Questions about Brent's Career

[Heather]

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

[Rev. Zen]

Is the process of writing a good book as enjoyable as reading a good book?

[Brent Weeks]

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.

[Lizard]

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.

[Monika801]

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.

[Ben hall-gola]

agreed

[WhiteSheWolf]

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?

[Samurai X]

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..

[Mithy]

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.

[Julie Na]

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.

[Keith Williams]

With such a meticulously constructed universe to operate in, and plenty of interesting characters to focus on, I am certain that however long it takes to get around to Midcyru it will be worth the wait. I am eagerly anticipating the next trilogy, but my mind is already dancing with future plot points for young Kylar's world. He's still extremely young compared to his master, and there are lots of things that have not been revealed. It's sure to be an awesome ride no matter how long it takes.

Mr. Weeks has developed quite a following within a short period of time. I think that is a testament to the power of this story, and his natural gifts. I am glad I stumbled upon this series so quickly after it was released, because it was a tremendous ride and it gave me the motivation I needed to power through my own work. Hands down, this is one of the best (if not THE best) fantasy series I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Enjoy your vacation, Brent! You have certainly earned it.

[FFP]

I would even be interested in reading more about Durzo's life in the many years he had.

[ROBERT]

brent im curently writing a trilogy and do you think orbit would be a good company to get my book out in to population?