Before The Sabbatical
I think we’ve now exhausted how pleased Emma and I are with the first title in the Fusion series. The feedback has been great, constructive too which is a plus, most mentioned over on our respective Twitter pages. The pair of us have both taken a well deserved break to recuperate.
Emma has busied herself with a new found desire for gardening, finding it all very therapeutic. Our patio is littered with pots, vegetables are sprouting and every night she routinely wraps up the pots in fleece covers. It is all very regimented. I’ll look out the window to see her humming to herself, or assist in any way she requires, be it performing strong arm work or my personal stance on growing mushrooms.
As for myself, I planned to work on a side tale of mine dubbed Gamblers Den, a side story that takes place in the Fusion universe and even has Darks ever present annoyance, Wyld, as a main character. I wanted to thrash out a few chapters to get a feel for the concept, hopefully concluding as to if it is worth pursuing. For a few years now the synopsis has burnt away in the background and I find the calling has become somewhat deafening. No matter how many times I prepare to concentrate on the job in hand, I get the sudden flash of inspiration for Fusion’s sequel.
Like Hunt for the Phoenix, Fusion II: Path to Aelysa has begun from the skeleton of its old premise. Unlike Hunt for the Phoenix, the sheer amount of material that needs to be included is dizzying. Certain aspects may have to be trimmed or removed entirely even before we begin writing due to size concerns.
For anyone who remembers the initial sketches of Droon, the next Spirit, may recall he had a place in book 1 that was shifted to book 2. At this rate we may have to bump him over to book 3 which is annoying. The same goes with numerous little sub plots and scenes that just may not make it. We’ve been toying with the idea of the special edition of Hunt for the Phoenix and half of the additional content is actually complete and whereas we pushed the title out onto Kindle, we’re considering printing a hardback version up to auction off and give the proceeds to charity. It’s something we have been keen on doing since day 1. Maybe the orphan material will find its place after all.
It’s hard to call the last month or so an actual rest since I still yearn to get back into the horrid writing process. 2am finishes coupled with a punishing weekly schedule makes me hanker for a simpler time pioneered by Hemingway – find somewhere secluded, pickle yourself with hard liquor and create genius. The bohemian dream still lingers but relaxing after the nine to five with a piece of cheese on toast just isn’t the same
Hopefully we should pick up the pace around Christmas. Emma and I have planned a sabbatical which, after the festive shenanigans, should leave us renewed enough to hit book 2. After the surprise ending of Hunt for the Phoenix, its sequel has a lot to live up to.