On Writing, One Year Later

One year. Damn.

One year ago today, The Long Way Down was released. I'd love to say "and the world was forever changed" or something similarly dramatic and portentious (pretentious?), but I'm just a midlist fantasy writer in a very big sea, doing my thing and plugging away.

I feel like I should have some Big Important Thoughts today, but what I mostly feel is a quiet sense of gratitude. Readers have not only ventured through my humble offerings, but come back for more, and even brought their friends along for the ride. Sharing these worlds and these characters with me, and caring about them as much as I do. That means so much to me, I can't begin to express my gratitude. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

This first year was all about laying groundwork. Introducing you to the world of Daniel Faust and the Revanche Cycle, and finding my own stride as a storyteller. This coming year? That's Phase Two, if I can shamelessly yank a concept from the Marvel Comics movies. This is the year the world opens up, with the Harmony Black spinoff, and Faust's adventures will escalate to a whole new level as the threat of his new nemesis unfolds.

There will be answers. And you will hear, in the distance, the thundering of long-range Chekhov Guns. More than anything, I'll keep working hard to deliver thrills, chills, and a roller-coaster ride in every book. That's my promise to you.

(My other promise is to step up audiobook production as fast as I and my awesome narrators can manage. I feel bad about keeping my audio listeners waiting! Don't worry, folks, that's getting fixed pronto.)

Hey, since it's the one-year anniversary of The Long Way Down, here's something to ponder. The Stacy Pankow murder led Daniel to meet Caitlin, and set the stage for all of his adventures to date. Nothing in any of the later books would have happpened if Daniel hadn't met Jud and taken that job. But here's the curious thing: the first crucial clue came from Stacy's autopsy report, proving she couldn't have drowned the night of the rainstorm.

"They told me they could only give that report to immediate next of kin," Jud said. "Granddad don't count. On my way out, a young fella pulled me aside and put that copy in my hands. Said I oughta read it real close."

So, who was that mystery man? Just some food for thought.

And again, because three times isn't enough, thank you.

Craig.