RHYS BOWEN: Well, dear Reddies, I am about to send my latest book off to the publisher. It's called (at the moment. Who knows what marketing will finally want it called) FROM SEA TO SKYE. I think I've told you about it before. Set in the 1960s, and 1930s and early 1900s.. a young writer is hired to help an elderly writer with dementia finish her last novel.
The challenge has been to give the reader what the elderly writer has written so far, so that the young writer can go to Skye and find clues to what really happened there. Which meant I had to write a novel in a style that is no only not my own, but is also not the usual style of this writer! Yes, I must be a glutton for punishment.
But I hope I've carried it off:
Here's how the manuscript starts:
"You can't do that," I said. "I didn't write it."
"Who did?" He looked confused.
"Iris Blackburn. It's her book. The phrasing has to be hers," I said
"Who is Iris Blackburn?" He was more confused now.
"The writer of The Wild Girl. Okay, it's me, but I'm writing as Iris Blackburn"
I don't think he has completely understood this yet.
Anyway, it's done and heading for my publisher and I'll be taking a well-earned rest! I really enjoyed revisiting the island of Skye vicariously. It's been years since I was in Scotland but I still have keen memories.
Have you enjoyed reading a book within a book? One of my favorite books ever was Possession by A S Byatt. The true story is revealed through two lots of poetry, both brilliantly constructed with the feel of Tennyson and Rosetti. I don't claim that mine is anywhere as good but it is a good story with a lovely twist at the end.
And I hope you don't mind if I finish with a small plug for my upcoming book, MRS ENDICOTT'S SPLENDID ADVENTURE. I've been thrilled to see it included in lists of the best books for the second half of the year, the best upcoming historicals etc. It comes out August 5 and I am doing lots of Zoom interviews, podcasts etc. I'll keep you up to date on those.
I enjoy reading a book within a book [David Mitchell's "Cloud Atlas" comes to mind] . . . "Isle of Skye" has such an intriguing premise, Rhys, with one writer helping to write another writer's book . . . I'm definitely looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWhat a challenge, Rhys! Neither writer sounds like a voice I expect from you. Voice is such an interesting part of a reader's experience. Add a narrator and there's another layer!
ReplyDeleteHi everyone, I am home! I am looking at a mountain of laundry, grocery shopping and more. I tried to keep up with the blog but didn't always get to it but the ones I saw were terrific.
welcome back home, Judy
DeleteWelcome back!
DeleteWelcome back home!
DeleteSo nice to have you back.
DeleteWelcome back!!
DeleteDebRo
Welcome back, Judy! I hope you had a great trip. — Pat S
DeleteHow was Greece?
DeleteBased on these snippets, you’ve done a fine job of writing as both Irises. Is it the dementia that has Iris changing her style? Or the help from the young writer?
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to keep up with reading all your books. Looking forward to Mrs. Endicott and Sea to Skye…or whatever it will be called.
Either the dementia or reverting to her style as a young woman
DeleteI do find a book within a book fascinating. I loved Byatt's Possession.
ReplyDeleteI liked both these excerpts from your new book, although, like Judy, found neither voice one I would expect from you. Amazing change. Best of luck with a final title you like. I know the book will be a great success.
It was a challenge!
DeleteIn Valerie Burns' "Mystery Bookshop" series, her protagonist writes a book which we get to see.
ReplyDeleteI love the Samantha Washington (Mystery Bookshop) series by Valerie Burns also.
DeleteI've read all her books actually!!
Thanks. I’ll check it out
DeleteI can't think of a book within a book at the moment, but I admire you for taking it on - and pulling it off!
ReplyDeleteRhys, you are amazing! I love the description of John reading the draft:). I think Carol Goodman's Return to Wyldcliffe Heights has a book within a book. But your voices are so distinct! Hope Jenn weighs in about her LOVE AT FIRST BOOK too... I can''t wait to read From Sea to Skye!
