HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Fanfare! Ruffles and flourishes! I am so incredibly excited. I am writing this at 6:11 PM on Monday, and yes, that is very very late to be writing a blog for Tuesday but there is a reason.
My book was due Monday. Yes, ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS will be out this September. It’s all done! But I’ve been working for the last year on the next book.
Which I cannot tell you the name of, because it is not final, but you will hear it here first. it will come out in September of 2026, a date that I cannot fathom.
But here is the year in the life of my new book.
1. I will never have a good idea again.
2. I will never have a good idea again and my life is over, and I am utterly and totally doomed. I have no idea how I wrote my other books, and I will never be able to write another one. What am I going to do? I'm going to have to tell everybody that I cannot do it, and no one will be happy about this. Plus, I will have to give back the money.
3. I have an idea!
4. It's a terrible idea. I will never have a good idea again.
5. I have a possible good idea. Possibly. It's possibly a good idea.
6. It's a terrible idea. I am so doomed, there isn't even a word for that.
7. I have a good idea. I do, I really do. This is going to work.
8. It's a fabulous idea, I cannot wait to write this. I type “Chapter 1.” I am so excited, I fly through the first chapter. I fly through the second chapter. New York Times bestseller, here we come. There’s a story question, there’s conflict, there’s a wonderful main character. Or two.
9. When I hit page 36, I know it is a big turning point, if I can get to page 37 the idea will hold up for the rest of the book.
10. I hit page 37! I rock, I am such a rock star, the process never fails me, this is absolutely going to work.
11. Page 100. And without even working on it very hard there's a massive twist. I am a genius! I am an utter genius! This is my calling and my passion. FABULOUS.
12. Page 105. Okay, now what. I've got 285 pages to go, what the heck is that going to be. How is this story going to last for all those more words?
13. What does someone want, and what will they do to get it. How far will they go to get it. What would someone really do. What is the worst thing that could possibly happen, and what is worse than that. What will happen if the character fails? I ask myself all the questions that are supposed to work. Sometimes they do.
14. Time to reassure myself! Writing a book is a process, I say. One page at a time, one word at a time period don't worry about the end. The end will come when you get there. Just type type type type type even if it's terrible just keep going, just keep going. Just keep going.
15. Sometimes this is OK. Sometimes this is terrible. Most of the time I don't know which. Procrastinating. Maybe I’ll alphabetize my books. NO. Write.
16. Page 300. Ohhh no, it's going to take too long to get to the ending. The beginning is way too long. I'm really going to have to cut the heck out of the beginning because if I write at this rhythm, this will be 500 pages long and that's never going to work. I will just keep going, and cut later. But what should I cut? How do I know?
17. Still, maybe I should go back and cut now.
18. No, I'll just go ahead. I can’t cut until I know the ending.
19. Page 350. Getting there! If only I knew what the ending was.
20. I totally don't know the ending. I’ll edit from the beginning, editing is good. I’ll also take out all the uses of “baffled” and “somehow” and “maybe.” Edit edit edit. And the momentum will swing me right into the ending.
21. Nope. Lots of wonderful edits, but I still utterly and totally don't know the ending, and moreover I have created a mystery that I cannot solve. I should have thought of this. I wish I had an outline, but I don't know how to make outlines. And I don't want to make an outline. I just want the ending.
22. I don't have an ending. I have 110,000 words, and no ending. This is not good. Who lives, who dies, who tells the story. I have one of those.
23. See #14. One word at a time. Something will happen. It’s worked before. Keep going keep going keep going.
24. I totally don't know the ending. Still. And the deadline is two days away.
25. The deadline is one day away.
26. Wait! I might have it! Yes. I have it.
27. Deadline day. Typing like a maniac. Typing like crazy. Working working working working working. EDITING EDITING EDITING. Taking out” actually” and “of course.” And “little.” Wearing my special deadline hoodie.
28. Done!
29. Not really done. Checking checking checking. Rewriting. Cutting. Cutting cutting cutting.
30. DONE! For now at least. But that is enough.
And I hit SEND. At two minutes until deadline, and I am incredibly grateful.
Now. I need a new idea. Ahhh. See #1.
Reds and Readers, thank you for being here through this! ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS will be out in September, and I wish I’d had this chart then to reassure me it’s ALWAYS this way. Next year, when I complain, you’ll remind me, right?
But here is the year in the life of my new book.
1. I will never have a good idea again.
2. I will never have a good idea again and my life is over, and I am utterly and totally doomed. I have no idea how I wrote my other books, and I will never be able to write another one. What am I going to do? I'm going to have to tell everybody that I cannot do it, and no one will be happy about this. Plus, I will have to give back the money.
