writing a novel – next in the series !
Having sent my first novel ‘Open to the Skies’ (aka ‘Saving the Landing Church’) out to three publishers, I have begun my next novel in the series. I intend for the series to focus on the adventures of running a writers’ retreat. Same characters, same setting, same struggle to be a part of the community.
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Title: unknown
Working Title: ‘Crossing at a Walk’
Setting: a writers’ retreat – the renovated Landing Church, the hall and the rectory now used as a Learning Center, a Sleeping Hall and a home and base of operations for Sadie and Tom
Characters: main character Sadie, a writer; her husband Tom, a retired welder; people from the community; writers participating in the first weekend of the writers’ retreat
Plot: Sadie wants the first writers’ retreat to go smoothly, but the history of an old covered bridge keeps getting in the way
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My first novel was about an abandoned church. The subject of this book will be yet another feature of our built landscape, one also having a difficult time … the covered bridge. In the 1940s there were 340 covered bridges in New Brunswick. Today there are only 60.
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I chuckle all the time about my ‘Saving The …’ series. Lots of buildings to save out there! However, I have no intention of sinking into the formulaic (Sadie falls in love with the … and takes steps to save the …). Instead, each story will take a unique approach to honoring the bit of built landscape it portrays!
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As I have said, in New Brunswick, we have 60 remaining covered bridges. Their numbers are dwindling, the losses due to flooding, fire and vandalism. For a look at the covered bridges in New Brunswick, see the map and photos at http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/dti/bridges_ferries/content/covered_bridges.html
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So how does a covered bridge get in the way of a well planned writers’ retreat?
- Sadie includes a local tour during the retreat, to introduce the writers to the community and give them new experiences to write about. The covered bridge is outside the tour loop, but a couple of the writers would love to go there.
- the covered bridge is part of the community’s history. Inside the bridge are the carved initials of some of the many people who have lingered there. The writers want to know ‘who was Phoebe?’ a girl whose name is carved in the bridge and imprinted on the memories of some of the members of the community.
- after the retreat is over, heavy rains and flooding threaten the bridge to its very foundations. Can the bridge be saved and will Sadie be willing to take on the cause of another community icon?
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Sadie … my main character … a writer and weaver … she wants the first weekend of the writers’ retreat to go smoothly … I still think she needs an afternoon at the hairdressers
Sadie’s husband Tom … a welder with a fatal case of welder’s lung … a likeable fellow, he refused to die in the first novel … I wonder what will happen to him in ‘Crossing at a Walk’?
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Copyright 2015 Jane Tims
nichepoetryandprose 
I love how you just jump right into the next project. 🙂
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Robin
March 26, 2015 at 3:25 pm
Hi Robin. See? I am just like Toad! Jane
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jane tims
March 26, 2015 at 4:48 pm
Jane,,,how exciting this must be for you,,,we wish you nothing but the best,,,oh I cannot wait to hear ,,I will be waiting a while you say.? To find out.?
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patsi
March 19, 2015 at 3:02 pm
Hi Patsi. Yes, I know from experience it can take up to eight months to hear. I am lucky I am a patient person! Thanks! Jane
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jane tims
March 19, 2015 at 11:12 pm
I will wish you ‘all the best’ regarding the submission of your first novel … only after you write me in as the protagonist in your second.
Deal?
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neil
March 19, 2015 at 7:24 am
Hi Neil. I am sure you are in there somewhere. Your sense of humour would improve any plot! Jane
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jane tims
March 19, 2015 at 8:06 am
I’m curious as to why the bridges were covered? Never seen one in Europe.
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Pia
March 18, 2015 at 8:33 am
Hi Pia. The main reason is because covered bridges do not deteriorate as quickly in weather – a wooden bridge that would last only ten years uncovered will last up to eighty years covered. Another theory is that horses would shy at crossing bridges but if covered, the bridge would look like a barn and horses would not be so afraid. I also think that it serves for snow removal of roads in winter – roads used to be shovelled by adjacent property owners and that left no one to shovel snow off the bridges, so they were covered to make getting rid of snow easier. I just came home from town and when I reached the covered bridge, it was so lovely not to have to worry about snow! Jane
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jane tims
March 18, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Great beginnings, intriguing snippets draw me in…congratulations on another work in progress.
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Carol Steel
March 18, 2015 at 8:14 am
Hi Carol. As always, the writing is the part I love the best. It hardly seems like work at all! Jane
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jane tims
March 18, 2015 at 1:19 pm
Covered bridges are so lovely to look at. I like reading books in a series. 🙂
Have you ever thought about writing a mystery? Not like murder mystery…:( but like secrets revealed or found by Sadie that lead to an unexpected and profitable or happy outcome. LOL
(I better just stick to my little 8 line rhymes)
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ladysighs
March 18, 2015 at 8:08 am
Hi. I love mysteries too. There will certainly be some mystery in my book! Jane
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jane tims
March 18, 2015 at 1:18 pm