In looking through your comments, you’ve mentioned that you’re “working on a first draft” of a book set in the 16th century; a novel set just after WWI is “in the works;” and you’re “working on a book set in Canada.” Wow, that sounds like a real balancing act. That’s got to be at least two books coming up. Can you tell us more about what you’ve got in the hopper? Which should be look for first?
I am truly amazed by your creativity. Have you ever had a dry spell, when you had no idea what to write next, or had no idea how to resolve a plot point?
Are you able to go on tour for any of your books, or does your other work keep you too busy? If you do get to meet your readers, can you share any stories from the road?
We’re getting close to wrapping up this session, but before we do, is there anything you’d like to talk about that hasn’t come up yet?
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Ha, good spotting! I’ll do a rundown of what I have coming up:
- Mercutio (novel, a prequel story to Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet), coming out in spring 2026 in the UK (it may be a bit later in other countries). This one is all finished the editorial process so I have no more work to do on it.
- The Swordmaster (novel, vampire story inspired by Alexandre Dumas, set in the court of Catherine de’ Medici). This one is written, but I’ll have edits to work through in 2026. It’s due to be published in late 2026 but I don’t have a date for it yet.
- a novel set in the 16th century in Europe. I’m finishing the first draft of this one now (it’s due at the end of December to my editor). No date for this one yet but it’ll probably be published in 2027 or 2028.
- a novella set in Canada at the end of WWI (I have a Canada Council for the Arts grant to work on this one, but no publication plans for it yet – the earliest it would come out would be 2027 or 2028). This is not begun yet except for planning work; I’ll be working on that in the spring.
After that, I have a few other ideas I want to work on, so, yeah, there’s never any shortage!
I have definitely struggled with plot points – every book has a few moments when I have to take walks or brainstorm my way through things. I always get through it eventually, but it happens, that’s for sure!
I don’t usually struggle with what to write next. I think most writers just get into a habit of noticing when something strikes them as a potential novel – something they read, or a misheard word, or some weird thing their toddler says … I just note these things down and keep working on whatever I’m working on. A few of those ideas will stick around in my subsconscious and I gradually get more eager to work on them.
I’d say for me, the biggest barrier has always just been tiredness from other work, from parenting and caregiving, adult responsibilities… so something I have a dry spell in the sense that I just don’t have the energy and brainpower to work on fiction. I think this is something most creative people have to deal with.
I’ve been able to go to a few festivals and book events, mostly pretty close to home, and I have organized little mini-tours (a road trip to bookstores in cities within a few hours’ drive, sleeping on friends’ couches.) Until recently, I would have struggled to make the time just because of family obligations, but now that my kid is older and my mother-in-law (whom I was caregiving for) has passed away, I have more flexibility to travel. I am always thrilled to be invited!
Thank you so much for inviting me and for all these excellent questions, Kim! I’ll check back in tomorrow in case there are any others, but I really enjoyed my time here. I also want to thank the book club for taking a chance on The Tapestry of Time.
I’d love to hear from book clubbers about their own family history with WWII and whether there were any similarites in Tapestry to their own family stories.