Just a little celebratory email today to let you know I’ve finished the next Rockpools book The Island of Dragons – Hooray! I think I sat down to work out the plot in early January so this is the quickest I’ve ever finished a full draft. I’m not quite sure what’s made me so productive, though it could be the spinach smoothies* we’ve been knocking back every day here. It’s not quite finished of course, I’ll go over it again a couple of times, but I have a feeling it’s actually pretty much there already.
However, I’m going to take a couple of weeks break, so I can go back to it relatively fresh, and I wanted to ponder what I should write next (and maybe even think of a plot, if those smoothies keep working their magic). Hence this email. I thought I’d ask you lovely lot for what you’d like me to get on with next. I’ve narrowed down the choices to:
- Book 5 in the Rockpools series. I know you haven’t had the chance to read book 4 yet, and you might be sick of it once you have, but let’s imagine it’s really, really good! 🙂
- A sequel to my first novel The Wave at Hanging Rock. I’m feeling I might be ready to attempt this now.
- A brilliant new standalone novel. I have no idea what, nor if ‘brilliant’ would end up being the operative word to describe it. But I could try.
- None of the above, in fact nothing at all. Please stop writing. You get the idea.
Just one question. Please vote on the poll below. I make no promises I’ll listen even if everyone asks for one option. I might decide to write An Illustrated History of Croatian pottery** – you know what us creatives are like.
Thanks in advance!
Oh – I nearly forgot my shameless plug opportunity – you can pre-order The Island of Dragons right here. And huge thanks to all those who already have. You rock.
Gregg
*Smoothie recipe: one mango or half a pineapple, one banana, half cup of water, massive wodge of spinach. Blitz it until whoever’s in your kitchen yells at you to shut-up. Drink. Yum.
** I think I could make this work. Croatian pottery is pretty interesting. Probably.
[yop_poll id=”5″]
Hi Gregg,
Would love to read a stand alone book – start to finish all in one book. How about a sci fi thriller? Set in a dystopian future – with set rules and obscure laws etc. I think with your writing skills and talent this could be amazing. Would definitely buy it. Oh btw preorder new book back in 30/1/21
I’m partial to sci fi and fantasy. Horror, too, but you may not care for that genre. Maybe something with a Mars emphasis since we just arrived there.
Anything based in the UK so that I don’t have to clench my buttocks every time I see the word ‘gotten’. If it was about bodyboarding in the UK, that would be even better 😉
What is it with the bodyboarding?! (And I try to be as sparing as I can with the ‘gotten’s)…
A sequel to Hanging Rock or Desert Run would be great.
I enjoy all your books but those two are probably my favourites.
Hi Gregg, I’d love a sequel (or even a prequel!!) to Hanging Rock as that’s what got me hooked on your writing, although I nearly slipped off the hook half way through The Glass Tower!! I did go back and finish it though and have loved reading about Billy’s exploits. Next one ordered and eagerly awaited. For me, as long as you keep writing I’m a very happy reader.
I have no doubt you could write Billy Wheatley books for years to come and they would all be hits. I also like the idea of a sequel to the Wave at Hanging Rock. But my favourite choice is for you to try something completely new. I love your writing style and hope you will find inspiration in some unusual happening to get you started. And good luck!
No short stories please. Like to get my teeth into a whole book. Would love another Billy book, but also the Hanging Rock sequel would be interesting. Plenty of scope there I would think. Love everything you’ve written. Look forward to whatever comes next.
I voted for a sequel to The Wave at Hanging Rock but I’m always pleased to hear more about Billy!
Really anything other than a History of Croatian Pottery! 😂
I absolutely love The Rockpools series and Billy, but I agree with some other commenters. Maybe give Billy a rest for a while and move on to a stand alone. I really did enjoy the Glass Tower too. Whatever you write, I’ll enjoy it! Keep ’em coming!
I have really enjoyed all your books , but I think a sequel to The Wave at Hanging Rock would be a good project. Looking forward to The Island of Dragons when it is released. I too find Billy a fascinating character, but perhaps give him a rest for a bit
Another one like “The Glass Tower” please. I’ve read and enjoyed all your books, but “The Glass Tower” is definitely my favourite (so far).
Loved all Gregg’s books but this one is especially precious to me as I was part of the Beta group who helped edit the very occasional errors. Loved that experience which is why this is such a special book for me.
My favourite ever is The Girl on the Burning Boat but whatever you decide will be great I’m sure x
I’ve voted for another Rock pools, only because I couldn’t vote for all the above! (except for the last one of course). You only need to keep on writing to keep all of us happy – as long as it’s not a recipe book. Don’t fancy the smoothy! Enjoy your break.
I agree. My vote would have been for all of the above! Keep them coming please but it’s OK for you to have the odd day off!
I feel the same. I only voted to a sequel to hanging rock because it would give you a break from Billy. But I do love Billy…..
A sequel to the Hanging Rock would be great, Gregg. Maybe with a little bit more bodyboarding 😉
Ha! Bloody speedbumps 😉 Actually I’ve given in and bought one. It’s quite fun…
Ah nice! I’d like to think watching me catch all the best waves during our uni years finally influenced you 😂 I’ve gone the other way and have a “proper” surfboard now!
I have loved all your books Gregg, even your email newsletters strung together would make a great read. Keep em coming.
