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[KPaffenroth]

I'd be interested in people's ideas.

To be honest, I have the whole thing mapped out pretty well in my mind, but I'd still be interested in what people would like, or how they *think* it'll go, based on what they've seen so far.  Might help me steer it a litte as I flesh it out over the summer.

Thanks - KP

[Kody Boye]

Hey Kim, I really enjoyed the first one, and I can't wait for the sequel once you get around to finishing it!

Personally, I think you should tell us what happens to Milton in the next one, because he just seems to disappear on all of us. Not literally, since we know where he's going, but I think it would be interesting seeing as how Milton would react in his kind of situation.

I also think you should expand on what actually did happen to the animals. You told us a little bit about them through Milton's past (I'm not going to spoil anything for anyone who's read it) but you mentioned that they seemed to just 'disappear' from the Earth when the zombies came. I think it would be interesting to see what actually happened to them.

Anyway, I really enjoyed the book. You had a really great and interesting idea, and I really enjoyed the story.

[KPaffenroth]

That's a good point, Kody. I'm trying to make room for all the "main" characters from the first to do something in the second, but I'm not sure I can fit in everyone. I'll do my best.

[KPaffenroth]

Finished the outline for the sequel. Still plenty of room to "tinker" (and for the final action sequence, I'm going to have to, as it's another complicated collision between several groups coming together at the same place). It makes it feel so much more "real" once I have mapped out more than just the general plot trajectory, but the smaller detours and subplots as well. I moved a lot of stuff around and I think I have the pacing just right, which is something I always worry about. There are a few scenes of building intensity in the first half to keep your interest, but then it just starts to go nuts in the middle, and never lets up, which is how I think this kind of story should be told.

I give my exams to my classes on May 11 and 16. After grading those, I'm going to sit here - right here, right where I am now! - and write a chapter a day. I'm so psyched.

[john_sunseri]

Just give everyone a B-.  That'll save you a lot of valuable writing time.

[KPaffenroth]

Every teacher has been tempted at some point with such a practical solution.

[Snell]

One major theme of the first book is that humans can be the real monsters. While I think this should crop up in the sequel, I also think a new theme should be explored.

New characters, of course, are always good.  Either people we haven't met from the original group, more transplants, or another group of survivors somewhere out there. Perhaps even a different narrator so we can see the world from a new perspective.  Or what about third person with multiple point-of-view characters?  That way you could include Jonah but still bring in some new blood.  A really good idea might be to give us a POV character from a second group of survivors and show us how THAT group has dealt with the apocalypse, juxtaposed with Milton’s group.  What are THEIR rituals?  What are THEIR roles?  Then, perhaps, the two groups could collide.  Perhaps the second group could get a hold of Milton and try to kill him out of misunderstanding--they think he's the leader of the zombies!

One more thing: whatever happened to the man that was infected like Milton?  Will he ever show up again?  I thought he would in the first book, but you left him a loose thread.  I would be interested to see that tied up.

[Snell]

New theme...second group of survivors

Come to think of it, what if you explored atrocities committed in the name of God? Could the second group of survivors be religious fanatics who justify their actions with their faith?  I think THAT would be interesting, exploring how religion can be misused--in a zombie setting, of course.

[KPaffenroth]

I'm going to go put an extra layer of aluminum foil in my skull cap, as Dave clearly has advanced technology that has been reversed engineered from UFOs, rendering him capable of reading minds. How else could he hit so many of the points that I've put in the outline for the D2L sequel? It's uncanny. But, at the same time, encouraging that I might be on the right track.

I just hope Jacob can take it w/o a scene to top THAT SCENE. I just don't think I can. And it doesn't seem like that kind of book. Besides, no one's asked me to, either.

Thanks everyone - KP

[Permuted Press]

I just hope Jacob can take it w/o a scene to top THAT SCENE.

I'll take anything as long as it's as good as the original book. 

I told Kim when I accepted D2L that I hadn't really been looking forward to reading it that much because it sounded like a "normal" zombie book.  But, it ended up being so good--and having a bunch of stuff that broke the mold[/i]--that I ended up falling in love.

[KPaffenroth]

Aw, Jacob never said "love" before. At least not to me. It's like a late Valentine's.

[john_sunseri]

Get a room, you two.

[KPaffenroth]

You're just jealous, John. And unfairly, too, I bet. Jacob's probably said it to all the other Permuted gang. <sniff> BWAH!

Sorry, I'm just a little va-klempt.

[Permuted Press]

Get a room, you two.

You don't have to hide the truth about us, John.  Kim doesn't care.  He said I was free to read other authors.

[KPaffenroth]

Well, of course, you can "read" them, but you can't READ-read them. Don't you see? That's special. You can't just do that for everyone. Oh! Men!

(My gosh, I'm remembering conversations like this in high school. There are so many parts to not like about growing older, but then you remember scenes like that, and that ain't one of them.)