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Will Wight, New York Times Best-Selling Author of 'Cradle'
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In which we ramble on.
And by we, I mean me.

Doc Harrison and the Apocalypse

6/17/2017

52 Comments

 
I don't know if you knew this, but moving into a new house takes a long time. I thought I was moved in two weeks ago, but no. I had not yet even begun to move.

Anyway, I'm more or less settled in now, so it's back to the blog for me! Coming up next:

Monday: News about paperbacks / T-shirts / my nega-self who keeps slipping into this dimension, whispering secrets into my ear, and stealing my garden gnomes.

Wednesday: News about Cradle and OKAK!

Friday: News about short stories, audiobooks, and the plague of frogs that has so frustrated us all.

I noticed some blog comments saying that I had abandoned the blog and moved over to Reddit; that's not true! I've been exactly the same level of MIA over there too. But I'm back now and ready to respond to all your emails, comments, posts, letters, calls, texts, telegrams, dream tablets, psychic pulses, whispersongs, thought-worms, coded runic transmissions, frantic scratches on cave walls, and bottled messages in a more-or-less timely fashion. Just as before!

From the ashes I have risen, and now (instead of discussing all those other things I've listed above) I'd like to start by recommending a book: Doc Harrison and the Apocalypse, by Peter Telep.

If you follow my Facebook page, you may have seen me mention this before. Peter Telep was one of my writing professors in college; he's been a professional writer since the world was young, he's written more than fifty novels, and he's largely the reason I didn't abandon creative writing and start trying to break into advertising.

No joke. I would have hated it.

He used to write a bunch of the Rainbow Six, Splinter Cell, and Ghost Recon novels, if you read any of those, and he wrote some books for Tom Clancy before Tom Clancy's death. He's the real deal.

Now he's branching from military fiction (back) into sci-fi, and he's doing it as an independent author! Much like me, but with way more skill and experience!

Doc Harrison and the Apocalypse is a YA sci-fi that reminded me of Maximum Ride or I Am Number Four more than anything else: a kid finds out that humans inhabit more planets than just Earth, one of those planets has been destroyed, and he has to go on a high-speed adventure across multiple planets to prevent Earth from suffering the same fate.

It reads as much like fantasy as it does like science fiction; a lot of the technology the "aliens" use is based on an organ they have that humans don't (called a "wreath") that allows them to project themselves into a shared consciousness. Kind of like a magical space-Internet made of dreams.

All that said, it is sci-fi. I know you all like action-oriented fantasy with cool new worlds and high-octane plot, or you wouldn't be reading this blog right now. What about something adjacent to that, but set in modern Earth and also space?

I don't know, because I don't know you. However, if that sounds cool, check it out! I want every indie SFF author to do well, because the more good indie sci-fi and fantasy there is on Kindle, the more readers we can all draw in...

...to our webs. Where we will devour them.

-Will

P.S. I'm also wide open to questions once again. I actually spent a lot of time since Blackflame doing world-building on both Cradle and Elder Empire...with some Traveler's Gate thrown in there as well. Because I can make up new world concepts while moving boxes. I can answer questions now that I couldn't before! What fun!

P.P.S. Which questions can I answer now, you ask? Not that one!
52 Comments
Jeremiah H
6/17/2017 03:26:54 pm

YOU HAVE RETURNED FROM THE VOID!

Reply
Will link
6/17/2017 04:28:38 pm

I feel like crying, Jeremiah. It's been so long.

WHAT IS A WEEKEND?

Reply
Diego link
6/17/2017 04:42:29 pm

A weekend is the sacredest time of the week. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow which gives u joy and satisfaction only to be stolen once more by the vile leprecon come Monday.

April
6/17/2017 09:15:02 pm

A weekend is when I spend much time at work, because everyone else off and wants to come visit us at work.

Mike
6/17/2017 05:38:49 pm

Will, love your books and happy to see you're back. My only (only may be a bit of an understatement) request/advice would be for you to develop a system that allows you to take time off. It would be great to have a new book every week but I'd prefer a great book every year (go over that and I'm going to whine, a lot) vs good books from an author who's sick of his own characters.
2nd piece of worthless advice would be to ignore your readers and write what you want. All your books are very good to great and regardless of what you write someone is going to be unhappy.
Last piece of worthless advice, release audio books.

