Saturday, December 10, 2022

What We're Writing: Julia Plans Ahead

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: So, I took several days this week to work on planning the rest of the holiday season and to figure out next year. What's on my calendar? What are my priorities? What do I want to accomplish, and how will I get there? And if you're thinking, "Gee, Julia, planning ahead is not something you're known for," dear reader, you are correct. I am evermore a work in progress when it comes to rowing upstream against my natural tendencies, which seem to have been set in college, when I only ever thought about Monday's homework at 10pm Sunday.

The growth I have seen, however, is in realizing whenever I do plan, calendar, schedule or pre-load, I'm always happier and less stressed. Not to mention liberated from the guilt that occurs when I've completely forgotten that blurb I was going to write, or don't remember a friend's birthday until  three days after the event.

 One area, however, where I've always planned ahead is in my novels. No, not by outlining - although I always know what the end scene is going to be, I'm usually completely in the dark as to how I'm going to get there. What I do plan ahead for are useful cast members. Plot events that plant a seed for the next book. Actions characters take that are going to pay off or explode in their faces three books down the line.

So for instance, in my first book, I introduced two side characters, the director of the local infirmary and the county MD. I specified the first was gay, but didn't reveal they were partners until the next novel, when that fact threw my heroine into the search for the people who beat up the coroner. In my last book, Kevin Flynn, the young cop now working for a hate-crime task force, is undercover tracking white supremacists. It was very much a third-tier plot in HID FROM OUR EYES, but if you read to the end, you probably have a good idea that the next story up was going to focus on, yep, white supremacist militias. 

Planning ahead for the future in Millers Kill, I'm considering where Kevin is going to go at the end of this current novel, and what is Russ's profession going to be now he's not a cop anymore? Since lawyers and law enforcement often work well together, I thought it might be a good idea to introduce an ambitious young prosecutor - Yíxīn"Joy" Zhào - and then sit back and see what happens. Well, it turns out she's stepping out of her office and getting involved in things she never planned on.

Yíxīn slowly pivoted about, then nodded. “Okay, I'm done.” They stepped outside into the falling snow and waited while Tiny relocked the door. “I thought you said a couple of inches.” The lawyer kicked at where the fluffy white stuff had already covered the grass.

Don't complain. It'll cover up our footsteps.” And just like that, as if cued by a malevolent stage director, Cal's truck drove into sight from the lane.

Oh, shit.” Yíxīn stared as the truck rolled into its parking spot. “What do we do?”

Tiny turned around and moaned. Clare felt like all the breath had left her body, replaced by icy water.

Cal got out of the pickup. He stood there for a moment, as if trying to process what he was seeing. Finally, he said, “What the hell? Tiny?”

He walked toward them, and Clare could see the point where he spotted their footsteps leading to the back door and put the pieces together. “What. The. Hell!” He lunged forward and grabbed Tiny's arm, hauling her towards him. “You been in the downstairs? You brought strangers into my house?” She shuddered, sobbing. He shook her, hard, jerking her back and forth.

Let her go.” Clare stepped forward. “We're only here because she's worried about you. She wants to keep you safe.”

Safe?” He hauled Tiny closer to him. “Bitch, I'm the one who decides what's safe or not! Who the hell do you think you are, getting between a man and his wife?”

Yíxīn held her phone up. “Let her go or I'm calling the cops right now. And we can have a conversation with them when they get here about your previous arrests for domestic violence and your assault and battery conviction.”

Who the hell are you?” He still had Tiny's arm in a vise-like grip.

I'm a lawyer.”

What do you think, dear readers? Might she be a good addition if she relocated to Millers Kill? And do you enjoy seeing seeds dropped in one book sprout in another?

56 comments:

  1. Oh, goodness . . . such an exciting scene . . . and I do like Yíxīn, so I hope she stays around. [I am so looking forward to reading this book!]

    As a matter of fact, I do enjoy those plot events that pop up in a later storyline . . . always something to look forward to, and something to ponder as well. [And now I’m pondering how I’m going to like Russ not being a cop . . . .]

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm honestly still figuring out his future myself, Joan!

      Delete
  2. Yes, Yes, and Yes. An intriguing setup that I can't wait to read more of.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Of course she would be a good addition - especially to the mostly white cast you've had along the way. I wish I were a more long-term planner in my several series, and I think it's very cool that you are.

