New Series: Ready, Set, Go!

Posted bySusan K. MarlowPosted inJenny Grant

Okay, I have committed to finishing book one of the Timberland Adventures series by the end of the summer (I have written over 5,000 words so far). Then, Lord willing, I will send it to my publisher this fall, to see if they want to pick it up and publish it. It will be middle-grade (ages 8-12), and I plan on including some illustrations (think CCAdventures 7 and 8, with illustrations). Not a ton, but enough to help y’all get a flavor of the time and place.

I’m actually getting excited, especially since I was able to create a cover background that did NOT show Tacoma in the 2000s. LOL But in 1880 (with a sawmill). This cover is just ME having fun and is in NO WAY a cover that indicates that this book even exists (it does not). I designed a couple of logos too. The colored one for the outside cover, and the BW one for the inside of the book’s title page. Oh, yeah! I’m having lots of fun.

If you want, you are more than welcome to choose one of the illustrations at the top of the post and write what you think is happening and why. Why is Jenny chasing after her spotted Appaloosa (his name is Rain Drop, and you can probably guess why). And what is going on with her nuzzling her friend at the end of the mini adventure that takes place during the first four chapters. I’m hoping to make this series a little more light-hearted than Andi’s adventures in the CCAdventures. I really want something different for Jenny, something that sets her off from making her just a “carbon copy” of Andi. That’s not what I want at all.

Sure, if you know anything about the overall story arc for Trouble in Tacoma, then you know bad things are going to happen up river, dramatic things. Flooding, dynamite, a boy who is sure he’s going to be the town’s hero but that does not happen. A dangerous railroad “trestle” crossing over the bay, a logjam, and an unlikely rescue. But I want to include some humor, as well, since Jenny seems to be more trouble-prone than even Andi (but in a funnier way). See? I actually have this book plotted out. So hopefully the writing will go quickly when the story arc is all there, chapter by chapter!

Thanks for letting me chat about this!

Published by Susan K. Marlow

I'm the author of the Circle C and Goldtown Adventures series. I blog as "Andi Carter," the main character in the Circle C series. She lives on a huge cattle ranch in 1880s California. These are her adventures.

25 thoughts on “New Series: Ready, Set, Go!”

  3. Its great that you have gotten excited about your new book!!!!! I know God will give you the wisdom to write it. I’m getting over some writer’s block right now with the second book of my own series…… If you have any tips to get over it please let me know, it’s driving me crazy that I’m not getting anywhere on it!!

    I love all your books, I can’t wait to get my hands on these ones!!!!!!!

    Abigail Hadley

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  4. So exciting!!!! I am quite a bit older than 12, but I am definitely getting this book when it comes out anyway!

    Plus, if this series goes well, there could be one about her and Cory for older readers… 😁😁

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    3. Same here, Emmy! I am also quite a bit older than 12 as well, but I am so getting this book once it’s available! I even read my lil sis’s Andi stepping stones books sometimes-just for fun! 🙃

      ~Annie

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    1. I surely hope the girls won’t be grown up before they actually get published! I’m on chapter 4. God is good about giving me my “daily bread” (i.e. word count), like he did for the last two Goldtown Adventures books. And He has made my heart excited about these new adventures. Keep praying that I “finish the course.” 🙂

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  10. Yes! Yes!! I’m Yao excited about this! And I love the idea of having them be more lighthearted than the Andi books to keep them different! Does that mean they will be more funny?

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      2. A very hard question to answer. If Kregel declines the project (they have first rights of refusal), then I could have it out by Christmas. LOL
        But the chances of my publisher declining a new series is very small, and a major publishing company takes months and months. I’d say at least a year to a year and a half AFTER they send me a contract. Seriously. Royalty publishing is slower than a glacier because they are concerned with getting all of the marketing in place.

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  14. Hey Mrs. M! I LOVE the Circle C books. Definitely one of my favorite series of all time and not just saying that! I am also an author and love to write/dream up stories and I was wondering if you could share with us your process of how you plan out your stories up to the first draft? How do you outline (do you outline or what does that look like for you?)? What software or platform do you use to write your books? Any tips or resources that have helped you over your years of writing? I would love to see a post (or multiple posts) on this subject!

    Excited for the Timberland Adventures! 🙂

    Blessings, Aunie

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