Thursday, November 8, 2007

Up next, Penguin Hill

As a kid, I used to love buying new pens, pencils & fresh notebooks every summer before school started. Keep in mind, I'm not saying I was a stellar student, it was the idea of a 'fresh start' that most appealed to me, and this hasn't changed. I finish one novel, and I'm dying to move on to the next.

Next week, I'm working on copy edits for The Silver Compass. In the meantime, I'm rubbing my hands together as I get ready to write my next novel, which will be titled Penguin Hill.

The story came to me fully formed a year ago, told from
a male protagonist's point of view, but other than working on it this past summer at the Maui Writers Retreat, I put off writing it until now. I know I won't get much done before Christmas, but I'm still excited about the whole 'fresh start' thing.

And while I am writing it, I'll have these two little guys cheering me on. My husband bought them for me. They're tiny. The big one's only an inch tall and his partner even more wee than that, but for the next six months or so, they will both be front and center on my desk. Let's hope they do their jobs well as mini-writing muses!

21 comments:

Victoria said...

Yessssssss! I get first post.
Always happy about that! Looking forward to your Silver Compass. Any hints about what Penguin Hill might be about?

Anissa said...

Love the wee little guys! Here's hoping they prove to be the perfect cheering section.

Anonymous said...

Sounds interesting
(your new novel) and I
really like the title!

Janet said...

Ah, you're breaking your title template. It sounds like you're branching out in other ways too. Do you think this book will be significantly different from the others?

Adam said...

Well, well, well...
I'm already liking it!
What kind of story is it?
Most novels I've read told by women from a man's point of view have been great reads. What made you choose to write it from a man's POV?

Anonymous said...

L-o-v-e the title.
Wonder what kind of book jacket will get put together for this one?

Holly Kennedy said...

Victoria -- Sorry, I'd prefer not to share a synopsis on it just yet. I find when I talk about a story too much it tends to suck away some of the magic I should be putting on the page.

Anissa -- Thanks! I hope they're bursting with magical writing luck.

Glad you like the title, Wordman17.

Janet -- I guess you're right.
But I just couldn't turn away from this story when it came to me, and the title came as fully formed as the main character, so I'm not about to fight it. It is, in some ways, different than the others, yes. It's told in 1st person POV versus third, and it tackles some serious issues, but it will have universal appeal to both men and woman and is ultimately a poignant tale when all is said and done.

Adam -- Cheesy as it sounds, the voice of this character has been so strong, I've been waking up at night to take notes, so I finally decided I can't not write this story from his POV.

Holly Kennedy said...

Kyla-Dale -- Thanks! It will be interesting to see what kind of cover this one ends up with, won't it? I hadn't thought of that yet.

LadyBronco said...

Awwwww!

What an adorable pair of mini-muses!

Ramona said...

Now that's a title that has my curiosity going. To stick with your usual format maybe you should call it 'The Penguin Hill'

Kidding!!!!

Melissa Amateis said...

The title alone intrigues me. Can't wait to see what it's about!

Zany Mom said...

For some reason I write a lot from a man's POV. Current work has first person man's POV.

I tend to think more like a man than a woman, in some ways, so it's not a stretch.

Good luck writing!

The Anti-Wife said...

I like your books because your characters and situations are so real. As long as you continue to write like that, I'll be a big fan.

Larramie said...

Penguin Hill, set in Boston...I have some ideas, Holly. ;)

Heidi the Hick said...

I am so exciteds about this- partly because I love hearing that you're always ready to go on a new project!

I too had a story flow into my head recently. I started it but I'm working on something else right now, something a little more fun and sexy instead of the very heavy, well formed story that demands I write it. I know I can't put it off long though!

This new book of yours already sounds veeeerrrry interesting!

Therese said...

I swear I left a comment here last night...grrr.

Great title--and a new challenge is always a good thing, IMO. I'm starting to feel that next-book itch myself. :)

ORION said...

Another fresh start. That's my motto!
That clear clean fresh piece of paper...crumbled up for Touloose and thrown...

Holly Kennedy said...

Lady Bronco -- Always nice to have you pop by. I hope all is well at your end.

Ramona -- The Penguin Hill just doesn't work for me, though. My agent also prefers Penguin Hill.

Melissa -- Thanks. I hope I can get it down on the page as well as I imagine it to be in my head!!

Zany -- I know what you mean. I don't know what the big deal is. Man. Woman. A good story is a good story, right?

Holly Kennedy said...

Anti-wife -- What a nice compliment. Thanks!

Larramie -- I keep forgetting you're from Boston. Such a great city! One of my favorites. Do share.

Holly Kennedy said...

Heidi -- I bow to your enthusiasm. You're such a sweetie. Honestly, though? I have TWO novels underway and BOTH are battling for equal time in my head.

My agent and I trying to decide which one would be best as NOVEL #4 from a career standpoint. It's all such a strategy game, you know? I'll blog about it in a month or so, once the decision is made.

The other novel I've starte drafting is titled THE KEEPER OF THE POND and it's equally compelling.

PENGUIN HILL came to mind one year agom but THE KEEPER ON THE POND has been floating around my mind since THE TIN BOX was published.

Hard choice!

Holly Kennedy said...

Therese -- next-book itch.
I so relate. All the possibilities make me rub my hands together!!