One of my goals for this year was to work happier, so I gave myself permission to write anything I wanted, and that was great for awhile. I’ve made some notes and even chapters, or pieces of chapters in a brand new world. I’ve learned that I need dozens to hundreds of pages that aren’t for publication while I explore and world build. I’ve tried skipping this part of my process and it’s what led me to throw out 70% of the first Meredith Gentry book after the editor had already accepted it and start the novel over. The book was immensely better for it, and the world, my main character, plot, everything vastly improved, but I learned my lesson. Unless the muses give me a book opening and world whole and complete through near magical inspiration, I need to write out my world building before I write the first book in the world.
I finished a brand new Anita Blake short novel that’s even longer than Micah which was my last original paperback surprise. Eventually, I had to look at my deadlines and my goals for the year and realize it was time to get down to brass tacks and begin the next full-size Anita Blake novel. This year, 2014, will see the first new Merry Gentry novel in almost five years, 2015 will be Anita’s turn, but to make that happen I have to write the book. Funny, how they don’t write themselves.
I usually know what I’m writing next with Anita, but I did something I used to do years back, but had stopped in the press of deadlines when I was delivering two big books a year. A decade of doing that put a lot of things on hold. There just wasn’t time to do my usual process and meet those deadlines, but see that goal to “work happier”, so I was trying to recover some of the pieces that had made things more joyous for me and my muse. I used to tidy and sort my office between writing projects, but I’d fallen so far behind on that I had literally boxes of papers on the floor, and sticky notes on the wall so old the ink had faded.
I went through every file folder, every piece of paper in my office. The desktops are cleaned and ready to go for the next book, but which one? Because in going through all the notes and scrapes of paper I’ve got a wealth of possibilities. I thought I’d chosen a follow up on Sampson, the mermaid/man, and his rather dysfunctional family situation: sirens, vampires, and murder, oh, my! But I think that Sampson’s story maybe a short story, or a different book than I thought, so – not yet. I have this great opening that I wrote on the plane back from Paris a few years ago. It has Nicky featured and I thought, cool, we’ll do a book where he takes center stage. Um, no, not ready. That opening may have Nicky in a main part, but I think it’s a book more about Anita’s necromancy and the power boost/side effects from the Mother of All Darkness. (You didn’t really think all that happened without side effects, did you?) But the book isn’t soup yet, not done, not ready, so . . . Valentina, our forever five-year-old vampire, has a story to tell, and a modern spin on her own fate, and I thought that was next, but as I tried to write it . . . it slowed down, and . . . Edward’s wedding finally? No, that story isn’t ready yet, close, but not quite ready. Olaf’s return? Maybe, but not yet. Nicky will be going home to make sure his abusive mother doesn’t get parole and Anita will go with him for moral support, but not this book. (That may actually be a novelette, or short story, and not a book at all.) Bartolome trapped forever in the body of a twelve-year-old boy, has more to tell, but again he’s not ready to tell the rest of his story. I’ve got a short story/novelette with Micah doing his job for the Furry Coalition, but so not soup yet. I’ve got a Jade novelette, or short novel, and that maybe close, but not sure. I’ve got the beginning of a short piece where Jean-Claude and Asher tell an adventure they had when they were a happy threesome with Julianna. I know the whole plot there, I think, it’s more how to tell the story without running into the traps of “telling a story,” where you know the people survived, or they couldn’t be telling you the story now. I’ve got two short pieces where Richard is on stage, and one that revisits his family, his brother Daniel in particular, but that’s not even close to ready to be written. I’ve got several pages of a story about Jean-Claude, and Nathaniel, and we find out something from both their pasts that intertwine in a way that totally surprised me. That seems to be the front runner at the moment, but again it feels more like a novelette than a novel. There’s a piece that features Detective Zerbrowski and his son, and that’s close to being ready, but again I don’t think it’s a complete novel. It may even be a short story. I found notes about a visit to Philadelphia to visit Requiem in his new home. A book set in the Carolinas that was inspired by a horrible hotel room my husband, Jon, and I had in Charlotte, North Carolina once, but though a great beginning, it’s just an idea, a book length idea, but it needs another idea, or two to bump into it before I sit down and begin in earnest. That’s just a few of the ideas I rediscovered, or tidied up into folders for later.
