Two Weeks

After a two week break in editing, I've binged edited 26 pages in the last 2 days. For the most part, it was refreshing, though there is a chapter I need to read through once again to make sure it flows correctly. The good part about what I've accomplished is that I'm nearing the end of the book and getting to the one revelation that the reader needs to understand in order to put one of the character's motivations into perspective.

In addition to this, I was forced to remove a couple paragraphs in a previous chapter concerning one of the characters due to perspective, but (luckily) I was able to add the content back in a bit later. I've been able to clarify some of my initial thoughts on the workings of magic within the world. I've also hinted at the abilities of one of the minor characters which now starts to show itself, becoming a much larger part of the story in the following books. So far, I like the changes I've made as I near one of the funnest chapters in the book; a scene in which two strong headed people meet for the first time. For me, the interaction is iconic and really delves into one of the character's personality.

For the most part, I like writing strong, no-nonsense women. In this #ShadowGodsSeries, that woman is Chalas. Yet, for the first few books, her sturdiness has only been hinted at. Starting at the end of book three, Warrior of Chaos, Chalas really starts to display the reason why she's survived this long and why she's so well respected. Like most stories of this genre, the series portray a man's society, but as the story progresses she assumes her nature role as leader which isn't (and shouldn't be) a shock to anyone.

With only 35 pages to go, my work on it is nearly complete. In some ways, I find it hard to believe I cover so much of the real story within those pages, but that's kind of the point. For a nine book series, each book needs to end with a revelation, a turning point, a victory, or a crisis. In some of the books its driven by a battle, but in Warrior of Chaos it concerns insight into a specific character. That insight also sets up what happens in the next book in the most subtle way.