I've read such stupid comments about books being delayed and cancelled. As though this was something a writer did simply to disappoint and anger readers. No writer wants to cancel a book. I wouldn't have dragged this out for years, if I'd actually wanted to cancel.
In fact, disappointing readers is the last thing I want to do. I know how this feels and I hate doing it. I've had it happen to me, and when it does, I feel that exact same frustrated why can't they just write the damn thing?!
Just from a practical standpoint... The first little novella earned over 30K. Spring had about 2000 preorders. I'd already sold the audio rights on the sequel (which now have to be repaid). So there was every practical incentive to complete this project.
So no, I really, really, really did not want to have to cancel this one. I mean, it was just a novella!!! Thirty thousand words! Why the hell couldn't I come up with a measly thirty thousand words?!!
I don't know why, but I couldn't.
I don't feel the characters anymore. There's no...emotional connection. Also having waited so long, I ran into the problem of other people's expectations. It's the lesson of The Ghost Had an Early Check-out. I waited too long on that one too, and readers had too much time to decide the story they wanted--which turned out to not be the story I had in mind. And then there were the hostile comments and negative reviews because Spring had already been delayed. I'll be honest. That kind of thing is a disincentive for moving ahead with a project you're already struggling with.
And I don't doubt that that's the goal of negative comments and hostile reviews of a book not yet written. This time it worked. This time I didn't have enough faith in the project to forge ahead anyway. I read over the outline, and it's like someone else wrote it.
Anyway, my creative energy still feels fragile, so I'm only doing what really interests me, what I'm eager to work on, what I know I can and will finish.
If the time comes when I feel different about this project, when I can remember what made me want to write about Flynn and Kirk in the first place, I promise you I will. But for now, sadly, this one is shelved.
Dear Josh,
ReplyDeleteIt is ok, more than ok. If and when this book should happen, it will. In the meantime, no worries. You have written so many wonderful books and I am very grateful. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Barb. I do truly feel bad after so many delays and broken promises. But it just won't come.
DeleteI think "Haunted Heart: Winter" suffers from the same problem as "The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks" actually. It just feels like a stand-alone. The mystery/story is over and the romance is primed for a HEA.
ReplyDeleteThis is in contrast to, for example, the All's Fair series, in which you can imagine an HEA after the first book, but the mystery isn't fully resolved; or AE, in which the mystery is resolved in the first book, but the relationship is still pending; or the Art of Murder series, in which neither is fully resolved.
Even a book like "Snowball in Hell" pairs a police officer with a reporter, so they could really run with any decent hard-boiled crime story (hint, hint).
But unless Flynn and Kirk decide to buy the Mystery Machine and travel cross-country solving murders involving haunted antiques, there's just not much scope for a sequel.
I was actually imagining a "sequel" not involving Flynn and Kirk, just a similar sort of m/m ghost story.
Originally, I had this very complicated over-arching plot for Flynn and Kirk, but what worked best about the story was its tight intimacy. I loved the ending of the first book. It became more and more clear that I was writing a sequel because I had promised to write a sequel, not because it needed a sequel and not because *I* needed a sequel.
DeleteAlso, although I'd still like to eventually do another Nathan and Matt story, but I've learned my lesson about promising anything I can't see in the near future.
DeleteBless your heart! I can imagine that. There are so many insightful people here - SamSpayed, that was a wonderful round-up of several series and how/why they work.
DeleteI totally understand. It's not ok for people to act that way even though they're disappointed/angry or whatever. We should be happy with what we are getting because it's a privilege each time we get something from you. One never knows what might happen or you could simply decide not to write anymore.
DeleteI do not agree with Samspayed though. I finished Winter feeling there's more to be told. That particular mystery is finished yes but there's a full house of more stuff and then there's Flynn and Kirk as well as Flynn's whole situation and Kirk's ptsd. So there's plenty for a sequel. IF you ever feel like writing it, I know I'd love to read it, however you write it.
This book isn't one of my top favourites of yours but it is one of the books which you have made me feel the most while reading. And I would love to have a good ending for them both even if it's a separate one. All your books are a must read for me.
