Next Big Thing Blog Hop

Before I begin at the beginning, I want to thank Kim Murch Emerson for getting the ball rolling and starting this hop on her blog, http://masterkoda.com/the-next-big-thing-blog-hop

So what's a blog hop?  You know, I asked the same question.  And the answer is - a single theme spreading from blog to blog, reflecting support both backwards (Kim) and forwards (the tags at the end).

What's the theme?  Well, here, it's ME!  Specifically, the next book.  Without further ado, on to the hop!

What is the title of your book? It's a long one:  The Cassidy Chronicles, Book 2: A Deadly Quest

Where did the idea for the book come from?   Well, it's a continuation of the Cassidy Chronicles, which started with Run Like Hell, and will continue past this for at least two more volumes.

What genre does your book fall under?  If I had to pick ONE, I'd say science fiction - because, after all, it's set in the 22nd century.  But it's an adventure, a thriller, a mystery, with comedic and romantic elements as well.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?  Self-published, most likely by the 1st of December.  As an indie author, just getting into the market, I am trying to spread the word and get my name out there, get the attention of some of the publishing houses.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your book?  I'm a bit odd, as I don't really do a outline/rough draft/first draft/final draft progression.  Each day, when I write, I begin by reviewing what I wrote the day before.  This allows me to refresh my memory, get back into the feel of the story, and smooth over any flaws that I find (especially continuity errors).  Then, as I write, I'm constantly going back and reading and editing what I just wrote.  The downside is, it takes me longer to write the story (this one took about two months).  The upside is, when I finish writing, I'm pretty well done editing.

Give a one sentence synopsis of your work.  Cass and Kendra have survived their cross-continental trip to Kendra's employer, but their feeling of relief is short-lived as the real world intrudes again.

What other works would you compare your story to?  Wow.  I intentionally modeled Kendra equally on Friday (Robert Heinlein), Dirk Pitt (Clive Cussler) and James Bond (Ian Fleming), with some unique touches to make her more human and sympathetic.  Cass, though - she's a bit of Maureen Johnson (Robert Heinlein) in that she not only has hidden depths but grows stronger throughout the stories, more capable as she gets more acclimated to her new situation.  Throw in some humor, a la the "On The Road" movies and the Hitchhiker books, and shake well.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?  Excellent question.  This story arc has been percolating for over a year, but it all started with the opening scene in the first book - the disrupted  wedding, and the need for Cass and Ken to find out why.  From there?  It's simply grown in what I hope is a logical way.

What else might pique the reader's interest?  One tidbit.  I have liberally sprinkled references to other famous SF (and other) works throughout the books, as little homages to authors and books I have enjoyed.  I hope that my readers find them and enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed including them.

And, I think I'll drop in just a taste of the book.

“Just do what moves you feel you need to avoid my attacks,” she said, beginning to rock again. “This is called the ginga. It's the basis of just about every aspect of the art.” As she spoke she kicked at him, which he instinctively blocked.

“You don't block, you evade,” she corrected. “Try something.”

He watched a few seconds then launched himself at her. Without breaking the rhythm of her moves she side-stepped his attack, coming around behind him and striking him with an elbow to his back as he passed.

“The ginga allows you to attack or defend,” she clarified. “You don't absorb the attack, you allow your opponent to show an opening then you attack yourself.”

“I see,” grinned Cordova, allowing his body to move to the tocque's beat. “But what if I do this?” He swept his leg out towards her. To his shock, she flipped backwards on her hands out of his reach, landed on her feet and immediately resumed her ginga.

“Esquivas,” she said. “Evade. You want to try again?”

He shook his head. “Why don't you attack inst-”

Before he could finish she had started turning cartwheels, careful to stay out of his reach until she had circled behind him. From her hands, still upside-down, she pushed off towards him feet-first. He blocked the kick, but her head impacted solidly with his chest and he fell back, converting the fall into a roll. She followed with another forward flip, this time connecting with her feet and knocking him onto his back. The sequence ended with her sitting on his chest, feet pinning his arms to the ground. She grinned, gathered herself, and bounced up and over his shoulders.

“Impressive,” he said, new respect in his eyes.

And now to the tags for NEXT week:

Alivia Anders, www.aliviaanders.blogspot.com
Koco Trajevski, www.legolasbt.blogspot.com
Allison Bruning, www.allisonbruning.blogspot.com
Hedonist6 (her pen name, obviously, but I'm sworn to secrecy), www.hedonist6.blogspot.com
Martin Schiller, www.martinschiller.webs.com

Thanks for reading!