Fall Tour and Daylight War Update
I know it’s been a while since I’ve updated the blog, but I have a good excuse. I was working on The Daylight War, and for the first time in a good long while, the work has been good.
I think every writer has their ups and downs, times when it feels like the muse is giving us a handjob, and times when she won’t return our calls for weeks. Times when we’re so confident in the story we’re telling that the only limitation is the speed at which we can type, and other times when we stare at the screen for hours, unable to write a single word. Times when we feel like a pro, and times when we feel like a fraud.
I’ve been in one of those downs for a while. I was moving along at a fair clip with new material, and then I hit one chapter that didn’t work. It just felt… wrong. I tried rewriting it several times, changing the events, the POV (Point of View character), everything, trying to find the flaw, to no avail. I was dissatisfied with the results every time, but could never quite put my finger on why. It was like banging my head up against a wall. Finally, I decided to put it aside and switch to an entirely different POV character in another location, so I could give myself a break from the problem.
But there were too many to choose from. My stepsheet for the book included notes for twelve separate POVs, all of them characters I was eager to explore in depth. It was far too much for one book if I wanted to keep it under 1000 pages. I was succumbing to Mission Creep, as my buddy Myke called it. However well intentioned it was for me to want to get in the head of every interesting character, the series would buckle under the weight of them. I think all of us who read epic fantasy can think of examples where this has happened. I don’t want to do that.
So I cut. I cut a whole storyline about Ragen & Elissa. I cut the POV’s I was planning for Prince Thamos and Amanvah. I cut an entire new character called Mudboy (along with 10,000 words of prose) out of the story. I pushed Selia the Barren’s POV into the next book. I hacked and slashed the stepsheet until the number of perspectives was one that kept the story tense and moving forward with a decisive pace. The end result is MUCH stronger and more streamlined. Much more… epic.
I went back to the trouble chapter, and kicked its ass. Starting this week, it’s full steam ahead for as long as the muse is feeling frisky.
I’m keeping all the notes on the cut POV’s, though. Some of them are great stories in their own right, and might one day become their own standalone novellas like The Great Bazaar and Brayan’s Gold. The Mudboy storyline most certainly will.
Before I disappear back down the rabbit hole to work some more, I want to remind everyone of some upcoming events. I’ll be traveling a lot in the coming months.
Conventions & Signings
First up is my August 29, 2010 signing in Burbank, California signing at the Dark Delicacies bookstore, at 2pm. If you’re in SoCal and want to show some love, it would mean a lot to me if you stopped by. I’ll be signing books and taking questions on everything from writing to Krasian politics to how cute my baby is (baby not included). Possibly a reading. Free bookplates, too!
After the DarkDel signing, I am flying out of LA to attend Worldcon in Melbourne, Australia (Sept. 2-6, 2010). It will be my first-ever Worldcon, but I am told it tends to be a huge event, and attendance is often a veritable who’s who of the SF industry. A lot of my readers down under have contacted to let me know I’ll get to meet them there, and I am thrilled for that.
If you’re in the greater Melbourne area and big conventions are not your thing, consider attending my signing at Dymocks Southland in Cheltenham Thursday 2nd September 2010 at noon. The signing is officially set to end at 1pm, but I will not be in any hurry to leave, and will make sure everyone gets their books signed and questions answered. I also may be accompanied by another author, this one more beautiful, talented and fabulous than I. Stay tuned on that front.
The last of my store signings will be in Sydney at the famous Galaxy Bookshop Wednesday September 8, 2010 at 5:30 pm. As with the Melbourne signing, I will stay as long as there are folks to talk to, and probably adjourn to a local bar soon after.
If you can’t make it to one of the signings, but would still like a signed book, consider pre-ordering one from the store closest to you for me to sign while I am there. Most stores will happily facilitate this, sending you the signed book after my visit. You can even request personalization. I will happily dedicate the books any way you like, and include bookplates (while supplies last). While it’s often cheaper and easier to order books from big online retailers, it is the live, brick and mortar bookstores that make author events like this possible. They are a valuable part of our communities and deserve our support.
Dark Delicacies
3512 W. Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505
U.S.A.
818-556-6660
1-888-DARKDEL
darkdel@darkdel.com
Dymocks Southland
3067/8 Westfield Southland Shopping Centre
1239 Nepean Highway
Cheltenham 3192
Phone:(03) 9584 1245
Fax:(03) 9584 7985
southland@dymocks.com.au
Galaxy Books
143 York Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
T) 02 9267 7222
After that, it’s time to think NY ComicCon, Oct. 8-10, 2010. You may recall that at last year’s con, some 40,000 name badges were the cover of The Warded Man. It was the coolest con ever.
