It’s exhausting living in a fictional world

The Shepherd Security world is a real place in my mind. The characters are old friends. I know every single one of them and their stories, already told and yet to be written. They have their successes, worries, and desires. They have futures just waiting to play out. And there is so much that builds from story to story to keep track of, little things like Garcia liking Hawaiian pizza and classic rock. Jackson made Angel a country music fan, and Doc’s favorite band is Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. They have extended families to be remembered who will come into future stories, like Lambchop’s parents, nephew, and nieces. Do you remember that Madison has a train-wreck of a sister? I do and she will return in a future storyline.

My family has teased me that I have a hard time remembering some things at home. I jokingly remind them I have a whole other world and a large group of people’s stories and complicated relationships to remember and there is only so much storage space in my brain for everything. And yes, it can be exhausting!
It took me longer than normal to write my most recent book, book #12, in the Shepherd Security Series, Operation: Blood Angel.

My mom lost her battle with stage 4 lung cancer this past January, right after I published Operation: Spirit Angel and I had a hard time writing for over a month. There was nothing creative going on in my head. My husband and I took a cruise at the end of February and that helped some. We took a second cruise at the end of April (it was accidentally booked and lost track of) and it wasn’t until I was back home around May 10th that my head cleared–though I guess I should say I moved through the grief of losing my mom, and I was able to write.

So, as I get ready to publish book #12 in the series (it’s still out with my editor) I am doing what I usually do in between books. I make notes on details in the book that I will want to remember, and I am writing a loose storyline for the next one. Book #13 will be Caleb ‘Hound Dog’ Smith’s book. He is the youngest member of Shepherd Security, a member of the Digital Team who also works Ops. In Operation: Shadow Angel you will get to know him as he’s had very little exposure in past books. Because of his experience, he has tight relationships with many of the Shepherd Security regulars. They trust his skills with a computer. He’s proven himself at HQ, but in this book, he’ll be in the field, a situation he isn’t accustomed to.

I’ve received emails from readers asking why certain people have had their stories told, why others have not yet, and when certain favorites will get their stories. What I can tell you is that these characters truly speak to me and tell me their stories. I write them in the order they come to me and due to the end of book #12, Caleb Smith’s story has to be #13. You will understand when you read both books! Caleb’s story needs specific circumstances to occur, and with what book #12 leads the team to happen in the beginning of book #13, those circumstances are in place.

I truly thank you for coming along on this amazing journey with me into the Shepherd Security world. For me to help to introduce my books to new readers, if I could please ask a favor of you. Would you please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter or even send me a friend request on Facebook and when I post about my books, please share my posts. If you are not on social media, please sign up to receive my newsletter and share it with friends of yours who you know like to read. I think below are how you would reach me on the 3 Social Media Platforms. I will admit, I am not great at social media beyond Facebook. I just joined Instagram today. I opened an account on Twitter last fall but haven’t done much with it.
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Thank you for reading and for following me!
All my best,
Margaret
 
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