Sunday 12 September 2010

A third book?

So, several people have read Almost True and asked me a difficult question.
Will there be a third book about Ty?
I have a few answers, which all add up to one thing: I really don’t know.
When I finished writing Almost True I felt emotionally drained. So many things had happened to Ty, and I felt as though I’d been there at his side. I needed a break! I was also worried about being labelled as a writer who wrote dark, grim and serious books about dark, grim and serious subjects (although I happen to think that neither Joe nor True are particularly grim or miserable) And so the next idea I came up with was supposedly lighter and more upbeat - although it’s amazing how much angst, sex and death one can work into a story about winning loads of money. (Of course, Lia is just a draft at the moment and may lighten-up considerably once my editors have seen it)
To write a third book about Ty my agent and publishers have to be sure that it’s commercially viable - that there are enough readers out there who’ve enjoyed When I Was Joe and Almost True and would want to buy another copy.
And then I need to think up a plot that will take the story on in a satisfying way. I have a few ideas kicking around, but I need to think about whether they’d be enough for a whole book. I wouldn’t want to fizzle out after a few chapters.
In a funny sort of way I feel bad about making Ty suffer any more. Most of my plot ideas are quite tough on him, and after two books I’m rather fond of the boy. Maybe I should just leave him alone.
One of the hard things about writing my next book, Lia’s Guide to Winning the Lottery, has been leaving Ty’s voice behind and moving on. So I have to make sure that a third Ty book wouldn’t feel like a step backwards. One possibility,I suppose, would be to continue Ty's story with another narrator and a different focus-Archie, say or even Claire.
I never planned to write a sequel in the first place. When I started writing When I Was Joe I recklessly killed off Ty's dad in the second chapter (a motorcycle accident when Ty was two) My friend Anna suggested that I should resurrect him, in case I ever fancied writing a sequel. How I scoffed. But I brought him back to life - albeit totally absent from Ty's life - and once I'd finished the first book and was querying agents, I got a bit bored. I had nothing to write. Then the first line of Almost True occurred to me..and the last line of chapter four (I think it's four. When someone's sitting on Ty's bed). And I could see how to get from one sentence to the other and I was off. And when I'd found and agent and a publisher, the fifteen chapters I had written of Almost True was enough to secure a two-book deal,for which I am ever grateful.
Funnily enough I think I have a first sentence for book three. Now, just the rest to think up.
So, that’s why I say I don’t know. I’ll talk to my agent and my publishers, and we’ll see. In the meantime, if you’ve read Almost True,I’d love to know what you think. Are you satisfied with two books, or dying for more? Please leave a comment below - spoilers are fine, we’ll assume that everyone reading the comments has read both books.

31 comments:

  1. Almost true is on order from Waterstones and i should have it within a week so i can't wait, but without even reading Almost true i know that i would love a third book about ty, as his story is an amazing, heart-warming, gripping story and i know i would defenitly buy it.
    Gemma Robinson,

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  2. Having read and (immensely) enjoyed both books, I say... leave him alone! Although I'd love to read another book about his story (and I'll definitely be buying any future books that you write), Almost True seemed to come to a natural conclusion.

    Just my opinion... but if you did write a 3rd, I'd be the first to pre-order it anyway!

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  3. Ahhh...I'd love another one - I don't think they are grim at all - they deal with the nasty side of life but they do so with wit and warmth and humour. It's one of the things I most love about your writing - because that is what real life is like for most people - even tough times are sprinkled with humour. I think there's scope for a third book but I think your instincts about dragging Ty through the mill again are right - you can up date us on his story but place your focus on Archie - he's a terrific character and just so bound to end up in trouble he really needs his own book.....

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  4. I've read both books and think that Almost True seemed like a nice end, but a book in the voice of Claire/Archie would be really cool. It would be good to find out more about them and their background :)

    Amber x
    http://themilelongbookshelf.blogspot.com

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  5. I loved both books about Ty but it seems to me like his story came to a natural end. I would read another one though if you came up with a good plot for it :o) I'd love to see something from Archie's point of view though - I think you could do a lot with him & we could get to see a litte about how things are going for Ty too. Not so sure I'd want to read a story from Claire's point of view but I'm sure I'd end up giving it a try anyway!

