I’d like to know what happens in the middle of the book before I’ve got the ending. Dusk Watchman progresses, but trying to balance the needs of a novel with the needs of the series and the needs of characters to have a resolution, continues to do my head in. More than tempted to just start killing people and see what happens, but that might make me less than popular with the readers.
Normally of course I wouldn’t give a whole lot of crap about that, but it’s the final book and I shouldn’t mess with people too much on that front, certainly not if they’ve put in the time and effort to read the best part of a million words! Yet again, the final book seems to be special and something outside the usual rules of writing – especially with the cast list I’ve got some people’s ending might have to be inferred, but there’s a lot that needs to be tied up and if I don’t do some of those in a certain way (one almost pre-determined by the earlier books). It’s clear there’ll be huge dissatisfaction if even bad guys don’t get a fitting ending to their role, and combining that with producing a book to suitably cap off a series that’s seen a bit of drama already… well, I think I’m going to have to put a sign up above my desk saying "More Epic!" whenever I wonder where to go with any scene.*
Right now, I’ll continue deciding who’s going to get the chop. In all the previous books, that’s been easy to decided – either there’s been a good reason for it, I’ve known for ages it was inevitable, or is just happened and surprised the crap out of me when it did. This time around, I know the reader needs some surprises and shocks, but a number of folk are involved in the final plot so I’m a little constrained. Anyone who’s not crucial better watch out though, I’m a’ goin’ killing.
* of course, it’ll have to go next to the "More daemons!" one that’s been there a while.
Boy, does that sound familiar. I don’t think I’ve ever written a novel–well, at least a novel outline–where I had that luxury. Pretty much every time, I have a solid beginning, and a solid ending, and spend most of my outlining time beating my head against the wall trying to figure out how to get from the former to the latter.
Yup, that’s how all mine have been – was just hoping that with the last one it’d be different… hopeful fool that I am!
Boy, does that sound familiar. I don’t think I’ve ever written a novel–well, at least a novel outline–where I had that luxury. Pretty much every time, I have a solid beginning, and a solid ending, and spend most of my outlining time beating my head against the wall trying to figure out how to get from the former to the latter.
Yup, that’s how all mine have been – was just hoping that with the last one it’d be different… hopeful fool that I am!
Deaths?
Hey Tom it’s Owen
I just want to say that if Daken must bite the bullet, let it be epic. .
I’m thinking mid stride in an orgy with him and like sixteen wives.
Or arrows protruding from his battered body as he tries to take as many down with him as he can.
He deserves an Epic ending after breaking the flank in RM! :)
Re: Deaths?
Yeah, he’s one of the few who’d embrace death as long as it fitted his criteria as suitable. He doesn’t care about the overall plan much, only his own legend. If I was planning future novels in the world I might keep him on, but maybe best I remove the temptation now!
Re: Deaths?
Well thats it isn’t it?
If you do come back later on you won’t be able to use him, because he will be in Ghenna.
Whats Daken’s background? I know you wrote that he was abit of a criminal in his early days, but what are his roots?
Re: Deaths?
Well, not sure I should do an essay on his history, but suffice to say he’s a white-eye mercenary with more brains than most. he’s done some bad things, and some good, and been a plaything of Larat. Will give him a really long walk up Ghain but Ghenna’s not a certainty.
Not planning on coming back to the Land though, I’d prefer to leave it as a neat little sequence of five rather than one I flog through again and again.
Re: Deaths?
Well least he won’t have Aracnan to deal with in Ghenna.
Its good I guess that your just leaving the world after DW, but it is going to be sad when it ends.
You’ve created a strong world within these fours books, damn shame that after the fifth, the world must end.
I guess nothing lasts for ever though. Even Daken.
Deaths?
Hey Tom it’s Owen
I just want to say that if Daken must bite the bullet, let it be epic. .
I’m thinking mid stride in an orgy with him and like sixteen wives.
Or arrows protruding from his battered body as he tries to take as many down with him as he can.
He deserves an Epic ending after breaking the flank in RM! :)
Re: Deaths?
Yeah, he’s one of the few who’d embrace death as long as it fitted his criteria as suitable. He doesn’t care about the overall plan much, only his own legend. If I was planning future novels in the world I might keep him on, but maybe best I remove the temptation now!
Re: Deaths?
Well thats it isn’t it?
If you do come back later on you won’t be able to use him, because he will be in Ghenna.
Whats Daken’s background? I know you wrote that he was abit of a criminal in his early days, but what are his roots?
Re: Deaths?
Well, not sure I should do an essay on his history, but suffice to say he’s a white-eye mercenary with more brains than most. he’s done some bad things, and some good, and been a plaything of Larat. Will give him a really long walk up Ghain but Ghenna’s not a certainty.
Not planning on coming back to the Land though, I’d prefer to leave it as a neat little sequence of five rather than one I flog through again and again.
Re: Deaths?
Well least he won’t have Aracnan to deal with in Ghenna.
Its good I guess that your just leaving the world after DW, but it is going to be sad when it ends.
You’ve created a strong world within these fours books, damn shame that after the fifth, the world must end.
I guess nothing lasts for ever though. Even Daken.
Curious?
I am currently about to finish your first book, The Stormcaller and I was wondering what the scar in the middle of Isak’s chest is. I am not sure if I missed what is was or what. But he is trying to hide it all the time, and I really want to know what is all about.
