An excellent reader question about Tenzin and Ben, and an answer (sort of).

Reader Elizabeth Arrowood asked a great question over on the Facebook page, and I wanted to take some time to answer it here on the blog at a little more length, because this is a question I get fairly often, and I want you guys to get where I’m coming from.

“So, just wondering- how long might we have to wait for this Ben & Tenzin Series? I can hardly STAND how excited I am about it! “

First off, I love your excitement! I’m so glad you love these characters. I love them, too. But this is one of those questions with a short and long answer.

The short answer is: I don’t know.

The longer answer is: I don’t see myself starting on that series for at least a year. Possibly longer. And I can promise it’s NOT because I’m not excited to work on it. It’s not because I don’t know the overarching plot line of that series. And it’s NOT because I don’t think it’s important.

There are two factors at play here. One, Ben is still pretty young in my mind. I don’t know how exactly to explain it, but he just is! When I first started writing that character, he was a child. A mature, somewhat jaded child, but a child. And as the series has progressed, he’s grown, obviously. BUT, he’s not there yet, for me. I hope that makes sense. It’s not a YA or NA series. He still needs some time to mature.

The second factor is Tenzin. Ah, Tenzin. I love Tenzin. She’s awesome. She’s also a really difficult character to write. REALLY difficult. That’s part of the reason I love her. She’s a challenge. And she’s had a very dark life, which means that a series with her as a main character is going to have some very dark moments. It’s possible that I’ll be writing some of her background in short story or novella form at some point. I haven’t decided yet.

(Please understand, her life was not pretty. And it wouldn’t be a “nice” story. But it might be an important story for the overall series, so it’s possible. I know what she’s been through in my mind, but writing it all out becomes infinitely more difficult.)

Can I tell you how it’s all going to work out? Nope. I don’t see anything predictable for those two characters, so I can’t really tell you what to expect. Expect Tenzin and Ben. Being themselves. Trust me, they’re talking to me, (Figuratively, of course. Please don’t call the men in white coats.) and I’ll keep listening. Can you expect a book shortly? No. Can you expect some shorts or extras? Probably.

Trust me, their stories will be written. But you’ll have to be patient.

Elizabeth, thanks for the great question, and I hope that answers it. And thanks to everyone who has shown so much enthusiasm for these two characters.

(And if you’re a Tenzin fan, and you haven’t read Wind Speaks, I hope you’ll take the opportunity to peek into her thoughts a little.)

Thanks for reading! And thanks for the awesome reception for BLOOD AND SAND. I am truly blessed.

All the best,

Elizabeth