How I’m Writing My Fourth Book #
Dear Apprentice,
I’m beginning work on the first draft of my fourth fantasy novel, Phrygian Nights. This is the first time I’m embarking on a project feeling like I truly know what I’m doing. At the same time, I’m treading new territory—this book is a mystery, a genre I’ve virtually no experience in.
My hope is that these journals can provide you some value, so you can see how an experienced author goes about producing a novel in a relatively short amount of time. Books used to take me years, but each one seems to come out swifter since I’ve figured out my general order of operations.
There’s more to writing than just writing. There’s also research, practice, and learning. I’ll be analyzing texts to help reinforce my shortcomings and to give me ideas to carry into my own work.
So here’s the pitch: An epic fantasy set in my existing Dusk and Dawn setting, starring a young mage in his final year of wizarding school, investigating the disappearances of his fellow students, while chasing down an old friend who caused all the issues.
The challenge: Learning the conventions of Murder-Mystery and Hard-Boiled Crime while effectively blending them with my brand of deep, literary fantasy with an epic setting. If all goes well, this book will run as The Arcanist’s summer serial in 2026.
Check back here often, I’ll release journals as they’re written.
Word Counts #
| Week | Total Count | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 6th to 12th | 12,361 | 12,361 of 40,000 |
| Sept 13th to 19th | 13,125 | 25,486 of 40,000 |
| Sept 20th to 26th | 8,295 | 33,781 of 40,000 |
| Sept 27th to Oct. 3rd | 864 | 34,675 of 40,000 |
| Nov. 3rd to Nov. 9th |
First Draft Journal Entries — September 2025 to November 2025 #
Tuesday — 9/9 #
Dear Apprentice,
This week I’m beginning the production of Phrygian Nights, my fantasy-mystery starring Perriander Lafey, wizard extraordinaire and eventual court wizard of Wystra.
I had the idea for this book last year while I was working nights at the plasma clinic. I took a voice memo of my ideas and forgot about it. Later, after Apple added AI transcription to voice memos, I rediscovered the concept and thanked my lucky stars I thought to record it.
I did prework some months ago, writing about 7000 words of the opening chapters, essentially a cut down Act 1. After rereading yesterday (Monday 9/8) and rewriting the first bits, I’m quite happy and excited with the story.
I’m not a plotter. Though this book is the most plot-heavy story I’ve written, these journals are serving as a way to guide my thoughts and organize the form of the narrative. Think of this as a pantser’s outline.
The biggest challenge I face is that I’ve never written a true mystery. Inevitably, this book will be different from the hard-boiled crime novels I’m reading for research—the conventions of Epic Fantasy (in a literary style, no less) will conflict with the conventions of Mystery during this first draft. But that shouldn’t stop us.
For the past week, I’ve been reading mystery and learning about the genre, I want to ensure the expected conventions are present, making this book a tasteful blend Mystery and Fantasy, rather than having one overrule the other.
DISCLAIMER: Understand that by reading this journal, the story will be spoiled—I’m working through the plot and narrative beats, and will withhold nothing, as these journals are for educational purposes.
Reading List Update #
Below are the books I’m working through and my thoughts about them to help inform the writing of Phrygian Nights. I’ll update the list in further entries as I finish books and generate new thoughts. Note, the list might not exist in every post.
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Alfred Hithcock’s Mystery Magazine, March 1987
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“Night Light”by Al and Mary Kuhfeld -
“My Brother’s Life”by Rob Kantner -
“The Ghost of Monday”by Andrew Klavan -
“Do Birds Still Sing When They’re Old?”by Quenda Behler Story-
I picked up this issue at an antique store. It’s an interesting point in time, showcasing the timeless nature of the Mystery genre.
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These stories taught me mystery can take many forms. Got some good examples of what not to do—such as Ed’s double explaining at the end of the “Do Birds Still Sing When They’re Old”
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The best story in the bunch I read was “My Brother’s Life.” It had some poor dialogue tagging but overall was thrilling and engaging.
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Storm Front, by Jim Butcher
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Currently listening on audiobook, mostly so I don’t accidentally rip it off with my own take on “Wizard Detective”. Not expecting much.
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Dresden is much cooler than Perry, who is rather irresponsible and high strung at the beginning of the tale. Also, Dresden begins as an established detective, whereas Perry is forced into it at the end of Chapter 2. Different motivations.
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Dresden is confronted by many different people with different threads. So far, I think this is because Storm Front is setting up the greater series, whereas Phrygian Nights is a standalone and probably won’t have a sequel. I can focus in on the core conflict, no need to introduce a thousand characters.
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And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie
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Essential reading, from the best of the best. The narrative of this story doesn’t have much to teach in terms of structure, however, certain techniques are essential
- Aside—the intro to this book is a good lesson for my previous Meat Grinder short story, with so many characters they need short sections to characterize and set up.
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Establish key characters quickly, characterize them with specific features, items, and actions. Because of the nature of fantasy, Chapter one spends two paragraphs setting the scene around the secondary world, then dives into specific description of our “Killer” (Haslow).
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Get to the hook within Act 1. No slow burn, set up fast then hit the ground running with the inciting incident. In this case, Prologue is from perspective of one of the “victims” of the real “crime(?)” (being Shama ressurecting willing recruits into Dusk’s undead army). The body discovered in Chapter 1 is a Red Herring, one of Goldenscale’s discarded test subjects.