Thank you.
Re: Curious?
Well, he’s hiding it because he doesn’t really understand what it means for his life, so doesn’t want to advertise it too openly. It’s basically the symbol of the link between him and Xeliath.
Re: Curious?
Ah ok. Well I just finished the first book, and I am going to get get the second here soon. I thought it was very good.
Curious?
I am currently about to finish your first book, The Stormcaller and I was wondering what the scar in the middle of Isak’s chest is. I am not sure if I missed what is was or what. But he is trying to hide it all the time, and I really want to know what is all about.
Thank you.
Re: Curious?
Well, he’s hiding it because he doesn’t really understand what it means for his life, so doesn’t want to advertise it too openly. It’s basically the symbol of the link between him and Xeliath.
Re: Curious?
Ah ok. Well I just finished the first book, and I am going to get get the second here soon. I thought it was very good.
I’ve just watched Nikita again. Brilliant ending.
Now I’m not saying that I don’t expect the usual carnage fest from you, but understated or inferred works as well.
I’m not saying everyone’s going to come out of things all cheerful and healthy though!
I’ve just watched Nikita again. Brilliant ending.
Now I’m not saying that I don’t expect the usual carnage fest from you, but understated or inferred works as well.
I’m not saying everyone’s going to come out of things all cheerful and healthy though!
erm, ok!
erm, ok!
Hey Tom.
Hey Tom
Its Owen, if you remember me from awhile back.
I was just thinking to myself, this may be cheeky to ask, but do you do any book signings in or around Scotland?
Because I would really love to have the one of your books signed. Or all of them even haha.
If you don’t (here comes the cheeky part) Would it be possible for you to send a signed book to me? I’d happily pay.
Cheers buddy.
Owen
Re: Hey Tom.
Hi Owen,
Afraid I’m not really a big enough seller to do a signing tour, so the only chance of it happening is if Waterstones in Dundee want me to go in next time I’m up there – since that’s where my in-laws live. The alternative is buy copies from collector shops like Goldsboro or Forbidden Planet, as I can easily sign stock after work.
Re: Hey Tom.
I know there is a Forbidden Planet in Edinburgh, if one happened to be there I can imagine there being a riot.
Waterstones in Dundee, I have friends in Dundee which could be useful, if you do manage a signing there. Which would be pretty awesome.
I’ve let quite a few people read Stormcaller, and so far pretty much everyone has gone out and bought the rest so I’m crusading for you bud. haha.
What if I Private Mailed you my address. Any chance of you sending me a signed copy of The Grave Thief? Like I said, I’d pay :)
If not then I’ll just wait till Dundee calls. :D
Re: Hey Tom.
Well I’m happy to send copies, but I don’t have them on the shelves to spare I’m afraid. I don’t take my full complement of author copies because with three editions of each book I simply don’t have the space for them anywhere in my house! FP would have the paperbacks though and might well post them up to you – they have an internet sales thing right?
Re: Hey Tom.
Yeah they do have an Internet sales page.
So how would I go about getting a signed copy? :)
Hey Tom.
Hey Tom
Its Owen, if you remember me from awhile back.
I was just thinking to myself, this may be cheeky to ask, but do you do any book signings in or around Scotland?
Because I would really love to have the one of your books signed. Or all of them even haha.
If you don’t (here comes the cheeky part) Would it be possible for you to send a signed book to me? I’d happily pay.
Cheers buddy.
Owen
Re: Hey Tom.
Hi Owen,
Afraid I’m not really a big enough seller to do a signing tour, so the only chance of it happening is if Waterstones in Dundee want me to go in next time I’m up there – since that’s where my in-laws live. The alternative is buy copies from collector shops like Goldsboro or Forbidden Planet, as I can easily sign stock after work.
Re: Hey Tom.
I know there is a Forbidden Planet in Edinburgh, if one happened to be there I can imagine there being a riot.
Waterstones in Dundee, I have friends in Dundee which could be useful, if you do manage a signing there. Which would be pretty awesome.
I’ve let quite a few people read Stormcaller, and so far pretty much everyone has gone out and bought the rest so I’m crusading for you bud. haha.
What if I Private Mailed you my address. Any chance of you sending me a signed copy of The Grave Thief? Like I said, I’d pay :)
If not then I’ll just wait till Dundee calls. :D
Re: Hey Tom.
Well I’m happy to send copies, but I don’t have them on the shelves to spare I’m afraid. I don’t take my full complement of author copies because with three editions of each book I simply don’t have the space for them anywhere in my house! FP would have the paperbacks though and might well post them up to you – they have an internet sales thing right?
Re: Hey Tom.
Yeah they do have an Internet sales page.
So how would I go about getting a signed copy? :)
If you ever do a book signing in Birmingham, make sure you don’t make Abercrombie’s mistake and set it for 12.30pm on a workday. Bah! Chastise him thoroughly from me.
On the other hand, maybe get all your fans to bomb Wikipedia with random edits including quotes from you (made up, if necessary). They might get removed eventually, but think of the advertising!
If you ever do a book signing in Birmingham, make sure you don’t make Abercrombie’s mistake and set it for 12.30pm on a workday. Bah! Chastise him thoroughly from me.
On the other hand, maybe get all your fans to bomb Wikipedia with random edits including quotes from you (made up, if necessary). They might get removed eventually, but think of the advertising!