Young Chesterton Chronicles

Hey, everyone!

The Family and I went to the coast for a few days, and we’re having a great, relaxing time. As those of you on my Facebook list know, out here the most stressful question we face out here is “Do we go to the beach or the candy store after SpongeBob is over?”

And, 2nd best of all, I get to work on the sequel to The Tripods Attack, still tentaively titled The Emperor of North America.

I’m a little worried, to tell the truth. I’m trying to tell the whole story I’ve had running in my head since the millenium turned.  When I did a word count on Tripods, I found that I’d written 112,000 words (give or take a hundred) to tell that story completely.

Now, when I did a word count of Emperor, I found I was up to 170,000 words, and I’m still a good chunk of pages away from the end.

Oh, dear.

I was worried. I even emailed my old editor. But both he and my old high school buddy/confirmed SF fan Sean said the same thing: I’m headed for JK Rowling Land! Yes, each sequel ends up being 50% bigger than the first, until you can use the final volume as a booster seat in finer restaurants everywhere.

Still hacking away. I don’t want to give the plot away, of course. But I will say that I think the fans will really enjoy the twists and mash-ups I’ve cooked up for the second novel!

Speakign of the book’s fans: I have been hearing from you! Keep it coming, folks! It always helps! Stephen King noted that writing can often seem like trying to cross the Atlantic in a Bathtub…it can be isolating, with a lot of opportunity for self-doubt)

My only concern lately: how is it some of you have found my home address? Not that I’m worried (fans of Catholic works are far less prone to becoming stalkers…maybe becuase they already have a religion?), but I’d just like to know. A very diplomatic young lady recently sent a hand-printed note to my house with a number of issues I’d love to address, but that’s for another day.

Please, those of you you pray, pray for marriages eveywhere. I know too many dear friends who are having serious issues in theirs.

God bless…and (shameless plug approaching!) if you’d like to get a copy of Tripods, go to my publishers at www.sophiainstitute.com . If you’d like me to speak at your event, you can get ahold of my agent at www.cmgbooking.com .

John McNichol

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