I've finally hammered out the rough draft of Enlightenment into a readable story, cutting out clutter that has shortened it to be about the same length as Awakening. In the process, I made notes of aspects of it to consider while writing Eternal, the third and last book of the Luriel Cycle trilogy. In the last couple of days, I've taken the hardest step--beginning.
I'm honored by those who encouraged me to finish the vision of this series. Thank you for your continued interest in my writing.
I'm still struggling with my personal issues, but it just means I have to work a little harder. I'm glad to be able to tell stories and enjoy the journeys of my characters taking me away from real life problems.
And that leads me to something I want to say. With its contemporary otherworld setting, this series allows me to explore some real world issues in a unique way. It offers a different perspective from a fresh palette of backgrounds and cultures in a parallel world that is a more direct correlation to our world than allegorical stories. Science Fiction and Fantasy have traditionally offered views on our Earthly existence meant to open our minds or frighten us with possibilities in a way that is much farther from reality than other genres, and perhaps in that respect is easier to accept. That is one of the reasons I have always enjoyed these genres.
I've also noticed that this series is three different books in one aspect--they each follow their own unique style rather than trying to follow the same formula for each book. I've done that with other series, probably because I get bored easily and like to change things up; in other words, I don't like formulaic writing. Enlightenment is different than Awakening and far more complex in questioning what should be clear, black-and-white good-versus-evil; rather, it is discovered to be quite murky. In the second book, the characters discover that there is no black and white, that it is all areas of gray depending upon one's perspective. Lilly is not the only one to be enlightened to that truth in the second book. There are others who must learn to accept it, no matter how much they hope to deny it (and create problems in the process). Eternal will follow an even different path as the characters mature in their transformations and finally take actions to resolve the issues that they have confronted.
And now, I'm ready to delve into the final leg of this complex story that has become something different than I ever imagined it could be. I look forward to realizing its potential and presenting it to you in due course.
