H.O. Charles's Blog, page 20

Making a start on book 3

You know, I meant to have a break before writing the third Fireblade Array book, but it looks like that's not going to happen. I just can't get it out of my head! So I'll have to write the damn thing now! I plan to go a little slower with this one. It won't be as long as the second book... but hopefully just as exciting. :D :D :D

Ancient laptop.... purring
MS Word... open
Handel's Sarabande.... playing

Off we go again!

My head is enormous

A very, very kind review from 'Therese' on iTunes in the USA:

"It has been many years since I have come across a series I cannot put down and go hunting for the next. The story keeps you looking for what's next all the way through. And the writing style? Very impressive. Just the way it reads would have me pause and think "Wow, that was a fabulous way to phrase that." I cannot wait to see how the series progresses!"

Therese - thank you so much for such kind words! I'm thrilled that someone enjoyed my book! I deeply hope that the second does not disappoint...

For balance, (and to prevent my ego from expanding beyond the boundaries of this planet) I received a less-impressed, three star review on UK iTunes:

"The book makes a lot of references to types of people (wielders etc) and effects (nalka) that the reader has to work out what they are. I spent much of the book trying to put into context the many references to things specific to the fantasy land that I lost the plot of the story.
Despite that though, I enjoyed the book, the forbidden love between the characters was well written, although I was a little disappointed with the sudden ending.
I'd recommend, but you need to take your time reading it."

Several people have commented on the ending, but it really couldn't have ended any other way. That's just how The Array rolls :D But as for the effects and world-specific terms... how could I improve that? Perhaps a glossary of terms at the back, or as a separate publication? Might be an idea... I shall think on it.

Oh, and I should add that I received my first ever 1 star review today from 'Padasia':

"Stupid - What a waste of time!"

That's all they wrote. Oh well, guess I can't please everyone :-)

Nation of Blaze is out!

Woohoo! A free version of Volume 2 of The Fireblade Array is now available on Smashwords... but it'll only be free for a limited time! Be quick :D

Get it here

Here's some updated artwork for the new books

First draft of Nation of Blaze is complete!

I've finished! Only cried four times while I wrote it (I know, how soft of me), but the first of many re-reads is about to begin! Woohoo!!

Current word count... 197k :D

Plan to re-vamp Book 1 with the release of extra-shiny Book 2

I'm going to give Book 1 a bit of an illustrative overhaul when Book 2 of The Fireblade Array comes out. I have some more drawings in the pipeline, and lots of ideas to cram into both. I'm also looking into making a print edition available if anyone's interested.

The second book is progressing very nicely - I think I'm about 30 pages from the end now!!! And then the dreaded editing/formatting begins :( Eeep!

Book 2 of The Fireblade Array...

Looks like it's going to be a whopping 200k long! I hope that's not too long... there's a complex series of trials/tribulations that have to happen to the characters in order to complete the second part of The Array. Writing it has been so much fun. I should really post a chapter excerpt from it at some point...