Now get back in your closet and finish writing. Everything above is BS. I really don't care about your wellbeing.

Reply
Will link
6/17/2017 05:55:54 pm

Thanks for both your concern and your lack of concern, Mike! You've brought up some interesting points, so I'll respond as best I can.

1.) Time off - Yes. I normally do, but the last few months have been hectic, so I've constantly felt like I'm scrambling to catch up. I need to make writing books into more of a routine and less of a harrowing adventure.

2.) Ignore readers - Well, I'm not going to do that. IMHO, the biggest mistake writers make is forgetting their target audience. You're never telling a story in a vacuum, and a great story for one group might be a boring, frustrating read for a different group. Remembering your target audience is important.

And "write what you want" is difficult advice, because at this point, I could come up with a story I'd equally enjoy writing for Cradle, Traveler's Gate, Elder Empire, or an entirely new universe.

I always enjoy what I'm writing. It's not like I'm letting readers push me into doing something I hate just because people demand it.

3.) Release Audiobooks - This is actually the furthest possible thing from worthless advice. Audiobooks sell far better than I would have ever believed.

But there's so much on my plate forever!

Reply
Jay W
6/18/2017 08:09:03 pm

Adding on to point 3:

Absolutely keep going with audiobooks. They're currently the highest growing segment of publishing. Make that money, that way you can write more books. This is a win-win for everyone.

Mick
6/17/2017 06:19:44 pm

Will we see Simon find more swords in the future?

Reply
Will link
6/17/2017 07:01:34 pm

Probably, yes!

Reply
Sir Wolpertinger
6/17/2017 07:24:43 pm

1. When/If you return to the Traveler's Gate iteration how much time do you plan to have transpired?
2. For Cradle do you have any plan to have Lindon have a "crap I'm strong now" moment in Skysworn?
3. Will your short stories be canon that influence your future stories?

No matter your answers thanks so much for your work, and please enjoy your new digs!

Reply
Devin
6/17/2017 07:28:39 pm

Welcome back Will! Congrats on getting settled!

And now questions :)

1. How are scales made and what are they? An inert Forger technique for storing power?

2. How many techniques can a Path have?

3. What would happen if Eithan tried using his Madra dissolving technique on Yerin's Blood Shadow parasite?

4. How does advancing work with Soulfire in the Lord stages?

5. What conditioner does Eithan use?

Reply
Diego link
6/17/2017 11:38:51 pm

I've read all of Wills books and am gonna try to share what i believe are as close to the answer of your questions just because alcohol makes me do that.
1.) Does it really matter your gonna read it anyway? ( I'm guessing at least a year or 2)
2.) I thinks this question is synonymous to asking how many foot manuevers u can do. From what i understand madra (mana) is shaped by the user. Some techniques suit certain madra types better so i think you can have a vast quantity of techniques on a path but its best to have a few so u dont confuse yourself in battle.
3.) It would disperse temporarily only to reform a short while after. (If Eithan even has the madra quality to disperse a dreadgods madra which i doubt) Pure madra doesnt destroy madra(or i think so) It disperses it and is compatible withany madra type.
4.) I woul imagine its quality over quantity. Eithan mentioned he can easily gather alot of soulfire due to his gift. So using that as context i imagine advancing is more a question of condensing what u already have. Be it soulfire or madra.
5.) He uses the same hair conditioner Talos use, b4 he was strangeled by Grandmaster Narka. Its the "IT" thing atm.

Reply
Titus
6/21/2017 05:08:14 am

I actually laughed while reading that since I had similar questions....except the hair thing...funny though...good job explaining that.

Will link
6/21/2017 11:40:25 am

1.) Scales: pretty much, yeah. It's a way to store inert power. They actually take more concentration and skill to make than normal Forged madra, which we'll (probably) go into in Skysworn.

2.) No limit, really. But it's not like knowing more techniques is necessarily an advantage.

3.) I'm not sure if I can answer this.

4.) You'll find out!

5.) He has an entire team of refiners who do nothing but make his hair products.