I’d forgotten that I did that, shed ideas like flower petals in a high wind, so that the path is strewn with wonders, and curious notes. My office is clean and neat as a pin, but my imagination is cluttered with fragments of this and that idea, character, plot, so that it’s like I’ve smashed a stained glass window and covered the floor with bright, shining, pieces, but which to pick up first?
223 comments
Lo
would love to see Anita and Ted in another one of there kiss ass adventures.
Bee
I don’t know if this has been asked and answered elsewhere, but is there a reason why Anita didn’t use her powers in the last full book? What with ZOMBIES and NERCROsis and not realizing who the possible culprit could be until like. The end. And then using her gun to end people instead of her very particular and, as far as I had been explained, useful in such situations powers? If this has already been addressed, someone please point me to the answer. Concerned parties would like to know.
Also the post about Anita’s family is a good point. How many years have passed in World Blake with no real communication with her father or whoever else? Have I missed this too? There are a lot of basic elements of the world and characters I personally would like to see revisited and explored. Round it out. Take the time to fill up some holes. Do it right.
Love World Blake though, regardless. Keep it coming.
Cheryl Hodgeson
What about a story involving Ethan?
Amy jean
I want to read more about her powers over the dead, I’m completely obsessed with this series and all the hunting she does!! The orgys are abit over the top and the bondage but I still really enjoy reading these books an refuse to read anything else,
Veronica
What about Anita’s family? Her dad, her stepmom, brother and sister. Meet the family. What about an appearance of Meredith? Meredith’s men vs. Anita’s men. Maybe they can work together to solve a case. More action, less sex scenes.( Been a fan since the beginning but very tired of the repetitions in the last few books. You’re an awesome writer, and hope your character Anita will rise up from the ashes)
Toni Adwell
Because of how she wrote faeries into the series in the book Bloody Bones, she has stated there will never be a book that features both Anita and Merry. She would have to re-write faeries in the Anita series to do so.
Beverly
I just reread the Anita Blake series after finishing Affliction. (loved Affliction soooo much!!) I’m glad to hear that you are working happier. I know your books have brought me a lot of happiness. I’m such a fan. I’m excited for anything with Jean-Claude and Anita, my favorite pair :). After what happened with them in Affliction I look forward to a follow-up in the next book.
Beverly
Oh, I forgot to add that I’d love to see an Asher goes bad book :). I know there has been a build up the last couple books and hope its leading towards a big blow out battle. I would be emotional and awesome at the same time.
Arianna
Make a collection of short stories in a book later, it will probably make things easier to focus on. Please make a book where Anita Blake goes home to her family, you can probably throw Olaf in it too. As a way to get to Anita, he is a retired government worker who could find anything out after all.
alison
Is either of your series going to screened. is it something you’d allow.
Kim Lovelace
Love the Anita Blake book’s can’t wait for the next one.
Ka'Mariea
I love all your work. Im not worried you know what’s best. I just can’t wait to read your new work.
Catherine Hamilton
Because you draw such wonderful and unique characters in Anita’s life, you intrigue us enough that we’d be happy to follow you down any of the paths you’ve described. What about taking all those new short story/novella ideas and putting together into a “family scrapbook of memories–past and present”? If one is meant to be its own full-length book, it should reveal itself in the process–and if not, we would all be thrilled with updates/insights into the smart, sexy, incredible folks that populate Anita’s life. Those stories may need to get told before the full-length story shows up–it may just be waiting for room to bloom! Thank you for all the enjoyment.
Carol-Lynn
So there’s no way to mesh all the short stories into one long novel sized story? Then maybe just do a novel sized book filled with all the short stories you are thinking about – every chapter a new story or something?
I look forward to whatever you come up with. 🙂
Teresa
I think the first 8 books could go to the big screen. After that it would after be HBO or show time
Bryan Arreola
It’s really cool to hear about what paths in the story line you want to explore next especially since those are all the things I wounder about when I think of the Anita Blake world. I think you left a few out haha.
There is still the matter of Obsidian Butterfly’s territory in America. She had pretty much seceded from the European vampire council but offered an alliance to Jean-Claude that Anita never reported to him. Now that America seceded under Jean-Claude that territory is still on its own (and “persona non gratta” stamped).
