“J.R.R. Tolkien, the near-universally hailed father of modern epic fantasy, crafted his magnum opus, The Lord of the Rings, to explore the forces of creation as he saw them: God and country, race and class, journeying to war and returning home.” – N.K. Jemisin

“Prophecy will bite your prick off every time.” – George R.R. Martin

As I continue working on The Crystal Crux series, I find that my mind can not simply be satisfied with the uncomplicated and germane.  It is not enough for me to follow one or two characters motivation and truth to arrive at a conclusion.  I find myself wanting to dig deeper and deeper into many of the characters motivations, plots and treason’s, loves and hates.  It is not enough to simply let them be soulless personalities that allow the story to proceed.  I find it much more compelling to give them reasons for their displeasure, obedience, snide looks and greed.

In doing so, the epic tale continues to multiply and branch in directions I had not first envisioned it would grow.  Even now, working on Book Two, I’m already discovering and creating people, places and events I originally never even pondered.  But these elements will serve to give the tale a more realistic foundation.

Fantasy can be easy to write if you simply make everything groundless and magical.  And there are those who enjoy reading those types of works.  I, for one, want the world I enter to seem plausible.  I want the magic to seem as if it could happen, that perhaps we as individuals have lost contact with the shades and spirits influencing us every day.  I want the tale to make me rethink how I look at the world around me.

I still plan to release Book Two sometime in October – BUT – I fear as these new elements present themselves, I would be remiss to rush the completion of this book.

“Books are keys that open many doors.” – James Rollins

I don’t want to look back and chastise myself for overlooking and omitting necessary information and clues for later books.  I must find ways to insert all the puzzle pieces that will add to the glorious picture being framed.  I must control this epic story and not allow it to control me.

Be sure to recommend The Crystal Crux series to friends and family and write a review on Amazon and other sites if you haven’t done so already.

“I am going to go into this world, and I don’t care if you and your narrow mind cannot be part of it.” – Elise Kova