Reply
Bryce
6/17/2017 07:36:10 pm

Can you release the short stories you have written as a compilation similar to what you have done with the Travelers Gate ones?

Seems a win win, readers who enjoyed the stories but haven't been to your site can whet their appetite and you get some more income (which allows you to take more risks writing in my opinion which could be good). I know that they are a benefit to being on the mailing list etc but it seems a waste honestly.

Reply
Will link
6/21/2017 11:37:18 am

Probably at some point, yeah.

Reply
Carl
6/17/2017 07:38:48 pm

Will, you're the best! Definitely gonna check out Doc Harrison!

Reply
Will link
6/21/2017 11:36:25 am

Thanks, Carl!

Reply
Mahfuz
6/17/2017 08:39:21 pm

"...with some Traveler's Gate thrown in..."

*wipes away tears of joy* :')

Reply
Sharon
6/17/2017 10:11:43 pm

Agree :-D

Reply
April
6/17/2017 09:17:23 pm

Welcome back.

Reply
Sharon
6/17/2017 10:13:16 pm

Welcome back! I hope everything went well your sales and the move.

Reply
Sharon
6/17/2017 10:16:23 pm

Oops meant "I hope everything went well with your book sales and the move".

I shouldn't type while sleepy :-/

Reply
Will link
6/21/2017 11:36:00 am

Well, the sales went great.

Reply
Walter Ross
6/18/2017 01:25:43 am

FINALLY! YOU'RE BACK! WOOH! Can't wait for the updates 😁 Congratulations on moving in- it's always fun and exciting to make a new space your own!

Reply
Will link
6/21/2017 11:35:34 am

It's pretty exciting, but I don't know about fun...

Reply
Darren
6/18/2017 01:28:41 am

Ahhh, the joys of moving house. Been in my house for 5 years and one of the rooms still isn't fully unpacked.

Reply
Will link
6/21/2017 11:34:59 am

It's only been five weeks for me, but it feels like five years.

Reply
Sean K
6/18/2017 05:56:51 am

When can we herald the return of DEATHBATTLES! Mostly I'd like to see Lindon thrown against someone. We got to arguing over at the Reddit site about who would win, Simon or Lindon.

Oh, also be sure to check out the Reddit "Just how big is Cradle" as there was a lot of maths thrown about regarding Cradle's size and how much it's surface gravity would be based on that size (ignoring that canceling affects of the planets Aura).

Reply
Diego link
6/18/2017 08:08:30 am

As is barring some crazy disadvantage i believe Simon will win. For one Simons reaction speed with the mask on is crazy. Not to mention Simon has ghost armor which should protect Simon from blackflame. As Lindon advances further he will probably surpass Simon as seeing that advancing in Cradle does wonders for your reaction speed and physical defence. Which are really Simons greatest strenghts.

Reply
nitin
6/18/2017 09:52:31 am

According to Will,

Simon is highgold or a bit higher without mask. A near Underlord with mask. That is one answer.


Now Simon with mask on vs. Eithan. Will said it will depends but it favors Eithan greatly.

Simon's great weakness is time. His power runs out. If Eithan goes all ham on Simon without finding this tidbit about Simon's power first, both have equal chance. If Simon knows about Eithan's power in advance, he has an advantage. Unfortunately for Simon, if Eithan does know about his power, Simon stands no chance. Eithan can simply run around dodging till Simon runs out of gas.

Reply
Diego link
6/18/2017 07:59:05 am

Hey Will i wanted to ask a question which i find intriguing. Feel free to say you cant answer. Does the process of Incarnation itself have anything to do with the process of ascencion. As in perhaps Incarnation occurs because the host is not ready to go through that physical change? Incarnation reminds me alot of Cradles transition from Copper to Iron. As in if it isnt done properly it ruins(or impeeds) future progress.

Reply
Will link
6/21/2017 11:34:38 am

Not exactly, no.

Reply
Diego link
6/22/2017 06:09:12 pm

Awww oh well back to the drawing board. Cant wait for more travelers gate though. I'd love to see Simon or someone discover how to tear into any territory or accidentally go to a whole nother iteration. You dropped a few of hints Valin was alot older than he seemed and that he could go to travel to other territorys.

