Whenever I look back at the way my story ideas start out, I’m intrigued by how much those original ideas develop. Beyond the Lightning Bugs has had the same major theme but the plot has developed over time and is now close to being completed. But I’m just not done with this story & these characters. I’ve developed feelings for this family, I want to know what happens next so what better way to do this than with a series? This idea came to me on Saturday while the Joseph family was driving around in the Keys. Yeah, we’re that kind of crazy. We packed a beach bag & a cooler, went to bed around 10 PM on Friday night, & woke up at 2 AM to make the 5-hour drive to Key West. It was amazing & wonderful and relaxing. When Amy and I first started dating we used to do this kind of thing all the time, I’m not sure when or why we stopped but I’m happy to say we definitely have started these weekend jaunts again. Actually, we already have our next trip planned…Blowing Rock Beach in Jupiter in 2 weeks. This is only about an hour and half away so an easier trip but seems fun, nonetheless.
The Keys hold a special place in our hearts. Amy & I went to the Keys on our honeymoon, & we went camping for a few nights a couple of years ago with the kid in tow, he is also enamored with these little islands. We love every part of the Keys. The beaches are beautiful & relaxing, the food is terrific, and the atmosphere, while crowded in Key West, is super chill. Ultimately, the goal is to live in the Keys, realistically, the goal is to live 2-3 hours further south so we’re that much closer to the Keys for these weekend trips, but don’t have to live in a one bedroom trailer with no air conditioner. We hold no delusions about the cost of living in paradise.
I can’t help but think the Keys is a place where I could get some serious writing done. Two years ago, while we were driving over that famous 7-mile bridge, Amy, Stephen, & I came up with an exciting book idea. Stephen still asks when that book will be published but it’ll be a little while…it’ll take a lot of research. On this trip, as we had stopped at a small beach along the Overseas Highway to let Stephen swim in that vibrant aqua water one more time, we decide a cool book name would be Iguana Beach. I can give credit where credit is due, this was Stephen’s idea. (I stole it because he’s not 18 yet, duh!) After stopping at “Hooked on Books” in Islamorada, one of my all-time favorite bookstores, and discovering the Tim Dorsey was going to be doing a signing there later that day, we came up with another creepily interesting story idea. An idea so good that I found the perfect way to keep the characters in Beyond the Lighting Bugs alive. I will make sure to keep you updated on the second book in this series; Iguana Beach.
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