And….breathe. In the original chapter outline for Arc 6, there were two additional chapters before we got to this point: A big, Gandalf-arriving-at-Helms-Deep moment of Lief showing up with the T&T fleet and ending the battle. I scrapped this because a) the battle was already over, really, with Guijus’ actions, […]
There’s something rather thrilling about putting a massive spoiler in the chapter title. It feels a little cheeky. There’s a quote by Ernest Hemingway. When asked how he want bankrupt, he replied “Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.” That’s the feeling I wanted for Guijus’ defeat here – it’s been a […]
This chapter has been coming for a long time and has gone through all sorts of iterations. Let’s compare some of the versions that have existed: The first draft of the book, back then simply called ‘Evinden’, had the death of Fenris occur much earlier, at the same time as […]
One of the challenges of the finale to arc 6 is simply deciding where to place the viewpoint. Previously in the story characters have generally been spread out, in different locations and occupying different parts of the story. At the culmination of arc 6, they’re all rammed together in the […]
Numerous challenges with this chapter. How much to show of Tarn’s powers. What ARE Tarn’s new powers? How far should he go at the end? While important elements of this chapter, all three of them are also big pivot points for the rest of the book (and even what’s come […]
The temptation after the previous chapter was to continue straight on with a Tranton POV chapter and Big Action. Instead I decided to switch to up high, with more of a strategic overview of the battle. This was also a vital chance to check back in with Kirya and Fenris. […]
Double-bill of chapter notes today. Here goes. The blackening of Bruckin This is where the war kicks into high gear. The immediate challenge is in how to portray it, when we have few of our lead characters in the fray at this point. I wanted to keep the perspective with […]
By day I’m a Digital Marketing Manager. By night, or whenever I have a spare moment, I’m a writer of science fiction and fantasy novels. Over the years the two sides to my coin have informed and improved each other in unexpected ways.
(more…)Figuring out the point of view for this chapter was a tricky one. It could have been told effectively from multiple viewpoints: Pienya could have shown what it was like outside the walls as the bombs went off; Lief could have shown the horror of his city being assaulted; Michels […]
I do most of my writing on a computer. Most of it. A pen and paper still creeps in, from time-to-time. What follows is a broad selection of recommended tools and services which work for me – and might just work for you, too.
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