It is bittersweet when I come to the end of a book. I’m pleased that I have managed to complete it and tell the story I wanted to tell, but it is also a little bit like saying goodbye. Deep down, I feel we never truly say goodbye to these characters. They always seem to turn up in future stories. But this was Mitchell’s story, and each book has its own protagonist that allows us to see inside them.
I’ve mentioned that when I started Say Goodbye to
Sparkleland that it would be my most challenging book. So many people didn’t
like Mitch and didn’t want to give him a chance. I set out to build a story
that would let readers see all sides to Mitchell. Maybe everyone didn’t warm up
to him, but they got to see him as a human being and not just a “cheater.” Like
all my characters, he’s deeply flawed.
If you haven’t read the final chapter, stop reading this
post here. Click: Say Goodbye to Sparkeland, Chap. 29
Several things happened in this final chapter that I didn’t
see coming. Originally (weeks ago), I debated the Christmas gathering when
Mitch turned down Arlo’s and Seager’s proposition to be an opportunity to just have
a new sex scene. I felt stronger about the plotline when Mitch turned them
down. In this concluding chapter, it made more sense, bringing the story’s “search
for sparks” to its conclusion. I felt it was full circle, even though readers
might be appalled that the two of them did it. The pair’s reaction to it was
something I decided I wanted to write.
There was a slight (very slight) temptation to have Mitch
see sparks with Carter when they got home after the party. But that seemed too cliché.
I wanted to keep it grounded. I liked the tear-filled lovemaking scene better.
Having Cruz, Logan and Arlo in the finale also made it all seem
to tie together nicely. The book really is in two halves: the black book and
Mitchell moving forward. This tied it all together.
Something I did know I wanted to do was the epilogue. I had
written the wedding a few months ago in A Bed, A Desk and My Unfortunate Soulmate,
Chap. 4. We didn’t know who L.B. was then. That telling was seen through the
eyes of Corey then, not Mitchell’s. I really liked this variation.
It’s funny, when I wrote the first Friendsgiving back in
Book Two, who knew it would become a continual plot point in so many subsequent
books?? See If It Weren’t For the Two of Us, Chap. 39 here if you wish
to review.
Also: "How's Ross?" Hmm. I'll just leave that there.
Some of you may recall — in my time-hopping universe of Jackson Bend — that Emory’s stroke was first written in Larami.e, Chap. 21 I will let this be my segue in telling you that the next book will be Emory’s. It will be called Heart and Soul. Many of my characters will be in it, and I'm excited that it is the first story I've done with a "mature" protagonist (meaning older). Book Eight is college kids and Book Nine will be retired men. That's a jump.
However, I have a big BUT here. But I don’t know when
that will be. For a few months, this is farewell. This last story was
challenging in two ways, it’s content and the deadline. I started Soulmate
and Sparkleland at the same time. I thought I could stay ahead. I couldn’t,
and eventually I was consumed with deadlines from work and a crazy travel
schedule. I don’t want to feel that pressure again. I liked how the first six
books were finished before I began posting. I want to go back to that. So, even
though I have a few more books planned, I need time. I want to finish each one
before I begin posting. That takes a lot of weight off my shoulders.
If you want to be notified when it starts, drop me a
message. timothylane414@gmail.com
And if you liked the book (or hated it), let me know that too. While I am
taking a break, I hope to hear from many of you. I know I will miss you.
With that farewell, I will look forward to the day when I
get to reach out to you again.
Until then …