3. I have an idea!
4. It's a terrible idea. I will never have a good idea again.
5. I have a possible good idea. Possibly. It's possibly a good idea.
6. It's a terrible idea. I am so doomed, there isn't even a word for that.
7. I have a good idea. I do, I really do. This is going to work.
8. It's a fabulous idea, I cannot wait to write this. I type “Chapter 1.” I am so excited, I fly through the first chapter. I fly through the second chapter. New York Times bestseller, here we come. There’s a story question, there’s conflict, there’s a wonderful main character. Or two.
9. When I hit page 36, I know it is a big turning point, if I can get to page 37 the idea will hold up for the rest of the book.
10. I hit page 37! I rock, I am such a rock star, the process never fails me, this is absolutely going to work.
11. Page 100. And without even working on it very hard there's a massive twist. I am a genius! I am an utter genius! This is my calling and my passion. FABULOUS.
12. Page 105. Okay, now what. I've got 285 pages to go, what the heck is that going to be. How is this story going to last for all those more words?
13. What does someone want, and what will they do to get it. How far will they go to get it. What would someone really do. What is the worst thing that could possibly happen, and what is worse than that. What will happen if the character fails? I ask myself all the questions that are supposed to work. Sometimes they do.
14. Time to reassure myself! Writing a book is a process, I say. One page at a time, one word at a time period don't worry about the end. The end will come when you get there. Just type type type type type even if it's terrible just keep going, just keep going. Just keep going.
15. Sometimes this is OK. Sometimes this is terrible. Most of the time I don't know which. Procrastinating. Maybe I’ll alphabetize my books. NO. Write.
16. Page 300. Ohhh no, it's going to take too long to get to the ending. The beginning is way too long. I'm really going to have to cut the heck out of the beginning because if I write at this rhythm, this will be 500 pages long and that's never going to work. I will just keep going, and cut later. But what should I cut? How do I know?
17. Still, maybe I should go back and cut now.
18. No, I'll just go ahead. I can’t cut until I know the ending.
19. Page 350. Getting there! If only I knew what the ending was.
20. I totally don't know the ending. I’ll edit from the beginning, editing is good. I’ll also take out all the uses of “baffled” and “somehow” and “maybe.” Edit edit edit. And the momentum will swing me right into the ending.
21. Nope. Lots of wonderful edits, but I still utterly and totally don't know the ending, and moreover I have created a mystery that I cannot solve. I should have thought of this. I wish I had an outline, but I don't know how to make outlines. And I don't want to make an outline. I just want the ending.
22. I don't have an ending. I have 110,000 words, and no ending. This is not good. Who lives, who dies, who tells the story. I have one of those.
23. See #14. One word at a time. Something will happen. It’s worked before. Keep going keep going keep going.
24. I totally don't know the ending. Still. And the deadline is two days away.
25. The deadline is one day away.
26. Wait! I might have it! Yes. I have it.
27. Deadline day. Typing like a maniac. Typing like crazy. Working working working working working. EDITING EDITING EDITING. Taking out” actually” and “of course.” And “little.” Wearing my special deadline hoodie.
28. Done!
29. Not really done. Checking checking checking. Rewriting. Cutting. Cutting cutting cutting.
30. DONE! For now at least. But that is enough.
And I hit SEND. At two minutes until deadline, and I am incredibly grateful.
Now. I need a new idea. Ahhh. See #1.
Reds and Readers, thank you for being here through this! ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS will be out in September, and I wish I’d had this chart then to reassure me it’s ALWAYS this way. Next year, when I complain, you’ll remind me, right?
Writers, does this sound familiar?
Readers, see #15. Do you alphabetize your books?
And, yet, you always manage to come through with a marvelous, wonderful book! 😊 But I suppose if the process works it's all good even though it seems as if you are being a bit too hard on yourself . . . .
ReplyDelete[And, no, I don't alphabetize my books, but I do make a half-hearted effort to keep books by the same author grouped together on a shelf [or two, or three] . . . .
Oh, thank you SO much! You are such a dear and supportive friend-I am SO grateful! xxx
DeleteCongrats! I have never imagined you wearing a hoodie.
ReplyDeleteThat's hilarious! Well, it's a very special hoodie, and you can see. Sometimes I pull the strings tight and see if I can totally focus.
DeleteFrom Celia: well done but the hoodie nails it - definitely.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Isn't it perfect?
DeleteHank, you are hilarious! When you thought it might be a good time to alphabetize your books, I just giggled. I love the hoodie, but Lisa is right. Next time we want a photo of you in it.
ReplyDeleteYes, my books are mostly alphabetized by author.