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Wednesday — 9/10 #
Dear Apprentice,
Something I’m concerned with is the blend of Epic Fantasy convention (wordy and lots of explanation and world building) and Hard Boiled Mystery (Clean, no fluff, and to the point).
Having just finished Chapter 2, I feel that the Prologue and Chapter One hit the mystery nail on the head. Chapter 2 falls more into the Epic Fantasy stuff, with set dressing for Phrygia and explanations for how magic works.
I don’t think this is a bad thing, but I need to choose my moments. I found many instances where I had to pull back on world building because it wasn’t a slow enough moment and I didn’t want to disrupt the flow.
Back Cover Copy #
I’ve recently heard that it can be helpful to start the creative process with the back cover copy, as that will help guide a plotted novel throughout production. I have a simple goal for this story: 40k to 50k words, Manhunt revenge, Murder mystery, Wizards duking it out.
Here’s my revised first iteration of the back cover:
Wizarding students are vanishing. Rebellion brews in the shadows. And the fate of the Great Cities rests on the shoulders of one young sorcerer.
Perriander Lafey’s final year at the Citadel should have been his triumph. Instead, his oldest friend unleashes forbidden magic, leaving Perry maimed and betrayed. To earn back his future—and stop a rising tide of chaos—he must hunt down the rogue sorcerer through the treacherous streets of Phrygia.
But the city’s underbelly is ruled by necromancers, haunted by undead shamans, and steeped in the lure of dark power. Every step brings Perry closer to saving the Great Cities—or surrendering to the very magic he swore to resist.
Fans of Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files and Steven Erikson’s Bauchelain and Korbal Broach novellas will be spellbound by this thrilling tale of magic, mystery, and betrayal (murder? I like the alliteration, but what’s more appealing?).
Thursday — 9/11 #
Dear Apprentice,
I’ve noted an interesting contrast between Storm Front and And Then There Were None. Both stories use storms as plot devices. Both have timers.
ATTWN is much more condensed and thoughtful, with a group of people working to together to figure out who is killing everyone.
Dresden is faster, but more widespread and heavily focused on characterizing Harry. Everything that comes up in Dresden, is followed through and mirrored.
The timer adds much needed suspense. That is something Phrygian Nights lacks in the prework—does it need a timer? My original idea was that Perry had been in a coma for so long that he missed his capstone and needs to find Haslow as a form of makeup.
But that doesn’t do—all the suspense evaporated in that time skip.
Since Phrygia is in the sky for eleven days (an academic week), I could have Percy wake up a few days after the incident and begin his search with the natural timer that Haslow will escape come the rest period (the three day weekend following an academic week), when the city settles into the ocean.
Yeah, the more I write about this, the more it makes sense.
Instead of missing his capstone, Perry is expelled due to helping Haslow in the duel. But, because Perry turned against Haslow when he realized what was happening, saving the class from being incinerated, he is then given the task of hunting down Haslow as a way to get back in the good graces of the Citadel. Similarly, he still needs to attend his capstone, his journeys must see him back before the end of the semester.
Narrative Beats I’m Adding #
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Start his post recovery investigation with the body from the boiler room—it was scorched. Easy tell but a red herring. This is lord goldenscale’s failed experiment, fire breath was the tool of dispatch.
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Ask Colover if he’s seen Haslow, investigate his room at the inn for clues.
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Talk to Stats guy about disappearances, look into disappearances, and mistakenly link to Haslow, and stumble upon signs of Shama.
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The gala Marta invites him to—gets on Goldenscale’s trail, believes he might be harboring Haslow.
What’s Actually Happening? #
Haslow was conscripted by Shama to join Dusk’s undead army. He was planning to leave the night he “ignited” but Shama was disinterested in taking on someone so hot headed.
Pissed that he’s been denied both immortal undeadness and the sorcerous life extension (The Sorcerer’s Gift) at the end of his capstone, he begins to panic, trying to stay hidden in Phrygia until he can escape on a boat to Valencia so he can:
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Undergo an illegal, ritual to extend his life
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Blow the place up from the inside with Worldfire once the Wystran’s arrive.
Working Plot Structure
Act 1 — up till Perry’s injury, maiming and anger
Act 2 — Investigating Phrygia
Act 3 — Travelling to Valencia, closing in, Climax battling Haslow in a siege duel (mirroring the original duel).
Falling Action — Shama explains what she does to Perry and he goes with her to Vigor Mortis, inducted into the Great Mother’s cause.
Reading List Update #
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Storm Front, by Jim Butcher -
And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie
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The Colorado Kid, by Stephen King
Friday — 9/12 #
Dear Apprentice,
Having finished Storm Front yesterday, And Then There Were None this morning, and The Colorado Kid this afternoon, I want to begin this journal with a reading list update.
Reading List Update #
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_**Storm Front,**_ by Jim Butcher-
Ultimately taught me the importance of urgency in a crime narrative. Gave me some ideas on how magic can aide an investigation, but also how it isn’t a Deus Ex Machina—limitations to a wizard’s power are essential.
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I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I’ve been searching for Fool Moon but all the digital copies are weirdly taken up in my library. I unfortunately can only tackle one book at a time in paper.
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And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie-
I don’t think this work applies much to Phrygian nights, but it taught fundamentals of the Mystery Genre and gave me ideas for another story I worked on last week. I also loved it, my first Christie book!
