So, Where Is Book Five?

Three months ago my fourth book, Gary's Gift, was released to the world. Already the question has come up, "Where is Book Five?"

Knowing that I don't write as fast as some might like, I thought I'd give my most enthusiastic readers a quick update.

As I write this blog I can tell you I am 32 chapters into the first draft, and that the book has settled into a rhythm where I often write about a chapter a day. But, don't start counting down just yet. Before I can give the book a publication date there is more work to be done.

I usually describe the first round as my rough draft. It's far from the finished book. It gives me something to go back through, rewrite, edit, smooth out the rough spots, and turn into a better draft. Writing is a process.

But I can tell you that the new book, tentatively titled Becoming Eli, is about two time periods, four central characters, a romance, the continuing Prospect Tower mystery, and some large questions about life, death, and what might come afterward.

And let me reassure the readers of Gary's Gift: those threads I left hanging in that book haven't been forgotten. They are very much part of what I'm writing now.

Book Five is coming. It doesn't have a publication date yet. But it has a title, it has a story, and most importantly, it's being written.

And I'm having a wonderful time finding out where Eli takes me next.

Mj