Anything you want
Again, a rather late blog here. I do apologise. This has been caused (as people say when explaining the lateness of a train) by circumstances beyond our control. In this case, the circumstance of being in Norwich and having done a show and oops suddenly the time’s getting away from me. I then had a brief struggle to connect to the internet. Now I have succeeded in doing that and, once more, it looks like we can all relax. I’m tempted to leave it until 11.50 just to see people’s panicky comments, but I can’t do that to you.
I’m aware it’s been some while since the blog actually was ‘about’ something; the effort of keeping up with it has overshadowed actual quality control in recent days. Still. Here are a couple of the subjects people have been requesting over the past week (this privilege goes to those who leave the first Comment):
FORUM – yes, in case you didn’t know, there is a Mark Watson Fans Forum where you can go if you find yourself thinking ‘this blog is over all too quickly and now I’m facing exile from Watson for what could be more than 24 hours’. Some forums are full of obsessives or loonies or hate-filled ‘trolls’ but this one is quite nice. I said I’d give it a plug because it’s quite a while since it was set up, and the readership of the blog has changed somewhat since then. Pretty soon I’m going to do some sort of special offer or ‘news link’ on the forum to coax more people onto it. So, yes. If you feel like doing some extra ‘reading around the subject’, as they used to say in my college days, go on there.
BOOKS – For much of this year I’ve been working on the novel that will follow ‘Eleven’, in 2012. It’s a slightly darker subject this time, and in general a bit more of an ambitious book, so I’ve no idea if anyone who liked ‘Eleven’ will like it. Or even if the publishers will like it enough to put it out. It’s a two-book deal, so they will have to put SOMETHING in the shops with my name on it at some point, but they might ask me to change/totally rewrite/cancel and restart this book. As a result it’s best if I don’t say too much about it, because it could all be irrelevant. But, yes. I’m quite pleased with it. But very cautiously pleased.
BUT ALSO!!!
I have been working on a graphic novel with an illustrator. Not a superhero-type-comic book, more of a sort of… proper novel, but in illustrated form. I think it will be quite exciting. It’s called Dan and Sam. It’s a love story with a fairly unusual twist. It’s being published by the same heroes (Simon and Schuster) who did ‘Eleven’ and will do the next ‘proper’ book. It will, again, come out in 2012, but probably in a very limited format, i.e. just a couple of thousand copies. Most of them to be bought by people via this website, I suspect.
So there you go. Two books in the next eighteen months or so. How am I going to keep finding the time to do this blog? Bet you I do, though.
There you go. I talked about what you wanted. Wasn’t that exciting but it was interactive. Next?
Posted by Tibbs on January 28, 2011
I’d say this blog was rather exciting. Two books! And I love graphic novels, superhero-type or not. They’re just a different way to tell stories, and that’s always nice!
Posted by Kate W on December 15, 2010
Exciting book news there. The graphic novel sounds lovely – I’m rather fond of them and I think something that’s a “proper novel” in illustrated form rather than a superhero comic book will be fascinating. Dark is good (I should put that on a t-shirt…) and ambitious is great, so I hope your publishers are less cautiously pleased than you are.
Posted by Kate B on December 14, 2010
I honestly can’t wait for the release of both of your books! I’m really excited now
Posted by Josie on December 14, 2010
Graphic novel/comic book/not a comic book sounds very very exciting! Secretly I’m a complete comic book geek, and I loved Eleven, so fingers crossed I’ll love it.
Posted by Mark Dubbins on December 14, 2010
Mark
Thanks for another great night in Norwich last night. Just 1 concern – all this chasing is reminiscent of Duncan Norvelle!!
Posted by Tom Beasley on December 14, 2010
Ooh, a graphic novel does sound exciting. The only one I’ve ever read is Kick-Ass and that’s more of an extended comic book than an actual novel in graphic form. I think I’m rather archaic in my literary tastes in that I’d much rather have a book devoid of illustrations than one that relies on them.
Posted by Lydia on December 14, 2010
My social awkwardness makes me avoid forums. I’m really bad at contributing anything worth contributing. And in my experience with them all the people that post seem to know each other and want to post to each other, which makes joining in even more awkward and difficult.
I’m reading Eleven at the moment, and I really really like it. I am looking forward to school ending so I actually have more time to read it. It is going to be my revision break thing, I think. So far I love it so much, it’s really different from anything else I’ve read recently. Basically that means I’m looking forward to reading more of your stuff, even if it isn’t like Eleven.
Posted by louisel on December 14, 2010
Yay for the two books! I keep meaning to post on the forum, but I always forget. When my laptop is fixed, I’ll really try and remember to do it
I went to see Tim Minchin at the weekend (front row, it was epic), and I really liked your interview with him in the programme. I was so engrossed in it that I didn’t notice the arena was full and the orchestra was on stage until the lights went down and the show started … Oops.