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This book has me pondering the explanation trope. With my style of writing, I want the explanation to reveal itself naturally in the narrative. I don’t want to include a letter from the killer or a drawn out detective explaining the mystery to the killer. I know this is a thing for a reason, but I’m also working within my brand of literary epic fantasy.
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The Colorado Kid, by Stephen King-
Listened to audiobook during my walking commutes.
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I’ve yet to encounter a King book I didn’t enjoy something about. I know he has some stinkers and I think this might be one. I’m all for a slow burn, but this was almost a post-modern deconstruction of mystery rather than a lesson in how to tell one.
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It takes A LOT to bore me. I’m a patient and detail oriented reader. I remember trying to read my paperback of this twice and I always put it down. I understand why now—good thing it was short because it was total snooze fest.
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Evil Under the Sun, by Agatha Christie
- Will begin next week in paper. They call her the Queen of Mystery for a reason.
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The Maltese Falcon, by Dashiell Hammett
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Beginning audiobook Saturday morning.
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Apparently an classic and essential Detective novel. Recommended by a volunteer for The Arcanist.
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Further Thoughts #
I could through in the occasional scene from Haslow’s perspective. I’ve already done this with the prologue, regarding a Valentine knight who has been inducted into the undead army. This could help fit the pieces together. At the same time, this isn’t an elaborate who-done-it. It’s a slow burn manhunt that involves murders, which ultimately are red herrings.
This gives me an idea—I’m about to write the scene where Perry walks into Colover’s—he’s in excruciating pain (which he doesn’t know is because Colover is hiding Haslow in the cellar.)
Colover, who is covering for Haslow, perhaps tells Perry about the missing students to throw him off. He knows Haslow isn’t a serial killer—he’s only a terrorist, come on guys—and then Perry goes on his way.
Rapid Writing Pace—Inevitably Slowing Down? #
Today is the first writing day I’m starting with zero prework to work from. I’ve attained an insane pace thus far, but I’m foreseeing that it will slow down as I work through the events of Act 2 for the first time.
This is the most plotted novel I’ve ever attempted. I’m still not outlining, but this act of journaling my progress, relating my ideas with the lessons I’m learning from the books I’m reading, then marking down the narrative beats in a bullet point list (my usual strategy), is shaping up to resemble a traditional plotter’s outline—just much more scattered.
Anyway, I’m now writing from scratch, so what follows will be more tangental and less polished, as is expected for a first draft.
Form First—Theme Later #
Since this is a mystery, there are specific formalist elements I want to achieve in the first draft. These being consistent mirrors and foreshadowing (as learned in Dresden).
The biggest mirror is the first siege duel in Chapter 2, which will mirror the final siege duel in the Climax.
I’m also employing smaller mirror with the burns—Perry’s Act 1 maiming is foreshadowed by the dead body he sees in the boiler room and he dreamed of himself as a burn victim.
I’m doing my best to keep track of the Chekhov’s Guns and Red Herrings—the Red Herrings are very important, since most of the confirm murders are meant to throw Perry off Haslow’s trail.
I don’t believe Haslow will succeed in directly killing anyone. If Perry hadn’t quelled his Worldfire, he would have killed the entire class (a premeditated act of terror because he knew his classmates would be deployed against the Wystrans as siege weapons). Likewise, right now I see the final duel causing a lot of damage, but Perry will shut down Haslow before he succeeds in “blowing up the nuke.”
The Nuke — a common narrative device in Thrillers and Action narratives. Big giant wipe out button the villain will detonate at the end of a dramatic timer. Often depicted as a literal atomic bomb in films. In my case, it’s a crazed mage with forbidden magic.
Since I’m still focused on the literary, character-driven value, I want solid, identifiable themes. One loose one present in the First Draft is Perry’s arc from timid college student, to becoming enraged, then ultimately calming down and controlling his urges (which was Haslow’s failing, he could not help the Wystrans, nor even induct himself in Dusk’s undead army, because he’s a loose cannon).
This is all to say, Shama likely informs Haslow that she will not turn him due to his rash attack on the Citadel. Everything seems very shadowy and organized, when its actually a fanatical terrorist with a nuke in his pocket acting out of desperation. Haslow is flying off the seat of his pants and benefits purely from his separation he enjoyed during his residency.
Week One Word Count #
As of today, I am ahead of schedule and about a quarter to my 40k words goal. Because some of you may care about such things, here are my word counts for the week. For context, I aim for five writing days per week, with a minimum of 1000 words written.
| Day | Words Written | Current Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, 8th | 2904 | Prologue (X), Chapter 1 (—) |
| Tuesday, 9th | 2000 | Chapter 1 (X), Chapter 2 (—) |
| Wednesday, 10th | 1213 | Chapter 2 (X) |
| Thursday, 11th | 3191 | Chapter 3 (X), Chapter 4 (—) |
| Friday, 12th | 2442 | Chapter 4 (X), Chapter 5 (—) |
Week One Total: 12,361
Saturday — 9/13 #
Dear Apprentice,
It’s the weekend and I’m not planning to do much writing—but I will as time allows. I’ve hit my five working days last week, so I’m not concerned about hitting targets until Monday.
I managed to get hold of the Fool Moon audiobook, so I’m excited to jump back on my Dresden binge. I began The Maltese Falcon today and so far I’m “enjoying” it. But I have thoughts…
Reading List Update #
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Evil Under the Sun, by Agatha Christie
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This one has a lot more set up than And Then There Were None. Murder happens at the end of Chapter 4.
