Last week, I shared what 5 things I added to The Bow of Hart Saga over the time I was writing the series. This week, I’m sharing what I removed from the series. This one is a bit tougher since I had to think through so many years development.
1. First on the list is a major sub-plot. Once I really re-booted my work on the The Bow of Destiny and the series, I added a major sub-plot where events unfolded in a totally different part of Denaria with different characters. It was pretty good writing but very unnecessary as pointed out by my editor. So, I removed the sub-plot but held onto it for later publication as a single book or a novella series. Hopefully, I can begin sharing some of that in the coming months as the early portions of this could easily be developed into the first two books of a shorter series.
2. Next, I dropped additional books. When I first planned the series many years ago, I wanted to write between seven and nine books. I trimmed that notion to five books and then to three. I think three books were enough to cover what was needed (reference to the Withlings intended).
3. The meaning of the Bow of Hart was next to be changed. At first, I intended to write it much differently (no spoiler here) but the more work I put into the current version, the more I knew it had to be twisted. That meant dropping my original intentions and I think that worked out much better. For those who haven’t read it, you need to and you’ll understand.
4. Along with the shift away from more books, the plans I had for a major war in the lands of Shildra and Grendon shifted north which made sense. Fewer books meant less time to move into other lands so I kept the series arc as simple as possible – anything else was pushing too far. I did not get to show events in other places like Shildra, Grendon, Hart, Rok and several others. Perhaps I can write another series about those lands (and, no, the previously mentioned content is not about these lands).
5. Lastly, I dropped a very convoluted beginning that spent far too much time with Athson being alone and making long trips to and from Auguron City. That left him involved with no one so there was less dialogue. Also, it was just boring so I settled on pushing the reader directly into Athson’s confusing reality and a single, straight-forward journey to the city with Gweld while moving the ranger station further away and adding a few stops along the way for better context and plot development.
So those are a few details that were cut, and generously so. I think it made the overall series better, more concise. As a bonus, I can also share that I split the initial first book since it would have been far too long, shifted the title to the second book and developed The Bow of Destiny title. That took some doing but it worked. Next week, I’ll share more details I added, especially in The Bow of Destiny that made the book better in my opinion.
Thanks for reading today. Please leave your questions and thoughts in the comments sections and I’ll reply as soon as I can! Find out more about The Bow of Hart Saga on the series page.
The latest developments for The Bow of Hart Saga, The Cursed Mage Case Files and more…
Today starts my second week back here on the blog. Restarting the blog and managing some of the business of writing took up much of last week. I’m kind of trying out this weekly update post for readers to be able to find specific information about my writing projects.
Here are my latest updates from the last week by series:
The Bow of Hart Saga – Sequel:
I’ve done a little more outline work and reviewed some of the parallel series, Empire’s Deception. There’s no expectation of starting any serious work on either project for a couple of months but I am working on general outlines and ideas to be ready to work on them when the time comes.
As indicated last week, I’ll begin work on the sequel of The Bow of Hart Saga in earnest with a few months. There will be at least one more saga, but I’m open to one or two more beyond this next one. But let’s worry about the next one first (see below for a bit about each possible saga).
Because there will be another saga, here’s the over-arching series title that I’m adding when the time comes:
The Denaria Cycle.
The next series title will be:
The Heir of Hart.
Here are the working titles:
Book 1: The Fires of Hart
Book 2: The Cursed Bow
Book 3: Hope of Hart
Book 4: Shadow of the Dragon
Book 5: The Broken Ties
Book 6: Dragon Rising
Book 7: The Goddess Rises
As for a further series in the Denaria Cycle, I’m thinking about a saga that heavily involves dwarves. This is another topic in which many readers have expressed interest. I think there is plenty of material for such a series. My series idea after that one would involve an invasion from a sea-faring people who use piracy as their main weapon.
I hope that gives everyone an idea of where I’m headed, just don’t expect anything from The Heir of Hart too fast. There are other books already in line for publication, actually very close to ready…
The Cursed Mage Case Files:
Volume 2, The Unseen Hand:
My current book project is still moving along at a steady pace in a final revision. The process is in the middle of re-writes at this time, followed by revision to bring each case up to consistency with The Order of the Dark Rose and each preceding case in this newest volume.
After all these changes, I expect to put the manuscript through three line edit process sandwiched between a mid-revision read-thru and a final one. It sounds like a longer process than it is as I expect to get through the revision part quickly if I can get some time to focus on it.