Posted by Rachael on December 14, 2010
A graphic novel?! I can’t wait. Thanks for signing my goats, sometime within the next 10 years I should be able to bring real ones, although I might need a bigger bag for them.
Posted by Beth on December 14, 2010
Really looking forward to there potentially being two more books out in 2012 as I’ve really enjoyed the others.. Also, the graphic novel sounds really interesting – can you elaborate more about it?
Posted by Tracey on December 14, 2010
Hi mark. Great news abouit the book! I don’t know how you manage to find time for everything. I love reading, have done ever since childhood and my teenage daughter also always has her head in a book I’m pleased to say. However, I find reading takes me a lot longer than it used to – anemia shortens concentration spans and makes you tired easily so I plan a good reading session at night and now usually fall asleep! I’m trying to sort this out though and will certainly look forward to your new book. Tracey x
Posted by Misha on December 14, 2010
I should point out, as admin fairy, that the forum can be found on http://www.markwatsonfans.com and also has a TYSIC section.
I’m intrigued by the idea of the graphic novel, as a possessor of one or two myself, as well as the promise of another book. That makes me happy too.
Posted by Zoe Fell on December 14, 2010
“Ised”? “ISED”? I meant used, obviously. Apologies for the spelling fail there.
(And I hate doing double comments too. Bah.)
Posted by Zoe Fell on December 14, 2010
Awww, you lot are lovely.
As the actual creator of #MWblogwatch, I feel it’s my job to keep an eye on the panic.
The Official Rules of #MWblogwatch
1. #MWblogwatch begins at 23:00 GMT.
2. Between 23:00 GMT and 23:15 GMT, #MWblogwatch will essentially be ised for clocking in. Example tweets may include “I’m joining in with #MWblogwatch tonight.” or “My first ever #MWblogwatch – AMAZING.” and so on.
2. A generic “Oooh, no blog title or blog yet? Erk!” can be mentioned at any time between 23:15 GMT and 23:45 GMT.
3. Proper massive panic may only set in at 23:45 GMT. This is when tweets written completely in block capitals may be used.
4. For the record, the closest we’ve come to a missed blog was on August the 9th (During the Fringe, oh yes.) The blog was posted at 23:57 GMT. It can get close. Really close.
Simple.
The book news is massively exciting. I am properly thrilled for you Mark. The graphic novel sounds brilliant. I can’t wait to er…see (?) it.
x
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on December 14, 2010
Sweetnam, get your arse on the forum. You’re already famous from the last 24hr show, so we’d be happy to have you.
New books both sound very exciting, thanks for keeping us updated!
Posted by Megan on December 14, 2010
This is very cool news. Also, that makes you the second comic/graphic novel writer I know who is married to a theatre/playwright-type person. They also had their first baby (a boy) early this year. Spooky.
Posted by Patrick on December 13, 2010
I was the first comment, and so I’m planning to use this power to agree with Someone!
Posted by Someone on December 13, 2010
Awesome. Dark book sounds awesome. I was wondering – I know I’m not first comment BUT – if you ever somehow have the time, could you talk about MW makes the world substantially better? I’m v intrigued as to how it’s all put together/recorded/how much is edited out etc. Wish I’d known about recordings at the time! Still holding out for next series, of course.
Aaaaand… G’night. Ta.
Posted by Catherine aka Cathy on December 13, 2010
Been QIPing lately. Will update TYSIC soon. Lots of stuff going on. I read this blog everyday but I have to confess that I forgot on Saturday. I read it yesterday. I am sorry. Please forgive me. Cathy
Posted by Eilidh on December 13, 2010
Next to no panic tonight, thanks to Zoe. (This commenting thing is getting easier the more I do it)
The forum is lovely, people are always around with tea and biscuits and maybe even cake.
New books will give us something to get excited about.
Posted by Katie on December 13, 2010
I will now attempt to contain my excitement at the prospect of the book and graphic novel until 2012.
Oh God, that’s going to be difficult.
Posted by Patrick on December 13, 2010
Alex – you are most certainly invited!! Please please please come join us, it’s so much fun.
Posted by Kathryn on December 13, 2010
Slightly less panic tonight, mostly due to the calmness and optimism of the lovely Zoe Fell on twitter.
Oooooh, new books…
The forum is a lovely place, people should go there more. We will welcome you with tea and cake, or the beverage/confectionery of your choice.
Posted by Alex on December 13, 2010
The forum is one of those things that I really want to join in with but don’t really feel like I’m invited or know how. Spectacularly daft I know. Still, I blog-watched last night without feeling like I was out of my Watsonian depth so that’s progress.
Posted by Patrick on December 13, 2010
Yes, the forum is lovely.