An update from Twitter:
https://twitter.com/JannyWurts/status/1464604019591204865
2 Likes
Thanks for all the hard work Janny. If you cannot fit it all in I doubt any of us will complain if we get a tiny chapter 18 to finish it off.
2 Likes
Another update from Twitter today:
https://twitter.com/JannyWurts/status/1470414119941640198
2 Likes
Well, here we are again, today:
Draft page count: 1200
Lord. This book.
I have completed rough draft for chapter 17 main. This action is 10 dimensional chess/crossing layers and levels, I had (hahahahah!) projected I could cover this in one subchapter, but El Nopeā¦now I have it up the EXPLOSION finale of this segment - which will be - drumroll - 17aā¦
Scenes that just canāt be ārushedā - so sorry.
The great news: I have files opened for the 18th chapter set - and cheer - YAY BOOM! - the last scenes are all LINEARā¦no multiple levels/huge intersects of long arcs - just āfinishā lineā¦nothing to work out, just - enjoy the ride as it coasts to the endpoint that - ah yes, be sure of it - will still surprise you.
I felt, sincerely, thereās been enough invested in this series not to deliver a RUSHED ending, and importantly - to be sure all the characters finished their Arcs with agencyā¦all on track, just took more on page space than Iād realized. Funny, some books wrap very quickly, some just keep āmoving the goal postsā - this one was one of them.
I had to field everything IN PLAY with no inconsistencies/nothing left out/all built on prior material. Where Curse of the Mistwraith required HUGE effort to decide what to show and what to leave OUT, this finale was what all had to be PUT IN, in order, in suspense, and still surprise.
Oddly - as I approach these final scenes, it seems a bookend: Curse of the Mistwraith was a one Arc volume with 18 Chapter Sets.
Song of the Mysteries likewise, a one arc volume with 18 chapter sets.
I am striking to be done with the draft by New Yearsā¦do you see the smoke coming out of my ears???
5 Likes
Thatās exciting news!
Best wishes to all for Christmas & the other holidays of the season.
Thanks for all the hard work Janny, and so happy we get 18 chapters.
1 Like
I admit to being a quiet lurker here for years but had to come out now to say thank you Janny for years of reading joy and long books are THE BEST.
I have every book you ever published and some in multiple formats. Sadly, hardcover editions of some volumes arenāt available. I have recommended your work to friends and family at any opportunity. Itās sad that so much work should earn so little. Have you ever considered joining Patreon?
Thank you for your interest and enthusiasm, Viva.
No, I have not considered starting a Patreon. I would have to create original content, constantly, to keep the supporters in perks. And something just - balks? - at making such things unavailable to all of you/equally. For that reason, shorts and other contributions to forums/essays will either be FREE or, in case of short fiction, available on the Paravia studio shop for a nominal fee. No scraping off a sliver to middlemen, you get the direct goods, by your own choice in preference/without being strapped to a subscription format.
1 Like
STATUS UPDATE!!!
I have completed first pass draft of All of Chapter Set 17, with the FINAL set, underway.
18th chapter set wraps it/it is all linear writing from here, and just the final words on a few Main Characters/get ready to party. I am sincerely hoping by New Years Eve. Page count is 1225 in draft formatā¦here we go!
7 Likes
Yay!!! I just finished my series re-read tonight!
Two whiskers left - I completed the main section of 18 set today; two sub-chapters to go (and the epilogue draft is already written).
The New Yearās celebration could be wild in this house.
5 Likes
Fantastic Janny- something to really celebrate! I started my reread and am halfway through COTM. First time I read this book was over 25 years ago and I was hooked. My words of gratitude for your imagination, tenacity, and hard work do not seem enough, but Thank You!
1 Like
Julie, I am doing the same thing and am nearly halfway through COTM. I first read this book 24 years ago, so I am thoroughly enjoying the trip down memory lane. I did not realize just how much I have forgotten! My husband is starting it for the first time, so all the volumes are out on the kitchen table to motivate and excite us as we read. I have two friends who will be joining us who have never read Ms. Wurtsā work, so I am excited to see the story through their eyes.
Whittled down to the last few paragraphs, now.
Stand by for finish announcement in the next day or soā¦
7 Likes
So glad you have a ready companion for this journey! My husband read COTM only- not being an avid fantasy (or long book) reader, he never read any further in the series, and alas, no close friends who went beyond COTM either - so I have a deep appreciation for this chat room!
I was surprised at how much I remembered - its been years, but I guess that is a testement to how well I was drawn in.
Well, people, happy new year!
We have a book!
The draft of Song of the Mysteries is completed.
I will have photos and commemorative details when I stop screaming for joy/and after I recover from collapse into jello.
13 Likes
Congratulations, Janny!
1 Like
Congratulations! I am looking forward to reading what you have worked so hard to bring to life for us. I hope you have a good nightās rest and Happy New Year to you and yours!
1 Like
You rock, Janny! Canāt wait to crack open this final masterpiece and dive right in. Congratulations on such a massive achievement!
1 Like
Brilliant Janny. Iām so excited. What a great achievement this is. The first book of the series was published the year after I was born!
Hopefully when the book is out in print I will be past the worst of postpartum sleep deprivation. Iāve learned that Jannyās books and babies dont mix happily. They both want all the attention!