So before I even released Missing Girls and Lost Boys, the trilogy had been set. I always knew who, how and where it would all play out, but with the success of book one, I was keen to honour the readership by making sure the follow up fulfilled expectations.
As a fiction fan, I understand how dangerous expectations are. TV series, movies and books have all been crumbled by their consumers built expectations--I'm even guilty of this. There's nothing worse than wanting something for the characters and plots, while only to be handed something either too different or lacklustre.
And this is where my panic about Road to Eden began.
What author doesn't want to hear that their characters are beloved? Lee & Joey are the motivation for this trilogy, and nothing is ever going to change that. But when I rewrote Road to Eden to prepare it for the editor the inevitable imposter syndrome stalked me, and then ONE single twist in the book kept me awake at night. I would cry, and have palpitations. Even while it was with the editor, within months of release, I almost pulled it.
But there's a peace that I've made.
I wrote a book, and it does include the characters who people already love. And I believe that everything else that happens on these pages, will be enough for people to continue loving these characters, and even some of the new guys. People are excited, and this helps.
Now, with crippling nerves and painful resignation––I am ready to release Road to Eden to the ARC team, and the rest of the world.
