What If?

I’ve almost finished my intense edit run and I’ve only Call to War left to do.  Given a lot was learned in the preceding five books, I’m hoping there’s a lot less editing to be done.

Finally, my brain is allowed to think about plot lines for the next books.  The first series was about our fearless gang getting their head in the game, but first they had to know the game to play the game.

Of course, the fun is in exploring alternative worlds.  It’s all about ‘what if’.

What if the undead are not simply a bunch of mindless, brain eating zombies, but souls trapped in damaged bodies?  What if our bodies are alive only because we believe they are?  What if you could trick the soul into staying inside a dead body?

All through history, in every culture, there’s a fascination with demons and eternal life.  What if the reason for the consistent curiosity is because there really is a whole other system of the occult few of us are aware of?  What if all the rumours of ghosts, Devils, demons and hobgoblins is true?

What if there really are aliens?  What if they walk among us?

In other words, ‘what if’ all the fun stuff we love to watch in movies, read about in books, see in photos (sadly, all clearly photoshopped) was true.  That’s where a plot line starts for me, so while I’m working I wonder…what if?

While I’ve been editing, I’ve also been mapping the plot line for Eden Lost.  Of course, our crazy-assed team of heroes will still be with us, but this series has another ‘what if’ premise.

What if Eden was really restored and mankind got to live in paradise?  What would we do?  What if we never had to fight for resources?  What if the world suddenly became plentiful in all ways?  Would we suddenly become a lovely, positive, fun-loving crowd filled with the milk of human kindness, or is the competitive and aggressive spirit that made us the dominant species on Earth intrinsic to our psychological, emotional and physical survival?

I think it would be fun to explore the imperfections of man played out in a perfect world and of course, the Devil never really dies and mankind is alway torn between the good and the bad.  In our real lives, we know there’s always two paths we can follow and it’s only our true nature which dictates which path we’ll take.

So, my head is already in orbit and the plot line is forming, but it starts with a premise of ‘what if’.

Wish me luck as I start on my next journey.