Shadows of the Fallen Star: A Xander Vance Novel

Oh, the sweet, chaotic bliss of writing! Just a few weeks ago, I hit 'publish' on my very first book—a moment so monumental, I swear I heard an orchestra of tiny violins playing triumphantly in the background (okay, that might have been my neighbor's dog knocking over a music box, but I’ll take it). The rush of seeing my story out in the world was unparalleled, a whirlwind of pride, relief, and nervous pacing while wondering if I should change my name and move to a remote island in case people actually read it.

But did I stop there to bask in the glory? Of course not. Why focus on one book’s post-publication journey when you can sprint through a creative labyrinth like an overly caffeinated squirrel? As if on cue, I jumped into drafting not one, not two, but several books at once. (Note: If anyone knows a good remedy for writer’s cramp, send it my way. My wrists are staging a protest.)

Some might call it ambition; others might diagnose it as a severe case of artistic attention deficit disorder. I prefer to think of it as “story polygamy”—I just can’t commit to one plot when there are so many ideas batting their eyelashes at me from the corners of my brain. It’s like trying to pick a favorite snack at a buffet. Why settle for just the cheese puffs when you can also have cookies, chips, and, let’s be honest, a slice of cake for balance?

Currently, I’m bouncing between:

- Through Ash and Light, an isekai harem adventure featuring a construction worker thrust into a new world where swinging a hammer isn’t just for fixing things but forging alliances (and maybe a bit of romance).

- Under Ashfall, a high fantasy romp about old friends from the same neighborhood exploring a dungeon.

- Timon of Macedonia, a historical fiction novel chronicling the journey of a strategist who served under Alexander the Great, navigating loyalty, ambition, and the shadow of an empire.

- An unnamed sci-fi saga about a modern man from earth sucked into interstellar conflict.

You may ask, “How do you keep all these stories straight?” Well, I don’t. If my draft files had voices, they’d probably be bickering like siblings competing for my attention. One manuscript sulks in the corner because I haven’t touched it for weeks, while another starts getting sassy and changing font sizes out of spite.

In between managing my literary daycare, I’ve come to accept a few hard truths:

Yes, my writing process is like trying to herd cats.

Sleep? I’ve heard it’s nice. Maybe I’ll try it out in my next life.

My ideas don’t respect a 9-to-5 schedule. They prefer to show up at 2 a.m., fully armed with plot twists and dialogue that absolutely can’t wait until morning.

So, here I am—a newly minted author who’s apparently committed to writing as many books as possible before my coffee budget runs out or my computer bursts into flames, whichever comes first. If you’re on a similar journey, know that you’re not alone. Embrace the chaos, the juggling act, and the occasional ‘aha!’ moment that makes you laugh out loud and scare your pet.