And you wrote this one so well!
Take care of yourself /Ramona
thank you for letting us know
ReplyDeleteTruly sorry it didn't work out.
DeleteSelf care is important! This pandemic is emotionally exhausting for all of us. If you're not feeling it, you're not feeling it. I'm just glad that you trusted your gut enough to cancel the book and speak your truth.
ReplyDeleteYour books always feel like a gift to me. Thank you for the works you have shared and the books you will share with us in the future. We appreciate you!
Thank you so much for these truly kind words.
DeleteThis is a very sad news for me as it was the book that I was waiting for the most... But I must admit that I'd rather have to wait 10 years to finally read it than being disapointed by a book that doesn't seem to be written by you. So it seems the best solution, though not the one I hoped for.
ReplyDeleteBut now I'm wondering... Which book do you feel the most like writing at the moment???
Thank you for understanding. As disappointing as it is to not write a book readers want, it's even more disappointing to write a book readers DON'T want. And it seemed more and more clear to me that's what was happening.
DeleteI'm looking forward to Bell, Book and Scandal, though those books are pretty challenging. Then I've got the next three Secrets and Scrabble books and those are going to be very fun. I'm really happy to have a long unbroken stretch of that world to look forward to.
DeleteI will buy anything you write you know ;) Every single of your books is a treat. So I'm really looking forward the next installments in BBS and SS books :D
DeleteAnd keep hope that one you'll feel like writing the 3 other books in the Haunted Heart series (LOL That's my dream so I can hope for 4 season instead of 2 ;) I really hope to see these guys coming back to life, both of them ^^)
I understand exactly what you're saying. Caring about the characters is what drives stories for readers - and authors. FWIW, I think you made the right decision. Good authors don't just write for the readers; they write for themselves and it shows. You're my favorite good writer. 🙂 True fans may be disappointed, but they won't be hurtful. Screw the rest.
ReplyDeleteI truly do have sympathy for the readers I'm letting down. I've been there with anticipated books from authors that never did materialize. It's so disappointing. But writing is not an easy thing. Creating that...waking dream for someone else to lose themselves in, is not easy. If you can't convince yourself, there's no way to convince the reader.
DeleteI am very sorry to hear this. However, I would much rather you write something you want to write. As you say, maybe someday you will get back to it. If you do, don't tell anyone first :)
ReplyDeleteYou enjoying your writing makes it all the more special for us.
Thanks, Loretta. Yes, it's the last time I try to force myself to action by listing a preorder!
DeleteThank you for explaining this. Although somewhat disappointing, it's completely understandable. Fortunately, I have all your other upcoming stories on preorder so I still have lots to look forward to. Thanks for all the wonderfully satisfying books and stories you've give us over the years. Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being understanding. <3
DeleteI am so sorry to read that :( While I have not preordered the book I liked "Winter" a lot and I have been looking forward to reading its sequel.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I do think a forced story would be a different and maybe a much worse disappointment, so please take care of yourself and continue writing other delightful stories.
Thank you for the kind words. Yes, I have to agree that the only thing worse than forcing people to wait and then still not deliver, would be forcing them to wait and then deliver something disappointing.
DeleteSorry about the book. But I hope you know that your readers appreciate the fact that you care about us enough that you only give your best.
ReplyDeleteYou write what speaks to you. We are happy to be along for the ride!
Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Sue. Honestly, I'm relieved that so many readers have taken the news so...graciously. It's a good reminder that storytelling is a partnership between author and reader. That the best stories are the ones that both partners take joy in.
DeleteYes! That's exactly right! 🙂
DeleteI truly am sad. Not only about not reading how Flynn ist comming away step by step from ending his life (it was such an interesting and unique base for a story) . I didn't have any expectations other than to have an awsome story (as all of your storys are awsome). I'm also sad about your sadness. Don't worry to much about us. No one out of your circle of readers will drift apart, we are close, we will encourage you and hope with you, that these difficult times get more easy to live (and in your case write) in.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for these words. At the time, the characters of Flynn and Kirk were so vivid, so real. It was different and it was a little bit magical. Their future stories, the way their relationship would unfold was so clear in my mind. These last few years have been full of so many changes, so maybe the delay did more damage to this particular story than something like the Holmes and Moriarity series which was so well-established in my mind.