The line edits actually progress faster than you think and a read-thru can be done in less than a week, really a few days. However, my target date is sliding past the end of this month into December. I haven’t landed on that date yet, but then, the cover art has not arrived either.
When The Unseen Hand arrives, expect to find it in paperback, hardback (Amazon only) with merchandise available.
Regarding audio for the series, I haven’t approached an audio publisher yet, but if nothing works out with a traditional one, I’ll likely go with something like Findaway Voices. I’ll be in contact with a publisher or two and get some idea what to expect. Depending on those answers, there may be some audio appearing for this series during 2022. Of course, Volume 3, The Nine Jewel Heist, is due out in 2022 (fluid target date of late February or early March). Subsequent titles exist in my plans but have not been drafted as of yet.
The Cursed Hand Adventures (working series title):
A Charm in the Hand:
I’ve worked on this book off and on for the last couple of year and it is very close to going to my editor. I’m polishing it up for that next stage, although I’m still toying with putting into the Inkshares system (a crowdfunding publisher). I do have more of the series planned at this so I can begin drafting additional titles whenever I’m ready. Charm is pretty well developed so I don’t expect a long development time for it. This book is trending May of 2022.
The Lost Treasure Adventures (working series title):
All Things Forgotten:
Already through an initial editorial review, this book is well along in the process, but the world-building requires some work. I don’t expect this first in series launch before next summer if then. Subsequent books require more planning but I’m toying with ideas.
The Broken Shield Chronicles:
Working title: The Tower of Secrets
A work in progress, this series is in much the same shape as The Lost Treasure Adventures, needing some work on the world-building. This one is not quite finished in rough draft, with less than twenty pages needed to finish it. However, this BSC has a more complete plan. Both this series and the previous one are forms of LitRPG, so the extra work needed relates more toward the gaming part of each world. Again, this first in series launch should not be expected until the last half of 2022.
Other works:
There are other ideas which I have not even been touched aside from a very basic idea. However, one has been waiting for years with more development and a rough draft already started. The Denaria Cycle will come ahead of these and will likely elbow in past some of the other books. The goal with several series is to present readers with some different fantasy content.
Conclusion
I’ll be back with more updates next week and develop an updated WIP page to better express longer range plans with each series. Hopefully, all the behind the scenes information is interesting to readers and lets everyone know what to expect. The sequel to The Bow of Hart Saga will grow in importance as I complete the next several projects. Future posts in this series won’t be so extensive and focus on immediate project updates rather than long-range plans, though I’ll include the latter from time to time as developments arise.
Thanks for stopping by today to read more details about my writing updates. Feel free to share this post wherever you like. Also, leave your thoughts in the comments section where I’ll respond as soon as I’m able.
The following post is a fictitious news report based on events from The White Arrow, Book Three of The Bow of Hart Saga:
The Grendon Bugle/Free-Press
“The clear call of truth with the rising sun.”
Date-line: Auguron City By Maroch Karkholm, roving reporter on assignment with the Grendonese mission to Auguron on behalf of Princess Limbreth.
Maroch Karkholm here, reporting on events as they unfold in Auguron City. This reporter has been on assignment with the royal emissary sent to find the missing Princess Limbreth. After many days of waiting and filing interest stories about the culture of Auguron and its citizenry, word arrived that an army of trolls marched west toward the city. After several weeks, the main force of Auguron’s eastern garrison arrived by fleet of river-boats.
Among this contingent of rangers were a Withling, a giant, two particular rangers, two dwarves and none other than Princess Limbreth. While this reporter has been unable to interview the princess, I have been able to sit down with one of the dwarves who traveled in her company these last months. What follows are the surprising details:
Maroch: I understand you’ve traveled with Princess Limbreth these last months. Can you tell us more your involvement and who you are?
Dwarf: I’m Tordug of Chokkra and I have been honored to travel and fight in the company of Princess Limbreth of Grendon, Ax-maid of the death-grip, the Silver Lady and Protector of Travelers.
Maroch: Excuse me, Tordug. Did you say you were from Chokkra?
Tordug: Yes, I did say that.
Maroch: Then you were named for the infamous former ruler of that fallen dwarven-realm? Or perhaps, you bare the same name?
Tordug: I am none other than the very same former ruler.
Maroch: My apologies for not recognizing you, sir. I have many questions if you have time to speak with me further. I do not wish to intrude.”
Tordug: I have some time before I must go meet with Captain Sarneth about the defense of the city.