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It’s rather clear who the victim will be right off the bat. There’s no clear timer, but there are intentionally placed moments regarding the victim. Even though the reader doesn’t meet the victim immediately, you get a sense for who she is and how people think about her.
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The multiple perspectives does a lot to add to the situation, making me feel like I should include a few more in Phrygian Nights.
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The Maltese Falcon, by Dashiell Hammett
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First—I can see how it influenced Jim Butcher with Storm Front, the plot is very similar—damsel in distress who is suspicious, multiple murders that the protag is suspected for himself, PI agency, etc.
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I can’t get over, however, that Spade is a fucking asshole. Where Dresden is cool—sometimes too cool for his own good—Spade comes off so harsh and terrible, I wonder if the author is priming me for him be the killer. It’s mostly his treatment of women, even his observations of them (“five years past her prime” for example).
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But he’s also clearly crooked, straight up robbing his client of all the money she had. It seems intentional for the reader not to like him. Granted this book was written in the 30s, so we’ll just have to see. Better than the Colorado Kid, in terms of engaging me—but I’m excited to get to my old pal, Harry Dresden.
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I wonder what other Fantasy Mysteries exist?
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Fool Moon, by Jim Butcher
- Will begin in audio after The Maltese Falcon.
Sunday — 9/14 #
Dear Apprentice,
I’m thinking about something someone said in a video I watched. Murder Mystery is just a sub-genre of the greater “Crime” genre. This has me considering the inherent differences between the Christie books, Storm Front, and The Maltese Falcon.
All of these books concern murders. Christie books seem to be more about the puzzle the crime presents and the joy of unraveling it. Maltese Falcon is very much focused on that classic noir tone. Dresden is more character focused, providing growth throughout the course of a narrative.
It might not come as a surprise that the form of The Dresden Files works as a much better example for my own Fantasy-Mystery. I am curious about other books that do this. Because I’m growing to really enjoy the series, I need to be careful not to borrow too much. One of my goals was plainly “do not rip off Dresden”.
In an earlier journal, I stated I had little expectation for those books. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to move on from the first, but I really enjoyed Storm Front.
Alright, enough rambling. Time to get some writing done before I’m out and about all day.
Weekend Word Counts #
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Saturday: 825, Chapter 5 (—)
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Sunday: 899, Chapter 5 (X)
Monday — 9/15 #
Dear Apprentice,
Let’s begin the week with a reading list update. I finished The Maltese Falcon yesterday on my drive home from a friend’s house (I also stopped for lunch and to write on the way, which was a nice surprise).
Readling List Update #
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Evil Under the Sun, by Agatha Christie
- Reading in paper, halfway through.
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The Maltese Falcon, by Dashiell Hammett- Good riddance.
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Fool Moon, by Jim Butcher
- Listening beginning today.
After sleeping on it, I loathed The Maltese Falcon. I just can’t believe that this is an exemplar of the genre. Gross chauvinism aside, the book is repetitive and goes round and round in circles for basically nothing to actually happen.
As I reflected on repetition, I wondered if it had been first released as a serial (repetition is warranted in such a case) but it’s not just between chapters, it’s within individual sections!
The final chapters were the worst about this. “You love me!”
“I might!”
“But if you did you need not have to think”
“but I don’t love you!”
“but you do!”
“oh yes, I might!”
Then Spade goes on to say: “I’m not going to play the sap” three or four times in the same two pages.
The mystery itself wasn’t very compelling—there is virtually no buy-in. Dead partner, a classic set up. But actually Spade hates his parter and has been screwing the guy’s wife the whole time (whom he has just dumped for no apparent reason).
Sam Spade is literally just a criminal. An absolute piece of shit in every way. He doesn’t solve anything, he just yells and threatens until the writer gives him his way. Worse—there is no growth, the end loops everything right back where it started, as if nothing had happened.
I can’t decide if this is a meditation on corruption of if Hammett believed he had crafted a compelling character. Either way, I’d argue he failed. To commentate on corruption would require Sam Spade to advance as a character in some way, to have motivations for the way he is. To be heroic and compelling—he’d have to redeeming qualities to counteract his general awfulness.
Truly, this book gives me the feeling the author was padding out word count like a college student bullshitting an essay. The Magazine wanted X amount of words per chapter, and my man just didn’t have that amount of story to tell.
Descriptions are nearly non-existent and often redundant when do exist. A lot of mystery seems to be mostly dialogue, but this one is damn near all dialogue. There is virtually no introspection or reflection, the narration is journalistic and external, completely detached from Spade.
At the end of the story, he tries pass off his behavior as “I was just playing the part to get you all to confess” but that was cheap and underbaked. Flat out, I don’t buy it. I think Spade is an absolutely dog and saw an opportunity to go running “off leash.”
Not to mention the villains are laughable. Spade wins not because he’s witty or driven or even because he’s a good detective, but because he’s more “manly” (if you can call what he exhibits manly, which I would not).
All in all—another example of what not to do.
Tuesday — 9/16 #
Dear Apprentice,
I’m nearing the end of Act 2 and I’m simultaneously surprised at how swift the story is moving along and much I’ve managed to write in just a week of active work. Officially, I began writing on Monday of last week, but I only thought to start journaling about it on Tuesday.