I expect this year to be even better. Plus Stan Lee will be there.
October 2010 is also World Fantasy in Columbus, OH, followed in November 2010 by Forum Fantastico in Lisbon, Portugal. I’m taking a break in December, and then attending ConFusion in Detroit in January 2011 where I will be signing copies of Brayan’s Gold.
God I know how the writers blocks goes and I wish you the best of luck kicking its ass to the core and back. I hope at some point in your touring you make a pit stop in Washington DC. That would be wicked cool!
I seriously can’t wait! I’m sure that all the stress and frustration will only lead to good things – as it seems to have done!
Also very interested in the ‘spin offs’ and this new character 🙂
Yay! Melbourne ^-^* Sp excited
Thanks for the update, it always help to have an idea of what takes place behind the scenes.
Enjoy Oz – if you haven’t been, it should be a blast. If you have been before, it’s not like you can get too much of a good thing.
I’ve gotta admit I’m kinda sad that the Ragen & Elissa story was cut out…but we’ll be able to read them to…somehow, right?
As for the signing….don’t you think Germany is a beautiful country to do some signings?
Hang in there on the rough-patches! If its not right for you it’s just not right at all. Are there any plans for Great Bazaar and Brayan’s Gold to be released in audio? I could see the 2 together on one audio book.
I have both books but at work and on the road audio
books are all that keep me sane.
We will most definitely be seeing you in Burbank! Thanks for making the effort to come out West! :)))))
-Lizette
Damn, I can’t wait for The Daylight War (my face twitches everytime I look at The Painted/Warded Man and The Desert Spear on my bookshelf) and your next visit to the UK. I missed out last time you were here in sunny England. I will, however, make sure I catch you next time (perhaps when you’re doing The Daylight War tour) even if it means hitchhiking to London with weirdos and perhaps the odd psycho.
Keep at it Peat. 🙂
I will do a proper tour of the British Isles for the next book, and probably will visit Germany sometime soon. Tried to get to DC in May, but circumstances were against me. I will make new plans one of these days.
Emily/Liz, can’t wait to meet you!
Bill, working on getting an audio deal for the novellas. It might have to wait until I finish a few more of them.
Is it a coincidence that Eve posted right after Adam?
Do you think you’ll ever come to Seattle? Because, I have to admit, I’d probably do some amazingly fangirlish squeals if I ever got to meet you and have you sign a book. 😀
If nothing else, I will be doing a proper US tour with the next book, and Seattle will likely be on the list.
Well, consider me officially excited! 😀
Eagerly await you announcing a tour of the UK Peter, I hope you will visit Edinburgh/Glasgow so I can come along and get all 3 books signed by you! (I have Painted Man and The Desert Spear in top condition hardback)
Darren
Holy shit. I just finished reading the painted man and the desert spear (only took me 3 days to do so). I must honestly confess that it has been a while since I was drawn to a book as I was to those two, I think the last time it happened was with Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle. And as with those books I’ll wait for the conclusion of the story impatiently 🙂 It’s frustrating to have to wait for ,possibly, years to know the end of a story but I guess it’s all the more satisfactory when you can finaly start reading it. I know it takes a hell of a long time to write such a story and I respect that. If you ever were to pass through Belgium to sign some books, let me know 🙂
Oscar
Hi peter, just finished the desert spear, utterly fantastic and will be waiting with tender hooks for the daylight war. Got my brother hooked on it too. Hope you make it to Ireland when your over this side of the world. Thanks again for such fantastic and unputdownable story.
Waldi
Ok, so I just finished DS not even half through an extremely boring night at work (graveyard) and I have found myself itching for the next book. Any particular time frame on the release date?
Under 1000 pages???? Why??? Please write as much as you can, I love love love your books. Real epic fantasy is hard to find. Greets from Germany
So, i dont know, why im writting in your site now. Well, i want only to say that you are the one of best fantasy writters in the West (im from EU). I know what i say.
Books are my hobby and job. Im literary critic and young writer in my country. I think – you are one of the best fantasy book writter on present-day. (when i writting this words, a few minuts ago i finished your last book).
In wiki i readed thet the “Daylight War” will show in 2012! Is that true? I must wait more than 1 year…?
So, i have a hope that you write this, before world end in 2012 ;p
I’ll be waiting for “Daylight war”!
Greets from Poland!
