Twists and Turns

Posted on January 27, 2015 by BR

I’m still in the first third of writing Last Measure of Devotion (Book 5). I have no idea how long it’s going to be but I want to be sure that I give each major storyline its due and give you all a definitive ending for the major characters. My hope is to have the bulk written in the first quarter of 2015 and then spend time refining things until I am satisfied that this book accomplishes what I believe all series finales should.

So far, I am a bit surprised at how many scenes I am writing that don’t have Heskan in them. The cast of TCOTU has certainly expanded but I’m always mindful that this is a story about the original crew of Anelace and I don’t want to wander from them too much. For now, I am writing the story as I have outlined. I will step back and look at each, individual scene later and change as necessary.

One thing, as with all my novels, the story has taken some unanticipated turns. I originally was not planning on having Isabella Lombardi appear in this book. That might change. I will have to wait and see how that early concept develops. One thing is certain though, if I write the books in the future that I hope to write, her story won’t end with this series.

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Taking Stock

Posted on January 11, 2015 by BR

I spent much of the last week skimming and rereading sections of the first four books in the series, looking for loose ends and tie-ins to be addressed in Book 5.  As I continue to write the series finale, I was curious as to just how many characters of note have been killed, so I made a list. Depending on how you define “characters of note” (I define it as someone we got to know, at least for a little while, which is admittedly a pretty loose definition), roughly 30% have been killed (one was merely imprisoned). Of the original cast introduced in Book 1, about 40% have been killed in action.

No Way to Start a War was especially hard on the cast but then again, that was a brutal book depicting the unforgiving nature of the Brevic-Hollaran conflict.  At the end of this post are two lines and/or a tag/link that will reveal my KIA list.  Click if you’d like to fondly remember those we’ve lost, but don’t click if you aren’t caught up with the series and don’t want spoilers!

Since the series finale, Last Measure of Devotion, has been outlined, I have a good idea of the remaining toll to be paid but even I am surprised sometimes by what direction the writing takes me. If a character dies that wasn’t supposed to (or survives when he/she was supposed to die), it won’t be the first time. At any rate, I’m doing my best to keep the book exciting and the reader in doubt as to who will survive.

Show KIA list

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Welcome to 2015

Posted on January 5, 2015 by BR

I’ve taken a nice, long two-week break and am easing back into things with an overdue blog post. Last Measure of Devotion is nearly 100% outlined and the Prologue has been written (I introduce a new character!). My goal is to have the story essentially written over the next few months so I have plenty of time to go back for rewrites and additions. This is the final book in the original five-book plan so I want to make sure I pull out all the stops.

The other (and more important) thing I wanted to mention was how wonderful the holidays were for me. I am continually amazed by and grateful for the feedback I receive from the new readers who find the TCOTU series and from the “old,” loyal readers who have been with me since June of 2013. I can’t speak for authors as a whole but I read every word of feedback you give me whether it be on Amazon, Amazon.UK, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, or elsewhere. I know I say Thank You a lot for such warm feedback but it really is heartfelt. Your interest and comments generate a lot of enthusiasm in me and I’m starting 2015 with a lot of energy! Thanks!

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