Maroch: Then you must also have knowledge of the troll invasion in which we Grendonese intend to avoid being entangled?
Tordug: I do know much of the events and plans for the defense as a consultant to the captain. However, I’m not at liberty to speak of these details at this time so tread carefully with your questions.
Maroch: I see. And, pardon me for asking, but Captain Sarneth has no qualms about receiving your assistance considering your past history with the fall of your own realm?
Tordug: My past is exactly that, my past. However, who better to consult than someone who has known the tactics of the enemy from the past? I have no authority among these elves but they have accepted my offer of service and knowledge.
Maroch: When did you find out that the trolls were invading?
Tordug: Hmmm, I suppose that’s no secret. We encountered them while traveling through the Troll Heaths. We discovered their movements just after a snowstorm and the wandering star appeared in the eastern night sky. It was just after, well, other events. We hurried to inform the elven garrison so that the contingent might not be overwhelmed by the horde and yet warn travelers on the trade road.
Maroch: You say you and your party were in the Troll Heaths and discovered the invasion. That region is reputed to be rather dangerous. Were you aware that a member of your party was a member of the Grendonese royal family?
Tordug: Yes, but I found out only after we were well into our quest. As far as any of us knew, the princess was someone who chose the company of Withling Hastra.
Maroch: Ah, yes, some on Grendon have insinuated that the Withling abducted or bewitched the princess and-
Tordug: I can assure you that is not the case. Princess Limbreth accompanied Withling Hastra of her own choice. If you wish to know the reasons, you may ask her.
Maroch: I see. Well, there is rumor there was nearly an altercation with the Grendonese emissary, Count Dareth of Tinnewell, just after she arrived with the elven garrison. Do you confirm or deny such events?
Tordug: (He laughed, very hard and long). There was indeed a heated discussion between this Dareth and the princess in the street. They almost came to blows. I fear he would have soon found himself in danger from Princess Limbreth had not Captain Sarneth intervened.
Maroch: Wait, you say between the princess and the count? You do realize they are betrothed, don’t you?
Tordug: (He laughed long and hard again before he answered). If they are, it’s a rather one-sided affair, more on his hapless part, I should think. But what of it?
Maroch: You were there and Count Dareth was sent by King Hamgas to retrieve Princess Limbreth. Why didn’t you hand the princess over at that time?
Tordug: (Again, he laughed very hard before he answered). Princess Limbreth goes where she wants and with whomever she wants. And with I doubt it will ever be with this Count Dareth unless the one she does want doesn’t live through the coming attack.
Maroch: Wait, are you saying that the princes loves another man? Who is he?
Tordug: Oh, enough of these questions of idle gossip. If you want to know more, ask her yourself. All I will say is that she’s entitled to choose whomever she wishes. She is highly honored among my people as an Ax-maid of the death-grip and someone who has proven her bravery many times over in recent months. Good day to you.
This reporter has been unable to gather any other information about all these events or what happened on the adventure of Princess Limbreth’s. None of her companions, including Withling Hastra, have made themselves available even after formal messages were sent to them. However, it is clear that there is another man in her life of whom no one knows, mostly likely someone she met on her travels. That Princess Limbreth has won renown among the dwarves is of great surprise and will certainly please His Majesty. For now, all else remains a mystery to this reporter who leaves this very hour with the Grendonese contingent ahead of the invasion. One can only hope that the princess will see the wisdom of leaving with the well-trained cavalry sent to guard her return to Grendon.
From the endangered city of Auguron, this is Marock Karkholm, roving reporter and still on the trail of the mysteries surrounding Princess Limbreth.
Look for more of these fun reports about the series. If you are interested in The Bow of Destiny, An Arrow Against the Wind or the newly released, final edition, The White Arrow, please click the appropriate link for the book-page. Following is the link to find out more about The White Arrow where it can be downloaded for free via Kindle Unlimited:
ped additional books. When I first planned the series many years ago, I wanted to write between seven and nine books. I trimmed that notion to five books and then to three. I think three books were enough to cover what was needed (reference to the Withlings intended).
5. Lastly, I dropped a very convoluted beginning that spent far too much time with Athson being alone and making long trips to and from Auguron City. That left him involved with no one so there was less dialogue. Also, it was just boring so I settled on pushing the reader directly into Athson’s confusing reality and a single, straight-forward journey to the city with Gweld while moving the ranger station further away and adding a few stops along the way for better context and plot development.
The Bow of Hart Saga – Sequel:
The Cursed Hand Adventures (working series title):
