User blog:Fiolli/Update and release information

Today marks the release of The Passing, a short story that briefly features the events surrounding the death of Mai Eddicus, wife of Anwis Eddicus and mother of Alta Eddicus. The story is from the perspective of Anwis Eddicus, a senator from Tanaab. The intent is to provide some further backstory into the lives of the Eddicus family and offer context for their actions at the beginning of the third novel, Ghostly Images.

Speaking of that novel, a new tagline and preface have been created: "Everyone has a past. Some haunt the present."

- Tagline

''The smoldering debris and dense smoke obstructed much of her view. The senator, thinking that she was fine, attempted to stand only to realize that she could not. Her legs would not move. 'Come on, Alta,' she mentally chided herself. No response came from her body, as she looked at the slab of duracrete on top of her legs. The senator struggled to maneuver the slab, only to realize that she was bleeding. She whipped off her seared jacket and pressed it hard against her crushed left leg. Fear grew exponentially as the crackling of the fire littered the hallway. Shouting was heard periodically, but no one ever passed by. Had Senators Valorum and Fraajic survived? How big had the blast been? Was her father fine? How could this have even happened? Somewhere, someone in the galaxy was applauding this senseless act. Someone yet to be revealed. Either the conspiracy went far beyond Eriadu, or the Republic was in a state of exceeding turmoil. Neither option seemed pleasant. Of course, nothing was as disheartening at that moment than being essentially paralized from the waist down.''

So, yes, Alta Eddicus is injured in the blast that ripped through the Senate Office Building. The current draft of the novel calls for the story to begin there and harken back to the history of the Eddicus family (featured in The Passing). The backstory of Delwynn will of course be further extrapolated, as will the past of several main characters: Asana Lani, and why she distrusts Rodians; Waron Danstari, and why he was unable to be promoted; Shalli, and her relationship with the shady Opus Lucem organization; Master Greystone, and his relationship with Fay; Director Aiden, and his history as a bounty hunter, politician, and Judicial Forces member.

Will the third novel be the end?

Simply, no and maybe. The short story series will continue and supplement beyond the third novel. The stories, The Rise and The Return are slated to take place after the events of the third novel. Still, there are a lot of loose ends to tie up; it might be possible to extend the series beyond the three novels as users, such as Ataru have done with their stories. I'm taking a wait-and-see approach. Ghostly Images was intended to be the end, but I don't want to rush the resolution of things unnecessarily. Pacing is important in writing, and I'd rather have a fourth novel than a poorly done third.

What about the other short stories?

These will be written periodically with no regular periodicity to release. The Fall has been postponed for the time being while Shalli's backstory is being tweaked. She's the focal point of the short story (but not in the way you might think given the title), and her backstory is vitally important to the nature of the conspiracy behind the larger Seswenna Security Crisis.

Will Hidden Truths be offered up for FW?

The answer to this is "likely." Ataru has been encouraging me for a couple of years now to do this. I know that there are numerous issues that were never worked out in editing and it needs a very thorough proofing-job. I haven't the time or motivation to do that at the moment, but it is coming. The reason why I'm holding off right now on that is because I may have to tweak some things in the story line&mdash;nothing major, but perhaps some better explanation or setting up the death of Torrik Samit better based upon how the relationship between Czerka and the Republic evolves in the third novel. Minor adjustments will be made. Once I'm satisfied with the novel, I'll allow it to be offered up for FW.

Should there be any comments or questions, please let me know below. I'd be happy to answer any.