Dear Readers,
My original plan while Everlasting was a work-in-progress was to include a Forward, but as the clock kept ticking and the release got bogged down by the process, I nixed that idea for a couple of reasons:
- Time
- Does anyone actually read that stuff?
- Was I micro-managing the story? (It’s funny if you think about it)
Color me embarrassed because, ‘yeah,’ people DO read that stuff! Okay, so grab a beverage and have a seat as I ramble and by doing so answer a few burning questions.
Poetic License and Family Justice
My journey as a storyteller began a long, long time ago. On a whim a couple of years back I took a stab at turning a story into a manuscript. For those who’ve heard this scintillating narrative, what actually happened was this: after 30+ years in education, I hit the wall and decided early retirement was a healthier alternative than staying to the bitter end. Right away, I started getting into trouble. By ‘trouble’ I mean, taking on new hobbies like cake decorating, chalk painting and jewelry making. My daughter wisely intervened! She gave me a new box of crayons with some drawing paper and suggested I sit down and write that book I’d been going on and on about for years.
So, I did! At a folding table in a high-rise vacation timeshare across from a beach on the Gulf of Mexico, I wrote Broken Justice. I was excited about the process and that I actually had it in me to move a story from concept to manuscript! Afterward, I assumed that was it. Time to find something else to occupy my time.
When my little happily ever after about a brooding veteran with loner aspirations who fell for an innocent lost-girl connected with readers, I was flabbergasted. People wanted to know more—about the other guys.
What’s a storyteller to do except write the tales of the other two? Fixing Justice followed and then the series came full circle with the final book, Redeeming Justice.
After the 3 Justice Brothers books wrapped up, readers still wanted more, and more, and MORE! This clamor led to the birth of Family Justice, and now here we are, six books in and the supporting details in the overall narrative have frayed.
It’s what happens when a single story becomes a never-ending saga. As more characters and happily ever after’s joined the Justice crew, an informal timeline kicked off.
Eventually ~ the timeline became a mess. The stories happened organically / weren’t conceived as an on-going series / and weren’t written in ‘real time.’
What to do? What to do? What to do?
With Everlasting up next, as Junior Justice came into clearer view, it was apparent a more precise timeline was necessary. An exhausting review of the eight previous books took place. With this information, I waved my poetic license wand (every author gets one when they publish!) and swept everything into a big ol’ messy pile. Then, using a hilarious grid drawn on a piece of cardboard from a discarded desk calendar, the relevant dates were set down. Ages, birth dates, anniversaries, time frames – scribbled, crossed out, arrows – it all came into view.
That’s what you see in Everlasting. The timeline reader’s want is coming together. I’ve moved the story as much as possible into a coherent time frame and brought in supporting characters from the Wilde Women series with matching storylines in this period.
Poetic license is defined like this:
poetic license noun the freedom to depart from the facts of a matter or from the conventional rules of language when speaking or writing in order to create an effect: he used a little poetic license to embroider a good tale.
Right off the bat, I applied this ‘freedom’ where Parker and Angie’s wedding is concerned. The ‘official’ date is March 20th. Was March 20th a weekend in 2017? No.
Now, let’s talk about where the Justice saga goes from here.
EVERLASTING IS NOT THE FINAL BOOK IN THE SERIES.
There’s so much more Justice to come – including a few surprise novellas!
That doesn’t mean that there aren’t other Halliday Happily Ever After’s on the drawing board. I’m hoping to finish the Affair Series later this year and have a new stand alone tentatively titled, Cupid in Heels penciled in.
What’s the takeaway from this #AuthorRant?
Family Justice as an on-going series, CONTINUES.
The loose end wrap-up in Everlasting is how the timeline and supporting details were handled.
There’s so much more to come!
Thank you for coming along on this epic storytelling journey. Hearing from enthusiastic readers who want to share their love of the quirky characters and HEA’s that I write about has enriched my #authorlife beyond words!
Much love to all,
You rock!
Suzanne Halliday
June 2017
I have fallen in love with your entire cast of characters in the Justice saga. I read, re-read, and even re-re-read the books. They are real in my mind and I can’t wait to read the next one.
Oh my gosh! Penny! Thank you so, SO much!
Wow I am a fellow teacher and I am itching to get out of education before it sucks my soul dry. I want to be a success coach for new college students and perhaps high school seniors as well. I read your books to step out of Ohio’s stifling humidity and endless fields and escape the stress of trying to meet YAP and have students SLO scores impact my evaluation in a positive way. Thank you for creating a great escape!
I remember that stifling humidity and the soul sucking feeling. Take a leap of faith!
#storytelling #greatescapes
LOVE!
Thank you for this wonderful adventure with the awesome family!
