So, I’ve been chugging away at ‘Tales of the Slumberlord’ and I’ll probably finish the characters up tonight. Tomorrow and the weekend will see me finishing up the brief book outlines to make sure I’ll remember what I’m doing when I get to the series. Then, I pack Darwin Slepsnor away and return to Legends of Windemere.
At least I would if the little pain in the neck didn’t throw me a curve ball. The final book of the series sees Darwin saving the world and fixing his mistakes. Well, the ones he can fix because one is simply irreversible. Anyway, this leaves him wandering off to cause more chaos and return in other books for simple cameos. All of my surviving heroes get a few cameos later on as my books travel toward the ‘War of Heroes’ at the end of Windemere.
Now, the problem came from a simple phrase that I absentmindedly wrote on a scrap of paper a few days ago. Darwin wasn’t even involved in my thoughts when I wrote ‘The Slumber Wars’. Goosebumps? Raised eyebrow? It might just be me, but I find that title amazing and it means Darwin might have to get a second series. In his first series, he places sidekick to a lot of heroes whose destiny he changes, but this one would see him truly on his own. I contemplated making this one book at the end of ‘Tales of the Slumberlord’, but I have this needling feeling that it needs a trilogy. One of those gut feelings that Darwin is going to get pulled into something big that only he can handle, which is rather terrifying if you know Darwin. He has trouble going out for breakfast without getting caught up in an adventure or stumbling into danger.
So, what is ‘The Slumber War’? I don’t know. I have a feeling it will revolve around the god of dreams and an appearance of several Slumberlords. Maybe even a family of Slumberlords who are trying to conquer the realm of dreams and eliminate all other Slumberlords. I’m really not sure, but this does bring me to my confusion. I have never planned for a character to headline two series. Cameos, supporting cast, etc. Luke, Clyde, and Sin get one series a piece and they’re actual, intelligent heroes. In Clyde’s case intelligent psychopathic vampire who should get credit for not wanting to eat everything with a pulse. So, it’s rather shocking that Darwin the simpleton (sorry, Darwin) is the one to snag that second bronze ring.
Maybe the idea will pass as I get into other projects. Yet, I’m probably going to leap into outlining it in my spare time. I have no idea how long is a good time to put between series though. Probably get through Sin, Elysium, Zodiac Gods, and a few others before I unleash Darwin again. Having several years pass from his first adventure to his second should help give his enemies time to get their plans rolling. I think. This is kind of foreign territory.
Legends of Windemere 
You will get past it. Perhaps you need a break from thinking about writing for a day or so. Even the most dedicated author can be intimidated by his own process.
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True. Just need to find my off switch. Seriously, there have been times that I’ve gotten an idea and gone running off at the worst times. Like middle of a test and wedding night (thank god my wife loves to listen to my ideas).
I might take the rest of the afternoon off from the outlining unless something really strikes gold in my mind. Getting anxious about starting book 5 too, so that might be causing me to think more about the future than what I’m working on now.
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Are you using scrivener?
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No. I keep meaning to see what that thing is. I’m just sitting here with my thoughts, notebooks, pencils, laptop, and mountains of insanity. 🙂
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Seriously free 30 day trial. It looks intimidating at first but it really is simple
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I’ll give it a try. Though, I’m still not sure what it does. Looks like an organization program.
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Imagine this. You wrote something earlier in your book, but no matter where you look, you can’t find the detail in your notes. Imagine being able to split the screen side by side with the new part of the MS on the left and the part you need to look at on the right. COOOOOOOOL much? oh yeah.
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Very cool. Now if I could just get my limping laptop to agree with it. I really need a new computer. This thing doesn’t even agree with its own screensaver.
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Lol. Stupid easter bunny missed another house.
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A new laptop is at the top of my ‘to buy with royalty money’ list.
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Which one are you considering?
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I haven’t started looking yet. I’ve been using Dells for years, so I might stick with them. My dad used to work for a computer company, so I’ll be getting his input. Do you have any suggestions?
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I have a Dell inspiron, that has been with me for the last two years now. It has had some issues, but for the most part has been a good laptop. I had an HP for a while and HATED it.
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That’s what I have a Dell Inspirion from 2006. Poor thing has gone through a lot and is barely chugging along. I think HP should stick to printers, copiers, and scanners.
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I don’t know, my Ho printer eats paper lol
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Mine sucks down ink like a wino and booze, but it beats the Canon printer that spontaneously caught on fire. 🙂
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lol. I had an Hp three in one explode last year.
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Yikes. You win on technology destruction. Explosion beats fire.
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It actually blew the lid off the scanner and broke the glass lol
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I agree with Ionia… you will get through it, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. And you do never take a real break from your writing. Maybe a genuine day off would help?!
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I’m reading things backwards. I’m not sure what I would do with a real day off. I’m in the house by myself until the toddler comes home, so I always feel like I need to be doing something. Though, this Sunday might be a no writing day due to family gatherings and exhaustion.
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