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 Read more…
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 Read more…
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 Read more…
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 Read more…
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. Read more…
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 Read 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 Read more…
Read it here. Pienya has come back to the fore in this arc. She’s been a persistent factor in the story but hasn’t always been the narrative focus. With the action back in the valley, it was inevitable that we’d start seeing things more from her point of view. The Read more…
We’re having some work done on our house at the moment. I mention this only because it’s created an environment least conducive to focused writing. It’s why I’m glad that I have a consistent but realistic writing goal each week, as it flexes quite nicely with this kind of upheaval. Read more…
You can read this chapter here. It’s always fun having to quickly sketch out minor supporting characters who are only going to appear in one or two chapter. They need to feel real and have purpose, but they’re ultimately there to aid the lead characters and the plot – in Read more…