I find connection between the theory of parallel universes, the multiverse, and the unlived lives we all could have lived had we made different choices. And very often, popular culture makes that connection for me.
 
Case in point, ELO's (Electric Light Orchestra), "The Rain is Falling".

"With their brand new time transporter, they'll think maybe I fought to get away.
But with all their great inventions, and all their good intentions, here I stay."

Here I stay...in the life I do live. I don't think about my unlived lives to "get away" from anything.

I think about them because I spend so much time writing about the unlived lives of my characters.

And so do many who have read Raymond's story based on their questions and comments. They often now reflect on their own what-might-have-beens.

Don't fight it.

Your life choices, both those you value as well as those you don't, are all a part of the life you do live.  

One of the most important jobs a self-published author has is identifying the reader/listener most likely to buy his or her book. I used to own a market research company. I've successfully identified customers for hundreds of clients. Not a problem.

I also initially sucked at identifying who would be interested enough in The Unlived Lives of Raymond Quinn to buy it.

I assumed those who read fiction, who have at least some interest in the multiverse, who like to read mysteries, would be the target. Demographically, probably mid 30's to mid 60's, mostly male.

I got some of that right, but not nearly enough. I assumed, not researched who the Raymond Quinn buyer would be, and as a result, I significantly underestimated women 55+.

I won't do that again.

If you're interested in who buys books in the US, you'll find that here.  

If you're writing/self publishing a book, put researching your audience at the head of your to-do list. And do it way before you even think of running ads (you will have to run ads.)

When you do start marketing, verify or change your audience assumptions doing click testing.

​What I do is too much to go into here, reach out to me if you want to know, I'll be happy to help you.   

The Unlived Lives of Raymond Quinn is doing quite well thanks to all who have purchased the print or digital versions, as well those waiting for the audiobook, due any day now.

I receive lots of emails, texts, and comments asking me to explain the scientific/philosophical debate regarding the possible existence of the multiverse. And along with that, the possible existence of our doppelgangers in those parallel universes.

In short, people want to know, is there is an infinite number of themselves out "there" somewhere?

😐️ Beats me. I took high school botany, got a C+.

Regardless, the book doesn't take sides in that debate. It (me) just assumes there is a multiverse full of universes parallel to the one in which we exist. That being the case, it then describes individuals stuck between their mortal and immortal beings, attempting to make sense of their predicament.

In other words, it's just for fun the same way books about time travel, reincarnation, and extrasensory perception are for fun. (No offense intended if you are writing one of those as a serious research work.)

However, warning to those considering reading or listening to Raymond's story, you do have to concentrate on what you read/hear to understand where it takes you.

It is a "word maze". You will think your know where the story's going only to find you don't. It forces you to think about what you read/hear. As one reader said, "I finished it, it gave me a headache."

Headaches notwithstanding, concentration and thinking are good for you. Food for the brain, particularly in this time of mind numbing political "leaders", most of whom I would be happy to see shipped off to some universe, parallel or not, far, far away from the one I'm in.

I began writing The Unlived Lives of Raymond Quinn almost seven years ago. Five and a half years writing it, another half year to get it ready to publish this past fall.

I began the sequel the first week of January this year. The draft was complete in six weeks. I'm doing read throughs now, number six currently. I'll keep doing them until I see no more I want to change.

When that happens, I'll send it to Valerie, my editor, for copyediting/proofreading. When she's done it goes to Paula for marketing assistance/preparation for publishing this fall.

I'll write the third installment this summer in about the time it took to write the second one; six weeks.

Why the big difference in time to write the first book relative to the second and third books, all essentially the same length?

Laziness!

I had nothing pushing me to finish the first until it was time to publish.

So what's pushing me now?

I'm spending real money for outside help, advertising, and assorted other things relating to RQ's story and the sequel. Even more with the third book.

I can no longer lollygag.

Like it or not, it's become a second career I wasn't looking to have. 

Writing a book? Thinking about writing a book?

Retired?

Not if you want to stay that way.