WRITING FOR WOODMYST

WRITING FOR WOODMYST

With two books in the series available, another two about to be released any time now, the world of Woodmyst seems to be ever expanding and entertains me as much as anyone who picks up one of these books to read.
I have to admit that writing for me is a way to escape the everyday life. Some choose television, movies or video games to vacate normality for a brief period. I have also dappled in these, and still do from time to time, but writing is my constant. It's as if I'm drawn to it.
Writing for Woodmyst is addictive. It is a place I like to visit. A realm that is so unlike what my life is. I think that's why we gravitate to worlds of fantasy or science fiction. It may also be why we like to read about romance, monsters, violence and intimacy. 
Perhaps these are lacking in our lives, so we seek them out in the pages of books or on the flickering screens of cinemas and flat screen TVs.
My hope is that people who pick up any of the books I've written, particularly those of the Woodmyst Chronicles, enjoy them almost as much as I did when I wrote them.
The series starts with The Walls Of Woodmyst. 
I would like to say I went into this one with a plan. I kind-of did, but it fell apart about a third of the way in, diverting sharply to another place that I wasn't expecting. I'm so glad it did.
My characters developed in a way that I simply can't explain. I found myself laughing and crying at moments, thinking to myself; You stupid idiot. You're the author of this thing and you're getting emotionally involved with your own creation.
My editor was slightly taken aback when one of her favourite characters, and one of mine also, sadly met his demise. But it was where the characters were leading me and it would have been wrong to not go down the roads they wanted to take.
I further explored this phenomenon, allowing characters to dictate their destinies, with the follow-up book, The Sons Of Woodmyst.
This one took me down some very dark roads. Some very dark, shadowy and unpleasant roads.
Still, it was the way the characters developed through that pain and hurt that built a world that I was able to bring to life. The story became so thick with content that I had to split it into two books.
Continuing directly on from the second book was The Heir Of Woodmyst.
My intent was to end the series here. But they wouldn't let me. The characters wanted to carry on.
For the time being, I've decided to take a break from Woodmyst in an attempt to write something a little different. A little challenging.
But I can hear the horns of Woodmyst calling me back.
I think this series will continue for some time.