TIM WEAVER | Bestselling author
TIM WEAVER | Bestselling author

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After Eight.

1/13/2017

20 Comments

 
​So, DAVID RAKER 8 is finished. It’s actually been finished for a couple of months, and since October, I’ve been working hard with my editor on knocking the manuscript into shape. It can be a long process, a fiddly one too, but I always look forward to this part. After ten months of working alone on a book, and (if you're me) pretty much doubting it the whole time, it’s somewhat liberating to be able to discuss it with other people, to get their feedback, and to work (in theory, at least!) towards making it a whole lot better.
 
It’s possible, in fact probably very likely, that the work of an editor is underestimated by readers; I certainly had no idea of how vital they were to the process until I became published myself. But a good editor will improve your book tenfold: they will show you the things that don’t work, they will challenge your viewpoint, and they will suggest ways in which the story and characters and structure could be improved. They’ll also, initially, be the number one cheerleader for your book as well. Ultimately, it’s up to the writer whether they take any of that advice on board, but 99 times out of 100, I personally do –– because 99 times out of 100 my editor is right.
 
In the spirit of a telephone salesman, I should probably mention at this point that, if you’re a newsletter subscriber, and you definitely should be, you’ll have already read an extract from Book 8 in the Christmas email. (If you haven’t signed up to the newsletter, you can do so here.) The extract amounted to three-quarters of the first chapter and, although it gave a taster of what’s to come, it was minus that chapter’s ending, which in turn sets out the book's key premise. I’ll be running the first chapter in its entirety in the Spring newsletter, so I’m loathe to talk too much about the plot for now, but I will say, this missing persons case is something very, very different for Raker.
 
While I’m in hard-sell mode, I may as well mention my Instagram page too, on which (sell sell sell) I first revealed that I’d also started DAVID RAKER 9. It’s the incredibly early stages of Raker 9, admittedly – I literally only know how it starts so far – but I really enjoy this part of the process. It’s a clean slate, with absolutely nothing in place and nothing to rule out (yet), and the only thing I know for sure, the only thing I can definitely rule in, is David Raker himself. Beyond that, absolutely everything is up for grabs. (Within reason, of course. I don’t think the world is ready for space unicorns. Or maybe they are. We’ll have to see when Raker 9 comes out.)
 
I think I’ve blogged about this before, but I place high importance on trying to do something different with every book. For me, that doesn’t mean just changing the way a serial killer murders someone. (Not that I’m saying there’s anything wrong with that, of course.) There’ll always be a missing person, because that’s as fundamental to the series as Raker, but everything else I will look at and revise. I will always go back and see if I’ve done something similar before and, if I have, I generally scrap the idea and start again. There are occasions when, in a series, it’s impossible not to repeat things: characters, minor beats, the fundamental building blocks of a thriller. But I hope that each of the books is broadly remembered as offering something different to the one that preceded it. I always think, if a reader can remember one key set piece from each book – a place, a scene, a character – then, as a writer, you’ve done your job.
 
So that’s where I’m at: almost at the end of one process and about to begin another. All of that, and I’ve managed to write half of a standalone novel that has absolutely nothing to do with Raker at all. But that’s a whole other story…

P.S. Since the last blog, I've read:
The Crossing by Michael Connelly
Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Maestra by LS Hilton
Bird Box by Josh Malerman
Sirens by Joseph Knox
Defender by GX Todd

20 Comments
Kathy
3/13/2017 12:33:43 pm

I just want to say how much I enjoy your books .... a detective story with a difference! In particular I couldn't put Broken Heart down and read it in two days while I was off work sick! More please ........

Reply
Tim Weaver
3/15/2017 06:51:17 am

Thank you, Kathy! So pleased you enjoyed Broken Heart –– thank you for the kind words.

Reply
Laura
3/15/2017 08:05:20 am

I am totally hooked on your books! I have recommended them to friends...you really keep the interest going. You are a fab writer..thank you for giving so much enjoyment.

Reply
Tim Weaver
3/16/2017 04:50:23 am

Thank you, Laura! Lovely to hear that the books have you hooked –– and thank you for recommending them too.

Reply
Theresa McAllister
3/20/2017 12:48:29 pm

Tim, thank you for the first chapter of David Raker no. 8, very teasing, I cannot wait for the release in July. Keep them coming!!

Reply
Tim Weaver
3/24/2017 04:31:42 am

Thank you, Theresa! So glad you enjoyed the teaser.

Reply
Anne
4/22/2017 11:20:34 am

So glad your next book is due out soon - am having withdrawal symptoms! Brilliant books so please keep them coming

Reply
Tim Weaver
4/24/2017 06:20:45 am

Thank you, Anne –– so happy to hear that.

Reply
Holly link
4/25/2017 12:30:51 am

I just want to say I absolutely adore your books! I have read all 8 and proudly have them on my bookcase! Can not wait for the next one! You really do have a way of keeping people glued to your books!

Reply
Holly
4/25/2017 12:38:08 am

Haha I meant 7!

Reply
Tim Weaver
6/16/2017 03:26:34 am

That's so lovely to hear, Holly –– thank you! So pleased you've enjoyed the books.

Sam
4/28/2017 08:29:50 am

When is Raker "8" out ?
Can't wait to read it, it seems like a very long time between books :(
Can't you write faster Tim so we don't have so long to wait between books ? ;)



Reply
Tim Weaver
6/16/2017 03:25:38 am

Raker 8, aka I AM MISSING, is out on Thursday 27 July, Sam. I promise I'm writing as fast as I can :)

Reply
Tim Weaver
11/3/2017 03:04:37 am

Not sure how I missed this message, Sam, but big apologies! I'm sure you've figured out that I Am Missing is already out now. I wish I could write faster too, but one a year is about as many as I can do :)

Reply
Sukhdev
5/29/2017 04:30:46 pm

Very excited to read the new book! By the way, I was interested in knowing your thoughts regarding The Girl on the Train. What did you think of it?

Reply
Tim Weaver
6/16/2017 03:30:31 am

Hey Sukhdev! I really liked it –– a very tight psych thriller. Not sure what "special ingredient" it had that made it become so insanely successful over and above other psych thrillers, but whatever Paula Hawkins's secret is, I wish she'd tell me :)

Reply
Chris
8/4/2017 05:43:13 pm

I haven't read a book- I mean really read a book ( half of a Harry Redknapp autobiography) in years. My wife and 2 children are avid readers but I can't focus for long enough, or commit tue time to commit to one. I have just come back from a weeks holiday where I decided to take the plunge and read. I knew I would have some time to just stop and thought I might 'dabble' in literature. I have to admit you're book 'I am missing' was chosen quite randomly from reading the blurb and enjoying mystery drama I thought I would give it a go.

Two days later and I am hooked. I read cover to cover (much to the surprise of my family) and have been inspired to find your earlier Raker adventures now. My son has also spent the past 2 days reading the novel.

Well done sir!

Reply
Tim Weaver
11/3/2017 03:03:28 am

Hey Chris! So sorry I forgot to reply to this, but thank you for the lovely message. It's great to hear that I Am Missing has got you back into reading –– thank you for giving it a go.

Reply
Chris
4/9/2018 03:52:44 pm

Nearly finished all 8 now- Fabulous work Tim. Looking forward to number 9. Any chance these books will hit the big screen? A wider audience would benefit from meeting Raker...

Ali
7/11/2018 04:20:26 am

You say 9 book written but 5 book translated from English To Turkish in TÜRKİYE..I follow you and I want to read your all novels.Please other books quickly translate to Turkish language.

Reply



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    Tim Weaver

    Author of the David Raker novels

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