On another note is Amalgam a young iteration? Seems to be since from what ive seen they dont have a full grasp on the magic and Damasca reminds me of Greece with the whole city state reference from that Steel Diplomacy guy.

Azqa
6/18/2017 09:00:40 am

Congrats on getting settled in! Very much looking forward to you being able to interact with readers regularly again. Also looking forward to the day when there will be too many of them for you to do that without losing your sanity, because that's the best (of sorts) reward for success!

Reply
Will link
6/21/2017 11:34:07 am

I guess that would be nice? I don't know, I like being able to interact with people.

Reply
Empty
6/18/2017 09:58:43 am

Since Cradle is considered a baby world, when one ascends, do they first ascend to a mid-tier world that has higher sacred art stages, or do they ascend straight from cradle to the realm of the Abidan?

Reply
CrazyKamikaze
6/18/2017 10:57:24 am

I am pretty sure that in book 1, Suriel mentioned Cradle needed to be protected because it was a recruiting ground for the Abidan.*paraphrase*

Reply
Empty
6/19/2017 04:54:41 pm

I just remember the part were she said Cradle is where the. Babies are kept.

I was wondering if there was a world for "teenagers" that the babies advance to before going to whatever place the Abidan are mainly located.

Reply
Guy on a boat
6/18/2017 01:51:37 pm

Will I have been awaiting your return
LORD OF THE RINGS 3

I would love to know will we be seeing the influence of the abidan in other books besides cradle because i think the abidan are some of the most intriguing characters you have created

Also you said you had the cover art for skysworn done before blackflame was even done where is it

Reply
Will link
6/21/2017 11:33:35 am

Oh yeah, the cover's been done forever. I'm just sitting on it.

Waiting.

Reply
Corey
6/18/2017 03:04:18 pm

How much wood could woodchuck Lindon chuck if woodchuck Lindon could chuck wood?

Reply
Will link
6/21/2017 11:32:35 am

Five cubic meters.

Reply
benjamin ireland
6/18/2017 11:08:39 pm

- .... .- - / ..-. .- -.-. . / .-- .... . -. / -- .- -.- .. . .-.. --..-- / - .... . / .... --- ..- -. -.. --..-- / ..-. .. .-. ... - / .--- ..- -.. --. . / --- ..-. / - .... . / .- -... .. -.. .- -. / -.-. --- ..- .-. - / -.-. --- .--. .. . ... / -.-- --- ..- .-. / ... -.-. -.-- - .... . / ... --- / -.-- --- ..- / -.-. --- .--. -.-- / .... .. ... / . -. - .. .-. . / .- -... .. -.. .- -. / -.-. --- ..- .-. - .-.-.-

Reply
Corey
6/19/2017 07:14:58 pm

"That face when makiel, the hound, first judge of the abidan court copies your scythe so you copy his entire abidan court."

Reply
Maahn
6/19/2017 01:50:30 am

Welcome back! Thanks for the recommendation, I shall check it out. I thought the name sounded familiar, and then realised I've definitely read some of the Ghost Recon books by this guy and they were proper good.

Reply
Will link
6/21/2017 11:33:06 am

Yeah, he's a genuinely good writer. That's why I feel confident recommending him even though it's out of my genre.

Reply
Arc
6/19/2017 07:48:26 pm

Super excited for more Traveler's Gate! Had that world stuck in my head for a month after finishing the books. Can't wait for more.

Reply
Will link
6/21/2017 11:32:15 am

I'm glad to hear it! I really would like to continue the story.

Reply
Jayceblk
6/30/2017 04:42:49 am

Not that it really belongs here, but...

I've been trying out some of your fellow authors that you recommend or been on Reddit with. So whilst (I always wanted to use that word) I was reading "Sufficiently Advanced Magic", by Andrew Rowe, I took note of a reference to Simon. Is that something you guys commonly do with each other?

Reply
Will link
6/30/2017 11:27:48 am

Not commonly--that's the only instance I'm aware of!

Reply
Jaden link
7/3/2017 10:09:55 am

How old is Now Chen. I'm asking because I think she was Lindon's fated wife

Reply



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