Author Support Group discussion

So, I just finished writing my second novel (third book) the other day. I feel good about it. I'll worry about all the messy stuff like proofreading and submitting it to agents and stuff once I've had some time to recuperate.

Now what I want to do is start working on what I call project #5. I want it to be light and breezy, fun to write, and something that I'll work on publicly in strangers rather than alone in my room. Thus, I'm calling on you guys to give me feedback, random comments, and cat calls of encouragement. Here are some titles and short descriptions of what I'm thinking for number 5.

Essentially, the book will probably be a book of short story collections and interludes like my second book. So here are the titles I have so far.

Caffenated Machine Gun Monkey
--In between the short stories I'll have interludes about a college students whose work study job is to take care of moneky-trained-assassin for the CIA. Only one problem: the monkey is always armed, and always drinking coffee.

The Glorious Five Year Plan
--In between short stories, I'll talk about how my degree program and my writing turn in to an ultimate plan to harness the energy of punk rock to rule the world

The Otaku versus the Zietgiest
--In this one, I'll go super insightful, brainy and academic (in an accessible way) to highlight the hazards of being self-conscious and critical in a world where most people think Little Wayne isn't half bad.

Which do you guys did the most?

The monkey one gets my vote.

Daniel, I have to agree with Paul. The monkey one sounds highly entertaining.

Hi, Paul. Fancy seeing you here. It's like I'm following you, or not-so-subtly stalking you...

:oD

Hmmmm. Okay. I'll start thinking about what kind of protagonist would elicit the most sympathy in this kind of situation. Thanks for your input.

I am loving th emonkey idea. 100% light fun, and definitley intriguing, if you know what I mean...

:)

Milly wrote: "I am loving th emonkey idea. 100% light fun, and definitley intriguing, if you know what I mean...

:)"

Yeah, I started a brain-storming session with an artist friend the other day. We came up with some speed bumps very early on. Essentially, I wanted the idea to be very contrarian--the monkey does very little fighting, it's mostly about the monkey and the college learning more about each other through their relationship.

Anyway, I'm still in the brainstorming phase. I already have material for the other books, so I might just stick with that for a bit.

Daniel wrote: "Milly wrote: "I am loving the monkey idea. 100% light fun, and definitely intriguing, if you know what I mean...

:)"

Yeah, I started a brain-storming session with an artist friend the other day...."

Sounds good! You could do a lot with the relationship thing...how monkey came to be trained by the CIA and where he was originally from. He could have had a chard childhood full of broken dreams, etc.

Originally, they found him mining diamonds in South Africa. Something, something, something, then he's trained by the CIA, but he has these terrible nightmares about things he's done (some of which may be true, but some of which may just be in his imagination). He doesn't want to sleep because of the nightmares, thus the caffeine addiction. The college student has this idea that if the monkey can find something he's very passionate about, then he can get off his caffeine addiction. Thus, the monkey tries various jobs, dating... etc.



Milly wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Milly wrote: "I am loving the monkey idea. 100% light fun, and definitely intriguing, if you know what I mean...

:)"

Yeah, I started a brain-storming session with an artist friend..."

Originally, they found him mining diamonds in South Africa. Something, something, something, then he's trained by the CIA, but he has these terrible nightmares about things he's done (some of which may be true, but some of which may just be in his imagination). He doesn't want to sleep because of the nightmares, thus the caffeine addiction. The college student has this idea that if the monkey can find something he's very passionate about, then he can get off his caffeine addiction. Thus, the monkey tries various jobs, dating... etc.

Ha ha ha, I like it. It sounds like it will be a barrel of laughs...or a barrel of monkeys. (Pun very much intended.)

Hope so. I'll let the idea sit for a little bit and see where's it at in a few months. Thanks for the input.

You are very welcome. I know how it feels to need those little tidbits to help out on something...
I am very sure that it will turn out fine.

Thanks Milly.

The monkey one had me laughing outloud!