If you're just here for the story, feel free to skip this entry! Check back Wednesday for the next chapter. :)
Two years ago, I wrote a quick character sketch for fun. It was only supposed to be a few paragraphs pages chapters. Next thing I knew, I had an entire book on my hands and no idea what to do next. Then a couple more books sprang into existence. Here we are two years later, moving into the mid-point of book five. I've (mostly) finished the rough draft of book five, and I'm working on book six currently. That's right, I have a backlog for the first time! I'm almost a dozen chapters ahead right now, and I'd like to keep it that way. No more missed chapter uploads. Does this mean I should finally make a Patreon? Let me know.
I wanted to take a brief moment to acknowledge the milestone. I wouldn't have made it here without my readers. Thank you all for the comments and critique. It's been challenging at times to see where I could have done better, but it's also been immensely rewarding and encouraging to know that other people enjoy this little adventure. I appreciate you.
So, what's next?
Rewriting the beginning. Book one was pretty bad. It suffered from aimless plot lines, poor character development, and a general lack of worldbuilding. To all of you who read the original: I salute you! I'm working hard to make the reading experience smoother for new readers. I've changed the introduction, added a school arc where both Nuri and Melina receive training from Ezio, and tried to incorporate more character interactions and signs of personal growth. I still have to redo the arc with Tem, but it should be much stronger after I'm done.
Books two and three are also in my plans for revisions, although it should be a much lighter rework rather than a rewrite. I specifically want to strengthen his reasons for going on the road solo, as well as make it less of a fugitive from the law situation--in the revision, it will be clearer that the [Adjutant] has a personal vendetta, and that Nuri isn't a criminal who will be forever on the run. I know at least one reviewer dropped the story entirely because of that.
In book three, I want to give Nuri more agency. Instead of falling into a nice little apprenticeship with Evershed, they'll be at an impasse. She stands her ground, and he can't compete until Nuri finds a way to force the issue. She'll still teach him, but now it will because he's earned respect, and not just because she's nice. Likewise, I'll give him more options to flee or return to the capital, and he'll have an actual choice in the matter--returning has its tradeoffs, but he'll get to clear his name and improve his understanding of magic. That leads into Scalpel: yes, she'll still be creepy and strange, but I'll tone it down a little and give clearer reasons for why he's there and what he's learning.
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Beyond that, I'll eventually touch up a few passages to remove whining where I can. I won't turn Nuri into the perfect gentleman and scholar, but I do want him to show clear growth.
What about books five, six, and so on? Plans can always change, so please don't hold me to this projection. Without too many spoilers: book five is about his personal growth, learning to step into leadership, and regaining what he's lost. I hope it's satisfying! Book six should build on that foundation, and will re-integrate some characters who have fallen by the wayside. Heavy crafting component: this is the glass half of the title. I'm keeping things vague for now. Book seven will finally explore the wraith world and the mysteries of Rifts. The goal is to bring all the plot threads together and set up for the rest of the series as we march toward a conclusion. Book eight will focus on the mage half of the story's title. Power scaling will likely shift significantly.
Book nine will ideally be the last in the series (it was supposed to be 5 originally, then 7; I revised that up to 10, but I think I can do it in only 9 if I'm concise). I don't have the energy or creativity to write this forever, and I miss my other projects. I've got a dozen other novels already written that I want to share with the world someday, but they need editing and improvements. I'd rather wrap up The Glass Mage around one million words than drag things on and run out of ideas. Don't worry, the end is certainly not imminent. I suspect it will probably take me another year to a year and a half. If we're still working on the series at the end of 2025, well, something either went horribly wrong or really right. You be the judge.
Goals: before the end of the series, I'd like to hit 1,000 followers. I'd also like to improve enough to earn at least 4.25 stars. I think that means applying feedback and incorporating critique, as well as finishing the story on a high note. I've read a great many of the other crafting and dungeon-diving stories on here to see where I can improve, and I'd like to think that with time I can get on their level. Let me know in the comments where you think I should focus my attention moving forward to bring up the quality of the series. I'll do my best to listen. Thanks again for sharing this journey with me.
Much love.