Yesterday, I started working on a new novel. I’d already done some preliminary reading for it last summer. Now I’ve started serious research.
I won’t reveal precise details about the subject of an unpublished novel on the Internet, but I can say that this upcoming book will be quite different from The Ambitious Madame Bonaparte. It’s set in a later time period—the 1860s—and in a region that was still frontier. What the two books have in common is that each features a strong female protagonist whose life is affected by war. I’ll need to take a research trip for the new book this summer, but I’ll probably start writing long before then. I imagine I’ll follow the same method I used with Madame Bonaparte—do a couple of month of intense research and then start writing, while continuing to research details as needed.
My rough goal is to finish the draft in 2014 and to have the book published in 2015. I think that may be the extent of my New Year’s resolutions for the coming year.
How about you? Do you make resolutions?
Ruth Hull Chatlien 
Happy New Year, and best of luck on the new book!
Thank you!
So exciting! Have fun with the new book!! 😀
I make New Year’s goals sometimes. When I do I try to keep them simple. Back in the day I’d make the most elaborate goals. Ha!