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July 2021 Newsletter

by Jul 7, 2021Wonderings11 comments

Hey y’all,

I feel like this is going to be a copy-and-paste of the last newsletter, but it’s not… at least not entirely, so here goes. I’m still working on A Necessary Heresy, book 3 of Instrument of Omens. It’s proving to be more of a challenge than any other book I’ve written; not because I don’t know where the story is going, but because the story beats have been difficult to understand.

Sure, I could have gotten the book done with the major plot points reached, but how those plot points are reached is critical. It has to be done in a way that honors the characters, and until recently, I wasn’t sure how well I was managing it.

Thankfully, I have really good author friends, and after talking over the plot elements with Phil Tucker, author of Chronicles of the Black Gate (which you should read if you haven’t), I am now much more confident in what’s happening and what has to happen. What this means is that I’ll get the first draft to 70% completion, and then go back to fill in the missing elements. I no longer have as good of sense as to how long the ultimate writing process will take, but I won’t rush it. It’ll take as long as needed to make the book a worthy successor to the ones that came before.

Has everyone else already watched Ted Lasso? I might have mentioned that show before, but if I haven’t, I’m mentioning it now. It’s a wonderful, feel-good, fish-out-of-water show, which in the time of Covid, is what we all still need. If nothing else, it might put a smile on your face. I also watched a show about Godzilla. Not Godzilla vs Kong, but Godzilla Singular Point. It’s an anime, and while it was imaginative, I’m not sure what the point of the show was other than to review some esoteric physics and philosophy. I’m still confused by it.

That’s about all I got entertainment-wise since I haven’t had as much time to read lately (family health issues and a long overdue purging of clutter from the house has taken precedence this month), but hopefully I’ll have something to suggest next time around.

Oh, wait. Digging from the past, if you’re looking for sci-fi, you can’t go wrong with Red Rising by Pierce Brown and Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. I know those are obvious, but at least I got some books recs, right?

 

Davis

11 Comments

  1. James A. Pipes

    The only disappointment is when you finish book one is where is book two. Both books were great reading. I have to say you are a talented writer. I certainly don’t want you to rush; however, I can’t wait for the third one. I know it will be great. I know some of the character from previous series. That is what makes it good. Also, you left us hanging abruptly with the final chapter. I look forward to release date.

    Reply
  2. David Betts

    Please let me know when book 3 is ready.

    Reply
    • Davis

      Hi David,

      I will absolutely let everyone know when book 3 is available. It should be out late this year or early next year.

      Davis

      Reply
  3. Todd Westbrooks

    Hi David. I enjoy so much reading your books. If a single piece can’t be described as “Epic Fantasy”, the way you intertwine your stories are most epic! You are now my favorite author. I look forward to book 3, but know the way you intertwine (forgive the repetition) has to be painstaking. Godspeed on the finishing of this most enjoyable series. I can’t wait!!!

    Reply
    • Davis

      Hi Todd,

      Thank you reaching out and letting me know how much you are enjoying the books. And, yes, they are most definitely epic fantasy and also very intertwined. Sometimes I want to smack myself for how complex I’ve made the various series. It sure would be a lot easier if they were simpler. Then again, they probably wouldn’t be as much fun to read or ultimately, to write.

      Davis

      Reply
  4. Kay Hardy

    Instrument of Omens is my first reads from you and very impressive does not come close to expressing how much I enjoyed them. But that said I didn’t know that 3 would not be written when I finished which was yesterday. So I’m going to be bummed til you finish it. Guess I’ll just retro into everything else you have written. Can’t wait

    Reply
    • Davis

      Hi Kay,

      Thank you for reaching out, and I’m glad you enjoyed the books! That’s always awesome to hear. As for book 3, it’s coming along, and hopefully should be out early next year or late this year. Until then, I hope you enjoy the other books in the Anchored Worlds! BTW you’ll come across some familiar characters in William Wilde.

      Davis

      Reply
  5. Phil Mcdonald

    Davis,

    I have read all of your books written to date. I like the rest of the people who have left comments, can not wait for the release of A Necessary Hearsay. To be honest I have not felt this much anticipation for a new book since I was reading the Riifrwar Saga by Raymond E. Feist as they were being released one at a time

    Reply
    • Davis

      Phil,

      I don’t know what to say. That is some mighty high praise! I mean. Riftwar is a classic. I absolutely loved it. It was one of my favorites, and I’m old enough to remember when it was first published. Thank you for that wonderful praise. I only hope I can live up to it.

      Davis

      Reply
  6. Steve

    Could I get some guidance please on which books I should read first. I read the Ruhk and Jessira books then the 2 cinder shade books. Have started the William Wilde books and R & J have joined the storyline but now further into the series Cinder appears alongside Shet! Confused…

    Reply
    • Davis

      Hi Steve,

      That’s a pretty common question. So, first of all the stories aren’t all taking place in the same universe. They exist in different Realms, which is why Rukh/Jessira can exist in more than one location at the same time.
      As for the timeline, the Castes and the OutCastes takes place first. Then William Wilde and Instrument of Omens are near simultaneous, but they take place in different Realms (Earth and Seminal). But for Rukh/Jessira, they experience the events of William Wilde first, and on Seminal those events are in their past.
      I know it’s convoluted, but it made sense to do it like this at the time I was planning all this out.

      Davis

      Reply

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