For fans of The Night Angel Trilogy and fantasy author Brent Weeks
Questions about Brent's Career
Was the rapid release of all three books your idea?
When I was writing the trilogy, after I finished writing the first book, I still didn't have a book contract. So I figured the smart thing to do would be to write a completely different story next--that way, if The Way of Shadows didn't sell, my other new book could be making the rounds. You know, I'd have TWO sellable products making the rounds, doubling my chances, right?
Except the story I was really passionate to tell was Shadow's Edge.
So my wife told me to write Shadow's Edge, and to heck with being smart.
I was deep into Shadow's Edge when we got very close to signing a book deal with an editor. I think it was his idea to publish the books rapidly. Well, he was right about to buy my books when... he got downsized. Yeah, sucked for me, I'm sure it sucked more for him. I finished Shadow's Edge, and at that point, figured what the heck, I'm already this deep into a bad decision (having one product to sell, rather than three) so I'll just keep going.
I was about halfway done with Beyond the Shadows when Editor X got a job elsewhere, and wanted to buy the trilogy. Suddenly, a third group was interested, and then Orbit swept in a bought the trilogy pre-emptively. Orbit was (and kinda is) very new in the US , so they were looking to establish presence in the US quickly, so they were very interested in publishing rapidly. I don't know if they already had the idea, or if they just thought it was awesome. So I don't know exactly who to credit.
So in the end, my stupid idea of writing two books that would do me no good at all if the first one didn't sell turned out not to be so stupid after all.
The good news is it's working out pretty well for the people trying it, so I think we all as readers will see this happen more often.
How did you get published? How long did it take?
I wrote the book in a year, spent six months adapting it into a screenplay, rewrote for several months with what I’d learned from that cross-training exercise, went to a conference to pitch my ‘finished’ novel and met Don Maass. He asked one magical question that made me realize I needed to go back and change everything. I did, submitted it, and then started on the next book. Getting signed with Don took another nine months. I finished the next book and started on the last. We collected rejection letters for a while, then at the end, there was interest from all over—and Orbit threw down a preemptive bid for the trilogy with the plan for a rapid release.
I’m not going to lie: writing almost the entire trilogy without a contract was excruciating, but finishing the third book before the first was published allowed me to go back and tweak things in a way most authors aren’t lucky enough to do.
How long did it take you to write the Night Angel Trilogy?
It took me about five years to write all three books--though I was trying to get an agent and wrote a screenplay during that time. Then it took about six-eight months of editing.
Are you going to write more about Kylar, Durzo, etc.?
Orbit has offered–and I have accepted–another three book deal! I’m not a one hit wonder! (Err, three hit wonder? Err, three pretty-well-performing midlister?) Regardless, I’m going to be writing a new trilogy (I think) set in a completely new world, new magic, with great conflict and impossible dilemmas, and characters that will keep surprising you (I hope). I do plan to return to Midcyru after this series. I just decided that I’m not ready as a writer to pull off the ambitious project I envision there. So if your favorite character is still alive by the end of Beyond the Shadows (muhahah), you MIGHT get to see them again…
When is your next book coming out?
November 2010 and the series is called Black Prism. After that release it will be one book a year.
Will you be visiting my city/continent for a book signing?
I go to the Surrey International Writers' Conference every October, so I do get up to Canada at least least once a year. I'm sure next year there will be a chance for me to sign some books. Of course, October is a long way away...
Is the Night Angel Trilogy going to be made into a movie? UNDER CONSTRUCTION
When I was writing the trilogy, after I finished writing the first book, I still didn't have a book contract. So I figured the smart thing to do would be to write a completely different story next--that way, if The Way of Shadows didn't sell, my other new book could be making the rounds. You know, I'd have TWO sellable products making the rounds, doubling my chances, right?
Except the story I was really passionate to tell was Shadow's Edge.
So my wife told me to write Shadow's Edge, and to heck with being smart.
I was deep into Shadow's Edge when we got very close to signing a book deal with an editor. I think it was his idea to publish the books rapidly. Well, he was right about to buy my books when... he got downsized. Yeah, sucked for me, I'm sure it sucked more for him. I finished Shadow's Edge, and at that point, figured what the heck, I'm already this deep into a bad decision (having one product to sell, rather than three) so I'll just keep going.
I was about halfway done with Beyond the Shadows when Editor X got a job elsewhere, and wanted to buy the trilogy. Suddenly, a third group was interested, and then Orbit swept in a bought the trilogy pre-emptively. Orbit was (and kinda is) very new in the US , so they were looking to establish presence in the US quickly, so they were very interested in publishing rapidly. I don't know if they already had the idea, or if they just thought it was awesome. So I don't know exactly who to credit.
So in the end, my stupid idea of writing two books that would do me no good at all if the first one didn't sell turned out not to be so stupid after all.
The good news is it's working out pretty well for the people trying it, so I think we all as readers will see this happen more often.
How did you get published? How long did it take?
I wrote the book in a year, spent six months adapting it into a screenplay, rewrote for several months with what I’d learned from that cross-training exercise, went to a conference to pitch my ‘finished’ novel and met Don Maass. He asked one magical question that made me realize I needed to go back and change everything. I did, submitted it, and then started on the next book. Getting signed with Don took another nine months. I finished the next book and started on the last. We collected rejection letters for a while, then at the end, there was interest from all over—and Orbit threw down a preemptive bid for the trilogy with the plan for a rapid release.
