What am I going to be writing next ...?

[dwndrgn]

Always good to hear you've got projects on the burner!

[Mark Robson]

OK, I've now got a firm offer on the table for the first two books of my next project. Although I haven't accepted the offer yet, I feel it safe to spill the beans a little now.

The working title of my next novel is The Devil's Triangle. The story will be contemporary with a sort of fantasy / almost science fiction twist. It's hard to say even now how people will judge the story when it comes to genre.

The basic premise is that the wife of my main character, an insurance investigator for Lloyds, disappeared off the Florida Keys in 2001 whilst working on a marine biology project and ever since that time he has been obsessed with discovering the truth about what is going on in The Bermuda Triangle region (formally known as The Devil's Triangle). Now he spends as much time as possible snooping around trying to find any new clues as to what happened to the missing aircraft and ships.

Without giving too much away, let's just say the story is one of a parallel world that in its quest for a clean energy source has messed with the nature of their parallel 'Earth' in a way that causes occasional rifts to open between their world and ours. Things go through from our world to theirs, but there is a very good reason why nothing ever comes through from their world into ours.

I've already built a substantial amount of background, including some wonderfully bizarre and almost credible science for my alternate world - many thanks to Ian Watson for all his help - the man has a brain the size of a small planet, I think!

I'm very excited about this new story. I'm leaving magicians, spies and dragons behind for a while, but the good news on that front is that S&S were ready to offer on another Imperial book had I not proposed this new series at our recent meeting, so there's potential for more stories in that world eventually.

Will be taking out time from the family holiday in Florida to go down to the Keys and do some snooping around of my own! Will perhaps tell a little more when I get back.

[Patrick Mahon]

This sounds really exciting, Mark! Do keep us in touch with the story as it develops - I'm sure there's lots of people here who would enjoy some tasters from time to time...

In the meantime, have a great holiday (sorry, serious research trip) in Florida, and let us know all about it when you get back!

[Threddy]

This sounds very interesting, Mark. Is it aimed at the same audience as usual or is it a bit more serious than your other stuff?

[Marky Lazer]

So, it's erotica after all! (sorry couldn't resist...)

[Ursa major]

Originally Posted by Mark Robson

The basic premise is that the wife of my main character, an insurance investigator for Lloyds, disappeared off the Florida Keys in 2001

Originally Posted by Mark Robson

Will be taking out time from the family holiday in Florida to go down to the Keys and do some snooping around of my own! Will perhaps tell a little more when I get back.

Did you not think of sending your wife down to the Keys to scout them out, or wouldn't she go there on her own?


This looks very interesting, Mark, and offers the opportunity to bring yourself to the attention of a whole new group of readers.

Enjoy your holiday; and best of luck with the writing.

[BookStop]

Sounds like a neat project, Mark. The Florida Keys are quite interesting and, of course, a draw for authors *T Wiliams, E Hemingway*. I suspect the gorgeous weather and colorful atmosphere are the reason. Anyway, I'm sure you'll enjoy your research time there and I am very much looking forward to more information on this project as you suss out the details.

[Patrick Mahon]

Originally Posted by Mark Robson

Will be taking out time from the family holiday in Florida to go down to the Keys and do some snooping around of my own! Will perhaps tell a little more when I get back.

So how did the research/holiday go, Mark? Anything you can share with us at this stage?

[Mark Robson]

I got everything I needed and much, much more, Patrick. I came back with armloads of resources and invitations to email any further questions to every person I spoke with out there. It was fantastic. People were so friendly and helpful it was almost embarrassing!

I hope to start work on Chapter 1 tomorrow!

[thaddeus6th]

Glad to hear you enjoyed great success on your holiday

I mean, on your sojourn of grindingly difficult work :P

[Patrick Mahon]

Originally Posted by Mark Robson

I got everything I needed and much, much more, Patrick. I came back with armloads of resources and invitations to email any further questions to every person I spoke with out there. It was fantastic. People were so friendly and helpful it was almost embarrassing!

I hope to start work on Chapter 1 tomorrow!

OK Mark - by my reckoning, that's a whole week you've had since you started Chapter 1. Is the book finished yet?

[Writers Blocked]

Sounds like a really exciting project, Mark. I doubt you remember my attempt, but the mix of sci-fi and mystery really appeals to me.

(please note the complete lack of accusation in my tone here) but are you familiar with a show called Stargate: Atlantis? A while ago, they had a couple of episodes which involved an energy source which had a detrimental effect on an alternate universe. I'm pretty sure they weren't the first ones to do it, but it was the first thing that came to mind when I read your description.

The sign of a good beginning, though, is the questions it makes you ask - what is this other world like? do they know they're causing harm to us? will we visit there, or just have glimpses? IS there a way back at all? and when, dear lord when can we read it?

[Mark Robson]

No, it's not finished, Patrick! (haven't forgotten dinner, but am letting my diary settle before offering dates, if that's OK) I'm taking my time with this book. The first draft isn't due for delivery until next June. I want to make this the best book I can write, not be rushing it to make a deadline.

There are many questions I'm not willing to answer about the project just yet, WB, as I don't want to ruin some of the best surprises. I'm not a follower of Star Gate, though I'm aware of it, so I've not been influenced there in any way. I believe this book will hold a lot of surprises for anyone who chooses to read it. I've certainly never come across anything quite like I'm intending to try. I still don't really know if it's going to work, yet. Showing both sides of the story takes away much of the mystery from the reader, so it will be more of a thriller/action adventure than a mystery. I'm currently writing Chapter 3, so I'm making slow, but steady progress, which is probably the best way.

When will you get to read it? Probably about the end of next year/beginning of 2011 I would think.

[SpaceShip]

Well done Mark - things are certainly very exciting for you right now. Congratulations.

[Michael01]

Ooh! I think I should chime in there, too. Congrats, Mark!

And okay, I suppose this doesn't really help you that much, but I can get a copy of The Forging of the Sword from Amazon without paying an arm and a leg now. So I'm going to order it in October (along with Perdido Street Station). I'm just sorry I didn't get it sooner!