    I love this scene and what Cal says about Tiny rings true. In real life, last year, I had someone cut ties with me when I asked him not to interrupt his wife (my actual friend) at our dinner table. Telling him what to do about his wife was apparently the last straw in a long line of suppressed grievances. In certain circles/cultures, this is a real thing. But it's heartbreaking for me, because it means we don't spend time together with the family, and we barely see the children, now teens, whom we've been close to since they were born.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Edith, I have walked in those shoes. It's hard to watch an overly dominant man turn abusive in front of you.

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Edith. One of the reliable traits of men drawn to white supremacy or nationalism or Christian Dominionism is misogyny and, too frequently, abuse of women in their lives.

      Delete
    3. Edith, do you have any contact with the wife and the children? Do they know that you are available to them? Elisabeth

      Delete
    4. Elisabeth, they do. I text the kids sometimes, and Karen has brought them by once or twice to visit. But they're all so busy and live a couple of towns away. While she doesn't let Mike dictate her life, exactly, she is committed to staying married to him. The older girl is driving now, and I hope I can convince her to stop by after school someday soon.

      Delete
    5. Thank you, Edith, for letting me know. One person on the “outside” can be very important.

      Delete
    6. That’s from Elisabeth

      Delete
  4. What Dru said: Yes, yes and yes. Love those seeds! They make the first read interesting, and the re-reads so worthwhile, because I see them and know them for what they are sprouting :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sigh. Three comments in, and suddenly Blogger decides I can't use my Google acc't. Thanks, Blogger. Anyway: thank you, Amanda, and I also apologize for shortening your name, Dru Ann - I can only plead not having had any caffeine yet this morning.

      Delete
    2. No worries on the shortened name. I go by both, except for organizations that want funds from me.

      Delete
  5. Julia, I love that scene. I love the way you introduce future plots and characters in your stories. As for "Joy," she already has my vote to stay in Millers Kill with the line, "I'm a lawyer." That should have that bullying husband shaking in his shoes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I liked it when she said that, too, Judy! Sometimes my characters surprise me.

      Delete
  6. We can't wait Julia! I would have a heart attack if I worked everything at the last minute. I did a little of that in college but it wasn't fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Part of the problem is; you can get a bit addicted to the adrenaline rush of racing to get whatever it is done. But I'm fine with swapping that rush for the dopamine ping of achieving a goal early.

      Delete
  7. JULIA: Yes, Yixin would be a welcome addition to Millers Kill. And I do like when those seeds sprout in a future book. I must admit I am worried about Kevin, though.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yes, I love sprinkling seeds (or planting bulbs and perennials) from one book to the next. The lawyer works well, though she, like Clare in book 1, needs some north country boots.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She's a New Jersey suburbanite girl, which also makes a fun contrast to the northern folks of Millers Kill. I do always like writing about outsiders, and when they become insiders, I seem to bring someone new along...

      Delete
  9. Julia, this is one of the reasons the best series are the best! We're along for the journey, not just a plod around the ring. These seeds enrich the environment, the universe you've created. Just like real life, along comes someone new into a familiar group of people and change happens. And without change, life--and series--can become stagnant and overly predictable. Love this scene--and I just want to wallop Cal upside the head--not the most civilized reaction, perhaps.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Flora, he's horrible. He deserves walloping, and I hope he gets it.

      Delete
  10. Strong scene Julia. Now do I have to wait for more? Good for chapters perhaps? Let’s plan! - Celia

    ReplyDelete
  11. Not Good but FOOD! Dinner etc - Celia

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love seeing seeds from previous books sprout into full fledged characters. Welcome Xíxīn! That is a horrifying scene and I am hoping Tiny will be safe and Cal will get his just desserts. I can't wait to read the book!

    I've never been a good planner--perhaps it's time to start :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been working on it with TWO excellent planners for three years and I'm still very much a novice, Gillian. But I do see change, and it's nice to know I can grow and learn at my age!

      Delete
  13. Yes to all of the above. More fun for the reader to be able to spot "Easter egg" type references. Makes us feel in the know, y'know.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does, doesn't it? I like that as a reader or viewer myself.

      Delete
  14. Brilliant, Julia! I'm a plotter but I rarely intentionally drop snippets for later books. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yay! I'm eagerly awaiting this book. I, too, adore side characters who grow larger in the story garden in future books. As I tend to reread the entire series when a new book comes out, on the repeat reads I enjoy watching the skillful gradual introduction.

