Sisu Diaries: The Next Best Thing Blog Hop

I've been tagged! One of my good friends, J. Elizabeth Hill, author of Bound, tagged me into The Next Best Thing Blog Hop, and I am honored. It will serve as motivation to get my work in progress novel back into a flow.

Right now, my next best thing is my first best thing. Aside from my NaNoWriMo experience last November, I've struggled to get my solo work off the ground.

First, the important acknowledgement section. Learn more about J.Elizabeth Hill! Thank you for tagging me!
Here's J's Next Best Novella Thing Post. I can't wait to read the story she's written! Here's some more about J. Elizabeth Hill. Follow her on Twitter and Goodreads and get a copy of Bound at Amazon, Kobo, Smashwords, Nook and in print. It's a beautiful book. I highly recommend a print copy. It's also available on iBookstore.

Now, on to what you want to know about me, Ms. Risurocket, or at least about my Work in Progress. *gulp* (You can see my bio and find out my secrets on Goodreads or my NaNoWriMo page.)

1. What is the working title of your next book?
Ugh, I don't like sharing this. I am very superstitious with my works in progress. The working title is Cage of the Muse.

2. Where did the idea for your book come from?
The idea partially came from my struggle to let go of my co-writer I had been writing with for 10 years. We have nothing published together, but I had to let go of all our co-written stuff in order to focus on solo work. It made me wonder what it would be like to write a story about someone who lost his or her muse, and what they would do about it. Other influences are my university courses in Egyptology and my undying interest in all kinds of folklore and mythology.

3. What genre does your book fall under?
Um, sort of Urban Fantasty with a heavy dash of Adventure and Romantic Suspense. I like to call it the Indiana Jones Genre.

4. What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
Rachel Weisz and a really hot male model named Alejandro Corzo Suárez are cast for my main characters. Though my characters are inspired by many and are really a mixed breed.
My full WIP main character inspiration is available on my Pinterest board.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Only one sentence? Oh, ok...um... "When an artist is abandoned by his muse, all he wants is revenge."

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I haven't decided, yet. If I am lucky enough to discover an agency who wants to represent my books, I will be ecstatic. However, self publishing has definite merits.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I am still very much in the research/planning mode right now. My NaNoWriMo novel took 2 and a half weeks to write, but about 4 months to research and plan. (My NaNoWriMo project is not my "Next Best Thing". It's resting.)

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Honestly, I don't know. I have a love for "archaeological modern gothic romantic suspense" novels (Say that genre combo five times fast. ;) ). Susanna Kearsley is my idol. Elizabeth Peters is my other idol. They are both on equal levels of "idolness". I guess I would compare my WIP to Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody books, most. I want that level of adventure, but Susanna Kearsley's books have contributed a boatload of inspiration. I strive to follow in both my idols' footsteps.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My co-writer, really. It's because of him I am writing this book. I will always consider him to be my co-writer and my muse, even if we aren't currently writing together.

10. What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
My book will work itself into a trilogy that will be rich in characters. I hope to present a world that will inspire, encourage and keep readers reading. I employ Greek Mythology, Egyptology, Archaeology, revenge, secret societies, and a surprising corporation of muses. It's got arson, kidnapping, "fallen" gods and goddesses, and twists that will challenge the riddle of the Sphinx.

And now for my nominee: Jeffrey Kupperman. Jeffrey is the author of urban and historical fantasy and publisher of the Journal of Western Mystery Tradition JWMT.org His journal is serving as an invaluable research resource for my WIP.