This past weekend I finished a science fiction post-apocalyptic book that’s done pretty well for itself.

It did a lot that I admired. The author managed tension like a pro, raising the stakes just a little bit higher with every chapter. The setting was unique (at least to me, I’ve never read anything like it), and the threats came from every corner. It was brilliantly plotted and well written.

But to tell the truth, it didn’t interest me very much. I finished the book, but won’t be reading on in the series. It took me a while to understand what didn’t work for me, because I think the book is really well done in a lot of ways.

The answer, as cliche as it is, is characters.

For whatever reason, the characters in this story just never clicked with me.

And when a character doesn’t click, I don’t really care very much what happens to them, and so life and death stakes become meaningless.

Life and death stakes can be incredibly compelling. Most of my favorite books have at least an element of physical danger. 

But only if we care about the characters.

This afternoon I was out on a walk. The snow was melting around here, leaving many paths slick and muddy. But the air was warm and the sun was shining, so life was good.
The path I walked was in a small natural park just outside the heart of the city. It’s surrounded by residential areas and is pretty quiet, but I’d hardly call it wilderness.
So I was surprised to see two deer, not more than fifteen feet off the path, foraging for food.
I smiled, took a picture, waved, and left them to their meal, my day a bit richer for the experience.
It made me think of the beginning of the project I’m writing.
Originally, I’d planned for our protagonist, a man named Hakon, to meet an old enemy. But when the two characters came together for the first time, they did something I didn’t expect.
It’s not an uncommon occurrence when I write, but it still surprises me every time it happens. And every time it does, I think it leaves the stories just a bit richer.

It’s a common question for those of us who make our living by creating imaginary worlds and inviting curious readers in. And it’s something I’m thinking about as I begin this new project. I imagine the answer is a bit different for every creator.

For me, there is almost never a “lightning bolt” of inspiration. Instead, it’s an accumulation of small ideas, of bits and pieces that weave together over the course of months or years.

For this new project? A major idea for the world came from an anime I watched two decades ago. The protagonist’s struggle came from a conversation with a friend over barbecue two years ago. The magic borrows a little something from a half-dozen sources.

I’m of the opinion that inspiration for stories can be found everywhere. From arguments with friends, to the movies we watch, to the news that surrounds us. The real world is far stranger than any fiction I might invent, and serves as an overflowing garden of ideas.

There’s something magical about a blank page.

It’s a canvas, full of possibility.

I’ve just started a new project recently, which means every blank page seems even more alive with potential. The story isn’t limited by what came before, leaving the future wide open. It’s the stage of the writing process that I find most exciting.

I love all my stories, but this one, in particular, I’ve kept close to my chest for a while. An epic family tale, told on a brand new world. It’s time to put some words on those blank pages.

In the fall of 2015, I took a deep breath and pushed “Publish” on a book I’d spent a few years writing and editing. That book was Nightblade, and little did I know it would change my whole life.
It’s now February of 2021, and so much has changed. I’ve moved and started a family. I’ve lost friends and gained new ones.
But so much remains the same. I still get nervous every time I push that “Publish” button. I love being able to share my stories with readers around the world, and while I hope I improve with every story, that’s a judgment that only readers can make.
And every time I push that button, I’m flooded with emails from readers.
I’m guessing I’m not the first author to say this, nor will I be the last (I hope), but I believe that my readers are some of the best in the fantasy market. So many of you have shown me so much kindness over the years, and it’s an incredible thing. I hope to never take it for granted.
So thank you, everyone. I’ve been flattered by the emails and messages from those of you who have already purchased Last Sword in the West. Your support, as always, means the world to me.