As you read this post, I’m sequestered with my upcoming novel, I Am Number 13. It’s the third book in my Nowhere series. I’m excited about it for lots of reasons, but mainly because I’m writing a book that makes me happy. After the three-plus years I’ve had, I need a story that makes me believe in hope and magic again. Don’t you?
What’s I Am Number 13 About?
While the story may change on revision, I can tell you several things right now. Remember Emmaline, the nine-year-old heroine of my debut novel To Live Forever (get it HERE)? She’s front-and-center in I Am Number 13.
Emmaline
She’s eighteen. It’s 1986. A few days before she graduates from high school, her father dies in a car crash. Emmaline outgrew her belief in magic years ago, but being orphaned leaves her utterly without hope. Rather than enter college, she decides to take a gap year and volunteers overseas.
Because doesn’t helping others sometimes keep us from dwelling on our own problems?
She enlists with a group assisting refugees who flee the Nicaraguan Sandinista regime and finds herself training for service on the edge of the Honduran jungle.
Tell me: Do you think such a diversion would help you process grief? Why or why not?
Wilkinson
After being vanquished by Meriwether Lewis in To Live Forever, James Wilkinson starts his next Nowhere journey a changed man. Gone is the arrogance, the power-mongering, the duplicity. He inserts himself into the Reagan administration, determined to keep the Nicaraguan portion of the Iran Contra Affair on track to benefit the people of Nicaragua. By liberating a country from communist aggressors, he believes he’ll finally move beyond Nowhere and find peace.
Because even hopeless people can reform, right?
As part of his penance, he sets up a foundation for Emmaline’s education and financially supports her burgeoning interest in helping the less fortunate. Otherwise, he leaves her alone. She never knows about his role in her life.
His world collides with Emmaline’s in Honduras.
Tell me: Do you think Wilkinson will be able to stay true to his Nowhere mission and find redemption? Or will he threaten Emmaline once more?
I can’t wait for you to read I Am Number 13. I’m flipping the formula AGAIN. It contains lots of twists and surprises. So mark your calendars.
(If you keep your eyes on this space and social media, you’ll get to read and win something super-special early!)
2 Comments
I’m interested in Wilkinson’s potential metamorphosis. Way to establish anticipation. 🙂
i think it always helps to take the focus off of oneself, and onto others. we shall see –
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