originally posted by Blue
Relax…relax??? 
My jewelry design instructor has a GREAT little embroidered sampler in the classroom:
"I can't relax, stress is what's holding me together!"
On her coffee cup, there is a cartoon cat that is saying, "Stress is nature's way of saying, Let's see how tight we can wind this one!"
Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!
Gad, would you like some cheese to go along with my whine? 
originally posted by Walt
At this point in the game, I'd recommend a fine Gouda…
…as in…
Janny's almost done? Gouda, Gouda, Gouda!
Ok, bad pun, but this is my brain on Monday mornings. At work. With three hours of sleep. Not so gouda.
originally posted by Jo
Well what sort of scene would I like? Maybe Lysaer getting his preverbials kicked by Arithon but I doubt that is written. I would be happy with Fionn and Dakar or anything with Arithon in it of course very predictable of me I know. I nearly forget about Jeynsa (think that was her name) she could prove interesting.
Anything is greatly appreciated.
originally posted by Andy Fergus
Hey aaaahhhhh…how many books are going into wars of light and shadow? just finished traitors knot hoping it was the last one…but its not…i should have guessed hahahaha. i just want to know what happens in the end!!! will i be put out of my misery soon?
ugh *thrown up hands in frustration* i hate waiting hmph
p.s not saying i hope it was the last one coz they're bad, the problem is the story is so good i want to get to the end
andy
originally posted by andy fergus
hey ignore that question i just discovered how to use my own eye's and read all the other posts first…so i hope its in one of them…if not i shall ask again…probably in the "ask janny stuff" section
cheers anyway
andy (aka newby hehehe yes 2nd ever post over and done with go me)
originally posted by Trys
Andy,
And the webpage always has information on this stuff.
But to quickly answer your question… 2 more arcs after Alliance of Light.
Trys
originally posted by Trys
Oh, and welcome to the board, Andy.
Hi - welcome Andy -
This volume, Stormed Fortress will conclude Alliance of Light - there are two more "arcs" to the Wars of Light and Shadow. NOT an endless story - these phases are shorter.
Two books, and one volume, respectively, IF I get my way on how I want them bound.
originally posted by Blue
Two books, and one volume, respectively, IF I get my way on how I want them bound.
From your lips to Meisha Merlin's ear, I would say. Thus far, MM has done some NICE things for your writing. I hope they go far!
Status update - first run draft for main ll is complete - official manuscript page count is 730.
originally posted by Maddie
I am confused and panic stricken, do you mean after sf there will in theory be 3 books, heaven forbid, I need to know the ending. How many years are we looking at till the end of the story? I know it takes time to write a brilliant story like this but my partner is hinting at starting a family when will I fit in my reading?
By the way what is the difference between arcs and books?
Sorry i sound a bit sad and desperate
Definition of an Arc:
An action begun is carried to conclusion…and from thence, the thrust of the conflict shifts gears.
In a nutshell:
Arc I, Curse of the Mistwraith
The curse occurs; both Arithon and Lysaer get, short term, what they desired (Lysaer, direction & purpose to claim ruling power, Arithon, apprenticeship with the Masterbard)
Arc II - Ships/Warhost
Strategy of the curse began: Arithon's effort to "run" fails; Lysaer arrives at the choice that ruling power is not enough.
Arc III - Alliance of Light
Title, self evident, reflects Lysaer's shifted strategy pending his choices, made at Vastmark - his consolidation of power based on allied governments and institutions. Arithon's shift - to consolidation of his powers as individual.
This is oversimplified, as all of the "factions" have their phases and efforts in the weave of the whole.
Arc IV and V - you will see…the "ground shifts" and that relies upon the ending volume being drafted as I type. There IS - has always been - a method to this APPARENT madness.
I can't make it easy on you, who read contemporary to the project's creation…you ARE in a real sense a part of what make this story possible - I can create it, but without readers??? Amuse myself though I might, the hours invested make bills that are needful to pay…I couldn't be writing and working for somebody else with anything like the efficiency required for a story of this nature and depth.
