Wednesday 28 January 2015

Cliffhangers and Sequels

I hate cliffhangers.  Really hate them.  I never stop wondering - what happened next? Did good triumph over evil? Did the boy get the boy (or girl/shifter/tentacle monster) and live happily ever after? 

So I have to admit feeling a little guilty for leaving the ending for Stranded by Lies at the point I did - I had planned to finish the story after the next scene (which still would have been a cliffhanger), but due to time constraints, I decided I would rather use the rest of the time available editing what I had, rather than trying to rush through the next part, just to finish where I wanted.  Sadly, I am a novel writer, not a short story writer (yes, even though Lies is 45,000 words, for me, that's a short story) and my ideas always seem to grow the more I write.  For this reason, I have decided I won't participate in the Don't Write in the Closet event again next year.  Actually, I have decided not to write anymore, period.

That said, I was wondering if anyone would like me to finish Stranded by Lies? (or hey, possibly even As he Watches) Let me know, as I might dust off my keyboard once again.  I'm not sure when it would be ready, or how I would make it available, but I'd likely combine the two parts and publish it on Smashwords.  Free, of course.

If you're interested, let me know - you can leave a comment, send me an email to finnmarlowe@yahoo.ca, or find me on Facebook or Goodreads.

Thanks, and happy reading!





12 comments:

  1. I would love to read an extended version of Stranded by Lies. Any chance you could do what Lyn Gala did, and take a free goodreads piece, extend it, and sell it to Loose Id or something? (Sorry, I'm a business type, I can't help it.) I get the artist's need to quit sometimes, but I hope the muse calls you back someday. I've read A Thread of Deepest Black at least 10 times, and have checked regularly to see if you have revisited that world. Or any other world... You are very talented, and I would love to read more from you.

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    1. Thanks CJ! I'm working on part 2 of Stranded by Lies (slowly--I hate working full time!) - Also working on my young adult story about the Prince of Thorns - it gives a lot more background on the world - right now I'm editing it down, since it's a mammoth 154,000 words! It needs some work, LOL.

      Makes me happy that you enjoy Thread so much (and surprises me too) - thanks! Here's a link for you in that regard: http://www.buzzfeed.com/juliapugachevsky/erotica-books-that-should-be-more-famous-than-fifty-shades?fb_action_ids=761631177251080&fb_action_types=og.shares#.berLKqE2Xk

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  2. Needless to say I'm dying for a sequel. I don't like cliffhangers but they're not a deal-breaker for me--more something I have to live with like puddles of slush that go over the top of my boot: it's the price of snow. (Not write any more???? meaning for the event???? I hope so--not that I'm happy about that, but the alternative is too painful to contemplate. BTW, that's not intended as pressure--just an expression of ego-centric desire.).

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  3. I really enjoy your writing and will miss it terribly. Will you do any more novels or just stop completely? (That would be a real shame and a waste of good talent.). Thank you for what you have written. I'll hold out hope that you change your mind at some point. Let us know on here or Facebook how you are doing.

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    1. Thanks very much, Cal! I'm going to work on a few things outside of m/m romance, stories I promised myself I would finish or revise. Two of them are young adult, paranormal stories, one of which takes place in the same world as A Thread of Deepest Black. I really like that one, and if I can make something of it, I might even try and get an agent for it (you never know if you don't try!). I also have a couple fantasy stories I putter with and some m/f romances (sadly, I much prefer m/m). I do have several finished m/m stories needing revision, but I don't get very good reviews as a m/m author, so I thought I'd try something else.

      I never say never, though and I have done a little work on the next part of Stranded by Lies - I would like to finish that.

      Thanks again for your comment - appreciate it.

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  4. From a purely selfish reader perspective please, please, please continue writing m/m romance (any genre). You are one of my favourite writers and cannot for the life of me understand why you are not published and although getting a lot of your novels for free is great, I would actually happily pay for them.
    I would love Stranded by Lies to be finished and greedily would love a sequel too. Not his kiss to take is one of my favourite reads (and have reread it many times). Loved A thread of deepest black too.
    Please keep writing what you love (if a completely average Fifty Shades of Grey can make its author millions, surely much better books should be able to breakthrough too ... it's just timing).
    Best of luck in whatever you decide to do and take care.

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    1. Thanks, Daisy for the good wishes. I'm busy working on a young adult novel right now (and have been forever, LOL), but I hope to find the time to finish Lies - I really like that story. I actually am published by Samhain (awesome people), but I wanted Not His Kiss to Take to be free, so had to self publish that one. It was a terrifying experience! But I'm glad I did it - and glad you liked it.

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  5. So glad we will eventually have more of Lies ;) I have enjoyed all the stories of yours I have read...you spin good ones! ;)
    Sounds like you have an over full plate so can totally understand that you can't do it all.
    ...will keep a look out for what you publish in the future😄

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    1. Thanks, Devony - that's the best compliment for an author - being told they spin good tales! Hope to have more time to work on Lies once I'm finished my current (big) project.

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  6. Hi,
    It's a shock. I am rereading 'A Thread...' and it's one of the best books I know. You have a rare gift. The characterisation, the world, it's all fresh and compelling. I keep wanting to read more and more.
    I will continue to check your blog hoping to read more. I will not give up! :-)
    Thank you for sharing your writing.
    Ana

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  7. WHAT! YOU CAN'T STOP WRITING NOW I'VE JST DISCOVERED YOU EXIST! I MEAN WHY ARE YOU THROWING AWAY YOUR TALENT FOR WEAVING WORDS TOGETHER TO MAKE WONDERFUL DELIGHTFUL TREATS FOR THE MIND? PLEASE RECONSIDER.

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    1. Thanks so much, Shanna! As I've said, I never say never. Aside from Goodreads, I don't really get many reviews so not sure what books of mine people like - was there a certain story you liked? I will have some spare time starting in May, so may write something.

      If I did write something what do people want? BDSM? Paranormal or contemporary? Sexy times or more story. Really, have no idea (although I usually seem to combine all of the above, LOL). Suggestions?

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