Saturday, February 8, 2014

The Bloated Beast



Oh, sweet victory!  The first draft of Clan, Honor, and Empire is done!  Sheesh, it’s only been a year and a week since I started it.  At over 140,000 words, it is a monster.  Who knows how much will be added to that count in the weeks of editing to come?

The journey has been more than worthwhile.  Seeing Rajhir as anything but the uber-calm, cool, and collected Dramok we met in Alien Embrace made it amazing.  Watching this young version struggle against parental control and his boss’ approval to become a leader in his own right has been a blast.  Then there’s the adorable behemoth Flencik trying to get past an unloved childhood, looking to find a safe place for his heart.  And the boy/man train wreck that is Breft ... one imagines how incredibly different his life would have turned out if he hadn’t gotten his volatile ass kicked one day, putting him on Dr. Flencik’s examining table.

I’m excited about this book.  I’m bouncing in anticipation for you all to read it.  Ah, but there’s the bad news ... it will not be ready until early April, possibly the second week.  Yes, the most intense part of the writing is done, but there is a ton of editing to do yet.  The book’s sheer size alone would make this a time-intense task, but I also have to finish re-editing and formatting Alien Conquest by March 21.  With new readers discovering the Clans of Kalquor series every day, it is imperative I have that book back up for sale once its contract with the current publisher runs out.  It has to take precedence over Clan Rajhir’s story.

Now that I see how Clan, Honor, and Empire is turning out, I realize it might have been smarter to release it as two separate books.  Had I done so, you would have had your hot little hands on Rajhir and Flencik’s part of the story already.  I could have released it in January, because Breft’s story is a totally separate entity with no bearing whatsoever on the first part.  Argh!!!  Stupid 20/20 hindsight!

Then again, would you have wanted just the first part, followed by the second story a few months later?  Hmm.  Good question ... but totally irrelevant at this point, at least where this book is concerned.

However, next year I will be working on Clan Clajak’s Beginnings book.  Having already plotted it out, I know it too will be a two-parter along the lines of Clan, Honor, and Empire.  If it had a single running storyline, like Clan and Conviction did with the Delir/Frenzy case, it would have to be one book.  But no, there will be one tale featuring Clajak and Egilka and a second unrelated one in which Bevau appears.  So depending on how long these stories run, I may be faced with the question of separating Clan and Crown into two books.

I’m curious to know what you all think.  If Clan and Crown ends up being as long as Clan, Honor, and Empire and it means getting half of it earlier, would you want it released in two parts?  Or would you prefer to wait a few more months and get it all at once?  Let me know and I’ll take your responses into consideration when the time arrives.

Meanwhile, I’ve got to get rolling on these edits.  Hang in there ... I promise to make it worth the wait.

20 comments:

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  2. I don't mind waiting, also. I love your books. The Shalia diaries really take the edge off of waiting. However, splitting it up might have been easier for you in the long run. Just a thought. I selfishly don' t want my favorite author to burn herself out.

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  3. I totally agree. One book is better. All your books are worth the wait.

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  4. I would rather wait and get the whole story at once.

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  5. I guess I'm the different one here I would take it in two books, I hate to wait lol

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  6. Totally agree. One book is better and the wait is worth it when you are the author:-)

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  7. I guess I'm ambivalent about one vs. two books. I'll take it either way and be happy to get a new book from my fav author. I agree with an earlier comment that Shalia's diary helps hold me over. I also understand about things taking longer than planned. I'm happy that you keep us updated on your website. Happy editing! :)

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  8. I vote for one book. I know how popular it is with authors to leave their fans wanting more but personally I cringe at cliffhangers, unless the follow-up sequels are already published. Then I can buy them one after another until I get the whole story.
    Good luck with the editing Tracy.

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  9. Please consider one book only. I would rather wait the additional months instead of breaking them into two. It is so much more gratifying to read a book with an ending. To be left hanging just makes me grind my teeth.....my dentist and I would appreciate it!

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  10. I would rather wait for the whole story. I too hate cliffhangers or just an unfinished story line when I know there will be more.

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  11. I can wait i would rather have the whole story. Thanks for the great reads

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  12. Count me in for the One Book deal- I'd rather wait a couple of months than to get it piecemeal. Thank you for asking us, your faithful readers, our opinion and also for treating us like we matter. I'll keep buying your books as long as you keep writing them.

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  13. I have to jump on the one book bandwagon. I would probably wait until the second book was published before buying the first one anyway. lol It makes my a bit mental having to wait for a second part of a story.

    If a favorite author puts out new book that is part of a trilogy, I usually wait until they are all written and then get them all. Just sayin'...

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    1. Oh, BTW, I am planning on repurchasing all your newly edited books. I can't wait to see what you have added to them. :D

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  14. Definitely one book. We'll just have to suck it up and wait. We can handle it and you can ignore the whining.

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  15. I'm a one book fan too, worth the wait especially if it's an extra long juicy one! We know how busy you are, the Shalia Diaries really save the day for me while waiting for your new books! I definitely look forward to Monday and Thursday's.

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  16. I am voting one book too. I want one big, keep-me-up-all-night tale. :-) I like getting totally engrossed in a book, watching all the character interactions, all the little moments that build up to climactic ones, until you finnally get to the 'money shot'...that perfect ending for the main characters. I don't mind a hint of cliffhanger, as long as it pertains to a secondary subplot that might be dealt with in upcoming books. Like the rebellion going on because of clans taking human brides.

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  17. I can wait for one book.I came across your books by accident last Aug.I couldn't stop reading them. I'm up to date now. I can't wait for more.Keep up the good work.

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  18. I for one would wait until it is all out before I put my hot little hands on it.

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