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  6. Hiya Keren :) I always get sad when a series comes to an end, as I always get really attached to the characters and really involved in the plot and stuff. BUT, I hate it when something amazing is ruined. I love both the books as they are, and I think that if you have another amazing story to carry on the series with then that'd be GREAT :D but if you aren't sure and you don't know whether it'd be very long or the plot is hard to come by naturally, then maybe you should leave it as it is? I loved the Hunger Games, and the first 2 were phenomonal :D Like...I can't imagine how Suzanne Collins made such amazing books! She just kept coming with new ideas to keep the story rolling and going. But then...after waiting all that time for book 3, I felt it was a bit like she'd be MADE to write it for the sake of it...I don't know. I can't really say. It was good, but not as great as I'd hoped. That's just what I feel :) Do what your gut is telling you to do! I like the sound of your new book by the way :) definately will be buying it! And the idea of a different narrator instead of Ty sounds like a good idea too :) see you on twitter! xxxx

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  7. It's interesting to see how an author thinks about writing sequels. There are many writers that have written too many in a series and should have know when to stop far earlier. I doubt you're in that category, so I find it fascinating to read your thinking on the subject.

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  8. My poor heart couldn't bear the idea of Ty going through more ordeals, leave him be! But I do love the idea of a story from Archie's point of view!

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  9. I think it would be best if you cruelly leave us wanting more....

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  10. It depends if the second book starts a series or if it is a sequel. The third could be a prequel ...

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  11. I think that Ty has probably had his fair share of troubles and deserves a bit of happiness in his life now - which does not make for good copy. However, the whole area of the witness protection plan is fascinating. It could carry many more books about different teenagers witnessing all sorts of different crimes and having other experiences in hiding with altered identities. What if Ty grew up and made a career out of running the programme?

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  12. Thanks everyone for kind and ver interesting comments. Rachel - I fear that if Ty were running things then no one would be safe at all!

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  13. @Claire - We must have a chat about Mockingjay sometime. I was disappointed - it was much less emotionally engaging than the first two. But I did love Finnick - wish she'd written the trilogy from his point of view.

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  14. I still haven't read Almost True, but I understand entirely why you'd want to leave the poor boy alone now.

    I really wish I could come to your book launch at Waterstones, Keren, but I've been left holding the baby (literally!) for a few days. Oh well. I hope it's a great success.

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  15. Yeah I'd love to speak with you about it :D I was absolutely heartbroken when Finnick died...especially when he just married Annie and then she was pregnant too :( I was sat with the book in my hands...and I was like...NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Haha. But the very end, where Peeta and Katniss have children...SO EMOTIONAL. I felt all funny inside >.< lol xxxx

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  16. As soon as you mentioned Claire's name I thought, 'Yes, a book told from her perspective would be great.'
    *The Hand Dryers of Great Britain*

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  17. Well, whatever you do decide to do, I wish you all the best with it.
    I'm sure it will be good.

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  18. Just finished Almost True - utterly fantastic. I don't know how you do it Keren, but from one chapter to the next I was totally gripped - on the edge of my seat!
    I will miss Joe - his voice is just so true and absorbing, but I do sort of feel book 2 came to a natural end - for now. But I'm very intrigued to know what will happen when Arron or the gang get out of prison... Another viewpoint sounds like an exciting way to go - Archie is brill- totally irrepressible, such a great character - or perhaps even from the viewpoint of Arron...?
    Till then, I cannot wait to read about Lia!

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  19. Would love to write from Arron's POV, but practically he is going to be in prison for a long time..And I don't think even our prison service would be so incompetent as to put Ty and Arron in the same prison. Or would they?

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  20. pleas make another book i love them so much i was so sad when i finished almost true.

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  21. P.S i think you should continue writing from Ty's
    POV

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  22. Thanks Yasmina - certainly Ty's voice is the easiest one for me to write! But wouldn't it be interesting to see him from someone else's point of view?

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  23. it would be good but pleas can you make just one more of Ty its just after a while you get sort of loyal to the character well Archie's pov would be cool i soppose
    ps i am not yasmina i am her son george i am 11

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  24. well i am just letting you know if you rite another
    book i will read it Ty's pov or not!!!!!!!!!!

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  25. Tell you what George, I'll give everything a try and see what works - if anything..but first I need to talk to my publishers. Thank you for caring so much!

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  26. wdnt it be amazing if this were a movie OMG

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  27. I think that the books are AMAZING!! They're not grim or dark - there's something bright about them. As bad as Ty's situation gets, he still seems to be doing something exciting. Sometimes I enjoy a seious book so seriousness is not a problem. If you do write a third book, I'd definitely read it, didn't I don't really think I'd mind. But I think you've concluded the story really well in Almost True.
    Thank You for writing such a brilliant book!:)

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  28. I've just read some of the comments and I think it'd be good to hear the next part of the stiry from Arran's POV - if yoou do write another one

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  29. I'd be interested to read things from Claire's perspective. I think that there could be a lot of development behind her character and that it would be interesting to see what goes on in her head. If you were to this though, it shouldn't turn into a love story and should still be fuelled with action and drama!

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  30. I LOVED WHEN I WAS JOE AND ALMOST TURE I HAVE READ THEM LIKE 4 TIMES EACH I THINK I NEED MORE OF HIS ADVENTURES

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