One secret down, one to go

Alright, so I'm far enough into one of the Super Secret Projects to reveal (the original and, for me, more exciting SSP is still pending). So a little over a year ago, I started writing Daisy Danger Brown, a kick-butt girl scifi book I'd had outlined for about four years. There was so much stuff to it, I realized I couldn't do it all in one book. Besides, I have great fond memories of reading trilogies when I was younger, and racing off to the library to get the next one. I hope to make it a racing-to-library kind of a book. But I don't trust myself to write book 1 by itself. I'm too much of a rewriter. I'll trap myself in a plot line that I won't end up wanting to keep by book 3. So I challenged myself to write the first draft of the entire trilogy in one fell swoop.

Eleven months later, I had that first draft: 150,000 words. That's 50K per book, which will undoubtedly grow as I rewrite and add (and cut and add and cut and add and cut some more...). I showed my editor and my husband the first 2/3, and when I got their comments back, I realized I was not ready to jump back into rewrites. I'd already spent nearly a year with this story and I needed a break from it before I could get the perspective to do the major changes I would need to do. So, I needed to start a new project. Because I'm obsessive. And can't take breaks.

I always have books just waiting their turn, but the most fleshed out of these is a high energy, intense project. First drafts are hard for me. They're like breaking the bronco, not cantering the countryside. The prospect of doing 11 months worth of first drafting Daisy Danger immediately followed by another six months of yet another, even more challenging first draft seemed impossible.

Then I got an idea. Just like that. A brand new idea. A book I hadn't thought to give a sequel suddenly appeared before me, kind of sassy-like, taunting me most cheekily. And I seized it. And am so glad I did.

So, I'm writing another Austenland novel. Jane is not in this book. It's the story of a different woman who goes on vacation to Pembrook Park, and I am having so much fun with it. I have 25K now. No idea when I'll be done and I can't predict a release date (maybe 2011?). But I'll reveal the title, which I quite like and plan on keeping: Midnight in Austenland. I've had a blast with research reading for this book. I won't give too much away at this point. There are some familiar characters in this book, and many new ones. And the story twists most pleasantly.

After I finish a first draft of MIA, I'll return to editing Daisy Danger. I think these two projects will be nice to work on simultaneously because they're so different, and the main characters are so different, and the genres so different. Hooray! It feels great to be making progress with a new and unexpected story. I can't wait to share it.

Comments

[Laura Z M]

Mmmmmmmmm!

Yummy.

[Beka B.]

Huzzah! I loved Austenland sooo much! I didn't even consider it ever having a sequel, but it makes so much sense! Pembrook Park has still many more happy endings to offer... or does it? Dundundun... lol, I can't wait to read it! Can you tell I'm a little excited?
And Daisy Danger Brown sounds awesome. Sort of sounds like a more sci-fi Rapunzel's Revenge. Dunno why. It just does. I've read almost all of your books, except for the Actor and the Housewife, and I'm halfway through Forest Born. Love your books! Write on!

I can't wait to see what your other SSP is... please don't make us wait too long! :)

[julie]

Oh I'm excited to hear about the austenland novel again. Thanks so much for spilling the secrets...

[Andy R.]

Can't wait for Daisy Danger! Hale, i must say you are one of my favorite authors!

[Amy]

Two new Shannon Hale projects?!?! Be still my fangirly heart!! They both sound amazing!

[Shannon Morris]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I loved Austenland! It was my first of your works that I read and although it addicted me to your writing forever, it was over so quickly and I would have raced to the book store for the sequel, had there been one. So, thank you!

[Kate]

Oh, yay yay yay yay yay!!! Loved Austenland!

[Miss Erin]

YAY Shannon! I can't wait to read everything you write. :)

[Melissa]

YAY! Best news ever! Can't wait for the sequel and Daisy!

[Jill Saunders]

If you make it -too- long, I will have to miss a day of work, because once I pick up one of your books I can't put it down until I'm done.

But don't let that stop you from making it 500+ pages...I'd miss as much work as necessary.

[Alanna Kurt]

Sooooo excited!

Thank you!

[JanaBananaGirl]

A return to Austenland? Oh, the heavens rejoice! Austenland was my very first introduction to you, so I have mighty fond memories of my time spent with Jane and Mr. Nobley. *sigh*

You. Rock.

[Samantha]

Yay! Happy,happy projects! I think It's a brilliant idea to draft the whole trilogy at once. It'll make it more cohesive, if you get an new fun idea halfway through.

[Connie Huston]

When I got to the part about a new idea for a book with out a sequel my brain was saying "please, please be Austenland" I read the word "cheekily" and think "oh yes" then when I actually read my wish is coming true I let out an audible gasp and throw my hands up to cover my mouth since I am at work. I wish I had a video reaction of myself to this post.

This is just so perfect because I am leaving for London in 19 days (you should come & do some research) and lines from Austenland keep running through my head. I AM SO EXCITED!!

[Dani]

Yay! Can't wait!!

[Marianne]

Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!

[Nathan Hale]

Austenland 2: The Squeakquel!

That's a better joke title than the one I told at our CALAMITY JACK launch--I said "Austenland 2: Judgement Day" then. I think "Squeakquel is more up-to-date. I've been looking for a venue to get that off my chest. This was it. Thanks.

I read these "My Super Secret Project" posts with trepidation, always wondering if it's a Rapunzel sequel (squeakquel) I haven't heard about.

