There were surprises as I started putting together Bringer of Chaos: Watch Your Six. This is the final book of the Bringer of Chaos trilogy, so tying up loose ends is important. I went to great lengths to ensure everything was covered, right down to creating weapons like Charon’s Blade (shown here).
As I wrote, I got to thinking, what would humans need ghosts for with all the Ultras in exile? How many ghosts had there been? Would the Ultras who’d been captured be released? How many Ultras were there? What were the powers they imparted to the various ghosts? Why didn’t Six get much of those powers?
The biggest surprise to me was discovering Pietas’s real agenda for humans. I’d always known he wanted to destroy them, but why would he after coming to respect and love Six? And if he wanted to kill them, why hadn’t he already done it? After all, he holds the title Destroyer of Worlds. He could do it. What’s stopping him?
I wrote a spinoff short story about Ghost Corps. Lights Out will release in mid September inside The Expanding Universe Vol 4, edited by Craig Martelle. The anthology will feature multiple authors, all with stories in the sci fi and space opera genres. It’s going to be a real treat for fans of the genre.
Charon’s Blade
I hired an artist to create images of the Ghost Corps weapons. They were designed to kill Ultras, so they’re formidable (and nasty). Livius designs scifi weapons as art. I found him on DeviantArt.com. Having the images and the technical aspects of these helps me create the people who wield them.
What kind of person would carry a weapon called Charon’s Blade designed to stab and then inject the victim with poison? Why such an extreme weapon?
Considering it was designed to wound creatures who come back from the dead, it’s at least a little bit understandable. Even so, Charon was the mythical guide to the underworld in ancient mythology. This knife has quite a legacy just in its name.
I know the answers to all these questions and have the basics of the journey plotted. But as I write, this story reveals more and more. I plan many more books featuring Pietas, his family and fellow immortals.
To see all the art, join one of my reader groups. You’ll get four free books and news about books coming soon. I’ll be sharing a member-only first peek at the art, plus other inside secrets about the Ghost Corps.
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Book Hooks is a weekly meme hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog. It’s a chance each week for you the reader to discover current works in progress or previously published books by possibly new-to-you authors. Thank you for stopping by. Please say hello or leave a note in the comments.
Sometimes I wonder how much time you spend in your alternative world, in contrast to the “real” world. You delve so deeply!
I started creating this world when I was 17. Not going to say how many decades ago that was. LOL
What a neat looking blade but lethal. Good luck as you plan the journey
Thank you. It’s a lot of work creating these but so worth the effort. Livius is wonderful at knowing what works and what doesn’t.
The depth of your absorption in your fictional world reminds me of The Valley of the Moon, “an enchanted historic storybook land and the heart of magic.” A man named George Legler built it piece by piece as a labor of love, and nearly 100 years later, people still flock to it. https://www.tucsonvalleyofthemoon.com/
I can relate to this site completely. I’ve had these worlds in my head for decades. It’s just now that I have time and talent available to bring them to life.
The level of detail displayed is impressive, especially when you get down to thinking of the design of the weaponry. That translates into realistic detail in the writing.
Many thanks. It’s a labor of love
Thanks for sharing your research methods and how cool that you found an artist to draw the weapons. World building can be fascinating. Tweeted.
I agree! I love discovering new aspects of my story world.
The dedication you put into background for your books – inspirational. Tweeted.
Thank you. I delve deeply into my story world.