December 4 marked a very important milestone for me: the anniversary of THE FOURTH CHANNEL release.
When I look back on the last year, a scene from the movie “Tin Cup” comes to mind: Kevin Costner plays a golf pro at a small town driving range. When he enters the US Open, the attention causes him to develop a glitch in his swing and he’s completely unable to hit the ball. He manages to hide his problem, but privately he’s having a crisis, trying to fix his swing so he can play. At one point, he’s standing in his RV, decked head to toe in tacky, plastic golfing gimmicks that he once eschewed, when his love interest, played by Rene Russo, walks in and catches him in his most humiliating moment.
This last year has felt a lot like that moment.
When I first wrote THE FOURTH CHANNEL, I had no idea what I was doing. I wrote blogs and entertained my friends with (bad) video game fanfiction. The very first iteration of TFC was well over 200,000 words and had no plot.
I probably shouldn’t admit that, but there you have it.
At the time, all I knew was that I enjoyed writing and I wanted to get better at it. I had no plans to publish, much less tell anyone I was writing a book. I did it for fun. So, as soon as I got within three chapters of the book’s ending, I’d throw away what I had written and start over with a blank page. I rewrote the book about four or five times, just for fun.
If anything, I’ve learned to embrace the concept of a full rewrite.
What I hadn’t figured out was a book-writing process that worked for me. By the time I realized that I wanted to publish TFC, I thought that being able to produce books quickly didn’t matter because no one knew who I was and no one was going to read the book. My plan was simple: publish TFC and then spend as much time as I wanted to figure out the whole “author process” thing. The plan was pretty firm because I only expected 15 people to read TFC.
I got that in the first couple days and then some. I was more than a little surprised.
So, for the past year, I’ve been in this “Tin Cup” mode where I’m trying to act like I’ve got it all together, that I know what I’m doing, and I’m preparing to wow you with a sequel any day now, but behind the scenes I’ve been stressing out and trying every writing gimmick I can find. I’ve asked for advice from all of my writing friends, researched the habits of the pros, and even talked to strangers who are much more prolific than I. I’ve tried every method to write better and faster, no matter how bizarre. (And in case you’re wondering, the “writing in your underwear” thing doesn’t work at all.)
The good news is that I’ve started figuring it out. So, on the one hand, I’m really discouraged that I have no book to show you right now. On the other hand, I’m excited that things are starting to come together at last—and quickly.
So, let’s get down to brass tacks: where in the hell are we with the next Kari Hunter book? In January, the first chapters of the beta edition will start rolling out to my two trusty partners, Angela and Mark. As you know, they also helped me with the first book. We still have a few months before the Spouseditor gets a hold of it, and we’re considering throwing an additional person into the editing mix. I realize that sounds like a lot of work, but I promise we’re getting closer to the finish line.
As for the content of the book, I feel a mixture of excitement and terror. I’m just praying that the wait will be worth it and you’ll love it. I wrote TFC thinking it would be a one-off story that no one would read. And if you’re one of the many people who read TFC and loved it and you’re asking me, “Where in the hell is the next Kari Hunter book?” I thank you. More is coming, I promise. Stay tuned.
Jen Kirchner 
Ah, this post makes me feel less like fail–I KNOW I don’t know what I’m doing, and that figuring it out is kind of terrifying, so I’m glad you’re seeing progress in your own writing career! That’s exciting stuff!
While I’m eager to read the next Kari Hunter book, I don’t want to be one of those people who makes you feel all pressured and stressed, haha! I hope you’re still managing to have fun with the whole process 🙂
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Thanks, Eve! I really am having fun and I’m pretty excited to wrap this book up.
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U take your time i can wait. For another corker from a cracking writer
Rome wasnt build in a day. Lord of the rings took how long. We didnt need to kmow if yoh wrote in your undies or in the nuddy
Kari is a hot n smoking rock star and you write her album because every chapter is a song be it a ballad or a hard n heavy banging or a dance
Take your time. Its gona be awesome 🙂 x
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Haha, thanks Stephen. I’m going to make it as amazing as I can.
