Why I decided to write two series at the same time
I wonder about that a lot myself.
At some point, I stopped fighting the charisma and influence of Rukh and Jessira and just let them do what they want. Of course, one of things they decided was that they’d forgotten their truths and somehow resented one another to the point of near-hatred. I didn’t like writing that at all, and I blamed my past self for making a terrible decision. A lot of readers didn’t like it either. In fact, they despised it. It’s why sales of book 3 for Instrument tanked in comparison to the first two books, and it’s why that decline didn’t improve with book 4.
Which is a shame. While that inversion has led to a lot of negative comments, I should have trusted those prior decisions. I should have trusted in Rukh and Jessira’s relationship because—and I know I’ve said this before—book 4 shocked me. While I was writing it, I didn’t feel it because my routine was to write a quarter of the book, edit it, then move on to the next quarter, edit it, etc.
I didn’t see the full book until a re-read of what was by then the fourth draft, and that’s when the shock came. I realized that all the problems and controversies of book 3 weren’t merely addressed, but book 4 was fantastic because of those problems and controversies.
And sometime between the publication of book 3 and the writing of book 4, I also started a new series: The Eternal Ephemera, which started in a dream in which I wondered a simple question: What is God?
I didn’t care because that’s such a vast question. All I wanted was to go back to bed. But the dream kept me awake from 2 AM to 6 AM, and while I certainly don’t have an answer to what was asked, at some point, I forced myself out of bed and wrote down everything I’d heard and seen in the dream.
Later on I found out that my dream wasn’t too far off what is spoken in The Bhagaavad Gita as well as some Christian beliefs. Weird.
Anyway, the dream became the foundation for the world of The Eternal Ephemera, and Cam Folde, the main character, is someone searching for his purpose in life. And he’s had a hard one, bad enough to cause him to take up drinking at a young age and become an alcoholic. Not exactly the most inspirational main character for an epic fantasy.
But Cam was who I wanted to write about. I wasn’t interested in writing about someone who comes from poverty or a hard childhood and easily leaves his traumas behind as he grows more powerful than everyone around him, including his bullies. I wanted Cam to struggle—emotionally and mentally—and in the end, I wanted him to hold true to his faith. I wanted him to have the support of his family, even though they are themselves alcoholics. And I wanted Cam to find a new family as well as his purpose as part of his growth and progression.
However, in writing Blood of a Novice, book one of The Eternal Ephemera, there were Rukh and Jessira again, poking their noses in the book. In one case, they made a vague and brief appearance and in another, they are more distinctly seen. All this is to say, they belonged in the story, but it was easier corralling them this time. They didn’t want to be the focus of the story. This is about Cam Folde, and they are simply guides who occasionally appear.
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I know this is an old post but i felt i needed to write this. Book 3 of instruments of omen was a hard read. I will admit, I put it down and walked away. However I did pick it back up and finish it. I will say this, it is one of the few books I have ever read that caused tears in my eyes. It hurt after getting so attached to the characters. At first I was upset but then it hit me. You are an amazing author, you caused me to feel the hurt of the characters you created. I can’t remember any other author causing me to feel so deeply. I went on and read book 4 and it is great. Bravo for making a grown man feel real emotions for written characters.
Hi Jon,
Thank you for those kind words. They are immeasurably helpful to me. Book 3 was a hard book to write. I didn’t enjoy what happened even though it was necessary. However, now that I have distance from that book, I’m so glad I wrote it the way that I did. It was honest even if it was difficult and no punches were pulled or McGuffins used to soften the blow. In addition, your response of putting the book down and walking away isn’t unique. Lots of readers did the same thing, but I’m also glad you read book 4 and saw the light at the end of that dark tunnel.
Sincerely,
Davis
Dovetailing on Jon’s post, yes, book 3 was a tough read. But not every book can be ‘bow-tied’ in a happy ending. Book 4 brought things back around. I’m disappointed to hear that book 3 saw sales lag, and book 4 saw further decrease in sales. Readers need to trust their authors and have faith that characters that have been so well-developed, and thus so loved, will usually find their path back. I hope that makes sense. I found the IoO series by chance on Audible, just after the release of book 2. I enjoyed them both so much, I ran through them a couple of times each, waiting for book 3, then 4. I had already listened to the Castes/Outcasts series, and while I enjoyed it, I thoroughly enjoyed the IoO series as a whole. So much so, that I have now gone back to listen to the William Wilde series in an effort to find some of the backstory references from IoO. I’m happy for your success with the new series, but my question is, are you planning to continue on with the IoO series with a book 5 and possibly beyond? If not, I get it. Financials can often dictate what must happen vs. what we would rather see happen. I’m just curious.
Hi Jason,
Thank you for reaching out to me, and it also makes for a better day to hear that someone enjoyed my writing. Especially when they go back and read the entire backlist. Wow! As for what comes next, it’s Eternal Ephemera, book 3, which releases on Dec. 11. Currently, though, I’m taking a few months to do sort out other things since I still work full time. But sometime in the winter, I’ll be writing IoO book 5, so no worries that the series won’t be completed. It was always planned as a 7 book series, and that’s still my intention. I literally can’t imagine a situation where I would choose not to complete Rukh/Cinder and Jessira/Anya’s story.
Davis