DeleteYou do you, writer girl. I have always said that one of the things that makes you a great writer is that the joy of writing shines through on the page. If the joy isn't there, or you're not feeling it, then it isn't this book's time to be written. If it ever is, you'll know and we'll love it. If it never happens, then we'll enjoy the books that you do write. Either way, we'll be happy, you be happy too. Love you.
ReplyDelete<3 <3 <3 Did anyone ever tell you, you're a wise woman, M?
DeleteAll of the above comments echo my thoughts (except the one about HHW & TGWYS being "stand-alones"-no way, I was ready for sequels galore!) But YOU are the writer and I am more than thrilled with any story you choose to write...you also MUST ignore stupid comments from stupid readers, if they feel so righteous then THEY need to start a writing career W/O DELAY!
ReplyDeleterdafan7
<3 <3 <3 Thank you so much. Your comments--the comments here have all been such a relief to read.
DeleteI only barely remember the first book, so the second one being canceled isn't that upsetting to me personally, but I did want to jump in and say that I loved The Ghost Had an Early Checkout, for what it's worth.
ReplyDeleteI'm also looking forward to more Secrets & Scrabble; I think that's my favorite series of yours since Adrien English, which is saying a lot.
Thank you so much. I'm really having a lot of fun with the new series. <3
DeleteAlso, I'm so glad you loved The Ghost Had an Early Check-out. I personally think it was a very fun book. But hey.
DeleteI love the first book and hope one day you'll feel the energy to complete the second. What I really what is a sequel to "Come Unto These Yellow Sands" my favorite of all M/M mystery/romance novels. I'd really love to know what Sebastian and Max are up to! ... but you have to do what you moves you. I think you're wonderful. ~ Tom
ReplyDeleteAh! Now Yellow Sands, I can say definitively won't have a sequel. I do love that book though--and I'm so glad you do too.
DeleteSorry if you have already thought of and discarded this idea. I love this series (though I can say that about any series you write) and it would be brilliant to have a book for each season and do that year time limit justice. Also, you put so much into it, including all the planning for this story, you deserve to get something back but obviously you can't be creative and write something you'd be happy with on demand. Anyway, the Christmas codas are amazing as always and some of the contributors, including those from previous years, are really talented. So I wondered if you had considered giving any of them the chance to co-author the series, rather than wasting all your hard work? (Just to clarify I'm not a contributor though I really appreciate everyone's contributions).
ReplyDeletea bit late in the game, still, I wanted to hear from the real person who is josh lanyon for a long time. so I'm glad you're human, and moreover a true-to-himself human, and decided not to go with a story you don't feel it will work.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read/listened to "Winter" yet, but I got into your stories big time - a bit obsessed even. Lucky for me you wrote so many :-D
and there are quite a few I don't like the implications of - not gonna bother you with-em. I just wanted to say something else:
from the reader's pov, series are heaven-sent because we can treat the characters like friends that live with us, and "grow up/old" with us, and keep having new adventures for us. probably not news to you.
and at the same time, as a quarky reader, I prefer stand-alones: eventually any writer, runs out of ideas or the stories get either repetative or bad and that makes the parting from the characters even harder.
your stand-alones are little gems, small shots of ambrosia in a world drowning in buterbeer. so yeah! go for it: write only what feels right to you!! terry pratchet didn't bow down to hollywood and he definitelly didn't die a pauper ;-)
Thank you for this explanation. I am a little bummed not to get a more explicit HEA for these two characters, but this explanation not only gave me the closure i needed, it also provided me with some insight into JL's writing process, and the economic decision making in writing and publishing. i have long been impressed with the courage it takes for an author to send their writing out into a frequently hostile world -- i had never before considered the courage it takes to refuse to publish material that is not up to the writer's standards.
ReplyDelete