So, I will not apologize. Sad and desperate will not make this happen any faster, shorter, more conveniently.
The story will hold to its course. Quality and care, always, over every other factor.
No exceptions.
My best work, or nothing. Less would be an insult to your intelligence, and an abuse of mine.
So BE PATIENT!
If I can hold the line, surely???
originally posted by HJ
Janny, your integrity is a real beacon.
Thank you for the above "In a Nutshell" outline of the arcs of your story. It has really helped to clarify things for me. I must say, I've give COTM, SOM and WOV at least half a dozen reads, and the others progressively less as I've got older with your series and other pressures (family, work etc.) have taken priority. I have a goal to re-read all of Alliance of Light before Stormed Fortress comes out. If I can't make it all, I've got to do GC onwards. FP is fairly clear in my mind because I've read it more times. Ideally a COMPLETE re-read from the start would be best, to pick up and re-visit all the threads, nuances etc. But I think, at current reading speed that would take me upward of six months. Do I have time…?
I was lucky enough to read all of the first 3 WOLAS books straight off before I "caught up" and had to then wait for each volume. The only volumes I've had to wait for since discovering this website were Peril's Gate and Traitor's Knot and I think being in touch with other fans of the series does make the waiting worse. Especially, Janny, reading your regular, wonderful, AGONISING status reports! I keep promising myself I will leave it a while before I check in here again because I can't stand the suspense/teasing… but I can never leave it too long!!
Keep it all coming, Janny, it's magic!
A very patient HJ x
HJ - thank you.
Your words mean more than you know.
At risk of more teeth gnashing - this little bitty subchapter is gonna blow some lids to bittie shreds…
I can't help Wanting to share what is occurring on the page beforetime…I so wish I could give it to you NOW. (That won't pay the bills!!! ; (
… Or keep the computer running, and this oldie now won't do my e mail - I get on the laptop to do that (sporatically) so - if anybody's sent something and been waiting for a response…be patient. I am writing… I will get tooit on the break.
originally posted by Maddie
Janny
I would like to apologise for my outburst the other day. I know you can not rush these things and as every avid reader I would want nothing more than your best. So I will be patient, as you are probably aware patience is a weakness of mine not a virtue. I will continue with my re-reading and await your brilliant work. Sorry again.
originally posted by neil
Maddie, I have been reading this board for a while now and it's easy to post once you start.
Sometimes people get impatient and once posted it's not so eqsy to unpost 
You prompted a response from Janny that clairified her "arcs" plan for this series, though. This is actually interesting and I always live in hope that she will let a little tidbit slip! I can always "dream" anyway
I remember seeing the arcs explained several years ago…and yes it will be a few years before we see the end of the story…My copy of Curse dates to 96 and seems to have been copyrighted in 93! Hmm patience!
originally posted by Kammy Wurts
Maddie - no apology was ever needed.
Figure I am the crab, pounding the keys to get this one IN on time! Patience with myself never being My frontrunning virtue either…!!
Muses do NOT work on command, dang em But I did get a crude draft in place on this next bit, today. One step closer.
originally posted by Mary
Maddie - As I was reading "do you mean that after SF there will in theory be 3 books" except in my mind I was saying ONLY 3 books. <grin>
It's this terrible dilemma - I want to know how it ends BUT I don't want it to end.
If anyone here has read the Robin Hobb series - Farseer Trilogy, Live Ship Traders Trilogy and the Tawny Man Trilogy - you'll know what I mean. To think you'll never hear about Fitz and the Fool again!
Once Janny is finished the series, I'm sure that she'll face the same problem of all of us fans urging "just one more book about Arithon (and Elaira and Lysaer, etc.), please."
originally posted by Hunter
Kammy?
originally posted by Blue
Could Kammy be one of Janny's sisters?