We also never got to find out what happened with the Los Lovos biker gang and the creature their necromancer made for/out of them. I got the feeling it got edited out but it would be great to hear about it.
What ever happened to the Quetzalcoatl?
What ever happened to Sebastian the were-tiger? I forget, did he get marked by Anita? Was he really a member of the Harlequin for so long?
There is also the Nick’s old mercenary pride. Their leader sounded like he wanted a home soon but didn’t like being bound to follow Anita’s orders (mostly out of fear of what happened with his old pride).
What happened to the vampire/ big cat lycanthropes that Belle Morte managed to wake and free from the Dark Mother? Were there any other Cave Lions to save the species? And what did the Dark Mother mean when she said the were-tigers were the last powerful cats left in the world? Were there others that may have hidden from her?
Will there ever be any more fae in this series?
Edward and Anita still need to take Edwards son on his first hunt outside the US.
ae
Karen Estes
All very interesting points. ( especially about Obsidian Butterfly. They need to take her “crazy a$$ OUT! And free up those ware- jaguar people to a better future. Anita could gain their beast, and bring them Ingo the fold.)
I think it is interesting that Anita is in St. LOUIS with the Seelie, and the UN-Seelie mounds right there, and she has virtually NO interactions with the local fey. ( weird)
candy
I would love to see Richard and Anita get together. I like the vampires, but your description of Richard won my heart, and he deserves to be with Anita, a little more than he is. Just my thoughts.
Karen Estes
Again, LOVE YOU CANDY! (I could not agree more! On your opinion of Richard, AND Micah, and Nathaniel!) YOU GO GIRL!
Sean Pendergast
I would love to see more about Van Cleef and that storyline that’s been budding since obsidian butterfly. The way it effects Anita, the possible opens to Edward’s past etc all sound amazing
Karen Estes
I agree!
Teresa Olson
That short story about Richard coming to terms and letting go of that human woman at the restaurant, when Anita and Micah came to meet her.. was big, to let go of the human for Richard marks a point where he is not only accepting of his dark side, but possibly ready to admit no white picket fence and human wife for him. So it seems as if he is ready look elsewhere, specially since they have learned how to help a she wolf whelp a pup, okay, have baby. I too want Richard to be the strong alpha that he is, to step up and use his power for good and to help fight evil. Other then help fight and protect I don’t think he and Anita need to be a couple. I am also ready to get rid of Asher… his animal is hyena and now Anita has that too. Will Asher think he can own Anita now and control her? Or will the dark mothers power keep that from happening. I have been waiting for Anita to use some of the dark mothers power. More police work too…
Karen Estes
GO TERESA! I agree with EVERYTHING you just said with one possible caviot. I would like to see Anita and Richard somehow work things out to where they can be together. ( ditto on getting rid of Asher! I am soooooo over him!)
Teresa Olson
In the short story they were still getting together of BDSM. That was one of the things the human lady friend couldn’t handle and asked Richard to give it up, or implied he should give it up and she left and he did not follow or even turn and look at her outside the window of the restaurant. She left crying.
Bret Rhoades
We needs some Richard stories or at least give her a new werewolf in her life that is a main character. We haven’t seen any wolves for 3 books now. And I miss them. At this point I don’t even care if it’s Graham that becomes a big wolf in her life. It’s all about the cats. We have heard nothing from the throngs rokke
Karen Estes
I like to see Richard back in a very real way. ( still love him, even though…….) Graham,….NO WAY!!!!
THERESA
I love all of the Anita Blake books…she is just more my style than Merry, but I like her too. I am really glad you decided to slow down and write happier. We like you happy! As far as Richard is concerned, I almost wish she had really let him go in the Harlequin. I loved Harlequin, but I got the feeling you put some stuff in there that maybe was meant for later, like the line about Richard letting go.It felt so permanent, and now that she can break bonds…oh well. I think it is time for him to be outted as a werewolf or maybe we can fix him up with that nice cop werewolf that Anita met a while ago. I noticed on your list of ideas you didn’t put anything about all the babies coming to St. Louis..There’s something for the werewolf teacher to do…and Anita not aging…so much to choose from. I can’t wait to see what’s next. Let it simmer though, and let us know when it is soup.
candy
no Richard needs to stay and become a bigger part of her life. In some ways I think Richard grounds her, I’m not a big fan of her live ins, to wimpy and to needy for my tastes.