Act 2 is nearly complete with my finishing of Chapter 7. Part of me is rather worried that this book will shape shorter than my target of 40k words, but I know I shouldn’t worried. My word counts always swell in the rewriting process, and I have more material than a three act structure can usually account for.
We’re shaping up for a four part story. Act 1 introduces everything. Act 2 is spent in the meat of investigation, and concludes with the failed chase at the gala (which, I’ll begin writing tomorrow!)
Act 3 will be in Valencia and new investigation will begin—finding the shady people Haslow is working with. Phrygia is condensed. Valencia is sprawling. It will conclude with the big battle climax when Perriander brings the man to justice.
Of course that’s not the end of the tale, we need a falling action in Part 4. This is when Perry will learn the real secret—Shama (the weird lady he encounter in Chapter 6 for those paying attention). She will take him to Vigor Mortis, and this book will reveal something (maybe not everything) about the significance of that place to greater Dusk and Dawn series.
For the sake of documentation, here are the narrative beats I’ve been working through with Act 2, up to where I’m at during the time of writing this journal. I’m so excited to see where this all goes!
Act 2 Narrative Beats #
- Coming home, dream of boiler room
- Go to bar, feel the pain, get put on wrong path by Colover
- Talk to Hamator in Stats
- Run into Marta in public
- Go out to ritual sites with Marta
- Meet Detective in Morgue
- Find Goldenscale’s Handkerchief
- Letter from Marta
- Encounter with disguised Shama, gives him mask
- Second meet with Detective, learn about Goldenscale
- Night of the Gala, romantic tension
- Pulse of WF, confront Goldenscale
- See Haslow, chase him to no avail.
Wednesday — 9/17 #
Dear Apprentice,
Difficult writing day, still haven’t blocked the time—only had time this morning for dishes and 20 minutes of cutting down an audiobook because my 3:30am alarm didn’t ring and I woke up at 5:15am.
Got a big meeting I’m presenting at tomorrow for the day job. Had to spend the morning preparing the final versions of the company newsletter. Some days are like this—I’ve been lucky to enjoy a week of uninterrupted blocks of writing, especially during the slow hours of the day.
I am going a little nuts. Having big blocks of quiet suddenly change seats with mornings full of hallways conversations and never ending phone calls is sand paper against my neurodivergent psyche.
Good thing is, I’ve had plenty of time for to listen to Fool Moon. I’m more than halfway through. It’s nice to have something to read/listen to that I’m a little obsessed with. It’s been awhile since I was especially invested in something I was reading.
Fool Moon (Dresden Files #2) is a pretty good example of what I’m after with Phrygian Nights. Where Christie books are all about the murder and how it was enacted, the puzzle of unraveling it, books like The Maltese Falcon (which I’m convinced is a core inspiration for Butcher, as it was actively named in Fool Moon) and The Dresden Files use the murder as the impetus for a cascading chain of compoundingly complex events.
I’m not quite sure what “hard-boiled” means, but my working understanding from context would lead me to believe that Christie is more “hard-boiled” because the only driving element in her short books is the murder and solving it. Hammett attempted to make The Maltese Falcon a character drama. Butcher succeeds greatly.
I love the first half of Fool Moon. Most of the mystery is revealed from the beginning, leaving out key components that would have been solved if not for the chaos that ensues by the middle climax. The big bad werewolf fight in the police station could have been the end of it, but the action only continues on.
There are now other elements to the mystery beyond the murders themselves—what’s going to happen to Dresden?—he’s a bloody fugitive now! How will these insane events change his professional (and to a lesser extent, personal) relationship with Murphy? Something has got to give, he needs to fill her in on everything magic and she needs to stop suspecting him every time he happens to know someone in Chicago’s tiny magical community.
This has me hopeful to the “episodic” movement of Phrygian Nights. If I’m lucky enough to find more time today (I’ll write on my lunch if need be), I will begin the Masquerade (referred to as the gala in my notes) chapter(s) today. This is the middle climax. I was worried yesterday that I wouldn’t have much more story after that. But I’ve had a lot of ideas brewing overnight and during my walking commutes to work (taking the bus sure has a lot of benefits for one’s mental and physical health).
I may as well draft out my narrative outline for “Act 3” Valencia here and transfer to my private notes later today. Here goes:
Act 3 Synopsis #
Failing to apprehend Haslow at the Masquerade (chiefly because Perry left his magic pendant on his side table), Bastilion and Pascal Doon are furious with him, demanding he go to Valencia to intercept Haslow before he has the chance to do damage.
Perry (and perhaps Marta, who could insist on coming with, I haven’t decided) is escorted through the In Between with Bastilion where they arrive in Valencia’s throne room to be greeted by one Richter Benegaz, who would be acting court wizard at this time.
Richter has some ideas and offers help (he could be a good mentor character, but there also has to be a rivalry or bad blood by the end, per the description of their reunion in Wystra during The Lament).
There is a seedy underbelly in Valencia—rife with less-than-good magicks. This will provide a stark contrast to the anti-magic Valencia of The Heretic’s Reflection. He will need to get involved with some shady folks and eventually finds out what Haslow is planning. There must be another encounter with Shama during this time—she is trying to help Perry, because she wants his support.
