The Ending of Braenduir Chronicles

I finally know how the story ends. According to the rules of writing, I should've decided on the ending before I began to write, but at that point, I didn't know even how the first book would end. I still have millions of words to write and haven't decided on every plot twist on the way, but the road feels a little less rocky now that I know where it ends. 

I've also decided to convert The Heirs of Duty to an audiobook. I must do it a few chapters at a time and use AI-based software (unfortunately) due to my economic situation. I would love to hire a professional but I don't have thousands to spend on the book. The only resources I have to spare are time and enthusiasm. 

I don't know yet when the first audio files will come out, but I'll keep all you bots (Based on the stats, I suspect no human ever visits this blog.) informed. 

Pointless Rambling

This post isn't about anything in particular. I just feel like rambling. I've been neglecting this blog lately as I warned I'd do in the previous post. Partially, it's been intentional, partially because I've had nothing to say. I still don't have anything to say, really, except that I've returned to writing the second book.

Every time I sit down to write, I ask myself why I keep wasting my time on this project. And every time the answer is the same: because writing in itself makes me so happy. When I'm in Braenduir, I forget about all my fears, worries, and sorrows. Braenduir is my hiding place, my way to escape reality. 

Reading books would have the same effect but my eyesight has gotten so bad that I can scarcely read a page at a time. "Buy spectacles!" You might urge. I would if I could afford them. However, I can't buy anything except the utmost essentials at the moment. Microsoft recently announced that they're raising their prices and that €30 more for the Office package almost made me cry. 

If I had some money to spend, I would convert The Heirs of Duty to an audiobook. Would it change anything when it comes to the popularity of my work? No. If the readers found THoD interesting, they wouldn't skip it because it isn't available as an audiobook. I know as much, yet the fool within me keeps wondering what if? The realist knows better, however. Why would anyone pay to listen to my book when no one wants to read it even for free? 

Ah, well... I should just give up, shouldn't I? I tried and failed and it'd be high time to head towards new disappointments. Giving up on your dreams just is so damn hard! Writing fantasy books is all I've ever wanted to do for a living and... I don't know, maybe I should flip the coin? Heads, I keep struggling along this path that leads nowhere. Tails, I close the door to Braenduir for good and find another stone wall to bang my head. 

The First of the Year

New year, old problems; I'm sad to realise. I've long since given up hope that anything would ever become of my writing, yet I am too stubborn to give up on the project. Not finishing the series would be such a horrendous waste of resources that regardless of its uselessness, I am going to keep writing Braenduir Chronicles. 

I won't be able to write 10-12 hours a day almost every day as I've done the past four years, but that's probably only a good thing. I was so consumed by the writing that I forgot, there are other things in life than work. A slower pace may be good for the story as well. I wanted to get the sequel done in as short a time as possible which is most likely the reason why it's still unfinished. 

My goal is to publish Rues of the Heroes by the end of the year, but I'm not going to spank myself even if I fail to do it. In the end, it doesn't matter when the book comes out as I am continuing this project purely for myself. 2024 taught me that regardless of what one wants, hopes, and plans, life can always happen and pulverise everything in the blink of an eye. 

Last year was rough, and as a natural-born pessimist, I don't expect 2025 to treat me any gentler. I do hope that globally things will turn for the better but won't be surprised if not. We humans are gargantuan idiots who instead of learning from our mistakes repeat them again, and again, like a broken record repeats a verse of a song.

Regardless of the negative vibe of this post, I wish you all a Happy New Year. May 2025 bring you joy and success.