Karen Estes
LOVE YOU CANDY! (You are SPOT ON in your opinion of Richard!)
Vickii Bendit
Just finished A Shiver of Light! OMG!!! Loved it!!!!!
Marianne Rydh
Well, well this summer I Will not be reading any Anita Blake cause there is non to read.
I think it is time to meet Charlie. Thats is what I have longed for. And I would love for Anita and Jean-Claude to make lots of love. And I think Nataniel should be jealous, and, rise to be a man, and bring hos own mated female. What would Anita make out of that?
Hugs and love from Sweden 🙂
Kimberly Nail
I have all Anita Blake books..thinking of rereading them until the next one comes out..love this series..Jean-Claud oh my sounds so sexy & Micha oh I could name them all..great job Laurell
Lanye Bush
I always finish the Anita books in 2 days, tops. Makes it hard to wait for the next one! I’d love to hear more about Edward and of course Olaf.
Cady
Yes, Please…..to all them scrumptious ideas!
Jaime
with all your ideas what if you put several of them into one novel and have them connect with one larger idea. So basicly theres a plot with several sub plots.
Toni Holloway
I have read just about everything you have wrote and I love it all. I have already ordered the new book and cannot wait to get it. My son got me to read your first book than it was a race to see who could get the next the fastest. Now my two daughters love them as much as we do. We are an Laurell K Hamilton fan club family HAHA! I even have your Star Trek book. I love it also! You are a VERY gifted and talented lady and a gift to the world. Thank you for sharing that gift with us all. I know it takes time away from your family and we really do appreciate it. Again thank you very much for giving us this great gift. I wish I could come to one of the book readings but I cannot take being in crowded places so I content myself with the website and books. I do get your input on my facebook so I get to keep up with what is going on.
Sandy
I love all the ideas. I have been looking forward to a new Anita Blake book. As with everyone else, I have read the series multiple times and absolutely love everything about Anita. I have always felt like there should be a follow up story to Obsidian Butterfly. Wouldn’t it be fun if Anita was somehow a distant relative of the great goddess herself? Well, just a fun thought. Thank you for writing so many wonderful books.
Beth Havens
well stained glass art begins with a myriad pieces of colored glass spattered about, brought together with imagination, solder and copper or lead, I can see Anita in stained glass, a tempered beauty.
Jenee
Ahh!! All of these teasers! How are we going to hold out now that we know some/all of the ideas that are stewing in your mind? This post has given me a serious case of bluebrains.
In all seriousness, I would just like to say how thankful I am for your amazing talent. I’m not sure what my life was like before Anita & Merry walked into it.
Debbie
How about doing all the novella’s and short stories and bringing them out as the next Anita book?
That way you can get rid of all of them in 1 hit and we are all happy little readers because we get a smorgasbord of all
Tera
In my opinion, Anyone who says they want Anita to “conquor the ardeur” and settle down with Richard has no true understanding of how Anita has evolved. She would never be happy with only him now. She would have been at one time but now Micah,Nathanial and Jean Claude and many of the others, are necessary for her to be fulfilled and happy. I loved Richard at first but he had his head u know where and never really understood Anita at all. Not the way Jean Claude did almost from the beginning. I think if Anita had to be with only one person and give up everyone else even she could not make that choice. Each one of her men gives her something only they can. That’s what makes their whole world work. And soooo much fun to read!! One love? Pshaw! Read a Harlequin. 😉
Shelley
I would love to see a story about Anita’s Leopards, We haven’t seen them in a while! I also would like to see one about her family, she talks about them there could be a really good story line there! Can’t wait for the next Merry book! Thanks for the great reads!!
Mgon
M’mm. M’mm. M’mm.
So fascinating and wonderful. Can’t wait for what comes next 😀
Dainylane
I love the books. I would love see read more about the marriage ideas Anita and Jean Claude had at the end of Affliction. That would definitely have some interesting drama in that situation.
Cheryl
Laurell…. Anita is my absolute favorite
to read! I can’t wait for the next one!
You are my favorite author and I gotta
tell ya’ the suspense is killing me.How’s
Olaf going to handle Anitas ceremony ?
That’s my big question…..I reckon that could get ugly….now I know you can’t tell me but I’ll tell you One thing I CANNOT wait to see where the chips fall next..
