A New FAQ
My apologies to everyone who has written in the past two to three months: I try to answer every email I receive, but lately I’ve had a difficult time keeping up with my correspondence. My mom has been ill and I’ve been commuting between Northern and Southern California, so I hope you don’t mind if I answer your most frequently asked questions here.
Q: Are you writing another book?
A: Yes, I am. Like the first two, it’s set in the 17th century, but this one takes place in France. (The Rossetti Letter is set in Venice, and The Devlin Diary in England.)
Q: Is it a sequel to the first two?
A: No, the new book is set entirely in the past (1675), and has a whole new slate of characters and an entirely different sort of plot.
Q: I loved Claire. When am I going to find out what happens with her and Andrew?
A: You may have to wait a little longer.
Q: I hated Claire. I don’t understand why you wrote about her, or why half of each book was set in the present day. It was stupid and pointless.
A: That’s not actually a question.
Q: When is the new book going to be finished?
A: My goal is to complete it by the end of June. This year.
Q: Isn’t it taking a long time for you to write it?
A: I don’t happen to think so, but I can assure you that everyone else does.
Q: How long has it taken you so far?
A: About eight months.
Q: Really? It seems like much, much longer than that.
A: That’s because I’m not counting the months when I wasn’t actually writing it.
Q: What the hell were you doing during those other months?
A: I was writing another book.
Q: Is that book finished?
A: Not exactly.
Q: “Not exactly” means “no,” doesn’t it?
A: You’re very clever!
Q: Flattery is not going to get you off the hook. So, when do I actually get to read the new book?
A: My best estimate is sometime early next year. I’ll post updates here. As soon as I have a pub date, I’ll let you know.
Q: Does the new book have a title?
A: The working title is In the Labyrinth of the Sun King, but I’m not entirely convinced that this is the best title for the book. For one thing, it’s too long. But I can’t shorten it to Labyrinth, because that title has been used for at least one book and one film within the past ten years. Also, I think “Sun King” is kind of lame: I don’t think anyone I know would be all that excited to read a book with “Sun King” in the title.
And, probably most important, books change as you write them: they veer off to unforeseen places, pick up new, unexpected characters…all sorts of things happen, if you give them time to happen. Giving yourself time to encounter and work with the new ideas and images that crop up during the writing is the best thing you can do for your book. If you don’t do this, if you cleave to a rigid book outline that offers a safe and secure path to the finish line, you’ll end up with a book that may have a good plot, or even a sympathetic character–but you will have a book with very little heart and soul, and worse, no surprises.
Writing a novel is sort of like making a soup from scratch (although, if you read any of my other blog posts, you’ll discover that I know very little about making soup). But everyone knows that soup doesn’t taste good after only 15 minutes of cooking time; it needs to simmer for at least a few hours before it acquires the richness and subtle flavors that characterize a well-made soup.
Novels need time, too; it’s an important ingredient that few people talk about, especially in a publishing environment that offers the greatest rewards to those who write fast. Time is what allows authors to discover hidden layers of meaning and complexity in their stories. Yes, many authors write a book a year, and some of them write very good books. However, many of them don’t. I prefer books that have been more carefully crafted, and I suspect that you do, too.
Again, I apologize for the wait, but I promise that it will be worth it.
May 11th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Ms. Phillips, I just finished both of your books and I loved them. Thank you! I am anticipating the release of the next novel and I hope that sometime in the future you will bring back Claire and Andrew.
What is the most interesting place you have visited in Europe or anywhere in the world actually?
May 18th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Thank you, Deborah. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the books. The most fascinating place I’ve ever visited is Moscow. I first went there in 1991, when the Soviet Union was falling apart. I may write a book about it someday.
June 14th, 2011 at 10:09 am
Hi Christi, I love your books so thank you very much! And I understand the need to take your time and really flesh out the soul of a book. I just wanted to say that the above conversation was hilarious and it shows you have a great sense of humor and lots of patience.
Thank you for all the wonderful stories. I hope your mother is feeling better.
June 27th, 2011 at 9:28 am
Christi-
I happened to pick up the Rossetti Letter last weekend during my weekly trip to Barnes and Noble (I usually browse) and it took me exactly one day to finish it! I couldn’t put it down-it went everywhere with me! I’ve just now started the Devlin Diary (after I finished RL, I made hubby come with me to B&N at 10pm to get it!) and I love. So disappointed to hear there isn’t a third Claire and Andrew book in my immediate future, but I understand the need for a change. I hope your mom is on the mend!
June 30th, 2011 at 10:46 am
Hi Christi,
I absolutely love your book “The Devlin Diary” Im a huge James Patterson fan, and as I was searching for a new book of his, your’s popped out of the shelf next to his!!! The amazament,
Ive yet to read anything like it. It really did take me back to a whole new world. I absultely loved it! I cant wait for the others to be finished!!!
Thanks for the great novel’s, these are my get aways from a very normal life!
July 7th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Dear Mrs. Phillips,
Your blog is HILARIOUS!! It was so funny I had to read it to my husband, who was laughing his butt off! Good luck with the new book and take however long as you need. Obviously, with the detail that exists in your books, they cannot be speed written. As a history teacher, I appreciate your attention to detail and accuracy. Also, thank you so much for coincidentally writting about my favorite areas in history. I cannot wait to read about the Sun King as my senior thesis was on him!
March 14th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Love your books and impatiently awaiting the next. For the record, I don’t think Sun King is lame and would actually be stoked to read a book with that title … particularly by you.