Time is short—the Wystrans are arriving by sunrise and Haslow will use Worldfire to open the gates for them. With the help of whoever is with him (probably Marta, definitely Bastilion and Richter) they will counter Haslow and defeat him at great cost. Haslow will not use an engine, he doesn’t have any support, but he will siphon bystanders, killing dozens during the battle. He will also succeed in destroying the gate ahead of the invading army’s arrival.
With his quelling powers and affinity for Worldfire, Perry will defeat Haslow who is arrested and taken alive (this will allow for a dramatic confrontation at the novel’s close). Then their attention must turn towards the Wystrans.
The battle will ensue and the Wystrans will rampage through the streets—killing the king and Queen Collantz taking the throne. At this point, the Citadel is walking on eggshells and everyone is involved.
Perry is swept with Shama, who will take him to Vigor Mortis.
Thursday — 9/18 #
Dear Apprentice,
I began the Masquerade event yesterday. Decided to split it up into multiple chapters to live up to genre convention as opposed to how I’d usually organize fantasy—not that any of my books have been organized in the same way.
Started with some romantic tension between Marta and Perry. I’m not one for will they won’t they—but there needed to be unresolved tension when he left. So their kiss was interrupted.
I’m tried today. Not of writing—all I want to do is write. But life is hard right now. My commutes are all walking and bussing in the morning. Sometimes in the afternoon. Thankfully, my darling lady-love often picks me up in the evenings. Mostly this has been a positive thing. More time for reading. I always want to walk more and now walking and reading is built into my day by necessity.
Sometimes it sucks. I find a new ache every day. I have half the time in the morning, so I’m finding my early mornings are getting wasted more often than not—sleeping to 5am essentially writes off my entire morning, I need to leave by 7am flat to catch the bus.
I wonder how much my writing (and subsequently) my view on writing is informed by my life-long battle with poverty. I wish I could say I was being whimiscal and wanted to learn more about the “common man” by taking the bus but the fact is: I’m barely scraping by and I had to give up my car so I can pay for my student loans.
Started writing this around 5am or so—didn’t get anything done this morning, too tired. At work preparing for the meeting. Came dressed nice and pretty much ruined my outfit with my sweat. Dressed down until showtime.
Definitely nervous to present. I hope this newsletter puts me on track for the raise I desperately need and I hope I get some time to write today. I want to finish Act 2 by tomorrow.
I did finish Fool Moon, this morning. So that’s good.
Afternoon update: I got some writing in. Chapter 9 feels half-baked, but at least its on paper.
Reading List Update #
- Evil Under the Sun, by Agatha Christie
- Slow reading through a borrowed copy on the bus. Nearly finished.
Fool Moon,by Jim Butcher- Thoroughly enjoyed. Serviceable ending. Too much action in second half for my taste.
- Looking for another Fantasy Mystery to listen to. On to my normal rotation until I find something.
Friday — 9/19 #
Dear Apprentice,
I’ve nearly completed chapter 10. I’m proud of where the story is going, but I’m certainly looking forward to polishing it after a mind break.
I am very tired—physically and emotionally. Both related to work and money. My professional life is tough and it is draining me. This did not detract from my writing today, however. This was my best word count for the week.
My fatigue is however, affecting my enthusiasm to produce this journal. Apologies for the bare minimum effort, but ya’guy needs R&R after two straight weeks of hardcore drafting.
I’m going to hit it hard tomorrow morning—I want this draft done by next Friday. Let’s see how it goes.
Reading List Update #
**_Evil Under the Sun,_ by Agatha Christie**- Completed this morning. Worth reading for the study, but I think I’m a little mysteried out at this point. Ending was a bit meh. I’ve realized that Hercule Poirot is an established character and I believe this was the 26th book in his series. Reads like it!
- The puzzle element to the Christie model I think is flawed by design. There can only be one “And Then There Were None,” and what I’ve found in mystery film (which I typically greatly enjoy) is that the reveal and explanation are rarely better than what we’ve built in our heads.
- This is a strength of fantasy, you have room to leave things unanswered. If Christie were to do this, her readers would be at her house with torches and pitchforks. “Solving the mystery” also kills the mystery. I think this is why mystery ttrpgs lean so heavily on Eldritch/Lovecraftian stuff, by design that stuff is not explainable.
- Forge of Darkness,* by Steven Erikson
- Back to my usual rotation, so this is just fantasy that I love.
- Funny enough, I’m on a string of chapters concerning several murders, so there is a bit of that murder mystery blend in this one.
Week Two Word Count #
| Day | Words Written | Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Sept. 13th | 825 | Chapter 5 (—) |
| Sun, Sept. 14th | 899 | Chapter 5 (X) |
| Mon, Sept. 15th | 2598 | Chapter 6 (X) |
| Tues, Sept. 16th | 1946 | Chapter 7 (X) |
| Weds, Sept. 17th | 2073 | Chapter 8 (X) |
| Thurs, Sept. 18th | 2143 | Chapter 9 (X), Chapter 10 (—) |
| Fri, Sept. 19th | 2641 | Chapter 10 (—) |
| Week Two Total: 13,125 |
Saturday, Sept. 20 #
Dear Apprentice,
I managed to get nearly 1,000 words written today even though I’ve far surpassed my five working days goal. I’ve been drafted every day since September 8th, so that’s 12 days straight of uninterrupted writing.
Act 2 is officially finished and I’m excited to begin on Act 3. Going to Valencia in this time period is going to say a lot about the city and what happens in the Heretic’s Reflection. While I still want some of the mystery/investigation feel, this is where the book is going to transition more into Epic Fantasy intrigue.