ReplyDeleteYou’re right. Similar theme. Clues in fiction for real life crime
DeleteSounds irresistable! I'll be keeping on the alert for ordering it. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteDon't mind the plug for your new release, and can't wait for the newest stand-alone to be ready for readers!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulation Rhys on Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure, and the upcoming Sea to Skye.
ReplyDeleteI too loved Possession, although it's been a long time since I read it. I also loved The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish, sort of a book-within-a-book, historical mystery
On my TBR list now. Thanks
DeleteI so enjoyed The Weight of Ink! (Heather S)
DeleteFantastic! And a really high degree of difficulty – – congratulations! I Anthony Horowitz ‘s Magpie Murders series of course has books within books, also integral to the plot,, and in fact the book The Plot does, too. I think what makes it work is that the inner book has to matter to the entire book. Which yours of course does!
ReplyDeleteMagpie Murders is one of my favorite books of past years. Such a tour de force !
DeleteSounds like a challenge, Rhys. The Hubby also does't completely understand the "I'm not totally in control" statement when I talk about writing. I mean, I am - but the voices inside my head are telling me what to do.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I have little control over my characters!
DeleteCongratulations on finishing the new book and I hope you enjoy your well-earned rest! And thank you for the reminder about Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure, which has sounded wonderful to me since your first reference to it.
ReplyDeleteLike Hank, Anthony Horowitz's Magpie Murders and its sequels were the first book-within-a-book examples that leapt to my mind. Beyond that, I'm having trouble recalling titles, but I am almost sure I have enjoyed a few others. I think it only works in the hands of a really strong writer. (Such as Rhys!)
RHYS: Congratulations on your new novel. I look forward to reading FROM SEA TO SKYE (title?).
ReplyDeleteTrying to recall when I read a book within a book. I cannot recall the title nor the author, though I'm sure I have read a book within a book. I have read so many books that sometimes I think I get a new book and read it, only to discover that I've read the book before. I recall reading novels where the character is reading a novel by a famous author. Sometimes the character of the author in the novel is made up like Harriet Vane in the Lord Wimsey mysteries.
This is fascinating--cannot wait to read this one! I love a book within a book!
ReplyDeleteI have DEATH OF THE AUTHOR by Nnedi Okorafor on my TBR stack. They did something nifty with the hardcover - the book cover is for the book-within-the-book, and the dust jacket is the actual book.
ReplyDeleteI must see that. My book jackets are always amazing. Do look inside the dust cover!
DeleteCurrently reading Death of the Author! It’s compelling! Nnedi Okorafor is excellent! (Heather S)
DeleteI loved Possession so much, Rhys!!! I'm going to love From Sea to Skye (I think that's a great title) too!! And how wonderful for you to at least get to visit that wonderful island in your imagination. I'm sorry you didn't get to make your research trip but I'm sure you've recreated it beautifully.
ReplyDeleteLuckily there are so many YouTube videos these days that I could observe every place I wrote about
DeleteI'm sure I've read a book within a book, but my brain is not cooperating on naming any! I can't wait to enjoy the toils of your labor. Years ago I saw a movie set during the Cuban missile crisis that had a typical 50s-60s monster movie within it. I want to know how that turned out!
ReplyDeleteSounds intriguing, Rhys, and terrifying. Looking forward to reading the finished product.
ReplyDeleteI recognized the photo as Isle of Skye! We were there for a few days 2 years ago. It is truly a mystical isle. Not near enough time on Skye. (Heather S )
ReplyDeleteRhys, you are a marvel! How do you manage to always raise the bar? And poor John. He thought he was married to one writer but now you're two...or is it three? LOL. What delightful snippets. I simply can't wait to read it. And I'll add a plug for Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure. Poignant and delightful!
ReplyDeleteHard work to write in several different styles, but you must have had fun, Rhys. And great news that Mrs. Endicott is getting lots of praise. I loved Possession, too. I can think of novels that include letters and snatches of diaries but not chunks of another novel.
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