Absolutely amazing. Could two books get anymore captivating! I could very easily leave the world we’re in and sink into the demon infested world of Everam’s creation… it’s an addiction.
I hope this reaches you, Peter amongst the near on thousand more messages you recieve but i ask only one question. How much longer must i wait for ‘The Daylight War’???
Oh, and so pleased to hear it’s not a trilogy! roll on all five… Minted!
Take Care mate
Jez Smith (U.K)
Hey mate loved your books it’s like you captured my own personal autobiography, keep up the good work.
I had a very long praise written up to post here but then my roommate thought it wise to unplug the power strip so he could plug in his radio. I will instead summarize.
Thank you so much for returning the enjoyment of reading to my life. I have never felt as happy, sad, frustrated, or just plain alive than when I read through my first book of yours (The Desert Spear).
I have also never been so excited and downright unable to sleep at night than with this waiting for the third installment of the Demon Trilogy to come out. May Everam bless you with speed and finesse, for I fear what my girlfriend will do to me if I cry more to her about me not being able to finish the story!
Thank you again for everything,
Kevin Hubert
Hey the books are awsome wasn’t a reader till I picked up the painted man.
Maybe a New Zealand visit in the future?
Im sure if a movie is to be made weta workshop would be ideal for special effects haha.
Really enjoy your stories can’t wait for more. Especially in the Painted Man/Desert Spear series! It’s been a while since I’ve found a ‘Good V Evil’ romp and found it epic enough to continue reading. Many Thanks
okey, I just want to say this: write as much as possible!! even if it would be 5000 words!! I would be happy if the book would endless:p hate to finish the book, but when i done reading desert spear I’ve gone really angry, you know?:p please, finish it before the end of this week :(? :pp
i could seriously read a 1000 page book if you wrote it. dont completely throw that idea out quite yet. the books have been great.
John is right Pete… I really hated it when i reached the last page of desert spear, I wanted the story to go on for eternity. I couldn’t stop laughing when Jardir commented Wonda as female Sharum (when the just reached Everam’s Bounty) :):):). Arlen and Renna… Promised???? what will happen to the Leesha?? and Rojer just slept with one of Jardir’s daughter… :D… how many of those dammed demon princes are out there (or in there. In the core)??? And where is Alagai’Ka hiding??? what are their intentions??? Will Renna become half demon as well, like Arlen?? Pete please release the daylight war asap. I have started dreaming… dreaming of Jardir and Arlen, testing each other in Sharusahk and fighting back to back in the night as brother, as ajin pal.
I am so glad you are working on the Daylight War, Peter. I couldn’t get the smile out of my face. I suffered from major depression after I read the last page of The Desert Spear. I did not want it to end. The first 2 books became a part of me, my husband thought I was nuts. When I was reading them, I couldnt get them off my head even if I was at work, or running errands or whatever. I was obsessed.
Thank you so much for all your wonderful books. Life is truly worth living when I have your books to read.
Please do not stop at 1000 pages. It should be more (JK!)…
More books to come, please….
See you in California! We’ll be there!
Pete!!! Your books make me want to go out at night and kill me some demons!!! I just finished The Desert Spear and went online to look for the next, only to find out it wasn’t published yet. Epic sadness! I hope your muse continues to be as freaky as Inevera!!! I wanna read the shit out of that book!
The demon cycle books have been my favorite books ever and I beleive they will be my favorite books all my life, my only question is what is the third book going to be? and when is going to be released? I just loved both of your books and I hope your third book is going to be as good. I have been waiting and waiting for the third book and my hats off to you, I just want your third book is just bigger than your other two.
You must write more than 1000 pages. It is so fantastic to read your books I Love Them.
Greets from Germany
Im waiting for Daylight war so much !
hey i am just wondering if anyone knows when the day light war will be coming out?
nippa
ps the books r amazing
to the core with writers block !!!!! Much luck on the writing. Cant w8
hi , i´m a new fan i read the two books in less of a week( sadly, wish i was slower but they were inresistible good and i couldnt help myself) i am sad about the fact it will take so long for it to come out….but art cant be rushed…best wishes
ps. please more than 1000 word
portugal, lisbon
we dont have to purchase another book for the book signing if we already possess a copy do we? i would prefer not too unless my current copy is somehow damaged(however unlikely that is)
and i would love one of your amazing stories to be over 1000 pages i would tackle that challenge hungrily and have it read by the end of the week….i will require at least half a week of sleep after reading however since i probably wouldnt stop to waste time sleeping wen i could be doing something productive like reading the Demon Cycle Series
No book purchases necessary at a signing unless it is hosted by a bookstore with specific rules. Most of my signings are at conventions and you are encouraged to bring your own books.