I’ll craft a synopsis and list of beats tomorrow. For now, I think it’s apt that I’ve run out of easily accessible mysteries to read and have switched back to my rotation of Fantasy.
Reading List Update #
- Forge of Darkness, by Steven Erikson
- Book One of Kharkhanas Trilogy—have been listening to audiobook on and off throughout the year. A bit more than halfway through. Upgrading from my “mowing the lawn” listen to my main commute and chores listen.
- Shortly after picking it back up, there were a series of murders which felt appropriate.
- Elric of Melnibone, by Michael Moorcock
- Classic Sword and Sorcery that I’ve heard much about but have never read. Given that Elric is a sorcerer, I’m excited to read how a master describes magic and sorcery. That is one aspect I’m afraid of screwing up with Phrygian Nights.
- Reading in paper but the book is too big to bring with me on the bus (which is ironic because the original printings were pocket sized). I’m borrowing from the library the recent reprint of the first four books and its a TOME. Would like to find a classic sized paperback.
Sunday Sept. 21 #
Not sure if I’ll have time to write today, but I’ve updated the Act 3 Synopsis and created a list of beats. This is going to be a beefy arc, so I’m rather certain this project will bloom into 50,000 words. I’ll just write honestly, what happens, happens.
Act 3 Narrative Beats #
- Visit the Goldenscale estate and find out that rather firmly that Goldenscale has no legally recognizable connection to Haslow. He does have a vested interest in ensuring the Wystrans win, perhaps he relies of FROSTCAPS.
- Before leaving, he takes one final look around his apartment and heads off. Then comes back and picks up the pendant he keeps forgetting.
- Go through the In Between to Valencia. Perry suffers a permanent change.
- Arrive in Valencia, meet a younger Richter Benegaz who is stressed beyond belief by what’s going on.
- Richter is salty about the Citadel sending “mere students” to apprehend a terrorist.
- Go to new lodgings in the City, Richter arranged some shabby space in a bad part of town.
- Marta splits off to search the city in the morning. She wishes she could see her family.
- Perry wanders around the city, searching the ports and has another encounter with Shama, who talks to him about his dreams of Dusk. “When the fires smolder, find me among the wreckage and I will show you your purpose.”
- No sign of Haslow. Meeting with Shard to discuss next steps. Marta is back
- Meet with Shard and illegal giver of the gift.
- The gift giver tries to tempt Perry (you have no assurance they’ll stay true to their word, I deal with your type all the time.)
- Gift giver sends a signal that Haslow is there
- Shard and Perry and Marta bust into the place. It’s an ambush. Haslow fights them off and slips into the In Between towards the front gate, the Shard must stay behind to deal with the gift giver because he set up a trap.
- Final battle at the front gates. All hands on deck. Mass destruction. Lots of death. Ultimately, they win. Perry suppresses him and sends him off to be imprisoned.
Monday — 9/22 #
Dear Apprentice,
Decent writing sesh today. Spread out throughout the morning. High achievement in that I reached just around 2,000 words and spent a good amount of time working on editorial for other books.
I had a pretty great idea while I was working. I’m not really sure what role the Black Robes play other than they’re some sort of secret service. I introduced a portal guide (which is based on Morrowind’s Guild Guide teleporting network) which is White Robe. They are non-verbal and I looked up a few simple phrases in ASL and described their movements as magic words appeared above their heads (which is from Planescape Torment, the alien workers of Sigil do this to communicate with those who don’t speak their language).
This was fun and inspired. I’ve always wanted a cool way to implement ASL into fantasy, and this was a good try. You’ll have to see for yourself once I publish the First Draft of Chapter 12. This journal is sharing the completed Chapter 11, as 12 is still unfinished.
Tuesday — 9/23 #
Today I had to take a day off to deal with medical things. I intended to write, but the hours flew by and I needed to rest and take some me time.
I’m not behind schedule because I’ve written through both weekends thus far. I have about 4,000 weekend words, which equates to 4 bare minimum days or 2 productive days writing. Lets be conservative and call it two.
My sisters sent me a pocket-sized kindle, which has been amazing in the doctor’s offices and for my walk/bus commute.
Wednesday — 9/24 #
Back at it—more tired than before. Yesterday not a day off and I spent most of it rushing around and grumbling (or yelling, when I was alone). Two weeks until Eden and I go on our real vacation. I can’t wait. Really feeling it right now.
This is probably the first day I’m not excited to write. I’m hitting some difficult points in the story and its coming out like sand paper. I’m sure its not as bad as I think (I’m just feeling bad), but this is the point in the drafting process I yearn for the rewrite.
Really, I’m yearning for vacation. Work is grinding me away with mundanity, stagnation, and apathy. Just want to sleep right now. Hopefully I don’t need to take my second “sick” day.
Progressing both Forge of Darkness and Elric of Melnibone. I can see clearly that Erikson was highly inspired by Moorcock.
Later in the day. Got a decent bit of writing in. Might get some more. I needed the rest, the words are flowing easier. I’m more in turn with what’s being put on the page. Now that we’ve transcended from the initial investigation, I feel I’m able to spread my wings and get back to my epic fantasy roots.
What I love most about Ashen Rider is how melodramatic it can be. I feel that is essential to my style and I don’t want this to lack it because its also a mystery. It’s turning out to be a good idea to follow up my mystery reading binge with classic Epic Fantasy.
