Book #4 of The First Empire is done!
My goal was to finish Fhrey by November 15th, and I finished a few days early (November 11th). Please note, the cover to the left is a mock-up only and it will no doubt change. I learned a lot about this series writing the fourth book, and was faced with an important decision. Do I stick to my original concept, or when I came up with what would be a way to up the series in a whole new way, should I go for that? This isn't the first time I've been faced with such a dilemma...my planned conclusion for Riyria was much different than the published one, and it took about 6 - 9 months of cajoling with my muse for her to give up that piece of information...something I thought was well worth waiting for.
So as I was nearing the end of Book #4 in this series, I faced the same sort of crossroad...and I took the path less traveled. Rather than taking the easy way out, I've decided to once again expand the series and now it will be five books. It's decisions like this which is why I want to write the entire series before publishing any of the books. I can now make some minor adjustments to book #1 to account for incorporating that "really cool idea."
Will this set things back again? Yeah, it will. But not too badly. I have a clear idea of where it is going and another 3 - 4 months in the grand scheme of things is not much of a wait. Weighing the pros and cons I think this is the right thing to do. So, good news and bad news...Book #4 is done, but I'm still not finished with the series as a whole. I'll keep you updated as the saga continues.
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Elizabeth
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Nov 13, 2014 09:39AM
More books is always a good thing!
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Can't wait for these to start coming out!!!
Take your time, and make the best of it. We wan't only the best :)
@Elizabeth - to a point...I really think I'm down to the final one now. Each additional book is holding up the release, but I can't complain with how everything is coming togehter.@Eric - me neitehr!
@Lars - Agreed. That is my goal as well.
Have things just gotten so big that a 5th book needs to happen in order to wrap things up in a reasonable manner? Or are you using the 5th book to expand the world and conflicts to a higher level? (You are probably doing both, I just want hints as to what is so massive as to make a new book.)
Are the books going to come out close together(hopefully) or over a longer period of time?
Willing to wait. Your books have proven to be worth it!
@Nelsen - What happened is while I was writing book #4 and winding down the series, I "liked" my ending but I felt it could be better. So I started thinking of what else was needed. I spent weeks mulling it over and I was struck by a really cool idea that I could which would really elevate the book to a whole new level. But I needed much more run way than I had left in a "reasonable" sized book. It also provided for a really nice conclusion for the book I was writing...but would have left some unanswered questions and I really didn't want to do that.So...I wrapped book #4 in it's logical place then started writing book #5. Based on what I know should go into that book it should be quite jammed back in it's own right. But if it turns out to be shorter than I think it - I'll end up adding it onto book #4 as a "part #1" and "part #2" I doubt that will be the case, but until I get the last book done I'll not know with 100% confidence.
Kevin wrote: "Are the books going to come out close together(hopefully) or over a longer period of time?"I have no idea...that's not my call - it's the publisher's. In the past they have released them one book a month until they are all out. To be honest, that is VERY hard on me and also on you guys as it means huge stretches with nothing new from me coming from me. For instance,by the time this series wraps I'll have been writing it for 3 years...if all the books come out in one clump - then it will be another 3 years before the next group. It would be better if they did spread them out a bit. But again it's not my call.
Vaughan wrote: "Willing to wait. Your books have proven to be worth it!"Thanks!
@Michael - In regards to the release time, what would be the perfect release times for you? I dont mind the long wait. I actually like the idea of getting a full story almost at once.
