Writer Insight

As I've said in previous blog posts, I am so grateful for the feedback I am receiving regarding Asylum. It's most helpful! I can apply those thoughts to future works.

One thing I wanted to address - and I hope folks will chime in with comments - is "foreign" terminology. Because I created the Circeae system, I wanted to incorporate ideas that were similar to everyday things we know, but to give them a home in their new environment. Weaponry, for instance, lends itself to interesting names. Star Wars has blasters. Star Trek has phasers. The Circeae system needed unique weapons. I chose "slayer" and "queller". One is deadly, the other is not.

I did include a "glossary" of sorts in the back of the book, but one reason I didn't go into a lot of heavy detail and description is a rule that many writers follow - trust your readers. You guys are smart! Educated. You're actually reading a book, so that says something for your intellect. I trust you to be able to figure some things out.

The other thing I have to keep in mind is that Asylum falls late in the series. A lot of things might have been explained in the previous novels (yes, most of them have been written!) The only reason Asylum was published first is because it won the WestBow contest. I felt it was my strongest piece at the time - which is why I entered it. So hang in there! It will all come to light one day. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, please, please, please keep the feedback coming! I am so appreciative of the time it takes to not only read a book, but to comment or review it. I am grateful to each and every one of you who have given me even the shortest response! And like I said, that really helps me to learn and grow as a writer.

Blessings to you!