    Yíxīn/Joy seems like a great addition. So many interesting ideas to explore: does she use her Chinese name or English name? How does she cope with racial isolation and inevitable prejudice in a small, white north country town? What would have led her to make such a life change? My own experience in a small, mostly white, north country town (though one more distant from Albany) is that change has come slowly over the last 40 years. Twenty years ago a local friend, who worked in a school with international students, told me his wife was afraid to have Korean twelve-year-old school girls in their home. The same would have been true of Black children. Though the situation has improved considerably due to more exposure to diverse backgrounds in television and films, as well as the increased number of non-white adopted children of white families, it's still painfully challenging.
    https://www.lakeplacidnews.com/news/local-news/2020/07/02/saranac-lake-valedictorians-speech-about-racism-sparks-discussion/
    So I see lots of areas for exploration in what I hope are many future Millers Kill novels!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, Milkmaid. It's a very white, very insular part of the country, and change comes slowly there. Which does make it extra interesting to add non-white (and non-straight, and non-cis-gendered) characters when I can do so organically.

      Delete
  16. Yixin is a terrific addition, Julia! And now I'm even more impressed with your planning skills: details about your characters in books to come! Amazing! Please, when can we expect to read the book?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to finish it first, Judi (big sigh.) But you'll all know here asap!

      Delete
  17. This is fabulous, Julia! Hooray. As for dropping in hints for the future, yes, of course! It’s what makes us all love your books, so much—, individually, and in the series. We feel like we are part of a real world. Love this.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I think I love this character! I'd love to see here "sprout" in a future book, no question about it. I wonder if it ever happens that a character is SO compelling that you start to think about sprouting an offshoot of the series?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No offshoot series for Julia until she has completed this much-anticipated next book in her current series, Hallie!

      Delete
  19. I'm hooked, Julia! And I love when plot seeds from an earlier book in a series flower in a later one. Or when characters whom we liked and lost reappear in a later book in a more important role. I look forward to getting to know Joy Zhào.

    ReplyDelete
  20. More characters to worry about. Ouch. We have to add Tiny and Xixin to that growing list. And what is Russ going to do now? I don't see him as a househusband.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yes! get her free and let her blossom. I want to read this!

    ReplyDelete
  22. When can I read this book?! And yes, I want to see more of this prosecutor. Get rid of Cal, though, and I don’t care how you do it!

    DebRo

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a great scene. Can't wait for the book release!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love putting in seeds for future books--and reading them in other people's. I love this scene and hope to more of Xixin. How do you pronounce her Chinese name? And, like everyone else, I'm dying to find out what's happened to Kevin! You're killing us here!

    P.S. Julia, I'd love to know more about your planning strategies. Maybe you and Celia could do something on that together?

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great setup. Can't wait to see what happens next...and to get to know new characters. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I can't believe I forgot to come here and comment yesterday. That's twice this week. Good grief! Julia, I think Xixin would be a great addition to Millers Kill. And, like Debs said above, I'm dying to know what's happened to Kevin. I love that you plant seeds of characters in books. They've all proved to be great additions.

    ReplyDelete
  27. JULIA: Cannot believe I forgot to post here yesterday. I have been meaning to and yesterday was a hard day for me because I just realized that I did not accomplish as much as I wanted to. Oh well.

    Great post! This resonated with me because I was feeling stressed out recently with the feeling that I did not accomplish as much as I wanted to. Perhaps it would be a good idea for me to fill out a calendar and make definite plans???

    Great introduction to the new character the lawyer. About that awful man who called his wife a "bitch" .....well I am thinking I HOPE someone puts poison in his pork rinds or whatever food these "macho" men love to eat. LOL. I hate people like that.

    I am surprised that you did not outline because the story as written looks great! I recall that if I wanted to write as well as you did when I was in school, I had to outline first.

    Diana

    ReplyDelete
  28. I miss Kevin too. He's such an interesting character and I have enjoyed watching him grow up. So eager to read your next book-- but not, I wager, as eager as you are to finish it.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Powerful, disturbing scene - well-done! I love the concept of seeding characters - you’ve got an interesting one here.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love your series of books. As an Episcopalian, it makes it even more special to soak up the references to my faith. I am having a hard time waiting for this next book and wondering what Kevin and Hadley will do and what will become of Russ without his job. May the muses of novel writing help you finish quickly!!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love your series of books. As an Episcopalian, it makes it even more special to soak up the references to my faith. I am having a hard time waiting for this next book and wondering what Kevin and Hadley will do and what will become of Russ without his job. May the muses of novel writing help you finish quickly!!!

    ReplyDelete