Actually anything you decide will be fine with me. I’ll read it, love it and beg for another book.
I’ve voted for another in the Rockpools series. Really enjoyed them all. But your standalone novels too have hit the spot for me. In fact I’ve enjoyed all your books, so as long as you write some more, I’ll be happy. At least that negates one choice for you. Croatian pottery? Hmm. If nothing else, it would be informative I’d say. But I suspect that the research will take up too much time and would mean us poor readers would be starved of your work for too long as a result. So there’s another option out for me. But whatever you do, enjoy your break and I’m sure I’ll enjoy your work when you resume.
Well, I wouldn’t mind any of the options; however, I very much enjoyed ‘The Glass Tower’ and ‘The Girl on the Burning Boat’. So I would love another stand alone book – and I know that Gregg will come up with a great plot to wow us all. 😊❤️
So pleased to be asked to vote but….all of the above? (Apart from the last choice, obviously!) Enjoy your smoothies.
A sequel to Wave at Hanging Rock would be amazing……. but then more ‘Rockpools’? Yes please.
Loving everything you write so keep them coming please.
Actually anything you decide will be fine with me. I’ll read it, love it and beg for another book.
Wave at Hanging Rock sequel would be amazing or a brand new novel! I love everything you write!
Anything you write.
Wave at hanging rock!!!
Been waiting for that since I first read your book Gregg that inspired an art quilt😊🤞🏻
It’s still on the wall!
😊👍🏼
The Wave at Hanging Rock is definitely my favourite so a sequel would be good but I can’t remember how many of the characters were still alive at the end.
But whatever you do, DON’T REINCARNATE DETESTABLE JULIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ll have to re read to see who’s left too!
I’ll read anything you write, even the History of Croatian Pottery. Maybe something based in Ireland? I’d be glad to show you around. Nothing Covid related though, am sick of it.
She was rather dastardly, wasn’t she?! 😂😂
I would read whatever you choose to write.
I would love a sequel to The Wave at Hanging Rock but the decision must be yours. You must write what you feel most passion for and not what people want you to write or you will feel under pressure and won’t enjoy the journey. Whatever you write though I will enjoy. I don’t know what it is about your books but I have loved every one, you seem to create a lovely atmosphere/feeling.
Looking forward to reading The Island of Dragons which I’ve already pre-ordered.
Take care and thank you.
Kind regards,
Jo
Tired of Billy. Would like a sequel to Wave at Hanging Rock. Need something new.
I enjoyed the first rockpool book. I found the 2nd was rather shallow and whilst I read it, I was put off reading the next one. I have bought it. Just not read it yet. I would welcome something fresh and different. I think your writing is best with original new ideas.
I’ll read whatever you write. Just get on with it. Lol. Already pre ordered my copy.
How about a book of shorter stories – I really enjoyed Killing Kind. It was gripping and a fantastic twist.
But I love all your other stuff too and always pre-order so just keep doing whatever makes you happy.
Hi Greg I think you should write another Billy book but insert it between books 2 and 3 – meaning Billy is still at that earnest but naive stage ( and killingly funny without meaning to be). I can’t help feeling he’ll lose his charm as he gets older and wiser. After all, Enid Blyton managed to get the Famous Five to have an adventure every holiday they got and no one ever criticised her for the unlikeliness of it all – they just wanted a cracking good yarn. I did notice however that as they all got older they weren’t so much fun any more- especially Julian who became quite a pompous old stick.
I love your writing Gregg, your characters are so “real”. Lots of humour in your writing and really good original plots. I stand by my earlier comment to you however, write about places you know…. Billy is British without a doubt.
I’d love to see something completely new from you as I don’t want Billy to grow up.
How about another book with the characters left from The desert run? I loved that book!
Oh yes, so did I. I’d forgotten about that one but I think it is one of my favourites.
Are you going to finish the 80% written book too Greg. I’m waiting for it…
Yes I agree the Desert Run was the best
Yes please. Desert Run was the best!
4………
Nah just kidding, Any BUT #4
Whilst I love the adventures of the now not so wee Billy, Revisiting Hanging, seeing where that will take us, seeing as you’ve had a bit more practice lolol.
But then, a stand alone novel is very enticing, Desert Run is still my favourite, and when you don’t need to worry about what happens next……..
I’ve had the devil of a time getting your books so I’m very much behind the 8 ball with all the new ones. I loved the Hanging Rock.
Not tech savvy enough to figure out how to get them in my isolated corner of the world.
Where are you Nana? I thought they were available everywhere (or that Amazon was everywhere anyway, though probably a good think if they’re not!)
Hi Nana,
Just search for Amazon and you’ll get them all on there.
Good luck
I’d love to read something with covid 19 in the plot or even just the background. Its changed life so much and will be part of history. Zoom/teams should figure and I’m sure you could come up with something clever.
Seriously? :-O
The one I didn’t finish had Covid in the background, and that was one of the reasons it was hard to finish – the ongoing nature of the situation. It would be easier now to reengage with it but at the same time, I’m so sick of Covid too!
I love Billy so much but think you should alternate, to give your other characters a chance or even new characters to appear in our lives.
Looking forward to the new Billy book. One of my favourites in literature.
Any of the above would be good really enjoy reading your books and have loved everyone
NO!!!!!!!!!!!