I’ve started writing Episode Ten, the Final episode of the Chronicles. It’s a weird feeling to get this far. The series has dominated my writing life for years now!
On the one hand I’m sad to leave the world of the Harekaiian. I’ve become attached to Akalya and it’s like moving away from a long-time friend. On the other hand, I’m looking forward to developing other projects. Akalya has her life and I have many more to explore. Yes, I do know how this ends. What I didn’t know until a few days ago was how the end begins.
Looking back over the series, it follows a progression that I could easily believe was planned in advance, at least if I didn’t know my writing process. The fact is, after I finish an episode, I wait a few days for the next one to grow organically out of my subconscious, then suddenly I’ll have to furiously write down a beginning for the next book that’s bursting out of me.
This time was the same, but those first couple of paragraphs showed me a character arc for Akalya that I never could have thought out and planned! After so many things got resolved in Episode Nine, I really had no idea where I would go with this last one, apart from having set up some new characters in Episode Nine to take Akalya in a fresh direction.
Meanwhile, I’ve had word that the audiobook of Episode Eight has completed production and will be released any day now. Squeeee! These are close to catching up with me, so audiobook fans won’t have to wait much longer than those who read on e-book. As for paperback aficionados, you haven’t been forgotten. Episodes Six – Ten will be published in paperback very close to the release of Episode Ten. It’s just waiting to be complete.
So, back to work for me. I’ve got a few last loose ends to resolve and a trauma or two to come, then maybe a happily ever after… or maybe not. We’ll have to wait and see.