Catharsis, am I right?
There’s nothing that can equal the feeling an author gets when he or she finally publishes the final book in their long-running series. They can sit back in their chair, relax, and breathe a sigh of relief while sipping their cognac and watching a nature documentary on TV.
Okay, now that I’ve played through the fantasy, let me get real, because this is about as far from my experience as I can get. I’ve never even had cognac.
If you follow me in any capacity, then you know I just finished Ascent Into Light, which is the fourth and final book in my Forgotten Years fantasy saga. It’s been a long time coming and the end was always in sight, but I don’t think I ever stopped to consider the emotions that would follow.
Elation? Pride? Excitement? Sure, those three are in there. There is always a sense of accomplishment with every book completed, and I’m proud of everything I’ve written. No, what I’m talking about is the emotions associated with finishing a series or even just a single book. You see, it’s not just about words on a page flung out wrecklessly into the cruel world. It’s also about relationships.
Many of the Forgotten Years characters have been in my head for two decades. Some had different names or personalities and, over the years, have morphed into what they are today. I’m proud of their progress and maturity but, if I’m being honest, I’m also pretty sad to see them go.
It feels like sending your kid off to college (which I’ll get to experience soon enough, too). Cygil has been my second home and these characters have been my friends and family. I’ve spent more time with them than some real friends or family, and I know them intimately.
And I may never see them again.
The journey’s over–both for them and for me and it was never something I considered. I always had the last book in mind, striving for that goal and never expected to miss everyone, yet, here I am.
All this is to say, while it’s a mixed bag for me, I hope anyone out there reading my Forgotten Years books gets to experience some of the same closeness and intimacy with the characters I’ve created as I have.
It’s not always only about the journey
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