(Someone is watching. But she’s not allowed outside to stir up trouble for the neighborhood bunnies and birds.)
Usually in the months between finishing one novel and beginning a new one, I write at least one short story, and some non-fiction. It feels important to me to flex my writing muscles in other genres and forms. (But don’t expect any poems, okay? It’s for your own safety.) This spring I wrote a short story, and I’m going to write another short novel before I move on to a new suspense novel. (I have some time before One Last Secret comes out in 2018/19, so you know I’ll be writing lots…)
Coming up with a great idea for a story or novel is always job #1. With this short novel, I get to start a bit ahead of the game. The book’s main character–a debonair black cat detective named Trouble–is the creation of the talented and prolific Carolyn Haines. She’s gathered lots of writers together and asked them all to write books featuring Trouble. It’s going to be great fun.
I can’t tell you the title yet, but my novel will take place in a small town in western Kentucky (Louisville, KY is my other hometown!). Trouble will help solve a mystery, and bring together two young people named Erin and Noah. There’s a murder, of course. It wouldn’t be a Laura Benedict with out some kind of suspicious death, right?
And because this book will be a bit different from my other work, I’m not actually writing it–well, yes, technically I’m writing it. But it will be written under another name: “Laura Benedict writing as ????” I’m keeping my other name secret for now. I want you to be surprised. I’m even considering a different author photo. Something winsome. With whiskers, perhaps. 🐱 You never know….
To get ready for the Trouble series, do check out Carolyn’s Familiar Black Cat Detective series. Familiar is Trouble’s daddy, and has many books of his own.
I promise to keep you posted on how the writing is going.
Remember when the Benedicts got an adorable black cat? Sylvie was rescued from the ditch along the road near our house. Three years later, she’s 12 pounds of trouble.
June 6th Words
Journal: 425 words
Long fiction: Reading and dreaming and lots more notes
Short fiction: 0 words
Non-fiction: 520 words
Blogging: 393 words
Exercise: 20 minutes yoga
I LOVED the Familiar Intrigues. I can’t wait to see what you all have cooked up with Trouble! 🙂
I’ve read some of the new books–I predict you’ll love them too, Amanda! 💜
Is this your adorable rescue, Laura? He looks like he’s contemplating trouble. I’m excited about your new adventure into the world of cats and all things feline. And I’ll be on the look-out for a clue to the new pen name. Something from your past perhaps? Or a contest in the making?
Sylvie is, indeed, our ditch kitty! My pseudonym is actually out there in one tiny place, but I’m not owning up to it yet. 😉