Nick Petrie: The Joys and Challenges of Writing a Long-Running Series

The creation of every book still feels like holding a newborn kitten in my hand, a small and fragile creature that I never quite believe will grow strong enough to survive on its own.  Although I’ve done it nine times now — ten times, if you include the finished manuscript now awaiting the sharp red pen of my copy editor — writing a novel from beginning to end always seems impossible until it’s actually done.

I’m thinking about this now because I’m trying to come up with the next book in my Peter Ash series.  As a novelist, this is one of my favorite moments, with many distinct joys and challenges.  Interestingly, the challenges, which become more significant with each new book, are the inverse of the joys.

The joy of conceiving a new book begins with the recurring characters.  By now, Peter Ash, June Cassidy, and Lewis have become old friends.  I know their personal histories, how they think and talk, their secret fears and fierce loves.  Sometimes I dream about them.  Writing in their voices has become second nature for me, like a conversation around the dinner table with folks I’ve known forever.

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