No real interruptions today. I made sure to follow my routine, and wound up making changes to existing material. I discovered that I’d gone over Mule and Yoshiko’s ending twice. Both were good material, but one seemed to fall in a better location. It’s odd for me to make a mistake like this, but I had to delete one section.
I also had to go back and add in a bit about Mal, the witch doctor. It wasn’t much, but he has fans and they will want to know how he wound up. He’s doing things on his terms, and I kind of like it that way.
I don’t mind telling you that I teared up at a few points. I know my characters are outrageous, but I designed them that way. Giving them a suitable ending was hard, but they all make sense. Readers will be left with a vision of the future for not only the characters, but the government in general.
Not everyone lived through this adventure. When there is a war, 100% survival seems unrealistic. That part was written months ago, but I worry about how it will be received.
Another concern is that a big part of this final adventure happens on land. I saw it as facing James’s weaknesses. He has to work where he is least comfortable to pull this off.
This yarn came in about 10,000 words shorter than the others. I am not worried about that. As the end of a trilogy, there is a bigger denouement, but I don’t want to drag it out either. In a classical sense, this is the one where you party with Ewoks.
The trilogy will end with plenty of cannonades, martial arts, a few con games, a haunted knife, and yes there are root monsters. I’m going to leave it in the fermenter for a month before I look at it again.
I don’t want to drop any spoilers, at least until I’m closer to publication. I’ve been sitting on the cover art for months, and thought perhaps you’d enjoy a sneak peek. It’s kind of a spoiler itself, but it’s too good not to share.

In other news, I spent last night creating a set of throwing bones that will make an appearance in the next Hat story. I may turn my attention to that storyboard, or I may download a book and read. Right now, I’m just letting it all soak in and will decide later.
Awesome! Can’t wait until it’s ready to publish, so I can get my hands on a copy!
As much as I hate when characters die, I agree: a 100% survival rate in this kind of adventure doesn’t make sense. Maybe if you were writing for children, but for a book aimed at adults… No. So, someone – even a couple of characters – not making it to the end would make sense.
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Whew! Like I said, it gets set aside for a while. Then I’ll work my way through it and tighten it up.
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And so you have proven it. 😉 Cheers on the cover and upcoming publication!
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Thank you. It will probably be a few months. I need work through it from the beginning a few times, but it’s exciting to call it a draft.
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That’s huge. Also, I’d like to see a photo of these throwing bones.
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I surfed Pinterest, then made up my own. Only words on a cheat sheet. It’s simple enough to know what you want to predict, then reverse engineer it. After that, I added a few other pieces so the set might have some longevity. It will add some good nuance to the story about witchcraft.
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Like the cover! Now I’m thinking about who might not make it, but you had a big crew and a war. It’s like starting a movie and trying to decide which characters aren’t going to live to the end. It has to happen. And btw, I’m a fan of Mal. He ALWAYS did things his way, so guess it makes sense he still would at the end. Glad you finished your draft. Congrats! I’m looking forward to this one!
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Thank you. It will take some time to shine it up, and I can still get it out this year.
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Yay!
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That’s an awesome cover. Really looks like a finale too.
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Thanks, Charles. I’ve had it for a while now. I could save it for an official part of the promo, but I just thought it would be fun today.
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It’s a nice surprise.
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Sean did a great job with it.
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Congrats on finishing the story. That’s always a good feeling. Nice cover.
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Thanks, Joan. Don’t know exactly what to do with myself today.
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I have that feeling after every book I finish, but it was especially strong when I finished my first series. Totally understand.
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I so enjoyed hearing the author’s feelings and activities as you wrapped up your new story, Craig. As I type here I am smiling, thinking about the root monsters, haunted knife and cannonades that lie ahead. Congratulations on finishing yet another adventure, my prolific friend.
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Thank you, Jet. I’m not going to rush it out the door. Even if it comes out this winter, it will be within reason.
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Woohoo! Congratulations on finishing. That’s a wrap, not only to a book, but to a trilogy and I know how good (and kind of sad) that feels after spending so much time with your characters. Can’t wait to see how it all wraps up!
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Thanks, Mae. I’m kind of letting it all sink in right now. Plenty of time to make various passes to improve it.
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Great cover, it has a feel of what is to come. I agree, during a war not everyone can survive. Congrats on finishing and I’m looking forward to reading it.
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Hope it comes across well to the readers. I am going to take some time to make little improvements.
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Congrats, Craig! I love the cover – fits perfectsly with the others. Keeping my fingers crossed you’re not killing off the root monsters.
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Thanks, Teri. I think you’re fine on that front.
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Wow, that’s some cover, Craig! Love it! You must be thrilled. Congrats on the completion of the trilogy. Hope you had a nice weekend. 🙂
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Thank you. It was a nice weekend as long as we stayed inside. We seem to have two distinct weather patterns right now, but I’d like to see it stir a bit.
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Ugh. I can relate. We’re in the middle of heatwave.
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Record temps out our direction. Hope we all get some relief soon.
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My advice to you is write during the mornings when the sunlight is brightest and the day has just begun. Stephen King does this for 3 hours a day and has amassed 50+ books to his name. I would do more of this myself but my financial circumstances do not YET allow it. But soon I hope to improve my lot through a little blood sweat and old-fashioned bootstrapping.
— Catxman
http://www.catxman.wordpress.com
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Morning is always my time when I can get a day for it.
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A huge congrats on finishing this trilogy, Craig! I can’t wait to see what happens to everyone, as I have loved the Lanternfish journey. What fun creating a set of throwing bones. I have a set of runes made from coyote bones that I find fascinating, but some folks might be a little freaked out over. 🙂 I may use them when I start doing rune readings. Great post and wonderful progress!
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Mine are fictional, but I had to almost reverse engineer them for what I want in the story. I designed them for longevity in case I want them in another tale some day.
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You’re amazing, Craig! Huge congrats! I’m certain this will be another creative and fascinating story. The book cover is super eye-catching and beautiful, and that title is intriguing. Trilogies are so much fun!👏😀
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I hadn’t written one before, so I’m curious how folks will like it. I’ll give it 30 days then start polishing it.
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