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I’m pumped, Jen! I don’t care how long it takes you to finish this as long as you finish it. But on a related note, I just stumbled across this article that I thought you’d enjoy:
http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/11/20/daily-routines-writers/
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Super cool! Thanks for the link!
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I was in Mississauga over the weekend and saw a restaurant, Hoodoo McFiggins. I couldn’t help but think maybe there is another Irish voodoo master out there who is a thriving restaurateur. Take all the time you need on the next story. I’m sure we’ll all love what you come up with.
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LOL That’s hilarious. We just got back from your neck of the woods, but next time we’re out there I think we may have to take a trip.
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I get so much of this. Particularly the terror part of “mixture of excitement and terror”.
I know the next book will be great – and your readers will be thrilled when it’s here.
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Thanks Amber!
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We are all here patiently waiting for the next book… so take your time and do your best and I’m sure it will be fantastic. I recently came across this little gif and thought it was hilarious. Being in the industry you’ve probably already seen it but hopefully it gives you the laugh it gave me.
http://weknowmemes.com/2013/12/jk-rowling-vs-george-r-r-martin/
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LOL Thanks, John.
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Will there be a series of Kari books? Would like to know about the people surrounding her. Moons, Grandpa, her mom and dad, Brad, Luucas and of cours Mikelis.
You might even have to tell Ruari’s story so we can find out how he turned out so bad.
I will do my best to patiently wait for the 2nd book, but it is really a struggle ;0)
Debbie
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Hi Debbie! Yes, this will be a series. The next book picks up three months after TFC ends. I like your questions — they’re all good ones. We will definitely explore all of those avenues. It won’t happen all in the next book but, over time, all will be revealed. 🙂
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You probably needed this time to let your brain adjust to the idea of Kari being a series and that more than fifteen people are waiting for it. Seems about right to me.
Regarding writing in your underwear: I think there’s a correlation with how many consecutive days you write in the same underwear. It might get a little stinky, but hey . . . art isn’t easy.
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Your awesome x
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Jen,
Thank you for TFC. After having owned and read over 3,000 science fiction/fantasy books, I find the idea of immortals shunning the display of great wealth refreshing. You have done very well with your first book and I look forward to many more.
I hope this isn’t a spoiler for anyone. I have noticed several branch points (by accident or intent) that I thought you might consider exploring:
1. The knife Ruairi used in the elevator shaft. A possible replacement for Mouth or just a point of consternation for the other knives Keri has. I vote for Mouth coming back bigger and better AND for the other knife to hang around for the good guys… there was another (obviously bad) knife mentioned too….
2. (obvious) Cody getting his butt snagged up in the immortal world.
3. Luucas and Pasha.
4. Community service– endless possibilities. (obvious, again)
5. Community service = conservator. endless possibilities and possibilities for “community” angst (obvious, again)
6. Keri outed as a necromancer to humans and immortals. (most obvious, too many immortals and a certain human female know about her for the secret to keep)
7. Veronica? Cody? (not sure Cody deserves that) BUT…
It would be nice if Keri ‘grew’ into herself (heck, maybe spend some time having a chat with Charon down in The Floor…).
One of the most dreaded words to me are “… is the final book in … series”. I hope it takes a long while to get there. 😉
Oh, one final thing: Feel free to make this disappear if you feel I’ve gone beyond bounds.
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Hi Ken! It’s really nice to meet you and I’m so glad you enjoyed TFC.
Thanks for your comment. Sorry that it’s taking me a while to reply; I’ve been wondering how exactly I should respond because these are tough questions. Well, I mean, I know the answers to them (Muahaha!) but I don’t know how much I should say. How about if I do another Q&A post and answer these in the post so everyone can see? I will answer as best I can without giving away spoilers.
Regarding Charon… There is no talking down on The Floor, but you haven’t seen the last of him. He’s full of surprises.
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