Oh, we shall see! And what a project...I suppose once you lay the alphabetical gorund work, it;s easir. But what if you have to move a whole shelf to fit something in?
DeleteHANK: Hooray, you did it (again)! I cheered you on when I saw your FB post yesterday about a 6:00 pm deadline to submit this book. Did you feel that supportive energy from me and many others?!
ReplyDeleteAs for #15, yes I organize my books by genre, then alphabetically by author & title.
When you have 22 bookcases full of books, this is the only way.
I can find a book I need in less than 5 seconds, lol.
Grace, as unlikely as practical you are to faint, even you would probably do so if you saw my book "organization". Genre, and most authors shelved together, but not in any other way. Nonfiction is slightly different, with types shelved together. So I am in awe of your orderliness.
DeleteAw, thank you, dear Grace! Yes, I felt it! xxx ANd what if you have to wove awhle shelf to fit something in? DO you shelf then one at a time, or wait for a pile?
DeleteKAREN: Similar to Brenda, this book organization became second nature after working 12 years parttime as a student librarian in junior high, high school & university. And itvsuits my anal type A personality.
DeleteHANK: I usually get 3-5 books at once. So once they are added to my online book catalogue, I put them on the bookshelf.
See #16...If you ended up with 500 pages I would be a happy camper. Like a fabulous film I hate when the story reaches its conclusion. Sometimes I wish a narrative could go on forever. Or perhaps keep the reader or the viewer guessing as to who committed the crime(s)..."that's all folks"...until the sequel. So the longer the better. :-) See my #1....Pay me no mind...I have no idea what I am talking about...haha. As to #15 ~ I like to shelf my books according to the subject matter; i.e., autobiographies, gardening, non-fiction, the classics, murder mysteries, etc. And in my next life I would request that my books have their own room; i.e., as in a library with floor to ceiling shelves and a ladder on wheels. Deep and cozy reading chairs with a fireplace, too. Sigh....
ReplyDeleteP.S. Congratulations...I hope you celebrated finishing yet another great murder mystery and meeting your deadline. Maybe even allowed your mind to take a break, kick back, relax and give yourself a solid pat on the back.
DeleteAw, thank you! Yes, I did have a moment yesterday when I thought: "Oh, there's nothing else I'm supposed to be doing right now!" I haven't felt that way for a solid year.
DeleteI knew you would make that deadline, Hank!
ReplyDeleteYes, my books are alphabetized by author and title. I fix the books on the shelves that are out of order when I am looking for something at the public library. After having worked in a middle school library, I can’t help myself.
Can you come over? xoxo
DeleteOh, and my nonfiction books are loosely shelved by Dewey Decimal subject and then alpha by author and title.
ReplyDeleteHA HA HA --as one does!
DeleteCongratulations, Hank! What an accomplishment. No, I can't imagine alphabetizing our books. We, too, have over two dozen floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. I group them generally by subject (non-fiction) or author (fiction) but that's it. The next time I spend much time on our shelves it will be to divest, not alphabetize. That itself will be a huge chore. (Selden)
ReplyDeleteYes, we'll talk about that in my next week! xoo
DeleteIt's completely familiar, Hank! At least my books aren't as long as yours, but the process is identical. I cranked out 20k first draft words on my Cape writing retreat last week, but when I got home I had to put it down to do last tweaks on a different book and send it in, which I did yesterday. I know when I pick up the first draft again tomorrow, I will have NO idea where it's going or what to write. Zero. And yet, I'll start typing and it will get done (it's my 40th novel). Congratulations on getting yours done - we never doubted you would.
ReplyDeleteAlphabetize books? Nah. They're clumped by author, and the research and writing/poison/police procedure books are by subject matter, but alphabetizing seems like a waste of time.
Thank you! I did try to alphabetize a few shelves, and whoa, finding a book was SO easy! It's still very tempting, but it's never gonna hapen.
DeleteYay, Hank! And yes, we need a photo of you in your hoodie! I do alphabetize my books in the living room bookcases, by author, non-fiction and then fiction. The bookcases in the other rooms, not so much. In the kitchen I have organized by country.
ReplyDeleteNext time, a photo! xxxx By country? Tell me about that system...!
DeleteLove this and I felt the emotions around each step in your writing process. Glad you made deadline.
ReplyDeleteThank you darling one! ANd hey, did I see you retired? What do you think??
DeleteWooo hooo! It sounds very exhausting! You did it! My heart rate and blood pressure went up just reading your post. I need a moment of Zen.
ReplyDeleteNo way will I ever alphabetize my books.
With you, sister. ANd yes, it is always quite the roller coaster!
DeleteI absolutely adored this post!