As long as you keep writing I’ll keep Reading what’s
next…
Beej
I am really looking forward to the Merry book. In regards to Anita I would have to say I would love to hear more about Anita’s necromancy and the trade-off with MOAD. Would it be possible to tie in the Asher/Julianna/Jean-Claude with the revelation of Jean-Claude/Nathaniel and this revelation of Anita’s powers?
Karen Estes
Does Laurell even look at this forum? Is this just for us? Does anyone know? I would be interested to know if she even hears some of the ideas put forward, and what she thinks.
Toni Adwell
I could never put my finger on it but Obsidian Butterfly is still my favorite novel of the series. With that said I’m going to have to vote for an Edward & Anita adventure! Nothing like a little monster hunting while you’re in the midst of a wedding, eh?
Sharon Gwilliams
Hi Laurel!
We need some Richard… I know hes a pain in the butt but i do love him. And how about a book of shorts stories for all of those novella/short stories etc listed? I’d buy that in a heartbeat!
Keep well and keep writing!
Karen Estes
YES, YES, YESSSSSS! (That was my Meg Ryan imitation! Lol!)
I still really care about Richard. Much like a first love, there will always be a space in my heart reserved for him.
Anne Murphy
What about doing a book that contains several of the novelettes? Just see which stories seem to work together.
Dezi
Personally, I’ll be interested in anything you write, but I would love to know about the side effects and power boosts from MOAD and maturation of the necromancy — I love it when Anita gets more power and it shakes up the world you created. I’m also glad that Anita seems more comfortable in her own skin. Secondly any stories around Nicky and Nathaniel will be my favs. Any chances of any stories around Anita’s family? Her dad, Judith and her step sister and half brother would be great. Why doesn’t anyone ever go after them?
Lucky Star Faery
I want a “spot on our characters”, almost like a collection of vinettes updating to where we are all around.
Obviously not the wedding that’s current time, but all the personal
Stories.
Stephen Tyson
I like so many of the Ideas,but as a true admirer of your work I’d really like Belle Morte to surface again.Maybe come for Anita in a power play,for the final mark .Whatever direction you take will be great .you have created so many characters that draw us in as readers.
Steve McS
All sound lovely but the explosion I’m waiting for is how Anita can ignore her family when her estrangement would make them the logical best target as hostages. How pissed will she be that Jean Claude’s been secretly guarding them against that fate?
April
What about Anita and Edward taking Peter to hunt Olaf since he was part of Edwards team and Edward always seem to feel responsible for them and keeping the peace between them.
Maggie
I love all your novels. My only problem is that i want to read the short stories you have only allowed to be made as e-books. PLEASE release them at some stage as a compendium so we can fill in any blanks that have been created
Barbara
All the ideas sound wonderful;however, when you mention just a short story or novelette I feel the selfish side come out of me. I love your writing and books so much that I want a book as long as possible. But,again, that is just selfish. If I can put in my two cents, I love anything to do with Nicky. A story about Samson next would be good too.
I can’t wait for the Merry book to come out. I hope it’s not quite as long for the next one after that. Because I can’t believe you ended the series. 🙂 Thank you for all your wonderful books. I’ve been in love with your characters and writing for years.
Margie Molina
Yes, please! They all sound wonderful in either short or long form…
Casey
You probably don’t even read these comments, and I’m sure you get plenty of suggestions and you obviously have lots of your own ideas. But PLEASE, PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE at least think about a storyline that involves Jean Claude taking Anita to France! There’s so much potential for vampire politics or council business, and Jean Claude & Asher history. And JC was so possessive of Anita in the beginning, now that he’s OK with sharing her, it seems like he never gets his own time with her. He’s my favorite of her sweeties and we never get to see him romantically.
Dewanna
I agree with some of the comments from your loyal fans. There needs to be more Jean C & Anita. It seems like they are just drifting further & further away. Jean C is my favorite man in her life & he loves her so much. It’s seems like she don’t feel the same way about him. All she seens to care about Is Micha & Nathaniel. I love all your books..you are my favorite author so what ever you may decide to write next I am sure we will all love it. Take care of yourself.
Jessica
I was so happy while reading all the new Anita ideas that I practically had tears forming. Any and all of them are great ideas; can’t wait to read them!!! Sending lots of love, as always.