Update on the WIP etc. . .

Would you believe I’ve rewritten the outline for the work-in-progress yet again? Since I’ve made a couple of dramatic changes in the story, I wanted my agent to have the most up-to-date outline as she and her co-agents begin selling the book overseas. I don’t think I’ve ever revised an outline this many times, but the story became richer with each re-telling, as stories tend to do. The outline is now fifty pages long. If only the actual book manuscript was so well-polished! Thank goodness I have a couple more months before my deadline. 
Which brings me to an update on publication dates for next year. As of today, the plan is for THE SECRET LIFE OF CEECEE WILKES to come out in trade paperback in January ’08. Then the current WIP (formerly known as THE SEA TENDER) will be released in June ’08 (rather than April. A better month for a beach book, I think). The second book I’ll be writing this year will be out in January ’09.
To link or not to link? I was not planning to write two connected books this year. The book formerly known as THE SEA TENDER didn’t lend itself to a sequel. However, when I made those dramatic changes to the story, the idea for the sequel appeared out of nowhere. I’m thrilled, because I like these characters and I want to see how things turn out for the person most in jeopardy at the end of the first book.
Those of you who have been following the saga of the title. . . the current top contender is BEFORE THE STORM, thanks to ideas a few of you gave me a couple of weeks ago. We’ll see if it sticks.

11 Comments

  1. Margo on March 20, 2007 at 9:40 am

    Oh Diane, this is exciting!…2 books, a great new title, a new outline…when do you sleep?

  2. Diane Chamberlain on March 20, 2007 at 12:46 pm

    i sleep while you’re exercising . . .

  3. Margo on March 20, 2007 at 1:47 pm

    LOL…now why didn’t I think of that?

  4. Margo on March 20, 2007 at 2:00 pm

    How gratifying for you to have the new outline done!… and a sequal present itself to you like that must be the most amazing feeling! I know we have awhile to wait for these books but it’s just as thrilling for me when I’m able to read your blog and see what’s new with the WIP…you are GREAT to share this with us and it makes the wait a little easier to bare.

  5. Diane Chamberlain on March 20, 2007 at 2:09 pm

    I’m glad you enjoy hearing about the WIP, Margo. If I were a reader of this blog, I think it would drive me crazy. “I’m changing this character name. Now I’m changing it again. And again. This is the title. No, this is the title. The book will be out in April. No, it will be out in June.”

  6. Margo on March 20, 2007 at 2:20 pm

    I actually find it FASCINATING. I’m seeing things thru the eyes of an author and all that goes into writing a novel. I would never have known what was involved had it not been for your blog. AND…it keeps me ‘on the edge of my seat’ till the actual books come out!

  7. Ann on March 20, 2007 at 7:48 pm

    YES! to sequel. I haven’t even read the first book but I vote for a sequel. I love all of your books and miss the characters when I finish the books. Maybe another trilogy???? I am looking forward to June ’08!

  8. Margo on March 21, 2007 at 8:46 am

    How was your trip to Pine Island Ann…if I remember, you were going to read Diane’s SUMMERS CHILD while there.

  9. Ann on March 21, 2007 at 1:54 pm

    My trip was wonderful – so was the book!! I enjoyed it just as much as I did the first time I read it. I am now re-reading “Reflection”. The next one I plan to re-read is “Secret Lives”. Diane, was that your first book? The cover of my book calls the book a “hardcover debut”.

  10. Diane Chamberlain on March 21, 2007 at 2:38 pm

    So glad you had a good trip, Ann, and that you enjoyed rereading SUMMER’S CHILD. As for SECRET LIVES, it was actually my third book, but my first in hardcover. My first book was PRIVATE RELATIONS, followed by LOVERS AND STRANGERS (which my then-husband suggested I name PRIMATE RELATIONS, since it was about monkeys).

  11. Brenda on March 21, 2007 at 5:43 pm

    It all sounds great–a sequel…I will get back to writing when things slow down.
    I can’t wait and I VOTE FOR A TRILOGY too…no pressure DIane…..
    Brenda

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