Myndi’s Comments (group member since Feb 28, 2013)

Myndi’s comments from the Ask Myndi Shafer group.

Jill wrote: "I was rooting for Brig at first but then the more I read the more I liked Rein. I felt myself becoming part of the story and almost cried when Rein left her!!!!! I was a little embarrassed but at..."

HOLY SMOKES, four in the morning!! That's awesome.

And oh my gosh, I hated writing that scene. It's not what I WANTED him to do, at all. I WANTED him to stay, and take care of her, and be the rock that she needed. It hurt to let him leave, and I MAY have cried and lost sleep over it. So it makes me happy to hear I'm not the only one...

Kim wrote: "I'm going to be honest here, Myndi. I'm a little worried about what Book 3 holds in store. If we were Brig in Book 1 and Rein in Book 2, then the natural progression of literary conflict says we're..."

Hi Kim! Natural progression of literary conflict-schmonflict. :) I'm so not on that bus. Things in that triangle are settled: Brig loves Aydan. Aydan loves Rein. Rein loves Aydan. While we will be taken into Brig's life in this new world, I'm not interested in sending Aydan back into his arms. I've got WAY more interesting things planned to create conflict. :) :) So rest easy!

That's not to say there won't be any romance coming. There's a certain pretty, shy (is she REALLY shy?) seamstress that may come into play...

Totally. And I kindof have a feeling that the process [of self-publishing] is one of those that will never be exactly the same twice.

Thanks for stopping in!! Feel free to introduce yourself and make some new friends!

I promise I'll do my best to answer your questions and respond to your comments as quickly as I can.

Big love,
Mynniesue

Aw, thanks, August!

As far as the writing went, I felt more pressure. Deadline pressure (which I originally blew past like a trucker asleep at the wheel), pressure to make sure this story was as good - if not better - than the first, basically pressure to not screw the whole thing up. The Hubster and my editor can attest to my many breakdowns through the whole process. Thankfully I came out of it relatively sane. :)

As far as the publishing went, in lots of ways it was easier because I'd already done it once. That said, there are things I'm thinking about doing a little differently with the next one - things to do with ISBN numbers and choosing to go through individual retailers to publish instead of Smashwords meatgrinder (Don't get me wrong - I LOVE Smashwords, but I'd just like a little more control with formatting and stuff...no big complaints. :))

Love it. You're an official Super Fan!

Naming characters is both fun and agonizing. Sometimes I want a name to mean something; other times I just want a name that seems right for no particular reason. Isaac was that way. Even though I know the name itself is fraught with meaning, I didn't choose it for that reason. I just thought he seemed like an Isaac. Aydan's name actually means "little fire", which I love, but if you remember, in the first book when she and Rein are head-talking on the horse, she says it means something else...it's actually the first hint that we get that Aydan can understand the Alta language. Check it out! Part one of Shrilugh, Chapter fourteen.

And I meant it! Did my answer help at all, or did it just irk you with it's vaguness??

One of my betas put it this way: Brig's love was a boy's love. Rein's love was a man's love. She wanted a man for Aydan, not a boy.

I don't know if I agree with that ENTIRELY, but so far lots of my readers do.

Although the ones that are loyal to Brig are REALLY loyal to him! :) Can't wait to see how y'all respond to what I've got in store for him!

*giggle, snort* Oh, Grandma Opal. She's got it figured out, doesn't she? *grin*

OH MY GOSH, that it would be worthy of a re-read puts the biggest grin on my face!

I was so happy to bring Brig back. I love his character so much. I can't wait for you guys to get to know him as he grows into what he is!

And trusty old Ion...he makes me smile.

She went straight for it!! *grin*

Aw, I love this moment, too. As I was writing, it was one of those times when I got a little giddy. :)

One of my favorite moments is toward the end of the book when Opal talks about her late husband, Leo. I wish we could have known him!!

Hi Melissa! This is a tough one to answer because without blowing the entire story wide open. So bear with me if my answer is too cryptic.

Let's start with what we know from the books:

Pressing was an Ancient. He was very important in the demise of the Abominations. His 'markings' have appeared on Brig's body. And he is *supposedly* dead.

This dream of Brig's can mean one of two things: Either Brig's dream was just a dream; or it was something more.

The poem at the start of the books gives some insight into where the story is going - "Abominations, Ancient-born, those aged stories, all forlorn will be retold..." "Stories, themes, remain the same..."

Let yourself make some conclusions from that. Actually, that poem carries a whole lot of significance, and really point in the direction the last two books are going to go.

Does this help?? Yes? Not really?

Wanna talk about the writing process? The agony and ecstasy of self-publishing? Ask here!

If you have any questions that you think MAY have answers of a spoiler-y nature, feel free to ask 'em here.

I do, however, reserve the right to not answer if I decide not too.

After all, a girl's gotta have a FEW secrets!

A fabulous place to discuss the pros and cons of Brig and Rein...and who you think is a better fit for Aydan.

Got questions about The Darkening? Ask here, and Myndi will answer, all pronto-like. :)

Have questions about SHRILUGH? Slap 'em up here, and Myndi will answer!