Fans have been eagerly awaiting the follow-up to Dan Brown’s blockbuster novel, “The Da Vinci Code” for over six years. His new novel, “The Lost Symbol”, isn’t due out until September 15, but if the sales are anything to go by, this novel is on track to become another blockbuster for the author. It’s already ranked number one in sales at Amazon.com, pushing Mark Levin into the number two position and Stephanie Meyer into number three.

 

In “The Da Vinci Code”, Brown reintroduces us to Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon. The novel opens after the chief curator at the Louvre in Paris, Jacques Saunière, has been murdered, his body posed like Leonardo Da Vinci’s drawing, the Vitruvian Man. If that wasn’t puzzling enough, a pentacle has been drawn on Saunière’s stomach … in his own blood and a mysterious message is beside the body.

 

Langdon receives a late night call that draws him to the scene. With the help of the curator’s granddaughter, cryptographer Sophie Neveu, Langdon sets out on a quest to solve the mystery. The journey takes him from the halls of the Louvre, through France, to England and into history itself.

 

After such an adventure it’s hard not to wonder what Brown has up his sleeve for “The Lost Symbol”.

 

From the official Dan Brown website:

“This is a great day for readers and booksellers,” said Mehta. “The Lost Symbol” is a brilliant and compelling thriller. Dan Brown’s prodigious talent for storytelling, infused with history, codes and intrigue, is on full display in this new book. This is one of the most anticipated publications in recent history, and it was well worth the wait.”

 

Brown’s longtime editor, Jason Kaufman, Vice President and Executive Editor at Doubleday said, “Nothing ever is as it first appears in a Dan Brown novel. This book’s narrative takes place in a twelve-hour period, and from the first page, Dan’s readers will feel the thrill of discovery as they follow Robert Langdon through a masterful and unexpected new landscape. “The Lost Symbol” is full of surprises.”

 

Some interesting facts about Dan Brown’s novels:

·         “The Da Vinci Code” is the bestselling adult hardcover novel of all time. There are a staggering 81 million copies in print.

·         With a first print run of 5 million copies, “The Lost Symbol” has the highest first print run in Random House history.

·         Brown released three novels before The Da Vinci Code. Digital Fortress in 1998, Angels and Demons in 2000 (The film adaptation to Angels and Demons is due out on May 15), and Deception Point in 2001.

I’m up and writing. I didn’t actually get up at 5 though, I got up at 6:30, made some coffee & watched the news then AMC on Soap Net…only because I was still too groggy to actually get any writing done. Note to self: When planning to get up before the sun, must go to bed before 1:30 a.m.

 

I was reading a Gena Showalter interview today http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/Interviews/MayJune08/GenaShowalter.html) and was completely astounded by her work schedule. She writes a chapter every day, no matter what, and she’s released a crap load of books since her first novel. Far from a hack, her books are very good.

That got me to thinking. How much more could I be producing? My writing schedule is that I produce 2000 words a day. Once I do that, I feel pretty good. But could I do more than that? Could I write a full chapter a day? I sometimes worked 12 hour days when I worked in accounting, why couldn’t I do that in writing?  So I’m starting something new this week. A chapter a day, no matter what. I’m going to get up at 5am tomorrow and check in here so everyone can see that I’m up and rolling.

Wish me luck…