The Fregoli Delusion, Progress Report #4

In an earlier post I pledged to keep followers of The Overnight Bestseller up to date on the progress of my new manuscript, The Fregoli Delusion, which is the third novel in the Donaghue and Stainer Crime Novel series. I thought it might be interesting for readers to track the ups and downs of the writing of a new book. It's been a week since the last update, so I guess I'm due.

Manuscript progress
Today I finished Chapter Six. This was a relief because the chapter was an absolute killer. Donaghue and Stainer are investigating the homicide of a billionaire who was the president and CEO of one of the largest corporations in the state of Maryland, and in every investigation there's a point early on where you have a maximum number of potential suspects and no hot candidates. Every interview seems to widen the field rather than narrow it. This was Chapter Six. One key witness was interviewed onstage and two others offstage, and the pool of suspects seems deep at this point. I had to write the chapter in such a way as to suggest the thoroughness of the investigation without drowning the reader in characters. It was slow, thoughtful, time-consuming work. From this point on the field begins to narrow, so we (writer and reader) are over the hump and with luck the next few chapters will write themselves more quickly. Knock on wood.

Looking Ahead
During the month of January I'll continue to provide you with periodic updates on the progress of the manuscript, but beginning in February I'll shift my focus to updates on Marcie's Murder, the second novel in the Donaghue and Stainer Crime Novel series, which I'll be preparing for April publication. I want to make sure readers are ready for Marcie's Murder this spring and will be looking forward to the publication of Fregoli in the fall.

A Final Thought
Here you have a glimpse into the hectic life of an indie author. I'm busily publicizing the book that's currently on the shelves (Blood Passage) while prepping the next one (Marcie's Murder) as editor and publisher all while I'm writing the third one (The Fregoli Delusion). There are days when I feel like the guy who used to spin plates on the old Ed Sullivan show. But I wouldn't have it any other way!