The Thirteenth Magician
Page 22
I came up with the story when I was still getting my degree at Bowling Green State University, even writing an earlier version of the first chapter. But I did nothing more with it for nearly 20 years while I concentrated on music and trying to make a living as an advertising writer. When I did finally decide to write it, I spent about six months doing the first draft and another eight years trying to sell it.
Which is why I see real validity in e-publishing, especially for beginning writers. From what I have heard in workshops and such, publishers won't even look at a novel less than 80,000 words, and this one is about 60,000. I could have padded it, I suppose, but I don't think that would have been fair to the reader. Furthermore, as my agent at the time lamented, publishers seem to want something different ... until they get it. Then they change their mind.
I approached writing the book in much the same way I approach writing short fiction. I don't plot out every detail beforehand, write detailed backgrounds of the characters and so forth. I know where I'm starting and know where I'm going, but I have no idea how to get from point A to Z. This, for me, is where the fun and discovery of writing occurs. This is where the characters start dictating what they can do and say, where plot twists and surprises arise. It's probably more time-consuming to approach writing this way, but for me it's much more enjoyable.
I don't necessarily put myself in any of my characters, but if there is one close to my heart so to speak, it would be Alegro. Being a musician myself, I can certainly identify with his pride and ego. Too bad I had to off him. Someday I might write the music and rest of the verses to the warback song.
Will there be another Daasek story? Right now I feel I've lived with the book long enough; it's ready to stand on its own two feet. I'm not a fan of most fantasy trilogies—they seem to lose momentum about halfway through—and I feel I've said all I have to say about the theme of the book. But a few have already said they want to read more. That I will leave up to you, the reader
Peace.
Patrick Welch
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Author Bio
Patrick Welch received a B.A. and M.A. in English from Bowling Green State University. Proving the value of a liberal education, he has worked variously as a musician, dock worker, insurance salesman, full-time and substitute teacher, free-lance writer and assistant store manager.
He has published more than forty stories in e-zines and the small press. Currently, he also has three books available from Twilight Times Books, Cynnador, The Casebook of Doakes and Haig and The Thirteenth Magician.
Westchester Station (a fantasy novel) is available from Double Dragon Ebook. Other completed books include The Body Shop, Before/Beyond (an anthology of science fiction and fantasy stories) and Brendell; Apprentice Thief.
More information on his writing can be found at his web site: http://www.sff.net/people/patrickw
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Visit www.twilighttimesbooks.com for information on additional titles by this and other authors.