So I finished the first draft of book 1, Burden’s Edge, from the as-yet upcoming unnamed trilogy that follows our trio’s exploits after The Arinthian Line. It clocked in at around 156,000 words (for comparison, Arcane was 98,000 or so). I’m not going to spoil the plot as it might still change in editing, not to mention I have to write a blurb for it anyhow.
In the meantime, here’s what my floor looks like in preparation for book 2 (untitled). In the upper right-hand corner is a fresh batch of tea; in the lower-right the cat, Buddha. On the small table is a slew of index cards of active characters in Burden’s Edge. These aren’t all my notes; there’s still all those manila folders-worth of plot notes I have factor in. It’s a bit of a process, but it works for me. Anyway, if you were ever wondering what my plotting structure looks like, well, here you are:
Thank you for your patience; expect Burden’s Edge to come out late this year. And thank you so much for your amazing support of my work, and all of your beautiful letters. The Arinthian Line series has done well enough to allow me to do this full-time for nearly two years now. I only wish I was a faster writer, so that you would not have to wait as long. Though I suppose it could be worse (think of George RR Martin!).
With love,
-Sever
EDIT FOLLOW-UP:
This is what it looks like after an afternoon figuring everything out and putting all notes in the right place. This is how book 2 starts, essentially. (That open binder is full of old notes that have been archived). Note the pile of crumpled notes beside it. Having a glass of wine to celebrate finishing book 1. (Spoiler sheets have been left off photo).
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Sever Bronny
The Arinthian Line series (complete):
Arcane
Riven
Valor
Clash
Legend
The Fury of a Rising Dragon series (complete):
Burden's Edge
Honor's Price
Mercy's Trial
Champion's Wrath
I grew up on Dragonlance and probably spent way too much time playing role-playing games. Then came the video games. But then, Nintendo was life in Toronto of '86. As a matter of fact, much of my youth could be considered "wasted" exploring escapism of one form or another.
Now I'm a full-time author living in British Columbia, Canada. I have a wife who taught me what it means to love someone unconditionally. Buddha, my grumpy but rumpled-with-love cat, likes to keep watch from a Lego castle near my desk. (Update: said Lego castle has long been dismantled. Now she basks under a sun lamp).
I suppose my favorite sagas are Harry Potter, Ender's Game, Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and Game of Thrones. I also love true-life survival tales like Into Thin Air, Shadowdivers, and Perfect Storm. As for movies, I regularly re-watch Bladerunner, Star Wars, Highlander, Aliens, Limitless, Edge of Tomorrow, Interstellar, Lost in Translation, and Margin Call.
But I've been most inspired by Harry Potter. Seriously, because if it hadn't been for HP, I'd never have dared. I simply stood on the shoulders of a giant. Thank you for writing that story, Joanne Rowling, it was extremely re-readable. I can only hope to capture my readers' imagination as you have captured mine.
When I was a kid, I dreamed I could spread my arms as wings, jump off the ground, and fly. My head was in the clouds (and in many ways, still is). It would be fair to say that my love of fantasy began then, steadily refined by movies, video games, and cozy books.
As for me, I enjoy talking to my readers, so if you read one of my books, you're welcome to shoot me an email at severbronny@gmail.com. Throw me a question, comment, or just say hello.
I blog at severbronny.com when the mood strikes me, and I'm on social media now and then. I don't publish too often, but you can subscribe to my newsletter to receive a notification when I do release new work (newsletter signup is at severbronny.com/contact).
(I was also a musician at one time, having released three albums with my industrial-rock band Tribal Machine.)
When all is said and done, I know how fortunate I am to be a full-time author. I think about it often--especially when I recall what it was like working the grind. Thus I humbly thank each and every reader for supporting my work.
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It is interesting to see how you organise all the thoughts and your method for processing them. I am sure that this new trilogy will continue the brilliant work you have already written and cannot wait to read it when it gets sent to the ART. (PS) why do you have to make the books so good. When I get them or re-read them I can’t stop. 😉
Thanks, Jony :)
This method seems to work for me, but I know it doesn’t for other authors.
I can only hope the net trilogy lives up to your expectations *feels the pressure!*
Wish me luck :)
It’s great to see and read about your work on the new series!
Thank you, Melanie! :)
The furnace and fever of creation… Good to see it, Sever!
“The furnace and fever of creation”. I like that! And cheers, Audrey :) :)