I’m not going to lie: writing almost the entire trilogy without a contract was excruciating, but finishing the third book before the first was published allowed me to go back and tweak things in a way most authors aren’t lucky enough to do.
How long did it take you to write the Night Angel Trilogy?
It took me about five years to write all three books--though I was trying to get an agent and wrote a screenplay during that time. Then it took about six-eight months of editing.
Are you going to write more about Kylar, Durzo, etc.?
Orbit has offered–and I have accepted–another three book deal! I’m not a one hit wonder! (Err, three hit wonder? Err, three pretty-well-performing midlister?) Regardless, I’m going to be writing a new trilogy (I think) set in a completely new world, new magic, with great conflict and impossible dilemmas, and characters that will keep surprising you (I hope). I do plan to return to Midcyru after this series. I just decided that I’m not ready as a writer to pull off the ambitious project I envision there. So if your favorite character is still alive by the end of Beyond the Shadows (muhahah), you MIGHT get to see them again…
When is your next book coming out?
November 2010 and the series is called Black Prism. After that release it will be one book a year.
Will you be visiting my city/continent for a book signing?
I go to the Surrey International Writers' Conference every October, so I do get up to Canada at least least once a year. I'm sure next year there will be a chance for me to sign some books. Of course, October is a long way away...
Is the Night Angel Trilogy going to be made into a movie? UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Views: 839
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rev. Zen on -
Is the process of writing a good book as enjoyable as reading a good book?
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Permalink Reply by Brent Weeks on -
Ha. No! It's a crapload of WORK. Sure, there are times where I feel awesome, but when I go back and read a scene for the fifteenth time, and it STILL doesn't work, that's not fun. Finding out something you wrote that you thought was brilliantly clever and sly is experienced by nine out of ten readers as confusing is not fun. Most of the satisfaction comes after the fact. After a good day writing, I feel great. After I've done something cool, I feel awesome. When I wrote the last line of Shadow's Edge, I was like "Who's the money?" Getting there is hard, and getting from there to where you all get to read it is hard^2. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. I don't want any other job for the rest of my life. But it's hard in a lot of ways people don't realize. Writing Beyond the Shadows and making sure all the many plot threads came to completion (or at least MANY of the important ones did, in the space allotted) that felt like taking exams, every single day, for more than a year. I get a rush from fitting things together, but people get a rush from running a maranthon.
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Permalink Reply by Lizard on -
You summed that up nicely. Writing is fun, but filled with less ups and many more downs. Me personally, I feel like a manic depressive untangling 194 chapters of other people's lives into the semblance of a rocket ship strapped to a roller coaster built by a redneck with a 2-by-4 and some duct tape. I enjoy the ride, I just hope I get paid for the ticket and survive the journey.
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Permalink Reply by Monika801 on -
Well I have the utmost respect for people who do write as I can only begin to imagine how hard it can be. I don't think I could ever write a book or short story as I wouldn't know where to begin. I'm only good at reading stories. All the writers out there keep going and Mr Weeks keep up the good work.
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Permalink Reply by Ben hall-gola on -
agreed
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Permalink Reply by WhiteSheWolf on -
The last line of Shadow's Edge is certainly money. Oh dear. This may fit into another Q&A...but...does your writing ever surprise you? I plot things out a little usually, but sometimes I'll sit down with a scene in mind and when I stop and read over it I'm like, "hey, that wasn't planned..."
Did that ever happen in the Night Angel Trilogy?
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Permalink Reply by Kamana levy on -
I think that a great bestseller that you could write, would be a continuation of the night angel series. With the story of Kyler stern as the new face of retribution and his struggles after the battle at black barrow. Or an entire series that contributes to the character acaelus thorne and his story as the wielder of the black ka'kari over the centuries before he takes the name durzo blint and becomes a wetboy in cenaria. I myself am an avid reader and hope to someday become an author. Hopefully your books will help me find the insperation I need to write my own series
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Permalink Reply by Brad Dickey on -
That would take on a roll like
Elric. The eternal champion.
Or some old school texts like Casca. A greek warrior cursed to not die. Buried at my versuvius in lava and heals enuf todig an inch more every couple of year. Then gets out to a whole new world.
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Permalink Reply by Castreena Contuene on -
I like doing it!!! However, I've been working on three books since secondary school (ummm... about seventh grade for you :p) and I still haven't finished any of them..... I don't know how authors do it!!
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Permalink Reply by Samurai X on -
If the Night Angel Trilogy will be made into movie, that will be so awesome! And Im looking forward for the next series - Black Prism.
Writing a book is surely a lot of work but after the released and knowing that lots of people loved it all the hardship and sleepless nights is being paid off..
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Permalink Reply by Mithy on
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Wow could i have the details later in october!!!! I like signed stuff! And im Canadian, i'l be there if i'm not at school.
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Permalink Reply by Julie Na on
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a new trilogy, with one book a year starting at 2010 right? Doesn't that mean that the return to Midcyru won't happen until at least 2014? (providing that the world doesn't end in 2012)
*readies self for a long wait* Well, either way, I'm definitely looking forward to your next books. If you do write something with Midcyru again, I'm hoping to see that duel with Kylar and Lantano, though Kylar might have to be careful, as Lantano has his sword back.
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