Writing fiction is a weird thing.
No matter how many times I write a book, follow a proven structure, or a tried-and-true method…
The process always differs from novel to novel.
Sometimes it is intentional; other times it isn't.
Take Book 6, for example.
I had the urge to write this one with minimal outlining. And for the first few chapters, I was flying higher than a SpaceX rocket.
That was, until I hit my first creative cul-de-sac.
Then the next one.
And the one after that.
I squandered an untold number of weeks wrestling with a process that clearly wasn't right for me. It wasn't until we were knee-deep in Spring that I had a problem.
So I spent a fortnight or so outlining the rest of the novel while killing some darlings along the way.
Let me tell you, it wasn't fun.
But it had teeth.
I managed to yank myself out of the marsh and finish the rest of the novel within weeks instead of months, and now I can say with my chest out that it will be available in all formats before the month is out.
So… why hasn't it got a name yet, Daniel?
Well, that's where things get interesting, my ever-inquisitive Legionnaire.
You see, I did have a title not too long after writing the first chapter, but, for whatever reason, it didn't "click" for me.
Did I panic?
No.
Like so much I've learned in the fiction process…
I trusted the process.
That doesn't mean it will always bear fruit, mind you.
(As proven by my unsuccessful foray "writing into the dark.")
However, when it comes to the titles of my novels, I've long held the view that the name will come in due course. It always does.
Sometimes it comes unbidden before I have even scribbled the first sentence.
Other times, it arrives somewhere in the middle.
Or, in the case of Book 6, it emerged after my final editorial pass of the manuscript.
And let me tell you…
When the right one comes, you just know.
As is the case for this one, which perfectly captures the theme of the story.
I shall say no more.
Patrons who bought the Early Access a month or so ago already know the title… and the previous one, for that matter.
As of next week, though, that secret is no longer just theirs.
Oh no.
I will not only be revealing the long-awaited title of Book 6 with all my lords and ladies here at the Legion…
But I will also be revealing the cover!
Exciting times indeed, so keep your eyes peeled for that.
And if you've been enjoying the series so far, the next best thing to shovelling coin into my pocket is leaving a review for it.
It doesn't need to be epic by any means — a few lines are more than enough.
And if you do so, just know you will be added to my growing shrine of praising Patrons.
If you bought the bundle from my Storehouse, simply:
1. Click here
2. Paste: The Divided Region Bundle
3. Select the Bundle you bought
4. Leave your review
Or, if you bought it at any retailer:
1. Click here
2. Select your retailer
3. Leave your review
DJJW