Dear (Constant and Loyal and PATIENT) Readers:
First, for all those who’ve followed this journey from its inception, welcome back! It’s been awhile. Yes, yes, I know, I promised Part Three would hit in January and had every intention of getting this into your hot little hands then. But you know life. Yada-yada sometimes gets in the way. Nothing horrific, just clutter I couldn’t clear quickly enough. So, my profound apologies.
Second, a big shout-out to Elle James for being so understanding—and continuing to allow me to play in her sandbox.
I recently had the most interesting chat with a writer-friend, where she had to beg off continuing because she had about three thousand more words to finish her book. Well, I was floored and asked how she could know the precise number. Turns out she was writing to word limit and had to wrap things up.
I get that. It’s just I don’t ever think that way. When I write, the story simply becomes. Can I write to limit? Well, sure, all writers can and do. I sorta write to limit here because there are only so many words a work can have and still be a KW novella. Does this mean there’s usually a fair amount on blood on the floor when I edit? Oh, yeah; most often, these installments are at least 8,000 words too long, but that’s okay. I have to tell myself the story, for starters. Also, to be honest, a writer has to leave her ego at the door when it comes to editing because not all words deserve to live.
I also have been fortunate to work with editors who aren’t about word limit and, instead, are all about story. In fact, one who looked at my ASHES series, which I originally planned as two books, insisted I had three at the very least—but I simply didn’t know that yet because my characters hadn’t told me. He was right, too. ASHES is a big story, and folks still get in touch, wanting more.
That’s happened here with SOLDIER’S HEART. Turns out my characters are bigger than life and busting at the seams, with lots still to say and do. I’m fortunate I can do that here because it wouldn’t be fair to them—or you—not to give them their day in the sun. As I’ve said before, every book is a journey and this train will pull into the station when it’s good and ready.
Of course, I understand my work isn’t everyone’s cuppa. If you’re at this point in this series, though, it means you’ve enjoyed the ride enough to come back for more—and for that, I am truly grateful. If you have not left a review or rating for the other books in the series, please reconsider. While I would love for you to LOVE my work, honest reviews and ratings boost a book’s placement in searches and promote visibility. So, if you’d like to help out with that, please.
Above all, I hope you continue to enjoy. My characters would be nothing but words without you.