Susan
My pleasure, Susan. Seriously! #storyteller
I love the journey that you have shared with us on this beautiful series that fell out of your heart into your brain and onto a manuscript that became what is now a beautiful series. I cannot tell you what it does for me personally to read the series because the feelings that you share in your stories are so much like the feelings that I have in my own heart and it gives it validation and comfort. In very difficult times I am able to select any one of the stories and I know that it will transform me into the world of Justice. I know that sounds corny but it’s the truth and I love it. I can’t wait for the Remy story and I can’t wait four original Justice because it’s seriously got me twitterpated LOL!
You rock my world, Jeanette. Saying thank you for your support isn’t enough.
P.S. Remy is up next.
What you created with Broken is what started me on my journey with Justice. And I have not looked backed. I love losing my self in this life that you’ve created. I personally don’t ever see an end. And I can’t thank you enough for Cameron and Lacey. You changed my life the day I discovered that first book.
You’re my other-side-of-the-globe sister, Fiona! Thank you for embracing those two. They started it all and I have a special place in my heart for Cam and his Ponytail.
That’s so awesome!!! Well said!! I absolutely adore the Justice books and am beyond happy to hear they will continue on!!! I am so looking forward to whatever book you bring to us next!! Your stories are by my favorite and according to my hubby I read way to much…lol keep on writing love everything you publish!!!!
Chrissy! From some of the comments I get, it occurs to me that a husband’s support group for men with wives who are avid Halliday readers might be a ‘thing.’ LOL
You keep reading and I’ll keep publishing. Deal?
Thank you for taking us on this journey. I am an avid reader and always wondered what happened after “The End”. Your characters are real and their issues are relatable. Please keep the stories coming, I’ll definitely be waiting for the next.
Thank you, Rhonda. It’s my great pleasure to share my stories with you.
I am so happy to hear there is more Justice to come!! I noticed in Everlasting an italic “Unforgiven” maybe the next book??? I LOVE the characters and can’t wait for your next book!!!!
Michelle – the working title for the next story is Unstoppable. The whole gang is there of course but Remy takes a front seat, next to Sophie. And then there’s Rafe and Domineau! Plenty more to come. I love that you stop and think about these things!
Don’t end the series ever! I can’t get enough. I read the stories over and over. Draegyn’s parent need to show up Omg. I can only imagine. Lol.
You think? LOL Those two showing up in Bendover might be quite a wild ride! (Stay tuned)
Awesome and looks forward to many more stories from your heart. Thanks so much for making my day every time I read one of your stories. you make being a reader fun, exciting and a new adventure every time I open any of your books. Have a wonderful weekend and 4th of july.
Thanks Carla!
Thank you, Suzanne–not only for all of your great books but for tying off some of those dangly bits. “Everlasting” was SOOOO satisfying! Not sure what the core characters will find to get into now, but I am certain it will be solid reading material wherever you take them. Keep the books coming, as you can. But don’t forget to take time for yourself, tell the characters babbling in your head to STFU for a few and chill out!
You rock Josie! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Dangly bits ~ I love the expression!
I’m reading right now. Love all things Justice. Thank you for the explanation. Amazing to me how you have transitioned/melded it all. I will admit I get confused at times, happily so tho, on who’s who cos you twined them quite intricately which just makes it all “more better”. I’m not checking dates, lol. You’ve made it quite timeless.
LOL Marsha. The date checkers had a quite a list that I was happy to fix and explain.
Thank God!!!!!! (it’s not the end….). Just finished “Everlasting” and cannot get enough of those people!!!! So glad you found (maybe) your true self in retirement (a selfish sentiment). You’re the bomb!!!
Thank you so much! Retirement rocks. I love writing and telling stories.
Suzanne,
Thank you for the Justice Series. I am in love with all the books and truly feel like all the characters are my friends. I have read the whole series several times and it makes me happy when I reread the books, knowing I’ll be spending time with my Justice friends. Please keep the books coming!!!!
Thank you so much! More to come from bendover!
I have really enjoyed this series. I can’t wait to read Remy’s and Finn’s story.
I just finished a re-read of everlasting and enjoyed it as much if not more than the first time. Love the baby born in the manager reference. The original justice story explained how it all started which was great. Had never read d/s stories before so I have learned a lot. Glad there is more justice to come. Sorry about the lack of caps but my keyboard is acting weird.
I’m a first time Suzanne Halliday reader. Shugah what a way to start!! Oh my gosh. I’ve just finished Everlasting and have downloaded the Wilde series which I’ll go start reading as soon as I’m finish this. Your characters are wonderful and rich with just right amount of vulnerability to make it feel like they’re real. Who doesn’t want to be one of those kick-ass women when they grow up! Let’s not even start on the Justice men. I want one!!! Looking forward to reading your next books.
Thank you! Thank you!