What to write next?
Once the DRAGONTIARNA series has come to an end, it seems like I will have come to a sort of crossroads, and I need to decide what to write next.
After DRAGONTIARNA: WARDEN is done, I will have written 37 books with Ridmark as the main character (39 if you include FROSTBORN: THE FIRST QUEST and FROSTBORN: THE SKULL QUEST), which will be just over four million words and nine years.
After all that, I do feel like it is time to do something new. Here are some of the ideas I have been considering.
1.) A new epic fantasy series set in Andomhaim/Owyllain.
2.) A new epic fantasy series set several hundred years earlier in Andomhaim/Owyllain. I don’t want to do a prequel series, because I don’t really like prequels all that much. So if I do write a series set earlier in Andomhaim’s history, it will involve events that haven’t been mentioned in the FROSTBORN/SEVENFOLD SWORD/DRAGONTIARNA books to preserve dramatic tension. Like, if you read a book set in 1880s New York, you obviously know that New York survives to the present day…but you don’t necessarily know whether the characters will survive to the end of the book.
3.) A new epic fantasy series set in the Heptarchy.
4.) A new epic fantasy series set in a completely new setting with new rules.
5.) A new epic fantasy series in the world of Caina and the Empire.
6.) Take a break from epic fantasy for a while and start a new science fiction series. I hear Armored Space Bounty Hunters are popular!
7.) A new epic fantasy series about a mercenary company inspired by how much BATTLE BROTHERS I played in 2020 and how much MASTER OF MAGIC I have played in 2021 so far.
8.) Take a break from epic fantasy for a while and write more Cormac Rogan mystery novels.
9.) Take a break from epic fantasy for a while and focus on CLOAK MAGE. (I should note that I’m writing more CLOAK MAGE novels regardless of what I decide to do otherwise.)
10.) A new epic fantasy series in a more Dungeons & Dragons-esque setting than Andomhaim. This might cross over with some of the ideas above, especially #7.
So those are some of the ideas that I am considering.
I daresay I am richly blessed with choice. Twenty years ago, I could write whatever I wanted, but no one would publish it. Now I can write whatever I want and publish whatever I want, and I’m pretty sure at least some people will read it.
And on that topic, thanks for reading, everyone! Also, GHOST IN THE LORE is still on track for the 1st half of May. 🙂
-JM
All of them? Please? I’m greedy. On a more serious note I’ll buy any of them. So whatever keeps you fresh and producing product.
I sometimes struggle when reading a new series that is based in a setting of a previous series that I really enjoyed. The worlds that Ridmark and Caina inhabit are very centered on them in my mind. Moving on maybe hard.
I am very much looking forward to more CloakMage. Nadia is my favorite of all the characters you have created.
Options 4 and 10 appeal to me the most. I prefer pure fantasy over sci-fi. Though maybe not LITRPG. Way too much of that is being produced lately with quality all over the place.
LOL, no worries about that. I honestly think I’m like 15 years too old to really understand LitRPG.
Wow! I can’t believe you’re already at the end of Ghost Night subseries. It went by surprisingly fast! As much as I love, love, love the Caina series, those 27 books plus all the short stories are enough for me. For example, I just reread the Ghost Exile series (finished a couple of days ago).
I definitely haven’t had anywhere near enough of Nadia, though. So my vote would be to write about 100 more Cloak Games books! 🙂 Like jlh682 above, she’s my favorite character. And if not Nadia, more of that genre! Or both!
I say you multi-task, please, so you can make everybody happy… haha.
I would like more on Caina and Kylon. Set in Anshan. Let’s go after Yaramzod the Black!
Maybe in the future slightly, ridmarks sons as the main characters, they then take the fight to the heptarchy, unless they are dealt with in the final book of course, as you can’t let the heptarchy continue!
Maybe in the future slightly, ridmarks sons as the main characters, they then take the fight to the heptarchy, unless they are dealt with in the final book of course, as you can’t let the heptarchy continue!
Definitely 9, although 4 and 7 sound interesting too, and 10 could be interesting (huge D&D fan here). I partially agree with Jlh682, though.
3, 4, and 5 appeal to me the most. But I’m sure I’ll give whatever you write a try- except maybe that Linux book ;).
I enjoyed immensely the Nadia/Caina crossovers and have reread them multiple times. If possible, more of those please.
How about continuing the Third Soul series.
That is something I am considering. If I do more in the Third Soul universe, it would likely be a reboot, with Corthain as the main character instead of Rachaelis, since after 12 years I think he’s a more interesting character than Rachaelis. But we’ll see what the 2nd half of 2021 brings us!
It will pain me to say goodbye to Ridmark. I do understand the need to move on, you’ve written such a great world and there’s so many characters you’ve written that I love. I’d like to see more in this world and maybe slight references to Ridmarks story since he will obviously be a legend going forward. Whatever you decide to do I’ll be here to give it a read. Thank you.
Thanks for coming along on Ridmark’s very long journey.!
Can you make a really fitting end for Ridmark? He’s easily one of my favorite fictional protagonists. I’d like a story around his sons and Rhoanna but it feels like they need a… passing of the torch(?).. in order for their own stories to unfold. Andomheim in general is amazing. Such a diverse cast should end and the next ones could easily bring the fight to end the Heptarchy once and for all. Or perhaps you could even have them delve into modern Earth for their stories?
I definitely second a continuing story with Ridmark’s sons and daughter. Maybe even their children, just to put some time perspective in there. Ridmark is hands-down my favorite character and his legacy should be kept in future series.
But Rogan has great potential. I would love to see more of him too!
Thanks for the respite from real life…whenever it gets to be too much I know I can always escape to find old friends in your books.
For me it has to be a andomhaim and allies taking the fight to the heptarchy theres enough potential for at least another dozen novels, each goddess tackled on her own, her own armies etc similar to the setup in Owyllain, I honestly never get enough of Ridmark and there will always be people to link to the future, Rhoanna, Third, Selene, Mara, Rhodruthain, Rilmael, Ardrythain, and the other Elves are all going to be able to guide Ridmarks sons (the first children of a human dragon knight) who I already expect to be a Knight and a mage probably the next keeper, Gavins sons, maybe some dwarves… the humans of the heptarxhy could not just be abandoned its just not in character for Ridmark or andomhaim to not defeat them and free the humans and orcs, difficult though it may be.
I’m sure whatever you decide to write will be superb as the 50+ books I’ve read of yours already but andomhaim will always be my favourite, where we met Ridmark and followed him and his companions into many dangers and came back out together, I think the link to the frankish empire is inspired and dragons are always a welcome addition to and fantasy world but my opinion as a fan (and customer) is run with what is obviously working and lets see where the next generation(s) of arbans can take us, what surprises can you keep in store for us, what pearls of wisdom and useful hints will Calliande and Ridmark leave for their progeny.
I’ll just finish off and say thank you, for even if you end it here its been an absolute pleasure reading your material and being allowed to enter the worlds you have created for us.
I vote for 5 &9. More Nadia and Caina! 5.) A new epic fantasy series in the world of Caina and the Empire., & 9.) Take a break from epic fantasy for a while and focus on CLOAK MAGE.