(There is a 500 minimum word requirement to post this, so it will end up being posted in the chapter body rather than "author notes".)

So, I would first like to apologize for the lack of consistency on my posting schedule. I was really trying to stick to Tues & Fri, but life... happens.

Aside life just being the blind-turn roller coaster that it is, I'm also having a bit of writer's block. The best way around writer's block is to just write though.

I may write some pieces ('throwaway chapters') from other character perspectives, or perhaps some Sully content, that I don't have any intention of putting in the finished book. Some of those may have 'spoilers' as well though, but wouldn't really 'fit' after that particular thing comes up in the story.

The question is then, would you be interested in those things being posted here? There's a poll below that I'll check later.

Some other thoughts:

- I've debated for a long time about names & details for things and those may change over the course of this draft. The priests wearing masks is one such example that I've already moved toward. Scholars may become archivists. Things like that. I may also begin many chapters with a journal entry, or some other snippit, at some point.

- I'm curious as to how readers feel about a great many things... My writing style, the use of languages & details in this story, pacing, etc. Hopefully we'll get more engagement over time so I can get some feedback. Whether it validates or conflicts with my intentions may end up being wholly irrelevant, but I'm interested in knowing nonetheless.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

- I am trying to keep the story from being bogged down with minituae that I don't believe readers would enjoy, or that slow progression too much. That said, I believe that I am a world builder first and a storyteller second. I've moved away from the intricate details of world building I had once been trapped in, as it was prohibitive to actually writing.

- Originally I wanted to try writing this all in a single book, but I realized that the whole story arch would end up fitting better in a three book series given my writing style. That is even accounting for a great many things being trimmed up when it's all finished. Orson Scott Card is one of my favorite writers of all time by the way. His ability to maintain character development, pacing, interesting settings, and a compelling story in a concise manner amazes me. His style (mastery of the craft aside) is just so different than my own.

Hopefully you find some of that interesting. If people enjoy this sort of thing, I may share more of my thoughts on the process as I'm working through it.

I also finally set up the PayPal donation button as well! Anyway, thanks again for reading!

Be Excellent!