Feeling better, I've started writing again (slowly) – back on the horse as it were.

The next few chapters may appear somewhat sporadically as I find my feet again, and I'm considering posting shorter chapters more frequently – at the very least, keeping most non-pivotal chapters under 4,000 words.

I've been tempted to edit (mostly edit down) some of the earlier 20–30 chapters, as these are where most of the complaints about infodumping, word count bloat, and reader drop-off occur. On second thoughts, however, such a task is best left until just before final publication, which won't happen until at least three books in (we've just started the second).

I've been giving more thought to the series – from the plan for six 200,000-word books to the number of main love interests (a maximum of 13, including many elves) and how I'll focus on the general theme of a 100 per cent human "entity" that grants power to warlocks and magical beings, all while remaining a "humble" crafter of wands and weapons of mass destruction.

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Listening to my work (via ElevenLabs Gen AI) and generally enjoying what I've written – which might sound egotistical – has also been a massive boost to both motivation and self-confidence.

These reflections have been important in hyping me up – particularly because I always have strong urges to start writing one of a dozen other books or series on this platform or another and as with all things, new = shiny. With the road so long (see, 6 books) it's easy to be tempted off the path. As a result, it's likely I'll be starting a second project at some point during 2025) to write in tandem with The Wandsmith, something more focused and less expansive but in the same genre (likely Westen Xiania/Progression Fantasy Haremlit).

Anyway, many apologies to those who've been waiting, and a big thank you to the new followers and reviewers and those who've reached out to me.

Here's to a more productive 2025 where Ori finally escapes the demon-infested lava caves!

A question to my readers: what have you liked from this story so far? What would you like to see more of? Any favourite characters or chapters that have stood out for you?