[Sondy]

Hooray! That's fabulous secret news!

[Alyssa]

Another Austenland book. Are you serious?!? Yay, yay, yay, yay, YAY!!!!!

And many more exclamations of delight and joy. :)

[Sara]

Loved Austenland, so I'm very excited!! I'm not sure if I can wait until 2011 though ... :)

[Shawna JC Tenney]

Yay!!! I loved Austenland!! So hillarious! I am so excited for the new one to come out!

[Hannah, your #1 fan!!!]

Awesome!!! I can't wait to read your new projects!!! You are one of my top 5 favorite authors! Kepp up the writing!! Daisy Danger sounds so fun and exciting! So does the 2nd Austenland book! Can't wait!!! :)

[Carly W]

This makes me so incredibly happy! Austenland is my favorite of your books. I mean, I love them all but I think my Austen obsession just gives me no other choice. Can't wait to read a sequel!! Thank you!

[Q]

You just made my day.

[Carlie]

How exciting! My mom and sisters are going to be thrilled about another Austenland book!

[Mary T]

So excited Shannon! For you. And me! :)

[Celes]

That's wonderful! How fun to chase a shiny new project like that. :)

[Tersa]

YES!!

That just made my day 10x better.

[Tabitha]

I loved Austenland! I'm so excited for the new one!

[Jenny]

Yea! Thank you! I am so excited for the new Austenland!!! You go girl!

[Katie-wa]

OMH MY JAW IS GAPING!!! Now I am so excited, so friggin' excited! GAH!!! This day has been AMAZING. First I learn the they're making a sequel to The Phantom of the Opera (Broadway version, not movie, *squee*) and it is going to be AMAZING (loveneverdies.com). I totally freaked out when I saw it.

And then (nerds we are) my dad bought Dungeons and Dragons so now we're all going to play it as a family. I love being a dork. ;)

To top it, you, Shannon Hale, go and reveal new works to us! AHHHHHH. I am sooo happy right now. It's amazing. I think I'll just float the rest of the day. ^_^ *contented sigh*

I FINALLY got to read Forest Born. Talk about a gorgeous book. Today, I imagined that I was a leaf scuttling along the hall at school. Also, my friend playfully shoved me and said, "You're like a twig!" and I corrected her by saying "I'm a tree bending in the wind." Truly a marvelous story. You've got such a knack for words. Thank you for sharing it with me. And is it your birthday yet?

[Libbi]

Ooohhhh that's so exciting!!! I actually just recently read austenland, so this is pretty exciting!!!!!

[Dr. Sallie N. Cheinsteen]

I just squeaked/screamed. Now I can sleep at night. I was hoping there would be a sequel to Austenland, but never dwelled on the thought, especially since it had never been mentioned. I'm so excited for Daisy Danger Brown, too! I've just started to read The Hunger Games, and scifi is no longer off limits for me like it used to be. Hope your birthday is wonderful, Shannon! Maybe, just maybe, you'll get a refrigerator for it... or, even better, you could have lunch with me. Your pick. Although I'm hoping you'll choose the latter. :) Hope it's great, and you eat lots of cake!

[Alyssa]

Yay! I really liked Austenland, and I'm curious about what's going to happen now.

[Lisa Hansen]

YAY! Wrote about it on Eve's Fan Garden!

http://evesfangarden.com/blog/2010/01/28/big-news-for-austinlandshannon-hale-fans/

[Christine]

Yay!! I'm very excited.

By the way, every time I go into the B. Dalton bookstore at Union Station in Washington, DC they are sold out of your books. I went in today to get Forest Born and they were out again. Yay!!!!

[Stephanie]

This post made me so happy!

[Calliope1of9]

You never cease to amaze me. You wrote, like, three books in one go. You deserve an award, and not just the kind that's circular and shiny and sticky on the back. The warm-homemade-cookies-on-a-platter kind of award.

[Christen]

Oh my God, I almost screamed and everybody in my house is asleep... HURRAY! Absolutely nowhere near what I was expecting, but so, SO exciting!! :D

[Katie @ cakes, tea and dreams]

I'm so excited to read BOTH of these. Thanks for giving us a peek at your Super Secret Projects!

[Alice Beesley]

Daisy Danger sounds fascinating. I hate first drafts too and am a chronic rewriter. I guess there's hope for me if you write that way too.

[Jenel Cope]

I'm only adding to the chorus here but this is definitely the kind of news we need to brighten up a boring winter week.

[annaleese petralia]

i'm so excited! looking forward to both of these projects!

[Je Reve]

I can't wait to read it!!!
Thanks for the super reveal, Shannon!

[Jen]

Ehehehehexcellent.

One of my friends just fell in love with Austenland, so she'll be delighted as I am when I tell her!

[rinna-girl]

thank you so much for finally revealing the super secret project cant wait!

[Kaylie]

I've been eagerly awaiting the revelation...and now you give me a double whammy! Wahoo! I'm definitely going to tell my Shannon Hale fan friends about this one.

[Laura]

Two new books by my favorite author!!!! I can't wait :D

[myrna]

I was disappointed when you said you were putting off Daisy Danger Brown, but now I'm looking forward to your Austenland sequel. Besides, I understand having to let a first draft sit for a while before I revise it.

[Biel]

This sounds wonderful! I'm so excited to read both of these stories. And very, very excited that one of them is an Austenland sequel!!!