Slayers 3 update
So, the book is nearing 600 pages, so I decided to break it up into two books. This is both good news and bad news. The good news is that instead of waiting for the entire book to be edited, polished, and revised, you’re only going to have to wait for the first 300 pages to be all that, and then the second part will be out a couple of months afterwards.
And actually, I’m debating putting up a chapter or two a week on wattpad (or here) while I’m getting it edited. That way I could get more reader feedback.
What are your thoughts on that? Would you rather have the whole finished 300 pages, or would you rather read the rougher draft and give input?
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I’m excited for the two books (and I’m sooooo glad that they won’t be too far apart!)
Speaking as a regular reader – I’d rather purchase a complete book and read it on my Kindle. I’m not sure–do you think people would buy your book if they could basically read it for free on Wattpad? That’s something to consider. Even though you’d be making edits, some people wouldn’t understand how much can change during revisions, so they might not buy it.
Speaking as a fellow writer- I’d be happy to read chunks and give some input. I really do love critiquing for people and being a beta reader if you’re looking for a sounding board. You can always send anything my way if you need another set of eyes.
No matter what you do, I’ll still read it š
awesome! when will the release date be!
Well, I was supposed to be working on it the last two weeks but between my parents being ill and my daughter having a baby, I’ve hardly looked at the computer. But my mom is very eager to read it, so hopefully it won’t be much longer . . .
As long as splitting it up into two books doesn’t make the first one boring… like if it never reaches a climax or if something key does not happen in it. Some books you can tell are just written to set up the next book in the series, and by itself is not very interesting. I think either way it will be awesome since you wrote it though!
The chapters could be tricky as it may give away important plot points. The surprise in the book can be more satisfying when it’s not expected. I’m not sure if I’d read the chapters or not for just that reason but feeling like I had input might make me more excited to see what you finally decided to put in the book. Conclusion: I’m conflicted about it. Either way I’ll be excited to read the final result
Honestly, I am hoping you’ll release the book soon. It feels like torture because of how long it’s been since slayers 2 came out(2013) I still reread the first two books over and over again. I agree that reading a chapter here and there could be fun, but I really swallow books whole. 2 days or less tops. Reading a chapter or two a week sounds like torture also, suspense like a tv show. But, if it’s all posted for free online, what’s the point in someone buying it? You’ve worked really hard. I would hate to see that no one actually buys it because it’s free. People don’t realize just how much editing could be done by the time it’s on the shelves versus on a website. Maybe you could make some deleted scenes like the one with Rosa and Leo? Or once the series is over have an alternate ending for us to read. That way if Tori ends up with the guy we didn’t want, we can see the other side of it haha! I’m really looking forward to reading Slayers 3 and I really do hope that it’ll be only 2 months until the other one is released if you’re breaking them into two books. I’m seriously going to die if I don’t have it in my hands soon lol. I love to read Slayers probably more than ANY book I’ve come across. Even the second installment was better than the first in my opinion. I loved it! Slayers has officially become my book I use to measure how good other books are. None have surpassed it:) Can’t wait to read slayers 3 and possibly 4 if it’s split! thanks for reading! -Z
Wow, I’m glad you like the first two books so much . . .except that now I feel all pressured that you’re not going to like the last as much . . . But you do make some good points.
Thank you so much for replying! I’ve never commented online before so I was really surprised to see a reply. I love slayers so much that I really don’t think I’ll be disappointed in the next book. Unless Dirk or Jesse dies. Then I’ll be mad. Just kidding! If a character dies it’s usually for a good reason. And then the impact from their death just cuts through you like a knife and leaves a lasting impression on the book. Something you’ll never forget. It’s then something you dwell on as memories of that character just fill you up. (I’m a total sucker for feeling close to all the characters and then something happens and i literally cannot stop talking about it) Besides! I know it’ll be good! It’s a book with dragons! Dragons! I really love all the thought and detail you put into the dragons. And sometimes I wonder what inspired you to write the dragons like you did. With the diamond shaped thing on their head and such. It’s what I would expect out of someone who studied dragons in detail. It makes the books all the more riveting to me. I can’t put them down when I start. Besides that, the way you incorporate the characters’ internal battles throughout the chapters is breathtaking. It’s not something that’s easy to do! You’ve taken so many characters and have given them each loads of attention. Enough to where we can see why they think the way they do and how their characters will react. Not necessarily predictable, but a sense of closeness to each of them that makes the readers feel as though they are with them through every step of the way. An honorary slayer so to speak;) thanks for reading this. You are one of my favorite authors. I love slayers more than the hunger games or other well known book series that seem to become new fads. They just don’t grasp my attention as much as slayers has. Thank you for writing it! -Z
Thanks for all that high praise! Don’t worry. I won’t kill of either Dirk or Jesse. I hate it when people I like die. I still haven’t gotten over Qui-Gon Jinn’s death, and we will not even talk about the latest Star Wars movie.
Random story…Z, I totally understand about loving these books. When I first read slayers 1 I was standing at a bus stop waiting for a bus. I was so engrossed in the book that I completely missed when the bus came and then left… I ended up having to call my roommate to pick me up while I waited in a McDonalds. While waiting for her, I kept reading…and them missed her text and 2 calls letting me know she was there. She had to come inside and get me. Luckily she is just as much of a reader as I am (it was her copy of Slayers that I was reading) and forgave me.
