Touching Base, New Projects

Hey, folks! Sorry it's been awhile since I've been in touch, but wow, it's been a busy few weeks! Fandemic was SO much fun! I loved talking to folks, meeting new people, and seeing celebrities here and there. My booth was directly across from legendary pro wrestler Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and I thought it was cool that TV and movies stars were stopping by to get pics with him! I'm already looking forward to the next convention, even though I don't know which one it will be. Of course, I'll keep you all posted.

Last time I posted here, I said that I was agonizing over my decision regarding an audiobook producer for Mage's Burden. Since then, I chose Voiceover artist Gene Rowley, and I'm SO excited about it! Ok, ok, I know I spend a lot of time being excited about stuff like this, but I think that's a good thing. I generally wake up each morning ready to rock and roll and just itching to get to work on ALLTHETHINGS, and hearing my books read by a pro is super cool!! Gene is doing a fine job so far, and I think it'll be fantastic when it's all said and done. Then we can get started on the other books in the series!

In other news, I've started another story! My goal is a single book this time, rather than a series. Many authors sit down and write up an outline, but I honestly can't do that at first. I see isolated scenes with little or no understanding of what happens before or after them. I've often said it's like I'm watching a YouTube video. Sometimes, the connection isn't very good, and other times, it's amazingly clear.

The first scene I toyed with involved one of the Guardians, but about 40 years after the events of the Forge Born Duology. I wrote what I saw, but even though I loooooved the possibilities, I realized that I didn't want to lock in the history between Reyanna's story and that one. As disappointing as it was to come to that realization, I filed that chapter away for another day. Fortunately, I found another scene waiting for me. It involved a different Guardian and occurred much earlier, only a few years after the duology. That story, however, felt like it could end up being more about political intrigue than the sword and sorcery that I enjoy. I will say that it was quite a surprise to discover that one of my characters might be in line for the crown! I still couldn't quite see how to work it, though. After much hemming and hawing, I shelved it until I can figure out a better approach to that tale.

That's pretty much how it goes for me. I see a scene, I write a scene, and sometimes, I see another scene that's related. I write that one too. If I'm lucky, I see another one, and then I'm off and running. I enjoy writing my chapters in order, but often, I end up writing something that doesn't happen until 3/4ths of the way through the book, and then I have to figure out how to get there. It's not the easiest process, but that's just how it goes for me.

Although those other scenes didn't work out, I saw one more that kept poking at me. A lone figure was walking quietly through a forest. That was it. I couldn't even tell if it was a man or a woman because of the long black cloak and hood the figure was wearing. I finally started writing the scene and then a bear showed up. Things got interesting after that and a story started to take shape. Wow, I was surprised when I found out who was under that hood! I think you will be too...

Ok, I'd better get back to it. Thanks for all your support, everyone. It's very much appreciated. Oh, and if you're in the mood to go post a review of one of my books on Amazon, I'd be thrilled. Just sayin'.