Hi and hello to my new subscribers, and a special thanks to those of you who come back for more.More, who doesn’t want more?
Well, I just took my own advice and started thinking about what the future looks like for one of my story’s plot and narrative.
Writers love to talk about their projects; it’s a bit like parents discussing their family, and nodding politely when they hear about their neighbours’ children, while itching to describe their kids’ triumphs.
Along the way, we do help each other out with advice.
One way to gain a broader perspective on a story is to imagine what happens down the line. Historical fiction has this hindsight built in.
For example, in my introductory story in the Spectral Detective Series, Into Darkness, set during World War II, history tells us how the war ends, but the mystery lies in the lives of the characters therein.
Truth is, today I took a break from the Spectral Detective’s first novel. As King in the Dark includes a key scene with a sniper, and I found that, given the tragic events in the news, I’d rather think about something else.
So I revisited another urban fantasy idea with various monsters and fantastic creatures, and found a new angle to this idea by thinking about how the character lives later on in their imagined history.
World-building offers both opportunities and challenges, as writers in the realms of Sword and Sorcery and Science Fiction fantasy can create any world they envision. Still, in a way, any fictional character’s internal universe, such as Arthur King, is as malleable as the sprawling realm of a fairy tale or the expansive star empires where space wizards and laser knights battle.
What happens to Peter and Paul as young men may be the story; but then what happens to them as old men? Where are they in their winter years, how does spring become summer, and autumn?
What kind of world do their grandchildren live in?
Imagining the future can inspire and then inform the fictional world’s past.
Into Darkness
The prequel to my planned Spectral Detective Series is available for Beta Readers; some have bravely taken the plunge, and to them I owe a debt of gratitude. This novella clocks in at ~18,000 words and is complete, with only minor tweaks expected to correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Into Darkness introduces the Spectral Detective series, which stands apart from typical war stories come pulp adventures by integrating authentic history beats, enriched with period details, with elements of biblical mysticism. It offers a noir-influenced exploration of trauma-induced “sight,” resulting in a unique blend of Indiana Jones-style relic hunts, Lovecraftian unease, and hard-boiled detective fiction.
The first novel, King in the Dark, developed in tandem, is at ~41,000 words and is progressing well, and the end is in sight.
It’s a story conceived in two halves. Taking the advice of the skilled and prolific writer S.E. Grosskopf, who is adept at plotting and prose, and seeing watermelons from waterlemons—I hope to make the first part of King in the Dark available as a standalone eBook, while the completed print work will be available for those who prefer paper and ink, comprising books one and two.
Beta Copy of Into Darkness!
The Wendell Case
by S.E. Grosskopf
The Wendell Case by S. E. Grosskopf is a gripping prequel that introduces readers to the intriguing world of Lowan, a telepathic radio repairman, and Detective Lieutenant Marx, a newcomer navigating a hostile police department in 1928 Milford Falls.
This atmospheric mystery blends historical fiction with subtle supernatural elements, delivering a tightly woven plot centred on a murder investigation.
Grosskopf’s vivid prose and well-crafted characters create a compelling foundation for the series, leaving readers eager for more without overwhelming them with complexity. Perfect for fans of classic detective stories with a unique twist.
The Wendell Case - https://segrosskopf.com/prequel/
Why not buy the whole series? A steal at ~$10
by Kent Silverhill
Kent Silverhill's Daphne Mayne and the Goblin Quest, the first book in the Chronicles of Wydoria series.
It is a thrilling young adult fantasy adventure set in the richly imagined world of Wydoria, where a magical Hedge isolates villages from a forbidden forest.
The story follows 14-year-old Daphne Mayne, a spirited and relatable heroine. Her curiosity and courage propel her into a dangerous quest filled with goblins, elves, and shadowy forces, all while uncovering secrets about her family and her own hidden potential.
Silverhill’s prose is engaging, blending vivid world-building with fast-paced action and heartfelt moments. The magical system, with its mysterious artefacts and innate abilities, adds depth and interest.
Daphne’s journey is entertaining and accessible, so great for fantasy fans craving adventure with a strong female lead..
Daphne Mayne and the Goblin Quest - https://storyoriginapp.com/swaps/95ee7a0a-8f0c-11f0-8d59-6f29f5acf3ab
by Laurie Bowler
Amnesiac cop Zera discovers she's a Volcan Knight, a winged warrior and the first female of her kind, destined to protect humanity from soul-devouring shadow creatures. As her powers awaken and enemies hunt her, she must embrace her true identity and supernatural soulmate bond to save her stolen daughter in this gripping urban fantasy romance.
The Volcan Knights: The Beginning - https://storyoriginapp.com/swaps/91005738-8c10-11f0-ac43-57b3a3b78eeb