Read the first draft of Chapter 12
Thursday — 9/25 #
Unexpected travel for work today. Still got bare minimum writing in. It’s interesting how progress fluctuates when real life starts spinning its wheels.
The journal is doing well to keep me consistent through the chaos!
Today’s session was written in a Buffalo Wild Wings in Greencastle, IN
Friday — 9/26 #
More travel today. I’m in Monticello, IN getting lunch at a Mexican/American Comfort food diner called Esmeralda’s Pancake House.
I ordered two entres because the company is paying for it—and also because I’m used to be being shorted on portions in Bloomington. Two $10 meals amounted to a lot of food here in rural Indiana, I forgot that was something people did. I love small towns.
Update: Bastards upcharged me like crazy. Beware small town diners, this has happened a few times while I’m traveling. Still small writing sesh in.
Week Three Word Count #
| Day | Words Written | Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Sept. 20th | 935 | Chapter 10 (X) |
| Sun, Sept. 21st | 987 | Chapter 11 (—) |
| Mon, Sept. 22nd | 2680 | Chapter 11 (X) Chapter 12 (—) |
| Tues, Sept. 23rd | Personal Time | Personal Time |
| Weds, Sept. 24th | 1658 | Chapter 12 (X) |
| Thurs, Sept. 25th | 1100 | Chapter 13 (—) |
| Fri, Sept. 26th | 935 | Chapter 13 (—) |
| Week Three Total: 8,295 |
Saturday — 9/27 #
Dear Apprentice,
No writing progress today. I am absolutely wiped out.
Taking the weekend to rest and to read.
Reading List Update #
Forge of Darkness, by Steven Erikson- While I feel this book lacked some of the charm of the main series, I really enjoyed it. It tackles some thought provoking themes that I’ve not seen other authors attempt. Erikson’s nuance is next level.
- Elric of Melnibone, by Michael Moorcock
- Nearly finished, working through it. It is worthwhile to go back to the classics.
- Interesting how sorcery works in this world, its all very mythological in nature, with magic seeming to come from other beings.
Sunday — 9/28 #
Rest day.
Monday — 9/29 #
Dear Apprentice,
There is much to be done this week. I won’t go so far as to call myself behind, but I am not where I hoped I’d be. I’m in the final throes of the narrative and I’m sure I can get it done this week.
There are some hiccups. Probability of further travel is high. I have two major editorial projects due this week. I can’t put them off because I’m leaving for mine and Eden’s rare vacation next Wednesday. Therefore, everything time critical must be finished, which means this book might get less time (I’m writing it well in advanced of its would-be publishing date).
Update — Don’t think I’ll be traveling beyond today. For now, I’m lucky I got some writing in at all. Finished Chapter 13. Mentally preparing myself for the last several chapters.
Tuesday — 9/30 #
Not much time to write. Squeezed in some sentences at work.
Wednesday — 10/1 #
Took the day off to take my 10 year old golden lab, Sam, to the vet. Days like this always at first seem fruitful but end up being stupid busy. I squeezed a few sentences while I waited for dinner to bake in the oven.
This week is not shaping up to be productive at all.
With my vacation approaching next week, I need to accept that I’ll have to come back to the draft for another week long block or two. Life has me stressed and exhausted.
Sunday — 10/5 #
Life got busy and I’ve had to send Phrygian Nights to the crop rotation. Last week got intense at work and I was unable to complete meaningful amounts of writing.
This is fine and expected. Though I had hoped to finish the first draft in three weeks, the plan was always for only three weeks of writing. I’m thinking the book will be longer than I expect and right now I need to prepare my rejuvenating vacation and finish a heap of editorial projects before we leave.
I also have been without transportation since starting this project. Thursday night I bought a truck that didn’t run and spent that night and the following night wrenching on it. Good news is, the truck is running and I got a hell of a bargain. Bad news is, I’ve run out of writing time.
We’ll return to the journal within a few weeks. I want to relax on my vacation and write only poetry (my usual pattern). When I get back, I need to add some things to Ashen Rider and The Heretic’s Reflection, then work on a short story or two.
I’m thinking I’ll be back on Phrygian Nights by November, where I can finish the first draft within a week or two.
Reading List Update #
Elric of Melnibone, by Michael Moorcock- While I enjoyed Moorcock’s world and characters, I’m highly underwhelmed by his prose. Very surface level. Not in any way artistic nor does it takes risks. It does the job, but I expected more from a legend in the genre.
- You could argue plot is the driving factor and thus artistic language is not important. From that lens, this book succeeds.
- Fall of Light, by Steven Erikson
- Listening to the next Kharkanas book. Very good so far. I find it humorous that this is considered the “worst” Malazan book but still has a 4.15 on Goodreads. I guess something has to take the brown star, but there’s nothing bad about this book thus far.
Progress #
| Day | Words Written | Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Sept. 20th | Personal Time | Personal Time |
| Sun, Sept. 21st | Personal Time | Personal Time |
| Mon, Sept. 22nd | 493 | Chapter 13 (X) |
| Tues, Sept. 23rd | 196 | Chapter 14 (—) |
| Weds, Sept. 24th | 175 | Chapter 14 (—) |
| Thurs, Sept. 25th | — | — |
| Fri, Sept. 26th | — | — |
| Week Three Total: 864 |