ReplyDeleteAww...thank you! xx
DeleteThis sounds oh so familiar. All of it.
ReplyDeleteAnd, Hank, I'm copying and pasting your #13 onto a page, which I plan to post above my computer.
SO wonderful of you! ANd be sure to add: What will happen if the character fails? xx
DeleteA day/year in the life! Congratulations, Hank, on yet another book in the, er, books. Onwards!
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally, there's a great NYT article this morning showing the editing process used by the singer Usher when writing a speech. He was being honored with an honorary doctorate from Emory University, in his hometown of Atlanta and he wanted to get his speech exactly right. It's a fascinating look at the process, as tracked by the author of the article from the beginning. This is a gift article, so I hope you can all access it: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/05/19/us/usher-commencement-speech-emory.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Ik8.3Wpx.KfL4hbDae9dv&smid=url-share
DeleteOh, I will look for that right now! I have a subs, so it should work! xx Thank you!
DeleteI cannot even tell you how comforting it is to read this from someone whose writing admire so much! YES, every single high and low sounds familiar. I do not alphabetize my books, but you have just given me a new distraction for next time, though, so thank you! I hope you don't mind, but I copied and pasted Step #13 at the top of a short story I'm currently writing to remind myself to focus on things that matter and drive my characters. Also, if it's any consolation, I'm tremendously excited to read the product of this emotional rollercoaster!
ReplyDeleteAlphabetize my books?? Oh, hahahahaha.... Where would I start? The bookshelf table in the living room? The stacks on the floor in my bedroom? Those other bookshelves where I have to get on my hands and knees practically to find a book I'm looking for? You crack me up, Hank, you really do! Meanwhile, seems I've heard this panic story several times, and yet, as you realize each and every time, it works for you!! Print out today's blog, put it on the fridge, put a copy on your desk, put a copy on the bathroom mirror, on the door you use to leave the house daily. Heck, put one in the car, in your purse, next to the box of kleenex. You get the picture....:-) XOXOXO
ReplyDeleteCompletely, totally, and utterly familiar. You will do this, Hank. As Jonathan says, you always do.
ReplyDeleteNo alphabetizing books for me. Too hard to maintain!
HANK: I love this! Never thought of alphabetizing my books as a reader. I organize my books by authors. Your book sounds fascinating and I look forward to reading it! And I have too many books! .
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I was thinking about you while watching the Apple TV documentary DEAF PRESIDENT NOW because I saw a reporter at the site of the protest talking. I wondered where you were that week in March 1988?
Have any of the Jungle Reds (authors and readers) watched the documentary on Apple TV? So fascinating!
You did it! Congratulations! I am exhausted just reading about all you go through and yet you come out the side with a fabulous book. I just finished All This Could Be Yours, another winner for sure! And, I discovered that word you used, twice this time, that for me is a sort of trademark of your work. Not saying other authors don't use the word; maybe they do, but if I were to read a book by an anonymous author and saw that word, I'd be certain it was our own Hank Phillippi Ryan!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt seems funny that you go through this process each time, because your books are perfect!!! I preordered All This Could Be Yours. When I read it, I’ll think about you and how hard you worked to make it happen!
ReplyDeleteMy books are organized roughly in alphabetical order. That’s the fiction, mostly mystery and suspense. Non-fiction is loosely organized by topic. (I volunteered in a library from sixth grade through high school. You would think I’d be better than this!)
DebRo
This is so true, Hank. Every book for me is the same. Great idea. Start with enthusiasm. After first chapters total panic. Where am I going? How can this ever work? It’s an awful premise It will be a total failure. I’ll never write a good book again. Get to page 100. This might work after all. But it will be too short. By page 200. It’s a great story. I know where I’m going but it might be too long. Editing ahead. And finally yes! The unexpected twist, even for me.
ReplyDeleteEvery book the same agony and ecstasy.
I've been on that rollercoaster! And, as I read your right-on description of that bumpy emotional ride, it seemed oddly similar to the "hero's journey" in classic lit.
ReplyDeleteHank, I can't tell you how much I laughed reading this. Every novelist should have this printed out and taped to their wall.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for ALL THIS, and ditto what Julia said, your process is both hysterical and painful! I can tell the reds that I've seen Hank in action with this and she isn't lying:)
ReplyDeleteIlluminating description of your writing process! My non-fiction books were shelved in Dewey Decimal order and collections of mysteries by the same author by publication date...Annette
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely hysterical - and true. That's the thing. True. So true. My books are arranged by category. Maybe I should alphabetize them within their category. Make them so much easier to find!
ReplyDeleteHank: I love this post! And you know I love all your books. I can’t wait for this one! Will you be coming to Florida?
ReplyDelete