8 months and 90,000 words later, the Saturday Survival Serial has officially been turned into a book! Not sure what I am talking about? READ ON to learn the history of how this work of fiction evolved (it isn’t what you may think!)!!
The Story Behind the Story
Our friends over at Tin Hat Ranch started a weekly story that followed a character named Jimmy Walker. Readers voted on the name for the main character and the story began. What made this one unique? Each week, readers would vote on what happened next in the story. It was like the old radio shows that would come on once a week and tell the next part of the story combined with the old “Choose Your Own Adventure” books published in the 70’s and 80’s. Yeah, I am old. 😉
Anyway, the first few weeks came out and I myself was hooked from the start but then I noticed that some weeks were being skipped. I asked if I could write one episode to keep the story going and was given permission. A couple more weeks went by and then there was another lapse due to life getting in the way. I asked if I could just take the story over and got the green light. On the one hand, I was thrilled! HOW FUN! I was also nervous to take on a project where so many people from all walks of life would be reading it. It is hard to please everyone and keep things interesting.
A little known fact about me is I play old-school, table-top Dungeons and Dragons. That’s right, I am one of those people. I also go hunting, grow my own food, and preserve it to get through the winter months. I believe it is this broad spectrum that actually helped me keep things moving forward. In many ways, I felt like I was playing D&D with the world. And it.was.glorious! I had an absolute blast getting to know some of the readers and hearing the feedback.
I ended up opening up the weekly polls to allow for people to add in their own ideas of what should happen next in the story. Others could vote on the reader-made suggestions along with the ones I had included. There were more than one week where people voted for something other than what I had envisioned and it was a wonderfully fun challenge to weave their ideas into the storyline. The title of the book came from a reader suggestion and had the most votes on one of the last polls taken.
Aftermath, A Story of Survival
Here is the description on the cover:
“When the picture of a dog taking a dump shows up on every computer and cell phone screen with the words, “IT Happens,” Jimmy Walker knew things would never be the same again. What he didn’t know was just how bad it would be.
Bugging out to his cabin in the Manistee National Forest, Jimmy figured he would ride out the storm there. He knew there would be trouble from the criminal element and those who had not prepared but hadn’t counted on the United Nations moving in and gathering people up to be ‘relocated,’ too.
Banding together with others in the valley, Jimmy works to meet the threats that seem to come from all directions at once.”
Unlike most “dystopian” or post-apocalyptic novels, this one focuses more on the survival and rebuilding aspects than it does the death and destruction of the disasters themselves. There are plenty of books out there that get into the grit and gore of people trying to survive the initial events and chaos that comes afterward. While there are elements of that in the beginning of the story, the setting and tone is different compared to several popular disaster fiction novels out there. One of my friends commented that the story was “Dystopian-Lite” which made me laugh. There is an element of truth to her viewpoint, though. Instead of being about the events leading up to a disaster, Aftermath is more of a hopeful angle on how humanity bands together to overcome.
A Sequel in the Works?
In short, YES! So many of you have asked about a sequel! I take this as a wonderful compliment and am happy to know people are as attached to Jimmy, Captain, and Amie as I am. I have really fallen in love with these characters and welcome the opportunity to keep their story going for another round. Therefore, I will be starting a NEW ‘Saturday Survival Serial’ early next year!! Readers will again get in on the action and be able to cast their votes to help shape the story. While I would love to get started on it immediately, there needs to be some time for people to read the first one and get as hooked as the loyal readers are. 😉
YOU CAN HELP ME by spreading the word; talking with your friends about it, using social media to get a buzz started, and of course buying your own copy! Worried about missing out on the start of Book 2? Sign up for the newsletter that is sent out every other Sunday to keep up on the latest information and content for Homestead Dreamer!
Just finished the book & thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the characters & it wasn’t too gory.
Virginia! you just made my whole day! I am so glad you enjoyed it AND hearing that my style on the details was well received. I would greatly appreciate a review on Amazon if you’re so inclined. It really helps! Thank you for the comment and I hope you are enjoying Volume 2 that has already started, hosted here at HomesteadDreamer.com!