And On to the Next Project!

Very happy to report that my first Young Adult novel "Breadline Blue" is set to be published by Jan-Carol Publishing for their imprint Little Creek Books and should be available by late April 2013. I'm also anticipating the promised publication of my book "Dancing at the Crossroads: Mentoring At-Risk Youth through Story" through Parkhurst Brothers Publishing in this same year!

I continue to research and prep for a biography about Tony DeCorse, artist and musician from Buffalo, NY, and to push a proposal with History Press, another New York State history. However, now that Breadline Blue is finished and in the proofreading process, I am beginning to think about my next young adult novel, and the process is interesting since I've never done this before.

I have a follow-up in mind for Breadline Blue but it may or may not be right for the YA market. There are other characters in the story I'd like to follow also. But, I reconnected with some childhood friends this summer and also thought about telling a very interesting historical story around them. At first, I was going to make it a true piece, but the more I think about it, the more I'd like it to be a historical fiction with teens as the central characters.

I usually work best with a title. In fact, Breadline Blues is the title of a song I sang with the Blue Eagle String Band. It struck me as a cool title for a book but without the "s" after blue. And it would be the boy's nickname. I started with this idea two years ago. It simmered someplace in my psyche. Then one day, I sat and started writing. I wrote the first page and left it for another year. Earlier this year, for whatever reason, I took it out and whoosh...the story took off. I really hope this new story won't take that long to gel, but it isn't unusual that would happen. At any rate, it has a "working" title. (Working meaning, either I will find another title more suitable, but this one helps keep me focused on my goal, or the publisher will convince me that I need a new title. This happens all the time.) I can't tell you the title at this time, sorry. If you don't want someone to completely steal an idea and run amok, there are some things you need to keep under your hat until you have a concrete story and/or contract.

1. So, the first part of the process for me is a general loose idea.

2. Then, I like to find a working title.

3. Start climbing the story-format mountain.
a. Turn your general idea into a more, but not completely developed, plot.
b. Begin thinking about the main character or characters. (I think my new story will have 5-7 main characters but one that drives the story.)
c. POV, point of view.
Will the story be in first or third person? (Since Breadline Blue is first person, I think this may be my style. So first person is what I'm leaning toward.
Will the story start at the beginning, middle, or end? (Starting at the end may also be my style and I am forming an idea. It is really important not to lock yourself into any of the above. I like to allow the story to take over. But I need a place to start and this process helps.

Right now, the new story is floating someplace between the above three steps.