Sept Jours
When I finally got the courage to begin a new series of books, my first thought was not whether it would work (if you know me, you have to know that’s not how I think) but rather how would I do it, or even if I could. Coco is so different to Hugo, and yet as demonstrated by ‘Les Mauvais Garçons,’ they have more in common with one another than differences. It was from that basis I began Coco’s book. But I didn’t want it to be the same as a Hugo book, or else it would just be a case of writing a book and doing a find/replace for Hugo/Coco. In the end, it didn’t matter. It was the same as the first chapter in the first Hugo book (Un Homme Qui Attend) when I didn’t overthink it, or over plan it. Hugo alighted a train and walked into Paris. Coco alighted an elevator and intruded us to HER Paris. And that was that. We were off again. A new crazy train ride (or wreck, this is Coco, after all!)
The first thing that happened was I realised there needed to be a difference between the two series and then by chapter three, a pattern emerged and it was clear. Coco would lead each chapter. There would be no wandering off into other worlds away from the protagonist as often happens in the Hugo books. With Coco, we would see what she did in real time, with no gloms of what going on when Coco’s not looking. It was both exciting and different for me, and I think it was what allowed me to write two very different series of books.
The concept of ‘Sept Jours’ was this. A murder investigation takes place over a period of seven days. That was the first thing I wrote in my new ‘Coco bible.’ And that was it. But to be honest, that’s how all of the books start. A sentence or two and then we’re off! I’ve adored getting to know Coco. I thought it was because she was so different to Hugo, but really she isn’t. I see myself in both of them, and crucially I see them both clearly. I don’t get confused, and I don’t write something for Coco that was meant for Hugo. For some reason, they both just exist and I manage to tell their stories at the same time. Mind you, I’m planning on doing a cross over soon (Coco might call it ‘The Nancy Boys and Hardy Drew’ - ironically my favourite title I’ve come up with ever, but one I don’t think I’d get away with).
Next time, the weird(er) titled second Coco book…
Always,
GX