As I mentioned last year, I hope to do quite a lot of writing in 2026. The one-book-a-year strategy is not working at all. While the Curse of Balar is still my best selling book to date, I seem unable to sell the other books in the series (despite reviewers suggesting that book 2 and 3 are the superior efforts).
It seems pointless to push forward with Balar 4 through 6 at the moment. I will not scrap them, don’t you worry one guy in Canada who buys them all. No. There will be a time and place for the last installments of the series.
Before then, I need to build an audience (more than just the one guy in Canada). This is the only way to survive in the Indie space.
So, this is what I am doing…
Writing Recklessly
I am writing my head off. I am working on a giant list of projects (some of which are mentioned here). Plan, outline, draft, edit, repeat. This is the way.
I do the first two steps (plan and outline) with pen and paper. This is the only way my story brain works. The only way that the story develops a heartbeat.
The plan is to do this a few times, back-to-back this year with the aim of an eventual rapid release. I don’t know if it will work, but it is worth a try.
What Am I Writing?
The short story format of the first three Balar books have proved anathema to the concept of “building an audience”. I wish I knew this sooner, honestly, but I stand by my Balar stories, nonetheless.
As such, I am going to steer clear of short stories (interconnected or otherwise) for the time being. Series. Novels. This seems to be the way forward.
Luckily I am not short on ideas. In fact, very much the opposite.
January was a time of consternation. After an abysmal December in terms of sales, I decided that there was a need for a change. I started five projects, hoping one of them would catch fire. Several of them (unhelpfully) did.
I did, however, settle on this.
Codename Drawbridge
I was a big fan of the X-Files, Fringe, Supernatural, and other such mystery thriller shows and stories. I was (like others) disappointed by how these shows ended. In a few cases it seemed as if the people in the driver’s seat didn’t know where they were ultimately driving the plot to. Bad endings, in short.
The Drawbridge series is my attempt to capture the same aspects (awe, wonder, horror, intrigue, and a relatable/iconic cast of protagonists) of these stories with my own “lore”. Instead of aliens (X-Files), weird science (Fringe), or angels and demons (Supernatural), the series will attempt to put a new spin on ghosts.
Put simply: “The Men in Black if they were dealing with poltergeists”. Alright, not quite that, certainly not with the comedic angle.
I also cannot resist hidden depth (see the Balar Series) and earth-shattering secrets. This is also being worked into the series.
My Current Progress
I have planned and outlined book 1 of the Drawbridge series. I am currently 40% done with the draft and everything seems to be working. I have also mapped out the ending (no “mystery box” writing for me, thank you very much) and the steps the series (and characters) will take.
I am excited to share these characters with you, but right now it needs more time in the oven.
Only once I’ve completed the first three books will I start trotting them out into the sunlight. The goal is rapid release. I hope that the first book will hook you enough to pre-order the next installment and so on. Each release will be a month or so apart.
This is based on advice I received from other Indie authors. I thank them for their advice.
I also plan to set the price of the first installment as low as possible. Hopefully this will make it an easy onramp to the series. (Please let me know if you agree in the comments below).
I will also consider “box sets” (as eBooks, at least); bundled books for a reasonable price as well as free giveaways. Please subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss any freebies!
In Other News
Besides the novel writing, I have also started a new D&D campaign.
Dyrecinder, our long running homebrew campaign came to a close last year. With many players dropping out for various work- and life-related reasons, we brought it to a close. I was quite happy with it, honestly.
Now, new year, new campaign. We are now in the world of Pyredam. A dark and dreary world of industrialization and oppression. Will the PCs find a way to break the darkness or will they, like others before them, succumb to the will of the Weeping Lord?
Join us every other Friday live on Twitch (with later uploads on YouTube). Yours truly is the Dungeon Master. I do like audience participation, so come along and add to the chaos.
Back to Writing
That’s all for now. I will provide regular updates as I go along. Plus, cover reveals, behind the scenes snippets, and much more!
Thank you to those who read my stuff!