Oh my God, it's been so long since I've written in this blog, that I forgot the password for the email address I use here. Sorry everybody....
After the book event, nothing new happened. There was nothing worth writing about. Well, until now.
Her True Name: Volume Three is crawling toward completion! David Fingerman has it and will begin as soon as he gets the check! Emma Hibbs will be doing the cover art, starting the end of May.
I can't wait until she's onboard, because finding the cover is going to be tough. Yes, yes, I know how to use stock photo and digital photo sites, that's not the problem.
The problem is I'm not finding images I can use, and not in colors I want. I might have to abandon my original plans for it, and I need Emma's input. I worry about things like Cultural Appropriation, because as you know, these books take place in other parts of the world with regional gods and appropriate atmosphere, foods, rituals, etcetera.
While I'm here, I have news about the series. Her True Name Volume Three will be the last book. It will be a trilogy after all. No more after this.
I have several reasons for ending it; hear me out.
The cost, for one. I simply don't have the funds to continue churning out endless books. As you know, I am self-published, so all costs are my own. While my colleagues deserve every cent they get, I'm still not working enough hours to fund what has become a very expensive hobby.
Which brings me to time. I need to work more hours, and my writing time is taking the hit. I'm still writing-don't worry-but if you thought it took me a long time to finish THIS book....
I haven't even started an outline for another one. Sure I had an idea or two, but nothing that jumped out at me. I'd thought of doing one in China, but my knowledge of Chinese history and mythology sucks. I don't know how I'd make it work in the timeline. It might have a 'white' perspective, and I don't want that.
Then there's the worry of Cultural Appropriation. I just want to tell stories, and in this case, about reincarnation. I have no wish to disrespect other cultures for my own amusement. Unless I write these books based on white civilizations alone, that will always be a danger. And white civilizations are not the only cool or important ones. Honestly, who would want to read books on reincarnation with such a boring limitation? I've never found white history to be that interesting, so why would I write it? I'd bore myself, never mind the reader, and you must NEVER bore the reader!
Then there's the ending to this book. It was unexpected, but it feels right. What I'm trying to articulate, is that I hope the reader leaves feeling they are not wistful for another novel. I want them to close the book, understanding why there won't be more. It just happened, but I think it works, and so does David.
I'm pushing for Her True Name: Three to be out by the end of the year. Honestly, there is no reason why not. Barring unfortunate circumstances, and my terrible computer skills of course. I've got faith in my team.
I DO have good news. There's another book coming out right behind this one, and it's mostly written already. It's a collection of short stories, blog posts and drabbles. It's a little different from my usual in the fact that it isn't about angels, demons, mythology or reincarnation. It's all about the strange and scary dreams I have. My readers know I get many of my ideas from my dreams, and these are the stories that don't fit into my brand, so they will be completely different.
My favorite is Bad Clown. It's a short story that could be a dystopian novel, but I wrote it as it played out in my brain. It is one of few dreams I've had that rolled out like an entire movie, and very little of it has changed. There are drabbles like Lightning and Demon that left me with a pounding heart when I awoke, and I can't wait to share them with you. There one story that still has no title about meeting up with a fairy in a bar after my character has a bad date.
This book has a title, but I'm not ready to share it yet. I love it so much, I'm worried someone will steal it!
Oh crap....I've just realized that Her True Name: Volume Three is going to need a new back blurb. So while I'm doing that, know that there is more coming from me. I'm still here, and I'm still writing.