This week I received notice that Book 3 in the Champion of the Gods—Kings of Lore and Legend—is on the pre-order list at DSP Publications. Before you click the little “x” to close the window, this isn’t going to be a promo post about the book—I’ll post something when it’s closer to the release date. I want to use today’s post to talk about the writing process.
This series began more than ten years as a story for my husband. He told me I needed a hobby, and he knew I used to write back in college, so he handed me my laptop and a new version of Word and said have at it. Over the years, some of the names have changed; some of the plot has evolved. Silly bits that were too contrived, too easy, got fixed; plot holes got filled and back-story got filled in. Then I started to write for real.
Even then, the ‘real writing’ wasn’t so final. Once Dreamspinner (and DSP Publications) took on the series, I had to start the ‘rewrite.’ Then of course there were edits, and more edits and even more.
Now that Book 3 is about to be released and I’m deep in the streets on Book 4, it occurred to me how long I’d been working on this entire story. It’s not some little story to write, submit, edit, move on—I’ve done those. It’s not even a series to write and release over a couple years—done that too. This is one is becoming part of me; it’s under my skin. And that isn’t always a good thing.
What? Not a good thing? How can I say that? Well it does consume most of my free time. I spent a long weekend trying to get ahead on Book 4 and while I made a lot of progress, I spent a lot of time too. I realized that finishing the series (and I will finish it lest those few diehard fans get concerned) is really not a part-time job.
I want to work on other projects that I simply can’t get to and keep to a schedule those who’ve read the other books deserve. So for now, completing Champions is a priority.
Writing this series gives me a newfound respect for those epic series I’ve read in the past. The effort to prepare maps that meet my vision of the world I created took a ton of work and—patience—from the amazing artist, Catherine Dair. Who knew it would be so labor intensive to put together a glossary and index. Blurbs, series blurbs and banners, marketing… the list goes on.
I don’t want to suggest I regret writing the books. It’s amazing to see this series moving along and barreling toward a conclusion. The artwork for the covers is, in my completely biased opinion, totally amazing. Watching the artwork and the maps mesh with the books is exciting. And it’s a thrill to get emails or see posts on Facebook from people who’ve read the book and are eager for the next one.
In hindsight, it was probably a mistake to take on a project of this size. At least until I retire and can write full time. In the meantime, please be patient with me, I am working on it. The balance between family, work, other interests, and writing is one I’ve still not completely found. Finding time to be on social media, to talk to friends and fans is hard. If only the Metro would finally finish installing cellular service inside the tunnels, I’d get have so much more social media time. I mean what else is there to do on the train other than look at people who are themselves playing on their phones or iPads.
I’m also a champion procrastinator. If I could get back all those hours I’ve spent doing puzzles on my iPad, playing ‘Shoot the Bubbles’ or Solitaire, I’d probably have finished the series. Maybe the issue isn’t I need more time to work on it, but rather I need to work more with the time I have. I’ll think more on that after one more game.
In the meantime, this isn’t exactly a cover reveal as it’s on the DSP Publication site and at least on Omni-Lit, but I’ve not yet shared it publically, here is the cover art for Kings of Lore and Legend. Many thanks to the absolutely amazing Angsty G for her work on the cover art.
Andrew Q. Gordon wrote his first story back when yellow legal pads, ball point pens were common and a Smith Corona correctable typewriter was considered high tech. Adapting with technology, he now takes his MacBook somewhere quiet when he wants to write.
He currently lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his partner of twenty years, their young daughter and dog. In addition to dodging some very self-important D.C. ‘insiders’, Andrew uses his commute to catch up on his reading. When not working or writing, he enjoys soccer, high fantasy, baseball and seeing how much coffee he can drink in a day.
Follow Andrew:
On his website: www.andrewqgordon.com,
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/andrewqugordon,
On Twitter: @andrewqgordon,
Or just email him: andrewqgordon@gmail.com
Books:
The Last Grand Master: (Champion of the Gods – Book 1)
The Eye and the Arm: (Champion of the Gods – Book 2)
Kings of Lore and Legend: (Champion of the Gods – Book 3)
Self published:
Writing a series is a lot of work, Andrew. So much in your post I could relate to, and great to know I’m not the only one. Love the cover for the latest instalment – it has me intrigued.
Thanks Anne, It is a bit more work than I expected. lol
Dancing around the room here. Can’t wait to read it! I’ve had it on my upcoming books to review it seems like FOREVER! 🙂
Um, Well I finished this back in June, so I’ve no idea how long it’s been on DSPP’s available list 😉 Hopefully it will be worth the wait.
I’m in awe of those who can write a series over a number of years and keep the story fresh and going and cohesive. I’m not sure I could do it. The idea of committing to such a huge project is daunting!
Also, love the cover, and I guess this means I had better hurry up and read book two then! Cheers!
Thanks Kelly, I will say that it is ‘done’ but given the time since I finished it, my weighting has group considerably – I think at least – and I have to kinda rework stuff. The hardest part is putting aside other new projects I really want to work on because I don’t have the time to do both. As for the covers – let’s say I think Sam’s a genius – and I tell her that all the time 😉