Update #8: May Update

5/27/25

Hey y'all!

It's been a little while since I've updated anything on here.

AND...I've done little work since I last wrote a blog post.

Why?

I've been a bit busy, mentally. I recently came back to the states and now I'm trying to figure out my trajectory in life. I could stick with the known and focus on my books on the side, eventually wearing myself down. Or I could take a leap into the unknown, starting a new career, while still doing my books on the side. The latter is likely to wear me out as much as the former, but it could be more exciting...

So, why am I back now?

"Back" is a strong word, to be honest. I'm planning to make a post today, maybe another in June. But I've got enough to figure out. Adding my books on top would only make things worse. I've have through June to figure my stuff out, I have personal reasons for this deadline.

So, WHY am I back?

I've struck new inspiration. Honestly, I've had that more and more recently. It started slow, a few weeks ago, and has been building. I've got ideas for several more series now, ideas that should hopefully fill in some gaps. But, until recently, those ideas were for future series/releases. Now, I've had an idea that could help in current series.

What gaps?

Origins is a good book, and it will be a good series. The first book I'm very proud of; if I sent it to a publisher I could maybe sign a deal. Origins II hopefully is in the same vein, as long as the last chapter doesn't mess it up. (I still haven't finished it...)

But there's a book I'm less proud of. With only two books on the market, gussing which one isn't hard. Foundations needed some extra love. I don't blame it, I blame myself. But I don't beat myself up about it either. It's a product of my earlier writing and lacks details. My plan has been to re-work and re-publish it with Foundations II. Obviously that would take a lot of time. So, I'm not sure when that will happen. (I'm just now getting back into the mood of writing, a feeling that's been growing over the past few months.)

However, I've had an idea on how to seal some gaps in Foundations. Most specifically gaps between Foundations and Foundations II. My thought is to publish another book. Another Foundations. Not a rework of the first, not yet, but a whole new book! (It sounds like I mean to re-write the whole book and publish that, but no.)

I'm going to write a side story, at a books length. See, I have several themes or ideas I need to surface before Foundations II. I was planning on writing these into the early chapters of Foundations II, but that was going to be hard. It would feel rushed and jumbled. Then, just the other day, an idea struck me, based on recent inspiration. This way I can introduce the characters and themes I need for Foundations II, before I even get to that book. Don't worry, it'll still work off the ending to Foundations, and Foundations II will be legible without this side story.

So ANOTHER new book, don't you have enough?

Yes, it's true, I've just started and already launched two series, with plans of other around the corner. But this new book isn't really anything new. It's be a new story, sure, but it's still within the confines of Foundations. Ai will still be the protgaonist, the next major villain, Loelle, will still be present. You'll also get screen time for Kyre, Fei, and June. I just have to work out their details in this new plot line. So, to summarize, it's not really adding anything new. It's mostly going to be here to work a new character into the plotline. This new character is important, if you read Foundations while I was poublishing it online, you would remember this character. (Actually, this side story would bring a few new characters in, at least two important ones.)

Would it change Foundations?

Not really, the story and themes would remain the same. I admit, this side story will feel a bit different to the mainline books, thus why I'd like to keep it a side story, and not force it to become the new Foundations II. The title will be a little different something like Foundation; Discoveries, or Foundation; Genesis. (Those aren't prototype names, just an example of the title format.)

Will there be a longer wait for Foundations II?

Yeah, there will be...But that's to be expected. My plan is to keep this side story short. It'll hopefully be around 40-50,000 words. If you're a speed reader, it should only take a day or two to read. (It could set a new standard for my writing, allowing me to add these side stories in as needed to provide extra content or add more details, while also enriching the world with more stories and lore. Or it could be a major flop, and I stop after this one.)

To wrap up that question though, Foundations II will have to wait a little longer, but it's already pushed back as is. With this new idea though, you'll get two Foundation books back to back. (Probably.) I'm not sure on dates or deadline yet, as I've already passed my deadline for Origins II, and I'm still procrastinating. I think the order will be like this, Origins II -> Foundations;XYZ -> Foundations II -> TBD/TBA.

If I HAD to put a date on it, when would it be?

Well, I'd love to have Origins II out this year...yeah, it's gone from an early 2025 release to sometime this year...(I still have plans for my anniversary, so we'll get some content out then either way, just don't expect a whole new book.) I'm going to be generous with myself, because I need to get my personal life worked out before my hobbies get attention. (Yes, these books are just a hobby for now.)

That puts Foundations;XYZ sometime next year, probably alongside Foundations II. (I'd love to get two to three books out each year, but I need the right environment to write, that includes the right mental headspace.)

Will we still get a re-release of Foundations or is that out with this new idea?

I'm still planning to rework Foundations, thus why I'm planning on two books next year. I'm not sure if it will release alongside one of the new books, or in a time slot of its own. But I think a rework is necessary to set the standard going forward. I have a lot of ideas in mind to help this series, but they'll take some effort to implement. (I'm not just talking about adding one or two paragraphs of detail to the book, I'm talking about a major rework. Whatever Foundations book releases next will have all these changes. Not Origins though, I don't think it needs these changes right now.)

This is a lot of information, how will you ensure it all happens?

Life has a way of working out, for good or for bad. If none of this happens, that's what was supposed to happen I guess. For now though, I'm going to move forward like these new plans have always been the plan.

Last question, what should we expect with this new Foundations?

A fun story. It should be more concentrated, but the plot of the story should be different enough to keep it interesting, but also similar enough to Foundations as it is, to not require a whole ton of explaination. Most importantly, expect better explainations. Foundations needs it, and this new story will need it as well! It should be a fun ride!

THE END

I'm looking forward to what's yet to come!