Blogging My Next Novel

Two months ago, I started blogging again because the new Harper Lee book was out, and I felt like I had a few things to say about that and about Lee’s connection to my first novel.  

Everything I'd read prior to that decision emphasized the importance of writers maintaining a web presence, and blogging felt like a good way to check that box on my writer's to-do list.  

It also forced me to write quickly and on a regular routine.  

After posting three times a week for a mere two months, I have seen modest growth in the number of visitors to this site and in the number and variety of referrals.  But, for the moment, at least, I seem to have run out of things to say about Harper Lee.  

Then, earlier this week, I had another idea for a way to continue blogging.

I know, I know, blogging is dead.  Go back to 2005 and maybe I'll have something.  But I'm not worried about that.  This isn't about selling a lot of novels or building a massive following.  This is more about writing and publishing regularly.  It's also about improving upon my earlier work.

For various reasons, I have never been completely satisfied with The Reverend.  It wasn't the story I set out to tell, and I never thought I did the true story justice.  For years, I've had the gnawing feeling that I could have written a better novel.  

And so, after discussing the situation with my wife and with a few trusted friends and family members, I've decided to give the story another try. 

Harper Lee described Go Set a Watchman as “the parent” of To Kill a Mockingbird.  I'm hoping The Reverend will eventually be seen as the parent of my novel-in-progress, tentatively titled Blood Cries after a verse in the book of Genesis.

I plan to start posting chapters this week.

While some chapters will naturally cover the same ground as The Reverend, the new book will consist entirely of new writing with a reader-friendly focus.  In other words, it will heavily feature dialogue and swift moving action.

I’ve read that it is not good practice to “blog your novel.” Publishers may not wish to take a chance on previously published material and blog readers tend to be a different audience than novel readers.  In fact, people don’t go to blogs looking to read novels.

That said, I’m not planning on shopping Blood Cries to traditional publishers.  I plan to finish the book by December and then publish it myself in the spring or summer. 

Also, by posting chapters on my blog, I hope to gauge interest in the novel, gather feedback from readers, continue my new writing regimen, and continue to maintain a web presence on the off chance that it actually brings new readers to my work.

So, that’s what I’m going to do.  Look for the first chapter to post this Tuesday August 25. The chapters promise to be short and quick, so I may post as many as three per week on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.  

If you are interested or like what you read, please subscribe to this blog by entering your email address in the space provided at the top of the home page.  

I look forward to working with you.

Christamar Varicella

Further Reading: Channeling Harper Lee; Harper Lee Manuscript Found?; Harper Lee's Next Book; Protecting Harper Lee; Comparing the First Chapters of Go Set a Watchman and To Kill a Mockingbird; The Compelling Story Harper Lee Never Wrote