP
Donna K. Weaver says
Congrats to Steve. I keep hoping I'll get faster at this. I think I am. Maybe a little.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Don't go so fast we can't keep up! 🙂
stevep says
Donna, I think the story knows what speed it needs, don't you? But any gains are worth celebrating! Raising a glass to "a little faster". Cheers! SP
DEZMOND says
congrats to Steve on his new book
C. Lee McKenzie says
He needs to have a movie made of this one.
stevep says
Thank you, Dezmond! Yeah, I agree, Lee. Bring on Hollywood. I'd love to see Evan on the big screen, too. I would, of course, need to play a small role in any adaptation. After all, I really wanted to be an actor, chuckle. Happy Tuesday! SP
Bish Denham says
Ooo, The Precious Dreadful sound very intriguing. I can identify with it taking a long time to get a book writing. Congratulations Steve!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm very happy to turtle along. 🙂
stevep says
Thank you, Bish! It is such an immersive process, isn't it? And I love that long wallow, too, Lee. But I get impatient with myself. And my writing time is generally limited to school breaks, which really brings the pressure! Oh well, poor me, right? Ha ha. Thanks for stopping by! SP
Libby Heily Author says
I LOVE the title The Precious Dreadful. It just makes me happy. And learning to write faster is never easy. If only…
C. Lee McKenzie says
For me it's impossible.
stevep says
Thanks, Libby! The title comes from a line near the end of the story. I hadn't considered it for the title, but my former agent suggested using it. I really like it, too. Hoping when it's published they don't change it on me! Yeah, speed is never gonna happen for me (though 2+ years beats 11 by a mile). All best ~ SP
Christine Rains says
Congratulations to Steve! Sounds like a fantastic story.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Christine. Thanks.
stevep says
Thank you, Christine! I hope it will make a splash…like a ghost girl in a park pool! 😮
Cheers, SP
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – great to see Steve here … and to read about his second book – as he says in record time … Well done and all the best for the publication and future novels … cheers to you both – Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Hilary. Hope he does well with all his books.
stevep says
Thank you, Hilary! I like the sound of "all his books"! I do have a start on a couple others. We shall see. Of course, there is this whole fulltime teaching thing. Whew! Take good care, SP
Mason Canyon says
Congratulations on the second book, Steve. Hopefully your search will be short with sweet and successful results.
Thoughts in Progress
and MC Book Tours
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm sure this second one will be as great a read as his first one.
stevep says
Thank you, Mason. Amen to that! And thanks, Lee! Here's hoping! Ciao, SP
Tamara Narayan says
Ghost girl emerging from a park pool? Okay, you got me. I want to know more.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It does make you want to find out more, doesn't it?
stevep says
Hi, Tamara! Yup, a little spooky… Thanks for stopping by my site to check out the excerpt. Boys! All best ~ SP
Juneta Key says
Congrats on your debut, wishing you much success. '
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
C. Lee McKenzie says
Good morning, Juneta!
stevep says
Thank you, Juneta! Success in all things back atcha! ~ SP
Dianne K. Salerni says
Congratulations on your sophomore book and good luck in the agent hunt. Querying is not for the faint of heart, but having published works to your name will help! 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
That's why these anthologies are so helpful for authors starting their careers.
stevep says
Thank you, Dianne! The query hunt always seems a bit overwhelming, but like anything else, one step at a time. Hope you're right about the pubbed works. 😉 All best, SP
Annalisa Crawford says
Hey Steve, congrats on your second book – your writing speed is similar to mine. I keep thinking I should speed up, but then everything just goes very wrong.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm not good at speed writing, either. I love the wallowing in creative juices so much that I never want that part to end. 🙂
stevep says
Annalisa, I know speed's not the point, but I can't help thinking I should be FASTER! I agree with you, Lee. I'm always a little reluctant to call it finished. All best ~ SP
H.R. Sinclair, Southpaw says
Congrats on the second book and good luck finding a new agent. Since you have standing, hopefully it will be less painful. But how stressful!
C. Lee McKenzie says
That agent hunt is one of the worst!
stevep says
Thanks, H.R.! I figure since I did the agent hunt once (twice actually), I can do it again. All best ~ SP
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Congratulations on finishing the second book and hope it finds a home. Obscurity before the first book isn't too bad. No pressure, then.
C. Lee McKenzie says
So right. After your first book is out, there are expectations that the next one will follow and be dynamite!
stevep says
Thanks, Alex! I hope so, too! That's true, only the pressure we put on ourselves, which-if you're like me-is always the worst! All best ~ SP