Island of Fog Book 7 - including prequel!

Posted on April 19, 2013 (Subscribe to Blog)

Yes, you read it correctly. Book 7 of the Fog series is in the works. Previously, Book 6 was to be the last book in the series for the foreseeable future. A prequel was planned, but that idea has now evolved into something far more exciting. Book 7 will be another Hal book, and will include the prequel -- and much more.

This idea stems from my indecision about my Chamber of Ghosts ending. Now, when I say "ending," I really mean a little additional "twist" scene at the very end of the epilogue, really a minor sub-plot separate to the main story, and not even much of a twist for some. I just thought it would be neat to include. A couple of beta readers didn't care for it, but most liked it a lot. One said this:

Loved it! Loved it! BUT... you. just. can't. leave. us. hanging. :( :(

The problem is, most agreed that the twist ending demanded another book to deal with it, which I hadn't planned on. I was really only intending to write a prequel. So I announced to the beta readers that I would drop the twist ending. Then I received notes like this:

I was disappointed that you decided to revise the end as I loved it, but I understand that that would tie you down significantly for the the next book.

Hmm. What to do?

Well, I remember saying that Mountain of Whispers was the last book in the series back in 2010, and obviously I changed my mind. So I suppose that means I can change my mind again. Right?

The solution hit me this morning as I was doing some final edits. And this isn't just a fudged workaround. I couldn't have come up with a better idea if I'd tried. I'm possibly more excited about Book 7 than any other book to date.

I can't give too much away, but there's a new character named Chase who shows up in Chamber of Ghosts, and he has a story of his own involving a time when Miss Simone and her classmates started shapeshifting at age eight. But Chase's story isn't really part of this book. Instead, this book merely introduces him and paves the way for the planned prequel.

Well, it turns out that I would be much better off writing another Hal story that happens to include Chase's prequel story. So there will be two timelines -- one in the present where Hal and Chase are on a quest, and another in the past as Chase is telling his story (he'll have entire chapters dedicated to him, written from his point of view in real time as though the reader is "there" in the past). Both timelines -- and both stories -- will converge toward the end. And since this is another Hal book, I get to explore that "twist ending" I mentioned, which will fit in nicely, thank you very much.

I knew the answer would come to me if I waited. You can't shoehorn stuff in. You just have to wait for inspiration. This idea fits so perfectly in every conceivable way that I now can't imagine doing anything else.

All right. Back to Chamber of Ghosts. It's due out next Wednesday, after all.

Oh, and speaking of that, none of my beta readers appeared to have noticed a little joke I included in Chamber of Ghosts. Beta readers, if you understood the connection between my werewolves and the movies, then kudos to you; let me know, but don't reveal it here. When the book is published, I wonder how long it will take for someone to spot it...

Anyway -- see you next Wednesday!

Comment by ANONYMOUS on Monday, August 12, 2013...

When will book 7 be published?!! I can't wait!!! You better write faster!

Comment by KEITH ROBINSON on Monday, August 12, 2013...

All good things etc etc... ;-)

Look out for news on this very soon. I have a title, a book cover, and half the book written (well, first draft anyway).

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