by Kim Kelly
HELP ME CHOOSE MY NEXT STORY!
(AND WIN MY ETERNAL GRATITUDE + A FREE BOOK)
I have what’s arguably the best problem I will ever have in my writing life. It’s no secret that I’ve been writing like a mad lady over the past year – there’s something about the beauty of Millthorpe and the Blayney hills I look out on every day that fills me with wild rivers of words. But this has meant that I’ve ended up with two manuscripts.
They’re both at first draft stage – my favourite stage where the hard work of getting the story down is done and it’s time to play and polish. I love them both. So does my publisher. Both novels push my passions for story and country forward along veins of gold and wonder I just have to follow. But I can’t work on both at the same time now.
I have to make a choice: which novel will be published next?
Will you help me decide?
The first novel is set during the gold-rush years of the 1860s, in these very hills of central western New South Wales I call home. Part Aussie Deadwood, part rollicking romance, it follows the adventures of a very unlikely and very gorgeous couple, involving mistaken identity, horse theft, dynamite explosions and squawking chooks. It explores racial conflict and cultural identity in the mad melting pot of those years. A homage to my own European heritage, and also to the First Nations whose land this was before the world arrived to take it from them, it holds the true story of how the West was won. And like all my novels so far, it’s love that really wins in the end – the sweetest love shared by lovers, mates and families.
The second novel is set during the glory days of luxury steamship travel, and the dreamy Edwardian fashions of the 1910s that went with it, when Australia’s swaggering super-wealthy contrasted starkly with the rusty tin sheds that passed for international ports along our coastlines in those days. The story is three tales entwined: a steamy, illicit affair between a socialite and a conman, a cursed pearl, and a devastating catastrophe at sea. It explores where Australia’s super wealth came from – gold, pearls and the cattle trade – and those who were robbed in the game. But unlike all my other novels so far, it’s a different force of nature that wins in the end – and one that will haunt the heroes of this story forever.
So, what do you think, friends and universe both? Which story speaks most strongly to you? Which would you like to read first?
Because this is such a strange request, and kind of a fun one too, I’m going to give away a signed copy of Wild Chicory, my latest book, to the reader who comes up with the best and most sparkling reason for their choice – either here on this blog or over on Facebook or Goodreads. I’ll choose the lucky winner on 8 March.
Whatever your thoughts might be on my dilemma – thank you! You will be helping me set my course.
And the winner of the signed copy of Wild Chicory is…Kayla De Rooy! Over on Facebook. I ended up drawing a name from a hat because your answers were all too good.
And the novel I’ll be cracking on with is…the Edwardian steamship adventure. Of course!
Thanks one and all for playing xx
I really love the era of Titanic and he Edwardians. I especially love a twist in the tale. Go with number two it sounds intriguing. But I will read whichever you decide. Good luck
Thanks Sharon! Thanks especially for being so emphatic. You’ve got me leaning towards the Edwardians now, too 🙂 x
A favourite child moment! I love the Gold Rush and the First Nation conflict interests me. But you are embarking on an international career, so publishing the book which would be understood internationally is probably the best, but far from the only, choice.
A favourite child moment! I love the Gold Rush and the First Nation conflict interests me. But you are embarking on an international career, so publishing the book which would be understood internationally is probably the best, but far from the only, choice.Karen.
Oh Karen, now that’s a very wise suggestion. Thinking with my head might be the way to go. We can take my heart country to the world later, hm? Thanks so much for that thought 🙂 x
Those hills you call your own will remain home for some time; and you can trove away down the track; Follow the tale of the cursed pearl; sounds like the tale of the conman has great momentum. (That said- you will probably end up developing both- you can write for one while you’re having a kit-kat moment from the other). xx
Absolutely – we’re definitely going to do both 😉 Thanks for your thoughts on the pearl… She is a very intriguing pearl… xxx
Veins of gold, an illustrious pearl, wealth riding on the backs of cattle and the treachery of our shores. With strands of love woven through, what a delightful insight into the heart of our diverse heritage you will give to readers far and wide. You are a temptress KK!
Oh that’s a crackingly lovely comment, Jay. You’re making the pearl story sound very magical – have you been reading my mind? 😉 Thank you so much for playing along. The Edwardians appear to be winning this contest. x
Could you please contact me direct books@startsat60.com not a sales pitch I promise Regards Karen
My first reaction is to urge you to write the first one. It is something you are familiar with. It is timely. It is what our nation needs. We need to know the past through biased literary eyes, and to understand, with passionate literary hearts, how individuals and communities on both sides felt. It will be a brilliant story, both informative and entertaining.
But, from a writer’s point of view, the second novel is full of challenges. It involves tons of research and delicate representation of that era, all the details, the atmosphere, the mindset. It is hard to get everything right, to achieve a perfect balance between the three mysteries. It may well be one of the biggest challenges you will ever face.
So, if I were you, I would work on the second novel. It may take you longer to complete it, but it will be worth it.
What a thoughtful and insightful comment, Christine. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your instincts with me. You’ve expressed perfectly my attractions to both stories – and you have me leaning towards the challenge! 🙂 x
Ha! Good luck deciding. I can’t help. I like them both. I am also a bad decision maker. I have enough problems deciding on my own manuscript (I have three on the go!). Nice problem to have, I guess. 🙂
Best problem I can think of, Jenn 🙂 Normally, I have no difficulty making decision – quick game is a good game, I say. But this time… it’s like trying to choose my favourite child. Impossible. But one has to go first, hey.
Obviously anything you write will be brilliant reading, exciting plots, interesting characters and a very good read. If I have to choose, then the second novel sounds intriguing; I love stories of luxury steamship travel and the Edwardian fashions of the 1910s. Now these stories that are entwined together sound fascinating. I love Australian history and I think your research of these earlier periods is excellent. This novel sounds like there is a twist at the end and who doesn’t like a mystery or being able to say “I didn’t pick that”, so I say go with novel number two, but whatever you choose, one thing is for sure, it will be compelling reading. Although I have your wonderful book Wild Chicory, to have a signed copy is a reader’s dream come true.
What a gorgeous comment, Alison! And wonderful advice. It looks like the Edwardians truly are edging out the gold-rush days – but don’t worry, both will be published 🙂 Eventually. I have a lot of polishing and playing ahead of me. Thanks so much for joining in the fun! X
Goldrush…Purely selfish reason.In researching my family history, I have discovered, at least one rogue, who may or may not have,? gotten up to shenanigans.I think it was the love, and patience, of a good woman, that saved him from facing an almost certain demise. Onya, Great, great Gran!
Selfish is fabulous! Thanks so much, Gloria. Spookily, your GG Grandparents’ story bears some resemblance to the one in my novel. So many twists and turns to this decision! But it’s wonderful to hear your thoughts 🙂 x
Hi Kim, what a dilemma for you! Being a lover of Australian historical fiction I am immediately drawn to the first novel and already envisage its picture. I would love to read this story.
However, upon reading your description of the second novel my intrigue is piqued because it sounds fascinating and I can’t recall any other stories about this area of Australia’s history. So another picture has replaced the first and I now envisage steamships and polished people wearing glorious edwardian garments, and strife and scandal at sea. Hmmmm it sounds riveting!
I think I would buy both books, but I would read the second one first 🙂
What an inspiring comment! Thanks so much, Julie. I’ll be collecting more thoughts until 8 March, but I think the Edwardians have it. You’ve made me feel very excited about both, though – and they both will make their way in the world. It’s just a matter of timing. Thanks again! X
Ooh exciting! I look forward to both 🙂