You become invested in the characters you create for your books and even scripts if a character becomes a recurring character on a show. I had that happen on Reasonable Doubts, and it was cool. It was very hard for me to write the end of the relationship between that character and Marlee’s character. I got a bit teary as I typed. It is said that when Dumas killed Porthos in The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later he laid down his pen, unable to continue so great was his grief. I can understand that. I’ve spent years with my Imperials characters. I’ve been with them through all their trials and tribulations, victories and heartbreaks.
And now I’m only four scenes from typing the end of the fifth and final book of the Imperials saga. When I sat down to plot the arc of the series I knew it was 5 books and out, but now that the moment has come I’m resisting. I will push through, and write the ending I envisioned all those years ago. Because endings are critical. If you don’t stick the landing nobody will care that it was a great ride. It has to be satisfying, real and honest, and grow organically from the events that have led up to that ending.
Sometimes I find myself writing faster and faster as I approach the end. This time the opposite is happening. I’m filling in some small scenes that I realized I needed to bring me to that denouement, but I’m resisting writing those final scenes. I know the absolute final scene of the book. I could sit down and write it right now, but I’ve never been able to do that. I have to make the journey with my characters, feel their emotional reaction. Understand exactly where they are at any given moment.
So once I write the action climax, the two falling action scenes, and that final moment. It’s over. At least for now. But that doesn’t mean I can’t tell more stories in the Imperials universe. It’s a big canvas, with a large cast of characters and a new generation.
But saying farewell is never easy.
So does this mean there is any idea on when we can read what happens to them?
The plan is to have book 4 out by the end of summer. Maybe at DragonCon, assuming DragonCon actually happens, and probably book five at Christmas time. We do have to get the new covers for all the books. I’m eagerly looking forward to what the incredibly talented Elizabeth Leggett does with these. We told her Horatio Hornblower/Jane Austen in space.
Any chance Imperial Saga will ever be available on Kindle or other email format? As much as I hate supporting Amazon, disability issues make it SO much easier for me to read on Kindle and I really want to read your series!
I am working on it. Finished book 5 and gave it to my indy pub guy. Covers are done for the reissue of books one and two. we were hoping to have Imperials 4 The Currency of War out by Labor Day, but I’m not sure we can keep that schedule. And they will be available on all the platforms including Amazon in ebook format. I do need to send the last two books to my audio book publisher, but want to have them copyedited before I do that.
This is GREAT news and gives me something to look forward to in the fall. Thanks for the update!
I’m pretty excited too, and Elizabeth Leggett is the most amazing artist.
Amazon is listing the release date of Currency of War as January 2, 2080. I think I’ll be dead by then. Any chance it will come out earlier?
I’ll be dead too, Keith, but fear not. I got back the rights to the series, and we are in the process of making them all available. We have to get out 1-3 first so folks who might not have read the series can catch up. Books 4 and the final book 5 are completed. Our plan is to have The Currency of War out by Thanksgiving or Christmas and book 5 shortly after. I will post everywhere as the books become available. They’ll be electronic and also print on demand.