The hunt has gone on for months.
Even in the middle of writing a book, the search for the next topic stalks me. In the morning as I plan the day, in those odd moments of down time, even at night, as Calene and I binge streamers (lately: Slow Horses, Reacher, Murder at the End of the World, a complete re-watch of Band of Brothers), and even as I follow the amazing travels of Cole Brauer (@ColeBrauerOceanRacing on Insta), the question of what to write next looks over my shoulder.
It's got to be a friendly idea because I'll be living with it the rest of my life. We played a trivia game at the neighbor's last night and I called on Columbus knowledge from 2005 to score a few points.
What I learn and write becomes part of the cosmic fabric. I still get emails from readers asking questions about books I wrote ages ago.
A lot goes into the idea: travel, reading, mental health. It has to have history, personality, drama. I have to like the players. This thing is going to be my complete focus. Might as well be something fun. And it's got to be my own. I want to tell the story my way. Half the fun of writing a book is taking an idea and telling the story from a new perspective.
Now, this is a whimsical blog, detailing a very real part of the writer's life. Some of you will take this a step further. I get emails all the time from people asking me to help them write a book. All the time. You know who you are. Please do not take today's missive as an invitation to pitch some great story you've long thought needs to be told. I have no interest and will not respond. I want to write the story of my choosing. Just as important, I want to keep all the money. Write your own book. One page at a time. You can do it.
And I don't do screenplays. Those are no fun at all.
Finding a new idea takes forever. Then it talks to you and feels predestined, written in the stars. Then we tie the knot and I hurl myself into the task. That day is coming.
I just hope it comes soon.