And thank you!
I just wanted to say Hello and thank you for the great time that have given me your books,I can hardly expect the continuation :O) Nancy from Luxembourg (yes yes you have at least one fan in our little country)
Hey I loved both books and can’t wait to read the third. My twin gave me both books to read and I would really like to return the favor by giving him a signed copy of the Third. So a tour to Dallas TX would be greatly appreciated.
I can’t wait for the Daylight Wars! I hope to read more of Arlen’s adventures!
Peat,
You are the man!!! I was entranced to say the least by the warded man. Which in turn drove me to get my hands on the desert spear, and Brayon’s gold. I then bought a tablet so i could read the great bazaar and other stories.
I am not an accomplished reader and honestly have not read a novel since highschool. Im 28. I was shopping at K-Mart when i passed a bargain bin with 5$ Books in it. There were 2 books left my cousin grabbed some General Petraius war book or something and i grabbed THE WARDED MAN. Wow did you ignite the inner reader in me Peat.
I anxiously await the daylight war, as well as any other side stories you can muster. The one you posted of the wolves den and one-arm was awesome and really drove home the emotions that drive the ever impressive Arlen…..the real deliverer. If they make the movie’s, which i pray they do. Please Peat make them do them right.
And i just ask or beg for that matter to please post some sort of probable release date for the daylight war. I’m sooooo jealous of my girlfriend and her Hunger Games trilogy and Tiger’s Saga. I suggest the books to everyone. I also ask you (Peat) to suggest some books that cater to your style of writing. I picked up a bunch of Tolkien cause i figured you can’t go wrong with the GOD FATHER of fantasy novels.I read the Hobbit for the first time ….Awesome. Keep fighting the good fight and spank that Muse once for me Bro.
Ohh! One more thing i meant to say. I was hoping you could release a special edition of the daylight war. Maybe have a letter opener warded weapon or a Sweet bookmark with a pic of the Desert spear all glorious and stuff. Wow that sounded stupid…… any way, just some food for thought. I would pay 50$ for a special edition with some art or something additional to the average copy.
Can’t wait, never had good patience, but I suppose one must learn somewhere. haha. And i agree with the post before me, a special edition with a warded letter opener would be wicked. Anyways, best of luck with the writing, and may your writers block see the light.
Also, How do some of these people even figure out how to post on here? They’re spelling and grammar are somewhat attrocious!! I respect any who have read these books but man. Peat is a writer…..i can only imagine how annoyed he secretly gets when he see’s such disregard to his profession. Peat are you going to be near cleveland anytime soon? Your last post for signing’s are from January 2011. I’d love to knock a few back with you man, and possibly chief one down too. Get that imagination of yours sparked…..LOL. I also saw on facebook that you don’t know Skyrim. It’s an extremely immersive deep open world RPG with flawless graphics, and a n imaginative storyline built on years of experience by BESTESDA SOFTWORKS. IF anyone could make a perfect rendition of the world you’ve spawned in your head, besthesda CAN. That would be awesome. They take they’re time too. If they strarted working on one, it would be years before it was finished. And any who know of what i speak would most likely agree that it would be incredible.
Bethesda Softwork’s…….Sorry
*Also, how
*their
*atrocious
*sees
*signings
*capitalize Facebook
*capitalize Cleveland
*their
*capitalize every use of the word I
I would assume, Dustin, that it is the subtle errors that can be just as devastating as the larger ones, especially to writers. Good day to you sir.
You got me, but it’s not as bad as half the post before me. At least i learned the basics from school and care about misspelling every other word i type. That’s all i’m saying.
Doh,
I seriously cant wait to read Daylight War, once I want it asap and on the other hand, I want the best as it can be possible. Anyway, keep going and rolling and whatever just dont let us wait too much. Wish you all the best, writter of the most fascinating series Ive ever read… good luck
I must admit I’m not usually a fantasy fan but once I read (listened?) to the painted man and now currently the desert spear I’m 100% hooked!
The story just sucks you in to such a degree that I actually actively think of places to drive to for the flimsiest of reasons just to listen to another hour of story.
Please finish the last book before I get to the end of ds!!!
Oh, and get it on audio ASAP 😉
As I recently tracked down a copy of ‘The Desert Spear’, I have started reading ‘The Painted Man’ for the second time and still love it! Can’t wait for ‘The Daylight War’ to be released! Any dates? 😉