That story makes my day! It’s people like you that make me keep writing, so thanks for sharing that info with me!
Oh gosh! Star Wars the force awakens had the worst death possible! When I saw it I wanted to throw stuff at the movie screen…but I’m glad that Jesse and Dirk will live! Personally, I like Dirk better than Jesse because some times Jesse reminds me of a war general…which he kind of is…but Dirk is the part bad guy/part good guy that makes you wonder what he will do next! He’s funny in a number of ways. Jesse should smile more…when they were about to jump out of the plane and Tori told Jesse that she hadn’t been with Dirk, his lack of reaction made me want to scream. I was like, “Really!? She cares about you! Pay attention and tell her you love her before you fall and become a buffet of dangling Slayer kabobs with those parachute!” Good thing they didn’t use those parachutes… But that’s just the way Jesse’s character is and sometimes it’s good. Other times I’m thinking about how clueless guys are. Even Dirk had that moment when he thought Tori wouldn’t cry for him like she had for Jesse. That part made me cry…I can’t help but feel compassion for Dirk. He just wants his father to be proud of him and he struggled so much between right and wrong in book two. It’s something that you see a lot of in the world today. Sealed the deal for me and one of my friends. We are team Dirk lol. My other friend is still team Jesse. But that always can change too. I just see Dirk as the more realistic and hurt teenager. His struggles aren’t a mystery to the reader. I don’t actually know much about Jesse yet. Except he really likes Tori and wants to save everyone. But I guess I’m like Dirk in a sense that I’m one of “those who are loyal to people” Jesse is loyal to principles…or tries to be. Tori is a bad influence haha… But thank you for taking the time to respond to my posts. I know you’re a very busy person:) made my day. Looking forward to reading Slayers 3! -Z
Thanks for your support! I”ve had a hard two weeks (both my parents have needed medical attention) and it’s been so nice to read all these comments. I’ve needed this boost! I’ll be back to work on the books on Monday.
Z on 13 January, 2016 at 9:10 pm said:
Oh gosh! Star Wars the force awakens had the worst death possible! When I saw it I wanted to throw stuff at the movie screenā¦but Iām glad that Jesse and Dirk will live! Personally, I like Dirk better than Jesse because some times Jesse reminds me of a war generalā¦which he kind of isā¦but Dirk is the part bad guy/part good guy that makes you wonder what he will do next! Heās funny in a number of ways. Jesse should smile moreā¦when they were about to jump out of the plane and Tori told Jesse that she hadnāt been with Dirk, his lack of reaction made me want to scream. I was like, āReally!? She cares about you! Pay attention and tell her you love her before you fall and become a buffet of dangling Slayer kabobs with those parachute!ā Good thing they didnāt use those parachutesā¦ But thatās just the way Jesseās character is and sometimes itās good. Other times Iām thinking about how clueless guys are. Even Dirk had that moment when he thought Tori wouldnāt cry for him like she had for Jesse. That part made me cryā¦I canāt help but feel compassion for Dirk. He just wants his father to be proud of him and he struggled so much between right and wrong in book two. Itās something that you see a lot of in the world today. Sealed the deal for me and one of my friends. We are team Dirk lol. My other friend is still team Jesse. But that always can change too. I just see Dirk as the more realistic and hurt teenager. His struggles arenāt a mystery to the reader. I donāt actually know much about Jesse yet. Except he really likes Tori and wants to save everyone. But I guess Iām like Dirk in a sense that Iām one of āthose who are loyal to peopleā Jesse is loyal to principlesā¦or tries to be. Tori is a bad influence hahaā¦ But thank you for taking the time to respond to my posts. I know youāre a very busy person:) made my day. Looking forward to reading Slayers 3! -Z
Okay so accidentally my last comment got posted twice…sorry…and Andrea, I know what you mean. I totally tune the world out when I’m reading slayers
Hmmm. Whichever way I get to start reading soonest! š
No matter which way, I would read it and buy it. I would probably read it on Wattpad but I would also buy it when it was published, because who can not own a whole set of Slayers? Looking forward to it!
I agree with Nicky, I’ll be buying the last book(s) anyway to complete the set. I’d personally rather that the last part of the story be in one book. That being said, I’d be up to reading a rough draft and giving feedback.
I can let you all be beta readers, although you would have to know reading it that the grammar would not be fixed and the book would still go through another round of polishing.
We would love that!!
I love reading these comments – I feel like I’ve found “my people”! We need a book club or something that meets once a week LOL. I have re-read both Slayers books easily over 5 times now, and they are just as exciting each time. Although I can say that about ALL of your books, spanning the genres. You are a writer and a person that I look up to. Thank you for all of your hard work!!
Hey I was just recently wondering when the fourth book would be coming out? Just out of curiosity.
I’m 90% done with the first draft, but had to stop for a month to write a romance novella I’d agreed to write (back when I thought I’d be finished with Slayers by now) Ideally, I will start work on it again soon. (Hopefully will finish the first draft of the novella today) Although my editor at Disney may change that plan. She wants me to write a few books for Disney and those might have tight deadlines. And a lot of the summer will be spent with family as my grandkids are coming for three weeks… But know that I am trying to get it done. Thanks for your patience!