Well, I survived. And what’s even better than that, I feel good.
When I began Book 2 (which now has a title, and which I will hopefully be able to announce soon) I knew I was venturing into unknown territory in terms of my skill as a writer. It was a great big gamble as to whether I could pull it off, and at times during the writing of the book it felt very much like that moment in the movie Maverick where Mel Gibson is about the turn the last card over, willing it to be the Ace of Spades. Only I still don’t know if I have the cards or not.
I was also gambling that Scholastic would like it. Book 2 was – still is – very different from The Clockwork Three, and I wondered at the time if it was the right story to go after. But I was passionate about it, really taken with the idea, and my wonderful agent, Steve, gave me the push I needed to dive in. And then Lisa, my editor, loved it too.
It was hard to make some of the changes, to let go of what I’d written. That “delete” key really took on a sinister cast, and it truly felt as though I was “murdering my darlings” (a writing expression I understand much better). But now that it’s all done, and I’ve stepped back to get a good look at what the effort has produced, I’m very happy with it. It’s a book I’m proud of, and hopefully, my readers will like it to.
And now, on to Book 3…
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You might be interested to know that it was exactly two years ago today that I posted my first entry on this blog. Not that I expect that anniversary to mean anything to most or all of you. But it means something to me. I started the blog before I had an agent, and before I was published. So in that sense it’s become a record of all the little milestones of my writing career from the beginning.
It’s also personally gratifying on a different level. You know how at the end of the book Jumanji, two new kids pick up the game in the park and take it home? And they’re the kids who never finish a game? That’s me. I’m notorious for not following through on things. So to say I’ve maintained a blog for two years is something of a personal accomplishment in which I take a measure of pride.
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I’ve been meaning to post links to some more online reviews that have popped up for The Clockwork Three. I appreciate the time that each of the reviewers and bloggers put into reading and thinking about the book. Hop on over and check them out.
– Fuse #8
– Kidsreads, which also has an interview
– 21 pages
Update: A few more reviews…
12 responses to “Revisions done! Also, a few more reviews.”
Great reviews! Can’t wait to read the next book. And I still want my author interview, if only I could just get on the ball and write some questions.
I stand ready and willing, Elena. Fire away!
Happy Two-year anniversary, Matt (and blog). And I’m thrilled your second book is off and running. Can’t wait to learn the title, and hear more about it!
Thanks, Brodi!
I have a story for you. My in-laws just called to
congratulate me on the Flying Start article, and my mother-in-law
in the background said, “That Matthew Kirby looks really cute!”
They were very impressed that I’ve met you. So, congrats! You have
a fifty-something-year-old woman with a crush on you. Just another
perk, I suppose.
A perk, indeed!
And congrats on the Flying Start!
Matthew, I bought my nine year old your book at a school
book fair at the beginning of November; he tore through it in two
days! While he is an avid reader yours was the first book he
brought to me and told me I HAD to read it! Well, I was in the
middle of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series and frankly
thought why would I want to read a children’s book. So four books
later, with my son getting more and more upset about me starting a
new book that was not The Clockwork Three, I finally gave in and
started it. I am so glad I did! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and was
completely immersed. I could smell the city, see the pond, and
taste the turtle soup! My son said he could almost feel the dirt
under his nails when Hannah was digging below the memorial stone.
Thank You, what fun it has been to be able to share your book with
my son. We both anxiously await your next release. Thanks Again,
Jacquie
That means so much to me, knowing that my book was something you and your son were able to share. Truly wonderful. Thank you for sharing that with me.
I can echo that! My 11 year old son bought your book at his book fair before the holidays and read it all the way from TX to CO on our vacation. He nose was buried in it…it won out over the Nintendo DS or the portable DVD player I had brought for the drive too which you should really take pride in in this day and time!
He insisted even after reading just a couple chapters, that I should read it and kept saying “Mom, you’ll love it!”. I was busy with all the things taking 3 kiddos on a road trip brings as well as Christmas and didn’t think much of it but a little over a week later as we got into the truck to start the journey back home he dug in his bag and pulled out the book and handed it to me…didn’t say anything but I got the picture! 🙂
I LOVED it and didn’t want to put it down! Never has a long drive gone by so fast! As Jacquie said, I found myself immersed, able to feel the children’s pain as well as relief and burdens lifted, smell the streets after the rain, picture their homes and clothes….great work!
I was so impressed it was your first book! What a good start out of the gate! Couldn’t help thinking the whole time it would make a fantastic movie as well….so long as they stayed true to the book! It’s a keeper that my two younger children will undoubtedly enjoy as well in the years to come and I’ve already told my sister to pick it up for my niece and nephew as well. Thank you for writing it!
Tiffany
In today’s world, to say that a book was able to win out over a DS and a DVD is probably one of the highest compliments a writer can get!
I’m so glad you and your son enjoyed the book (and that it made a long road trip go by that much quicker). And I hope your niece and nephew do, too. Thank you.
Dear Mr. Kirby,
I loved The Clockwork Three! So you are coming out with a second book?!? Yesssss! Is it going to be a sequel to The Clockwork Three???? I just really enjoyed the book and think it should be a series, and made into a movie. I loved all the characters but especially Giuseppe and Pietro! Thank you for the awesome adventure!
~Haley
You are very welcome, Haley. I’m happy that you enjoyed the book.
My next novel will not be a sequel, but something new and different for me. But I think you’ll like it, too.