Thank God It's Over?

Three years seems such a neat number right now. Three years, three books. A trilogy, in more than one meaning of the word.

Yes, that's right. I've finally finished the trilogy. After all my griping, grumbling and fighting with unwanted plot twists and unco-operative characters, I have finally typed those fateful words: The End.

For the last time. At last, I close the door on Skatha and Errion and all the madness that has taken place there, and look on to a future where my slate is completely blank.

Legend clocks in at 94,147 words, including chapter titles. It's taken me nearly five months to write, including distractions ranging from camping expedition, sickness and a thousand and one phases of writer's block.

But it's done.

It's over.

The End.

I'm at that weird phase when you've finished a long-term project and aren't quite sure where to go next. My next project is leaping to the forefront of my head, begging for attention after so long, and there's a whole new world and all new characters to meet and mutilate. I'm really looking forward to it, but I can't help but look back and feel nostalgic. I've lived and battled with these characters for years, and now suddenly my part in their story is over. Gods know where they'll go now - probably off on some long holiday to recover from all the abuse I've put them through - but, for me, the story's over. I've put the link in its title in The Scribblings, I've taken the "(writing)" clause out of its document title, and I've even bothered to run the blasted spell checker through one more time.

It is well and truly over.

And I think I miss it already.

Prize Typos from "Legend"

'Allo everyone!
As anyone who's taken a look at my "Scribblings" tab will know, I'm currently working on the the third installment of my fantasy trilogy. Amidst a lot of plotting, backstabbing, ambushing, snarling, snapping, swearing and pyromania, I have actually managed to give a couple of iffy scenes a read over in the past few days. Of course, as one often does in rough first drafts, I found typos.
And what magnificent typos. Here are a few of my favourites that I think you will all enjoy.

"Kairin winced and rubbed the mark on his chests" - So he's a pirate now? Arr!

"I can hardly even smell my own name!" - A bad case of BO perhaps?

"No doubt with the aim of conquering all who stood in his bath" - Touch the rubber ducks at your peril!

That's all for now folks!

-Spook (never realised how hard it was to write an assassination scene, let alone successfully bungle one)

My Villain is Scaring Me ...

Is it wrong to be exceedingly worried about the sadistic tendencies of a fictional character?
Well, what about if that character is one you made up yourself?

Yes, believe it or not, one of my own creations is starting to give me the willies. To anyone who is familiar with my "Aeserion Trilogy" and has read the second book, "Exile", then you'll doubtless be familiar with Danail. He's the problem.

To those of you who have not yet been introduced to my supreme git of a creation, you may be a bit mystified. However, to avoid boring you all with something you'd rather not know, suffice to say he's a second son of a powerful man and was, until recently, going to take over from a local warlord, 'cause he had no sons of his own and Danail was the nearest available kin. Unfortunately, said warlord's son reappears on the scene (don't ask me to explain that, read the trilogy if you want to know!)
Now, Danail's a wee bit peeved at this unexpected turn of events. So peeved in fact that he conveniently disappears during an ambush in the woods, then shows up at the last second and tries to shoot both the warlord and his unwanted rival.

I'm sure you're wondering how such a lovely personality could become any more unpleasant than he already is. After all, he's already shown to be a sneaking, traitorous, murdering, scheming, snarky little rat in "Exile", how could he get any worse in "Legend"?

Well, he has. He started out as one of those "I don't like you much Mr Hero, and I'm going to do all in my power to make life uncomfortable for you" types. You know, the guys who put fleas in your matress and hang your underpants from flagpoles for laughs. But he hasn't come out that way on paper. Oh no, he's getting more and more evil by the chapter! Looks like my (supposed) main antagonist might have some competition. He's already turned into an arsonist - I've got five villages burnt in only ten chapters! - and now he's getting really nasty ... I won't give anything away, 'cause that would spoil the plot, but some of the sick, evil and twisted things he's hissing in my ear are freaking me out!

Think heads on pikes and bloody guts strewn from trees, and you'll get the sort of inclination he's showing.

Should I be worried yet?